Wednesday’s racing round-up brings news of a potential disqualification at Newbury…
Paul Nicholls' Captain Bellamy hung tough to finish first past the post under Lorcan Williams in the Visit Warren Greatrex Racing At Rhonehurst EBF Stallions "NH" Novices' Hurdle at Newbury on Wednesday, but with Williams appearing to use his whip four times over the permitted level of seven, the Johnny de la Hey-owned five-year-old looks likely to lose the contest through disqualification from the Whip Review Committee.
Gaelic Warrior remains in contention to start his campaign in the Paddy's Rewards Club Chase at Leopardstown on December 27th. The Willie Mullins-trained chaser, who is a general 7/2 chance behind the 5/2 market leader Jonbon for the Arkle at Cheltenham in March, featured among the ten horses left in at Wednesday's latest forfeit stage. Gaelic Warrior could face last year's winner Captain Guinness, while Found A Fifty, Banbridge and Marine Nationale all remained in contention for the festive feature.
Amo Racing's Kia Joorabchian confirmed that he is expecting to complete the purchase of Freemason Lodge early next month. The famous stables in Newmarket went onto the market after the previous owner Sir Michael Stoute announced his retirement from the training ranks earlier this year and ever since Kia Joorabchian's Amo Racing have been linked with a potential move. Speaking on Charlie Fellowes and George Scott's podcast Off The Bridle, Joorabchian said: "We're hoping to complete in the beginning of January and we're very thrilled and honoured to have it. We needed something like that because our situation in Lambourn was not very good for us anymore. It worked for the first couple of years when we were dipping our toes in the water and at this moment in time the operation has grown."
Henry de Bromhead is eyeing the Grade 3 O'Driscoll's Irish Whiskey New Year's Day Chase at Tramore on New Year's Day for his potential Cheltenham Gold Cup contender Monty's Star, who was last seen finishing second to JP McManus' exciting King George VI Chase ante-post favourite Spillane's Tower in the Grade 1 Champion Novice Chase at Punchestown last season. The Henry de Bromhead-trained seven-year-old is a general 20/1 chance for the Friday feature at the Cheltenham Festival in March.
Nicky Richards has returned home following three weeks in hospital. The Cumbria-based trainer was omitted to hospital after a fall on stable favourite Houston Texas, who unfortunately suffered a fatal heart attack on the gallops at his yard. Richards, 68, will be hoping Betfred Tommy Whittle Chase favourite Famous Bridge can provide him with the perfect tonic in the valuable handicap chase at Haydock on Saturday.
Former leading owner John Dance has been charged with nine criminal offences in what was described as "one of the most serious and largest frauds ever investigated" by the UK's financial regulator on Wednesday. Joint executive director of enforcement and market oversight at the FCA, Therese Chambers, said: "This is one of the most serious and largest frauds we have ever investigated. We allege that over a period of many years, Mr Dance diverted millions of client funds for his own benefit, telling lies and forging documents to cover his tracks." Dance has been released on bail to appear at North Tyneside Magistrates' Court on January 3, 2025.
