Paul Nolan says there will be no more ground excuses for Joyeux Machin as he contemplates a step up to Grade One company at Leopardstown over the Christmas period.
A two-time winner over hurdles last term, he has already banked plenty of chasing experience, racing four times over the larger obstacles and going close in a competitive Listed heat at Wexford earlier this month, where he found just Gordon Elliott’s Minella Crooner too good.
The six-year-old holds an entry for the Neville Hotels Novice Chase on December 29 and his handler believes he can no longer use deep ground as an excuse, having gone so close in testing conditions on his most recent outing.
“We looked a bit stupid the last day because we ran him on heavy ground,” said Nolan.
“After his two ‘PUs’ on heavy ground before and on the gallops after working him on heavy ground, it was basically a finding out mission (at Wexford) and we can’t blame ground anymore after his performance the other day, when I thought he was very unlucky and just missed the last.
“He was getting weight off the winner and on ratings he wasn’t too far wrong with the winner. There’s no point getting too carried away, but I definitely won’t be blaming ground anymore.”
Joyeux Machin’s long-term future appears to be over the larger obstacles, with Nolan having the trip to Dublin at Christmas at the forefront of his mind.
However, the handler would be open to reverting to hurdles if the opportunity presented itself, with a confidence boosting victory over timber seen as the perfect way to tee-up Joyeux Machin for his big-race festive assignment.
“I wouldn’t mind mixing things up with him,” continued Nolan. “We had him on the go during the summer for a couple of races and we won’t run him too often. His aim will be at Christmas where he is entered in the Grade One and we’ll see where we go.
“If there was a hurdle race in between that we thought may suit him, then I would love to win with him – and on that basis, if we have a look at the programme and there was a conditions hurdle that came up and he was in at a lovely weight, then I would have no problem going back over hurdles with him.
“We’ll have a chat with the owners and see what we do, but the Grade One will come under serious consideration, with the strong chance that Leopardstown won’t be that deep.”
All of the major players have stood their ground as 23 remain in the hunt for a wide-open Coral Gold Cup at Newbury on Saturday following Monday’s confirmations.
The sponsors are unable to split matters at the top of the market, with Complete Unknown their 7-1 joint-favourite after Paul Nicholls’ seven-year-old finished second to Gerri Colombe at Aintree in the spring before getting the better of Might I on his return to action at Newton Abbot.
Joining him at the head of the betting is John McConnell’s Colin Parker Chase runner-up Mahler Mission, with Gavin Cromwell’s Stumptown also in the mix for Ireland judged on his previous raiding efforts last term. Francis Casey’s Max Flamingo is another poised to cross the Irish Sea.
“All the market principals remain in contention for Saturday’s Coral Gold Cup, and in what promises to be a classy and competitive renewal, we can’t split Complete Unknown for the champion trainer Paul Nicholls, and the Irish raider Mahler Mission, at the head of our betting,” said Coral’s David Stevens.
Others of real interest include Jonjo O’Neill’s Monbeg Genius, who disappointed at Ascot last month but saw the form of his Cheltenham Festival third in the Ultima receive another boost when Fastorslow claimed Punchestown’s John Durkan on Sunday.
David Pipe’s Remastered has unfinished business with this contest, falling when going well in 2021 before returning to finish a close-up second 12 months ago.
Lucinda Russell’s Ahoy Senor is set to shoulder top-weight dropping into handicap company after fluffing his lines at Wetherby on his return.
Dan Skelton’s Midnight River was well held in that Charlie Hall Chase and is one of two for the handler, along with Sail Away, attempting to give him back-to-back victories in a race won by Le Milos 12 months ago.
Also amongst the confirmations are Nicky Henderson’s Dusart, easy Chepstow winner Stolen Silver and 2021 Coral Gold Cup hero Cloudy Glen, representing the Betfair Chase-winning Venetia Williams operation.
Meanwhile, officials at the Berkshire track are continuing to monitor conditions ahead of a variable week, although clerk of the course George Hill is optimistic that despite a few potential challenges, there will be no major threat to the meeting.
Hill said: “We’re currently good to soft on the chase course and good to soft, soft in places, on the hurdles track. We had 4mm of rain overnight.
“The forecast is a bit variable between now and Saturday and there are lots of different outcomes which we will just continue to monitor and see how the latest models are looking like as we move through the next 24 hours.
“It’s a bit early to tell (if the meeting would be in danger) really, to be honest. There is wintery showers in there and frost risks – multiple things, really.
“It’s too early to say, but we’re still in November and there will be mild, wet nights and mild enough afternoons. So, we will just keep an eye on the forecast and react accordingly.”
Philadelphia Union saw its 2023 season conclude with a 1-0 loss to FC Cincinnati in the Eastern Conference Semifinals on a late goal from the hosts at the TQL Stadium in Cincinnati on Saturday.
Yerson Mosquera got the all-important goal in the 94th minute to send FC Cincinnati to the Eastern Conference Final.
Alvaro Barreal placed a pinpoint ball into the box which was met by Ian Murphy who headed it into the path on Mosquera. Mosquera then controlled well before firing the ball expertly past goalkeeper Andre Blake into the bottom right corner.
After a lengthy check from the Video Assistant Referee for a possible offside on Murphy was completed and ruled the goal good and the Union’s season over.
FC Cincinnati will take on the Columbus Crew in the Eastern Conference Final on December 2.
Connections were thrilled to see Doddiethegreat channel his namesake’s fighting spirit when successfully overcoming a long lay-off at Ascot.
Trained by Nicky Henderson, the seven-year-old is named after the former Scotland rugby union great Doddie Weir, who died in November 2022 following a battle with motor neurone disease.
Owned by Kenny Alexander, of Honeysuckle fame, the gelding won his first three outings with the minimum of fuss and has always been held in high regard.
However, he suffered a tendon injury following a successful hurdling debut at Kempton in 2021 which kept him off the track for over two years.
Making his return after 746 days on the sidelines, he proved the engine remained in-tact with a brilliant comeback win.
And with all the prize-money accrued by Doddiethegreat going to the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation – a charity set up by Weir to raise funds to aid research into MND – connections were delighted to add just over £15,000 to the pot.
“It was fantastic and an amazing training performance,” said Peter Molony, Alexander’s racing manager.
“Nicky Henderson is the master of bringing one back from injury and he’s an exciting horse. Nicky has been very bullish about him all along but just wanted to give him all the time he could.
“It’s a dream and Friday was the first time we had been able to pick up some decent prize-money for the foundation, which was great.
“He’s a horse that has faced a little bit of adversity, similar to Doddie himself, so it was all a bit poignant, I suppose. It was great and a dream.”
In the immediate aftermath of his Ascot triumph, the Scottish Champion Hurdle was mentioned as a target for later in the season, and although keen not to rush matters and consider all possible options, Molony admits the race at Ayrshire-born Alexander’s home track in the spring would be given consideration.
He added: “It’s an option, although he might need a bit further than two miles, ideally. With his past injury, we wouldn’t be running him on fast ground.
“It’s definitely an option and Kenny would love a runner that day, and it is a race he would love to win. So, if it suits on the day, then that will be the race he goes for, but it will be all about the horse.
“With him and his injury history, it will be one day at a time and see how we get on.”
Molony went on: “We’ll probably go to a handicap now and up in trip a little bit. We haven’t picked out a specific target and Nicky is keen to give him a bit of time again after Ascot because we don’t want to be affected by a bounce factor or anything like that.
“We’ll be going the handicap route anyway, I would have thought, and see how he gets on there.”
It could be a big day for Nicky Henderson at Newcastle on Saturday, with his two most high-profile horses, Constitution Hill and Shishkin, entered on the card.
Constitution Hill will face a maximum of five rivals when he makes his seasonal return to action in the BetMGM Fighting Fifth Hurdle while Shishkin, who blotted his copybook by refusing to race at Ascot on Saturday, has been given an entry in the BetMGM Rehearsal Chase.
Not surprisingly, there are not many connections with a smart two-mile hurdler on their hands keen to take on Constitution Hill.
Since his racecourse debut in December 2021, the closest any horse has managed to get to Constitution Hill is three lengths, on his most recent outing at Aintree, where he beat multiple Grade One winner Sharjah.
That followed a nine-lengths stroll in the Champion Hurdle over State Man, another Willie Mullins inmate with a list of successes at the highest level to his name.
There had earlier been wide-margin wins over his stablemate Epatante in both the Christmas Hurdle and this corresponding race last year – and she herself was a previous winner of the Champion Hurdle.
So far, he has not looked like being beaten and he will be a very short price at the weekend to maintain his unblemished record.
There is a previous winner of the Fighting Fifth among his likely opponents in the shape of Hughie Morrison’s veteran Not So Sleepy.
He dead-heated with Epatante in 2021 and was last seen running a good race to be seventh in the Cesarewitch.
There are two classy mares among his potential opponents, both having won the Dawn Run Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
Harry Fry’s Love Envoi took the spoils in 2022 and was narrowly beaten by Honeysuckle back at Cheltenham in March, while Jamie Snowden’s You Wear It Well followed in her hoofprints last season.
You Wear It Well reappeared with a good win at Wetherby and is clearly on the up.
Sandy Thomson’s Benson and Iain Jardine’s Voix Du Reve are the only other possibles.
Shishkin is one of 17 entries in the Rehearsal Chase over almost three miles, a contest won 12 months ago by Venetia Williams’ L’Homme Presse.
When asked on Sunday if the race was an option for Shishkin, Henderson replied: “That is under consideration, as you can imagine. We’re going there anyway (with Constitution Hill).”
The trainer deems the Peterborough Chase on December 10 too close to his King George target on Boxing Day.
Shishkin is rated 173 so would be giving lumps of weight away to his rivals should he run, with the next highest rated being Jamie Snowden’s Datsalrightgino on 148.
In a union that transcends borders and court dimensions, Jamaica's Sunshine Girl Shimona Nelson and Australian basketball player Buay Jok exchanged vows in a heartwarming ceremony over the weekend. The couple, who have been together for a significant period, found solace in each other's arms amid the uncertainties surrounding Nelson's netball career in Australia.
Standing at an imposing six-foot-five, Nelson, who is set to celebrate her 25th birthday on December 1, burst onto the Jamaican netball scene in 2017. She swiftly climbed the ranks, representing her country in the Under 21 national squad, the Fast5 team, and eventually securing her place in the coveted Jamaican Sunshine Girls on the international stage. Her prowess on the court earned her a Commonwealth Games silver medal with the Sunshine Girls in 2022.
Nelson's netball journey led her to the Australian Suncorp Super Netball League, where she donned the colors of the Collingwood Magpies since 2019. However, the recent upheaval in the league saw the Magpies' franchise license being returned, leaving Nelson's playing career in Australia in a precarious position.
Amidst these professional uncertainties, Nelson has found support and love in the arms of her long-time boyfriend turned husband, Buay Jok. A towering presence at six-foot-eight, Jok is a forward for the Dandenong Rangers in Australia's NBL1 semi-professional league.
In an interview with Red Boo Sports, Jok shared insights into their dynamic relationship, stating, "She always sets her boundaries. Like clear expectations, and if I don't do those things I'm gonna hear about it. It's great discipline. She's really intense and I'm really calm. We balance each other."
Harry Fry is keen to bolster Gidleigh Park’s experience following his impressive hurdling debut at Exeter.
The five-year-old was an emphatic winner of a Chepstow bumper on his rules introduction back in March, pulling six-lengths clear of Ben Pauling’s The Jukebox Man, who has since franked the form in good style on two separate occasions.
Making his first start over hurdles, Gidleigh Park confirmed the promise of that Chepstow romp with an equally taking display, jumping well and only needing to be pushed out by jockey Johnny Burke for a commanding seven-and-a-half-length triumph.
Although immediately cut by the bookmakers for Graded novice events at the Cheltenham Festival, his handler is in no rush to move into deeper waters and for now plans to seek out another novice event under a penalty.
“We were very happy and he seemed to confirm the promise of his racecourse debut last spring,” said Fry.
“It’s onwards and upwards as they say and we will look forward to getting him out in a month or so under a penalty and if that goes according to plan then we can start thinking about raising his sights.
“I think it’s about experience at the moment more than anything and I think we need to get another run in, in an ordinary novice, before we start thinking about going up in grade.”
An unbeaten century from Joshua Bishop and half centuries from Teddy Bishop, Kevlon Anderson and Johan Layne put the West Indies Academy in control on day two of their four-day match against Emerging Ireland at the Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua on Sunday.
Resuming from their overnight score of 76-2 in reply to Emerging Ireland’s first-innings score of 213, the West Indies Academy scored 409 off 96.4 overs for a lead of 196 runs. Bishop scored a quick-fire 102 from just 70 balls in a lower-order push in which Layne scored 56 from 50 balls.
At stumps, Emerging Ireland batting a second time were 29-3 after 17 overs, still 167 runs behind with seven second-innings wickets in hand.
Teddy Bishop, who resumed on 48, added a further 42 runs before he was bowled for 90 by Matthew Foster, who on Friday took the wickets of openers Ackeem Auguste and Matthew Nandu for five and one, respectively to finish with 3-81.
It was Mike Frost, who was the best of the bowlers, however, with 4-89 after tearing through the West Indies middle order with the wickets of Anderson, who scored 79 after resuming from his overnight score of 20, Kevin Wickham for 33, Nyeem Young for four and Carlon Bowen-Tuckett for 15.
However, he and the rest of the Irish bowling attack would face stubborn resistance from Joshua Bishop who plundered nine fours and eight sixes in his unbeaten ton.
Layne smashed an addition six fours and three sixes as the West Indies approached 400 runs.
Gavin Hoey grabbed some late wickets to return figures of 3-57.
Nyeem Young made the going tough for the Irish in their second innings taking two of the three wickets to fall with Ashmead Nedd taking the other.
In a heartwarming celebration of athletic excellence and academic dedication, three-time Olympic gold medallist Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce was awarded the Alumni Exemplar Sports Award at the University of the West Indies' 75th-anniversary event on Friday night.
The Jamaican sprinting sensation, a five-time world 100m champion, expressed deep gratitude for the recognition from the university that she attended for just one month several years ago.
In a statement shared on her Instagram page on Sunday, Fraser-Pryce expressed her honour, saying, "I am honoured to receive the 2023 Alumni Exemplar Sports Award from the University of the West Indies at their 75th Anniversary Celebration."
She went on to emphasize the dual pillars of her career, stating, "My career has always been rooted in sports and education, and as I go into another year, I’m committed to continue my work with @sfppocketrocketfoundation to ensure students are ready to rise."
Fraser-Pryce, who had previously been honored with an honorary doctorate of laws degree from the University of the West Indies in 2016, as well as a similar honor from the University of Technology, seized the spotlight once again.
Her remarkable achievements extend beyond the track, as she graduated from the University of Technology in 2012 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Child and Adolescent Development with honors.
The star sprinter, known for her incredible speed on the track, has also proven to be a force for positive change off the field. As the founder of the Pocket Rocket Foundation, Fraser-Pryce has dedicated herself to providing crucial financial support to deserving student-athletes. Her foundation is a testament to her commitment to the intersection of sports and education.
This recognition comes as Fraser-Pryce sets her sights on another historic milestone – a third Olympic 100m gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
In a spectacular display of talent reminiscent of his father's glory days, central defender Damion Lowe emerged as a key player in Jamaica's recent thrilling come-from-behind victory over Canada in the CONCACAF Nations League quarter-final match in Toronto.
The Reggae Boyz secured a 3-2 win, setting the stage for an eagerly anticipated showdown with the USA. Coach Heimir Halgrimsson’s move to push Lowe into midfield paid immediate dividends as Reggae Boyz scored two quick goals before Bobby Reid’s penalty sealed the match for the Jamaican team.
Onandi Lowe, a legend of the 1998 World Cup squad, couldn't help but express his pride in his son's performance.
The elder Lowe, who made history as part of Jamaica's 1998 World Cup team, sees a reflection of himself in his son. Having played as a forward throughout his professional career and scoring 27 goals for Jamaica, Onandi is delighted to witness Damion's rise as a formidable central defender.
"That's my son, and they should know that what is in me is in him," beamed a proud Onandi to the Jamaica Gleaner after the game.
"When he was much younger, he used to cry because of the excitement of the National Stadium, but by carrying him over and over, he started to run on the field and kick the ball to goal every chance he got. That's where it all started."
Now, as Damion performs on the global stage, Onandi feels a profound sense of accomplishment and continuity. "My book is complete. I came, I saw, and I achieved, and my son came, saw, and continues the journey," he reflected with gratitude.
Willie Mullins felt Galopin Des Champs lacked his usual spark after suffering defeat in his bid for back-to-back victories in the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase.
The seven-year-old was a hugely impressive 13-length winner of the two-and-a-half-mile Grade One 12 months ago, after which he went on to lift both the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown and the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
He did suffer defeat at the hands of Fastorslow in the Punchestown Gold Cup on his final start of the campaign, but was widely expected to turn the tables on that rival on his seasonal reappearance.
However, the 1-2 favourite lacked fluency in the hands of Paul Townend, particularly in the jumping department, and while he briefly threatened to throw down a major challenge early in the home straight, he ultimately had to make do with minor honours in third as Fastorslow again emerged triumphant.
“Paul said he was very dead in himself today, no spark,” Mullins said afterwards.
“We schooled him during the week, he pinged fences and we were very happy with him.
“It’s disappointing that he didn’t replicate his homework today. For some reason, he was very dead in himself.”
Gordon Elliott continued his fine run of form at Cork thanks to a double with Halka Du Tabert and Tactical Affair.
Halka Du Tabert justified odds of 4-7 in fine style when hacking up by 20 lengths in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Beginners Chase on her first start over fences.
Third in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham last term, the Kenny Alexander-owned six-year-old was cut from 25-1 to 12-1 for the Mares’ Chase at this season’s Festival by Betfair.
Winning jockey Jordan Gainford said: “She was a smart mare over hurdles and was very good today.
“We got down to the start and she wanted to get on with the job and is entitled to come on from the run, as she was gassy and fresh.
“She will be better in a better race with a stronger gallop and will come on a lot from today. She is fine and scopey, her jumping was very good and she had a run in a point-to-point for James Doyle so had plenty of schooling done.
“This is a lovely starting point and hopefully she can improve.”
Tactical Affair showed plenty of spirit to edge out Picture Of You by a short head in the Racing TV Black Friday Offer – Join For Just 12 Euros PM For An Entire Year Maiden Hurdle at 5-2.
Gainford said: “He is a lovely horse and hopefully will come on a lot from that.
“He had to lead, so maybe he didn’t learn as much as we wanted to and he had a good look at the last. It was great for him to get his head in front, though.
“His bumper form was good but he is a fine, big horse who is only a baby and is only coming into himself.”
There was also a double for Willie Mullins, as Readin Tommy Wrong and Meetingofthewaters both justified favouritism.
Readin Tommy Wrong was pushed all the way by stablemate Lisnagar Fortune but held on to prevail by a short head in the I.N.H Stallion Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle.
Owned by Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, the 8-15 chance claimed a bumper double in May with comfortable victories at Ballinrobe and Tipperary and is expected to come on for this debut over timber.
“Some of ours are taking a run at the moment and I think he can build on that,” said jockey Danny Mullins.
“Often, Willie’s biggest problem is he has other horses in the race which can beat them but this was a nice starting point and there is plenty to build on.
“He jumped big over the last two and it was nice to hear his number being called – I was hoping I wasn’t beaten and, in fairness, the other horse has probably improved. Lisnagar Fortune was dropping back in trip, which probably suited.”
Meetingofthewaters survived some sketchy jumps down the home straight to land a gamble in the I.N.H Stallion Owners EBF Beginners Chase, scoring as the evens favourite under Brian Hayes.
The winning rider said: “Patrick (Mullins) owns this fella and told me he really fancied him, so I checked with Philip (Fenton, trainer of unplaced Japers Jack) and he said it was OK to swap.
“Paddy thought he’d win, he had been working well and was confident coming back to a 0-116 beginners, which was a big drop in class. He was confident enough he’d do the business.
“I think he is entered in the (Paddy Power Chase, at Christmas) but this was a 0-116 at the end of the day.”
Union Park has been a progressive chaser this year, prevailing three times over fences in 2023, but connections took advantage of a lenient mark over smaller obstacles in the Cork Welcomes Racing TV Members Handicap Hurdle.
The seven-year-old was rated fully 21lb lower in this sphere and travelled smoothly throughout before finishing strongly to beat Big Debates by half a length at 12-1.
“There wasn’t a suitable chase for him until Christmas but it was always the plan to go back over hurdles,” said trainer Philip Rothwell.
“The horse has built on promise and we let him improve away over fences. That has given him confidence and we are using his hurdle mark at the right time.
“We might even look at going across the water with him at some stage, as I think English racing, where they go a gallop in front, will suit him.”
Henry de Bromhead’s Percy Warner galloped on strongly to oblige at 15-2 in the richest race on the card, the Kevin McManus Bookmaker Handicap Chase.
Fastorslow inflicted a second successive shock defeat on Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Galopin Des Champs with a comeback victory in the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase.
Martin Brassil’s Fastorslow was a widely unconsidered 20-1 shot when springing a surprise in the Punchestown Gold Cup in April, beating the Willie Mullins-trained Galopin Des Champs into second and Cheltenham runner-up Bravemansgame into third.
Galopin Des Champs was a 1-2 shot to exact his revenge in a race he won 12 months ago, but Fastorslow proved his spring triumph was no fluke with a rousing success under JJ Slevin.
A field of six runners went to post for the two-and-a-half-mile showpiece, with the hot favourite one of five runners for Mullins along with Appreciate It, Asterion Forlonge, Blue Lord and Stattler.
It was clear from an early stage it might not be totally straightforward for Galopin Des Champs, with Paul Townend’s mount sticky over one or two of his obstacles while his stablemate Appreciate It got into a lovely jumping rhythm out in front.
To his credit Galopin Des Champs stuck to his guns to remain in the fight turning for home, but he was unable to get on terms with Appreciate It, while Fastorslow was delivered with his challenge late on the far side of the track.
Slevin dropped his whip halfway up the run-in, but it made no difference to the result as his mount found plenty for pressure to deny Appreciate It by half a length, with Galopin Des Champs a further length and a quarter behind in third.
Imagine was made to pull out all the stops to maintain his unbeaten record over fences in the BetVictor Craddockstown Novice Chase at Punchestown.
The five-year-old made a smart start to his chasing career at Fairyhouse earlier in the month and was a 30-100 favourite to follow up at Grade Two level just under three weeks later.
Supporters of Gordon Elliott’s charge were made to sweat, though, with Uncle Phil giving a bold sight in front for a long way, while the late challenge of Lucid Dreams provided another scare.
However, Imagine eventually mastered Uncle Phil after the final fence and had just enough in the tank to repel Lucid Dreams by half a length.
Elliott and jockey Jack Kennedy were completing a treble on the card following the earlier victories of 4-1 shots Shannon Royale and Bob Cigar.
Elliott said: “He’s a nice horse and probably wants further. Two and a half miles would probably suit him better.
“The Grade One in Limerick at Christmas could be an option or we might bring him to Kempton on Boxing Day for the Grade One novice (Kauto Star Novices’ Chase, over three miles) and run Gerri Colombe in the King George, but I could change my mind 10 times before then!”
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