Nicky Henderson will rely solely on Old Park Star in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle after Tuesday’s scratchings date. Those non-runners appeared on the same day entries for the Mares’ Chase and Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle were revealed.
Here is our round-up of the racing news making headlines on Wednesday.
Further Cheltenham Festival scratchings and entries revealed
The first scratching stage for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle occurred on Tuesday with the bombshell that Old Park Star would be the only Nicky Henderson representative in the opening Cheltenham Festival contest. Old Park Star is the clear favourite for the Supreme, while Act Of Innocence is the only Seven Barrows runner left in the Turners Novices’ Hurdle. By contrast, Willie Mullins retains 14 separate hopes in the Supreme after the initial scratchings. (The Sun)
In contrast to the scratchings, the first entries were made for the Mares’ Chase and Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle. Among those likely to compete in the former is defending champion Dinoblue, who could face stablemate Spindleberry. In the latter event, the two big names in Bambino Fever and Oldschool Outlaw were both among the 47 entries. The two contests are the most recent editions to the Cheltenham Festival’s 28-race schedule. (Sporting Life)
Sam Waley-Cohen to take part in Gaucho Derby
Gold Cup and Grand National-winning jockey Sam Waley-Cohen is to take part in the Gaucho Derby. The amateur, who partnered Long Run to Cheltenham glory over Kauto Star and Denman, will compete in the famed Patagonia endurance test from February 18. The race challenges riders to navigate a 500km course with GPS and map-reading skills. Waley-Cohen’s Grand National skills may only take him so far, therefore, though memories of Noble Yeats may keep him going. (Racing Post)
Wetherby’s Wednesday card abandoned
Wetherby’s jumps card on Wednesday has been abandoned due to a waterlogged track. Areas of standing water at the Yorkshire venue made up officials’ minds during an 8am inspection. 15.5mm of rain over the past week, as well as unforecast downpours in the build-up to the meeting, pushed the going beyond the soft-to-heavy hoped for, while further rain is in the offing for later today. (Racing Post)
Aamilah Aswat dreaming of Grand National
The Grand National is the dream for Britain’s first black female jockey to ride a winner in the country. Aamilah Aswat guided Guchen to victory at Kempton last week for Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls. In an interview with BBC Sport, Aswat says her Grand National dream may be “a distant one, but still very much the dream.” Having broken the glass ceiling in just her fourth ride under rules, the Riding A Dream scholar deserves to think big. (BBC)