Goldie heads to Newmarket mob handed

Jim Goldie will field as many runners as possible in Saturday’s Betfred Cesarewitch with five contenders for the Newmarket feature at this stage.

Multiple Cesarewitch hopes for Scots trainer. Picture: Getty

With 34 horses permitted to face the starter, the Scot at least has Nanton and Los Nadis safely in the field, while Merchant Of Dubai, Jonny Delta and Aleksandar all need horses to drop out in order to take their chances.

While 11-year-old Nanton has flown the stable’s flag for some time, all bar Aleksandar have already been in action both on the Flat and over hurdles.

“If they get in, they will all run,” said Renfrewshire trainer Goldie. “Nanton ran a big race in it off top weight a few years ago, while hurdlers have won the race before and the trip will suit Los Nadis. Merchant Of Dubai is capable of running a big race too. We’ll just see how many of them we can get in.”

Meanwhile, Gerard Butler’s British Horseracing Authority disciplinary panel hearing over his use of the drug Sungate has been scheduled to take place between 18 and 20 November.

The Newmarket trainer faces charges of breaking seven rules over his use of the joint treatment, which contains an anabolic steroid, on nine horses in his care. While it is legal to use the drug in Britain when it is imported under licence, the active ingredient is a prohibited substance in racing.

The BHA confirmed the horses had tested posititve for stanozolol when samples were taken on 20 February, while other charges include injecting the horses himself despite not being a qualified or registered veterinary surgeon, and failing to keep a record of treatments. While some of the charges can lead to a financial penalty, Rule (C)55, or positive test of sample taken at training premises, can mean a disqualification from racing for up to ten years.

• Former Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Long Run is again set to make his seasonal reappearance in November’s Betfair Chase at Haydock.

It will be the third consecutive time the Waley-Cohen family’s star has returned in the Grade One, in which he finished second to both Kauto Star in 2011 and Silviniaco Conti last year.

Long Run went on to regain his King George title on Boxing Day, after which he finished third to stablemate Bobs Worth in the Gold Cup and second to Sir Des Champs at Punchestown. Jockey Sam Waley-Cohen said: “I’m very much looking forward to the season and I think it’s most likely he will start off in the Betfair Chase.”

Selections

Ludlow

2.10 Raven’s Tower

2.40 Magic Money

3.10 Inside Dealer

3.40 Planetoid

4.10 De Faoithesdream

4.40 Coronea Lilly (nap)

5.10 On Tour.

Nottingham

2.00 Lexington Abbey

2.30 Margrets Gift

2.00 Searchlight

3.30 Melrose Abbey

4.00 Volume

4.30 Storming

5.00 Personable

5.30 Hector’s Chance

Towcester

2.20 Gwili Spar

2.50 Claret Cloak

3.20 Osmosia

3.50 Garnock

4.20 Lucys Girl

4.50 Rifleman

5.20 Newforge

Kempton

5.40 Hipz

6.10 Checkpoint

6.40 Sea Defence

7.10 Hesbaan

7.40 I’m Fraam Govan (NB)

8.10 Claim The Roses

8.40 Duke Cosimo (nap)

9.10 Sunny Hollow