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2pm Newbury rename Aon Chase in honour of Denman
Will Hayler: Key Gold Cup trial the Aon Chase is to be renamed the Betfair Denman Chase this season. The retirement of the Gold Cup winner and dual Hennessy hero was announced by trainer Paul Nicholls earlier this month, but Denman remains at the stables enjoying a period of rest as he recovers from an injury sustained in the build-up to what would have been his reappearance at Leopardstown later this month.
Writing in his column on the Betfair website, Nicholls revealed news of the new sponsorship today, recalling the horse's victories in the Hennessy and the 2008 Aon.
However, the irony of the new sponsorship ? which will see Denman parade before 'his' race on February 11 ? is that the last time he lined up in the race last year, he ended up producing a rare poor round of jumping before finally getting rid of AP McCoy at the third-last fence.
"As for the horse, he is 100% sound and a similar injury would simply have seen a younger horse out for the season, instead of retired," said Nicholls. "But Denman is currently enduring a month of box rest, although we lead him out for a pick of grass each day.
"After his box rest is over, we will put him on the walker for two hours each day. Luckily for those who look after him, he calms down a lot when he is not in full work, as he is at his most aggressive when fit. So hopefully he will behave himself on the day.
"It was a great shame that he picked up his injury when he did, but he has retired with his head held high and, while 2008 at Cheltenham was his premier day in my opinion, we will always be proud of his Newbury exploits and I know his Hennessy wins are many people's favourites performances of his."
Today's best bets, by Chris Cook
Hayley Turner, last seen being carted off the track at Bath with a broken ankle after this happened on the last day of August, returns to action at Kempton on Tuesday. She has three rides, starting with Copper Falls in the 2.10pm race.
We're all familiar with the idea of trainers trying to provide favoured jockeys with winning rides when they make their comebacks from injury, so it would be no surprise if Turner were to pop up in the winner's enclosure at some point, though none of her trio are obviously fancied. I can't say I came close to picking any of them myself (from which fact, she will no doubt derive considerable encouragement).
My bet on the card is Duke Of Clarence (4.45), a 7-4 shot in the mile maiden. Trained by Richard Hannon, he was backed down to 11-8 for his debut on Lingfield's Polytrack a little under three weeks ago but looked as green as the turf they weren't racing on and finished seventh.
Even then, he showed enough to be ranked among the more accomplished performers for today's race, when he should be seen to better effect. The Hannon yard strike-rate has remained in double figures for each month this year and continues in good form.
At the other end of the market, I'm chucking a few quid at 30-1 or bigger on Betfair on Volcanic Dust (3.45) in the second division of the sprint handicap. She comes from the Chepstow yard of Milton Bradley that has not had a particularly terrific year but is going well now, The Tatling being one of three winners in the past fortnight.
Off since August, Volcanic Dust has won two of her last four, was beaten just a length at Wolverhampton on her last run on Polytrack and turned in one of her better efforts when second in a claimer last October on her last appearance at Kempton.
There are no weather-related problems at today's two turf meetings at Taunton and Musselburgh. Otto Quercus (2.55) has his first run for a month in the handicap chase and John Wade's string has since hit form, so he appeals at 13-2.
Posh Emily (3.05) is the same price for the closing handicap hurdle at Taunton, which is fair enough, with Nick Scholfield (successful on her last month) returning to the saddle after she was given a shade too much to do under a claimer last time.
Last week's tipping competition
Blitzwing got up in the shadow of the post on Friday, picking Idol Deputy (9-4) to go past William36 and win a copy of Warrior by General Jack Seely. Blitzwing, an email will be on its way to you today. Our tipping competition is having a breather for the holiday period but will return in the New Year.
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And post your tips or racing-related comments below.
Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/2011/dec/20/hayley-turner-live-racing-december-20-2011
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