Asterion Furlong and Shiskin to Clash in supreme Andrew Nelis

Shiskin and Asterion Forlonge Is Andrew Nelis top two

Shishkin and Asterion Forlonge are two of 16 runners declared for the Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham on Tuesday.

Since making it no further than the second flight on his hurdling debut, Nicky Henderson’s Shishkin has proved himself a top-class prospect with two facile victories at Newbury and Huntingdon – propelling him to favouritism for the traditional Festival curtain-raiser.

Henderson also runs Chantry House and Allart in his bid for a fourth Supreme success.

Willie Mullins has won the race more than any other trainer, saddling four of the last seven winners and six in all, with Tourist Attraction providing him with his very first Festival success when striking gold in 1995.

His chief contender this time around is Asterion Forlonge, who like Shishkin carries the colours of owner Joe Donnelly.

The grey is unbeaten in three starts under rules and ran away with a Grade One at Leopardstown last month.

Like Henderson, Mullins fires a three-pronged assault, with Elixir D’Ainay and Berkshire Royal – who makes his hurdling debut – also featuring in the final field.

After confirming his star novice Envoi Allen will run in the Ballymore on Wednesday, Gordon Elliott relies on Abacadabras, while Tolworth Hurdle winner Fiddlerontheroof is a leading contender for Colin Tizzard.

Edwardstone (Alan King), Captain Guinness (Henry de Bromhead) and Soviet Pimpernel (Peter Fahey) are others of note.

Eleven runners are set to go to post for the Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy, with De Bromhead’s Notebook and the Mullins-trained Cash Back renewing rivalry after finishing first and second in the Irish Arkle at Leopardstown last month.

Joseph O’Brien’s Fakir D’Oudairies is another major hope for Ireland, while the home team includes Olly Murphy’s Brewin’upastorm, Dan Skelton’s Maire Banrigh and the Evan Williams-trained Esprit Du Large.

Kim Bailey’s Vinndication heads a field of 24 runners declared for the Ultima Handicap Chase, although that number will be reduced by one after General Principle was declared an early non-runner.

Vinndication’s rivals include Paul Nolan’s Discorama, Ben Pauling’s Kildisart and The Conditional from David Bridgwater’s yard.

Just 7lb separates the 22 contenders for the Northern Trust Company Novices’ Handicap Chase.

Henderson’s Precious Cargo and Mick Channon’s Hold The Note head the weights, with Henry Daly’s Whatmore and and the Noel Williams-trained Sensulano at the bottom. Kim Bailey’s Imperial Aura and Elliott’s Galvin are the top two in the market.

Willie and Patrick Mullins combine with hot favourite Carefully Selected in the concluding National Hunt Chase.

The eight-year-old is set to face 13 rivals, including Richard Hobson’s Lord Du Mesnil – the mount of Sam Waley-Cohen – and Elliott’s Ravenhill, who is ridden by Jamie Codd.

Fury to contest the St Ledger Doncaster Andrew Nelis

Trainer Richard Spencer has identified the St Leger at Doncaster as the primary objective for his exciting colt Tyson Fury. The Newmarket handler confirmed in February of last year that the two-time heavyweight world champion had given his blessing for the Iffraaj colt to be named in his honour, with part-owner Phil Cunningham friendly with a member of Fury's team. While it has taken a while for the equine Tyson Fury to hit the racecourse, he produced a knockout display on his Doncaster debut earlier in the month, leaving connections dreaming of a tilt at Classic glory later in the year... Andrew Nelis Racing

Aidan Obrien trio crack Asaault ready for the Qatar sussex stakes Goodwood Andrew Nelis racing

£20 Risk Free First Bet Aidan O’Brien could saddle a formidable three-pronged assault in his bid for a sixth victory in the Qatar Sussex Stakes at Goodwood. It is 21 years since the popular Giant’s Causeway provided the Ballydoyle handler with his first win in the prestigious Group One contest, a success he still recalls fondly two decades on. The record-breaking Rock Of Gibraltar (2002), Henrythenavigator (2008), Rip Van Winkle (2009) and The Gurkha (2016) have all since added their names to the roll of honour in a race O’Brien ranks highly in the Flat racing calendar. “Giant’s Causeway is a horse that would come to mind when you think of the Sussex. It’s a very difficult race to win,” said the trainer. “It’s a very prestigious mile race. It’s the ultimate test really – it’s up and it’s down and it’s left and right. They have to have speed and stamina and they have to be very versatile. “It can be the ultimate test of a miler, physically and mentally. It’s a very important race ...

Epsom Derby Runners and riders 2020 Andrew Nelis

1 AMHRAN NA BHFIANN Sire : Galileo. Trainer : Aidan O’Brien. Official rating : --. Odds : 50-1 Who will add their name to the Derby roll of honour? Positives : His sister, Was, won the Oaks on her third start in 2012, while his brother, Douglas Macarthur, finished seventh in the 2017 Derby after being deployed as a pacemaker. He himself offered something to work on when fourth in a Leopardstown maiden last time, when finishing behind three stablemates who subsequently all made their presence felt in the Irish Derby. His best days are ahead of him. Negatives : Has mountain to climb on form and even his master trainer has not pulled off the trick of winning the Derby with a twice-raced maiden. Indeed, the last maiden to win the race was in 1887. Verdict : Folly to underestimate anything his trainer runs but easy enough to looks elsewhere. 2 EMISSARY Sire : Kingman. Trainer : Hugo Palmer. Official rating : 98. Odds : 33-1 ...

Andrew Nelis racing

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