Midnightreferendum gets the vote in mares’ chase at Exeter
Midnightreferendum can strike gold at Listed level in the Join Racing TV Now Mares' Chase at Exeter. King's eight-year-old was good enough to finish second in the Grade Two mares' bumper at Aintree back in 2018 and while she did not really set the world alight over hurdles, she still won twice, albeit at a fairly average level.
Midnightreferendum has shaped with some promise over fences this term though, cantering home by 18 lengths on her initial outing, looking an absolute natural with a fine round of jumping.
However, she failed to build on that at Huntingdon as she came down at the thirdlast when still travelling well enough.
That proved a momentary aberration as she certainly made no mistakes in a Warwick Listed chase next time out, merely finding the classy Zambella too good - a similar situation to when third behind Annie Mc on her most recent outing.
Beaten 25 lengths at Doncaster, Midnightreferendum could have been a bit closer had she not been badly hampered by a faller, so her peralan formance can be upgraded a notch and she might have the necessary improvement to make her mark here.
Findusatgorcombe can make his light weight tell in the Thank You NHS Devon National Handicap Chase.
The three miles and six furlongs will take some getting in soft ground, but Jimmy Frost's charge has already proved this particular stamina test is his cup of tea with a narrow victory in December.
He beat the reopposing Dawson City a head and they meet on the virtually same terms, so you would think Findusatgorcombe could at least confirm that form.
The eight-year-old subsequently came off second best at Wincanton last month, but switching back up from three miles and a furlong should help his cause.
Heross Du Seuil was a fortunate winner at Kempton on his most recent outing, but he can show that was no fluke in the South West Syndicate Juvenile Hurdle at Warwick.
Nicky Henderson's runner was left clear at the last when his main rival fell, coming home 10 lengths clear on what was both his British and hurdles bow.
A bumper winner in France, he clearly has ability and his Triumph Hurdle entry suggests the regard in which he is held.
Royal Aberdeen is to stage the Scottish Senior Open in September, when the Legends Tour event will be hosted for the first time by Paul Lawrie.
The announcement marks the return of the Legends Tour, formerly the European Senior Tour, for the first time in 26 years.
The Balgownie Links hosted the first three editions of the Scottish Senior Open from 1993-95 before staging the
Senior Open in 2005. More recently, it was the venue for the 2011 Walker Cup and the 2014 Scottish Open, which was won by Justin Rose.
Lawrie, who is an honorary member of Royal Aberdeen, will be the defending champion on September 10-12 after claiming his breakthrough Legends Tour title at Craigielaw in 2019.
“I am incredibly excited to be given the opportunity to host the Scottish Senior Open at Royal Aberdeen Golf Club, which is such a wonderful venue,” said the 1999 Open champion. "It is a truly stunning golf
course and, being a local lad, it is a venue close to my heart and I cannot wait to welcome my fellow Legends Tour players to Aberdeenshire in September.
I am looking forward to working closely with Keith Grant and his team at Royal Aberdeen, as well as Mark Aspland and the Legends Tour, to deliver the best event possible and help to show off our region.”
Richard Noble, captain of Royal Aberdeen, said he was “delighted” with the news and is hopeful that fans will be able to attend the event.
Also welcoming the announcement, Paul Bush, director of events at Visitscotland, said: “It’s exciting to see the Scottish Senior Open heading to such an iconic venue. The Scottish Senior Open has long been an important part of Scotland’s worldclass golf event portfolio and it is great to see it return this year.
"We look forward to working with colleagues at the Legends Tour to support them in delivering the best possible event this September.”
Paul Mcginley, the winning 2014 Ryder Cup captain, is also set to host an event on the 2021 Legends Tour schedule in Ireland. The Irish Legends, presented by the Mcginley Foundation, will take place at Rosapenna on August 20-22.
A week after signing Josh Mckay, Glasgow Warriors have added another former New Zealand Under-20 international back-three player to their squad with the capture of Cole Forbes.
The 21-year-old has been on trial at Scotstoun and impressed head coach Danny Wilson sufficiently to be offered a deal.
Unlike Mckay, Forbes is Scottish qualified but like his compatriot he has experience of playing at stand-off, although Wilson sees him more as a wing or full-back.
Glasgow say he has signed “a multi-year deal”.
“Cole has really impressed us since joining in January,” said Wilson. “He’s a back-three player with pace, good footwork and has shown a defensive physical presence already in training.
“He joins us with experience playing in the Mitre10 Cup and has previously represented New Zealand Under-20s.
“Cole has worked hard in training and shown a lot of
promise. We look forward to seeing what he can do in the Warriors jersey.”
Born in Pukekohe in the Auckland Region of the North
Island, Forbes first caught the eye when helping Bay of Plenty to the Jock Hobbs Memorial National Under-19 tournament in New Zealand, before going on to make his senior debut for the province in the Mitre10 Cup.
Scottish-qualified through his grandfather, Forbes was part of the New Zealand squad which finished fifth at the 2019 World Rugby Under-20 Championship.
Forbes said that former Glasgow Warriors player Hugh Blake helped pave the way for his move to Scotland.
“Hugh Blake and I played
Mitre10 together for Bay of Plenty, and he got me in contact with an agent up here,” Forbes told glasgowwarriors. org.
“They put me in touch with Danny and the coaches at Glasgow, who were keen to take me on trial.
“Luckily it’s gone really well and I’m keen to repay the faith they’ve shown in me.
“All the boys have been great since I arrived.
"They’ve all really helped me out – coming in halfway through a season is always difficult but they’ve helped me fit in really well.”