Just as he did in this race a year ago, Miko de Beauchene warms up for the Coral Welsh National with a spin over hurdles in the Pertemps Handicap at Newbury today. He finished second to Eden Linty, trained by Philip Hobbs, and if he manages a place behind the Hobbs runner this time, connections of Miko de Beauchene should be thoroughly satisfied, for Ballydub (2.05) is very well handicapped. He has not been re-assessed on his good Cheltenham run behind Punchestowns and looks sure to appreciate the step up to three miles. Newbury had no rain last night, but the ground is softer on the hurdles track than on the chase course and Ballydub will relish the test of stamina.
He is a short price for a handicap like this, admittedly, but Ballydub can spark a Hobbs double, with Copper Bleu (3.45) to come. Though ultimately a well-beaten third behind Massasoit at Aintree, Copper Bleu was a lot closer to the winner when he made a mistake two out. That was over two and a half miles in testing ground, and Copper Bleu will not mind dropping back in distance today.
The Paul Webber stable has struck form with a vengeance this week, and it looks interesting that Pressgang (1.30) goes straight over fences on his comeback at Newbury. I gather the six-year-old is in very good order and, bearing in mind how talented Pressgang was in his bumper days, this could be the six-year-old's chance to get his career back on track.
Fallon free to return to the track next autumn
Tony Paley reports: Kieren Fallon can return to race-riding next September following the British Horseracing Authority announcement this morning that they will not be issuing any more disciplinary charges against the former champion jockey. The decision follows the conclusion of the BHA investigation into evidence revealed in the BBC Panorama Racing's Dirty Secrets programme broadcast in August.
Fallon, who has admitted to the BHA that his actions in the past had been "reckless" with regard to the passing on of tips, is currently serving a suspension for a second positive test for cocaine which was imposed by the French racing authorities — that ban expires in September 2009.
The BHA statement published this morning spoke of frank admissions made by Fallon about his contacts with racing associates: "In arriving at its decision not to bring disciplinary proceedings against Kieren Fallon the authority has given considerable weight to frank admissions made by him in relation to the past and his willingness to accept a rigorous regime to ensure he is and remains both drug free, and compliant with the rules of racing regarding the use of inside information.
"Provided those undertakings are kept, the authority will not object to Kieren Fallon returning to British racing through the licensing process. Kieren Fallon has accepted that his attitude to inside information has in the past been reckless, conceding that he has been too free with such information and careless about whom he passed it to. He has accepted that if he were to act again as he has done in the past he would be in breach of the rules of racing. He has agreed to attend appropriate training in relation to inside information."
The Panorama programme focused on horses being laid in 27 races during 2003 and 2004 on the betting exchanges by racehorse owners Mark, Bruce and Lloyd Bennett and four other non-licensed individuals. The horses in question were either ridden by Kieren Fallon, Dean Mernagh or Dean McKeown. The BHA have decided, "in the light of particular circumstances", to take no action against the jockeys all of whom are currently banned. Mernagh and McKeown have both indicated that they are not going to return to race-riding.
The Bennetts and the other four individuals have all refused to co-operate with the BHA investigation and the authority also announced today that they have begun the process of having the seven "warned off" so that they will be unable to use premises licensed by the authority such as racecourses and racing stables.
BHA spokesman Paul Struthers also revealed that the authority have still not concluded their investigations into matters relating to the Old Bailey trial involving Fallon which collapsed last December but that the six-time champion jockey would not be facing charges in respect of that case.
"Progress with regard to matters specifically related to the criminal trial has been slower than we would have wanted, due in main to the well documented and frustrating lack of cooperation we have had from the Crown Prosecution Service," said Struthers.
He added: "These matters are ongoing and we will decide what actions are to be taken and what charges are to be laid against Miles Rodgers, Fergal Lynch and Darren Williams in the next couple of months. Kieren Fallon will not face any charges in relation to matters directly related to the trial."
1.45pm Buck proves a legend
Tony Paley reports on the afternoon action: The first race at Newbury today, which was run in slow motion at the finish, and the second which was run 20 seconds slower than the standard time strongly suggests the ground is getting towards soft and that is important news for anyone thinking of having a bet over the next two days, including in the Hennessy Gold Cup.
The well-touted Mount Helicon was narrowly defeated by 33-1 shot Nino Cochise in the first but won't meet ground that desperate very often while Buck The Legend ran away with the second race. The winning trainer, Nigel Twiston-Davies, can be relied upon to have his horses ultra-fit and proven fitness along with an ability to handle the testing conditions will be paramount for the rest of this Winter Festival meeting.
At 7-4 Buck The Legend wasn't a big price but it has given Harrytheactor, MillieJ, MaxH and Blitzwing an early lead in today's competition. I like the moniker 23skidoo for one of the entrants here. Named after a terrific band for those that like their industrial, post-punk acts. Coup, which I believe sampled the movie Apocalypse Now, was a release I particularly liked.
2.20pm Competition time continues next week
Ballydub romps in at Newbury to give Harrytheactor and MaxH the lead, and following the success of Amazing King in the last race of the competition at Musselburgh which no one tipped they are today's joint-winners. Each will receive a copy of Racing Trends Revealed. This just in — there will be a new competition starting Monday. Watch this space.
Win! Win! Win!
With the jumps season hitting full stride, we have five copies of David Myers' new book Racing Trends Revealed Jumps 2008/09: The Road to Cheltenham to give away, one each day during Talking Horses this week. It's the perfect guide to all the big races in the coming months, including the Cheltenham Festival in March, highlighting specific clues that help identify the winners.
To be in with a chance of winning one of the five copies, all you need to do is send us three daily tips, one each from three nominated races. Today's races are: Newbury 1.30 & 2.05 & Musselburgh 2.20. The daily winner will be the tipster who makes the best profit on the day.
