Equinties - the troll is coming

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Gm Equinauts 

Well, the weather is set to be so cold that we’ve fucking named it… the Troll of Trondheim.

Those of y’all who can’t go a day without gambling nags, (seek therapy and) make the most of Leicester as snow, ice and freezing temps are set to hit the UK as of today which looks bearish for the next few days racing with Hexham the first victim of frozen ground.

Tbf, racing could get called off the next month for all I care, BGP Capital have had it right off the last few weeks with the 50/1 ‘MIDNIGHT LEGEND’ double winning a two weeks ago, the 10/1 treble landing last Saturday and Finndog’s ‘Skelton yard’ double trotting in yesterday.

I LOVE THIS GAME.

Now, let’s dive in.

Headline Roundup

McNally’s guilty ruling 

Yesterday, Ronan McNally’s world looked pretty bearish as a major IHRB investigation into the improvement of horses (cheating) found the Irish trainer guilty of multiple charges. 

The Armagh-based operator was found to be in breach of at least ten of the 11 alleged rule infringements by an IHRB referrals committee – the sanctions for the breaches aren’t set to come into play until next year, however, the IHRB referrals committee have the power to withdraw or suspend any license and can impose a fine of up to €100,000 for each rule break.  

“Serious damage to the interests of horseracing in Ireland”, “the manipulation of official handicap ratings”, and “passing information about the condition and wellbeing of Dreal Deal to allow others to profit from betting on the horse” are just some of the statements made by the IHRB in relation to McNally’s actions. 

Since the news was released, McNally has come out and said: “No penalties are finalised yet and I still have the right to appeal on the original charges. I will certainly be appealing against the charges." 

I mean, you can only feel sorry for the Northern Irish trainer whose situation currently looks pretty bad… ALL THE TRAINERS ARE AT IT.

More: 

Touch and go for Cheltenham 

Plummeting overnight temperatures could put the weekend’s action in doubt as sub-zero conditions have forced clerks of the course to deploy the frost covers. 

Temperatures are set to hit -4C on Thursday and Friday night, something that will put both of the cards at Cheltenham and Doncaster at risk of abandonment – clerks at both courses have already reached for the frost covers to give themselves every chance of going ahead this weekend. 

Jon Pullin, clerk of the course at Cheltenham, told the Racing Post: "We finished watering today and frost covers will be deployed tomorrow as we have frost forecast from Wednesday night onwards. 

"Temperatures on Wednesday night are around -2C to -3C, and could go as low as -4C on Thursday and Friday night. During the day it should get above freezing and we're looking at 1C on Saturday. 

"It's a challenging forecast but we're at good ground now. We'll get the frost covers down and see how the ground reacts under those for the next 48 hours." 

More: 

The machine is back! 

Willie Mullins’ GALOPIN DES CHAMPS will get his season underway on Sunday heads a field of eight for the Grade 1 John Durkan at Punchestown. 

Despite his final fence fall in the Turners Novices’ Chase last season, the six-year-old earned an OR of 172 and an RPR of 177 after his win in the Grade 1 Novice Chase at Fairyhouse in April. 

The former Martin Pipe winner is a general 5/2 shot for the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March and he has everyone on Racing Twitter excited for Sunday. 

Elsewhere on the day, stablemate ENERGUMENE is set to make his seasonal reappearance in the Grade 2 Hilly Way Chase at Cork as he looks to defend his Queen Mother Champion Chase crown. 

MASTER MCSHEE, second to GALOPIN DES CHAMPS on two separate occasions last season, is set to oppose the Tony Bloom-owned eight-year-old whilst CAPTAIN GUINNESS is also an early entry for Henry de Bromhead. 

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Risk on

13.50 MILADYGRACE

Won well lto, will love quick ground and only fergals to beat. Yard won this race last year. Full bet at 11/8