Utopie Des Bordes retained her unbeaten British record in the Listed Jane Seymour Mares' Novice Hurdle at Sandown and booked her ticket to the Cheltenham Festival.

Nicky Henderson's recruit, who was a Grade One winner over fences in France, went off the 11-10 favourite after opening her account at Doncaster. When Twigline crashed out at the last, Barry Geraghty's most significant danger was She Ranks Me, but she held her off bravely.

"She's not very big but she can jump, and she will go for the Albert Bartlett as we know she stays and the owner has Une Artiste for the David Nicholson (Mares' Hurdle)," said Henderson.

"She's been jumping fences round Auteuil, so hurdles should be easy for her and she's doing well. The beauty of her was she was still a novice over hurdles. This was the obvious stepping-stone for her."

The stewards queried why Ruby Walsh remounted Twigline and cantered her back, but were satisfied she had been examined by a vet.

Henderson and Geraghty added one more when Heronry (9-4 favourite) swallowed up Liberty Court in the Oxshott Novices' Handicap Hurdle.

Richard's Sundance (14-1) has been a valuable servant to the Victor Dartnall yard and a positive ride from Andrew Glassonbury saw the 11-year-old finish five lengths clear of Relax in the Alanbrooke Handicap Chase.

13 May 2013

Fabre confirms Ocovango for Epsom
Aspect on route to big things
Room at the top for Cityscape
Freedom steps into chasing ranks
Lucky thirteen in line for Lockinge
Galway beckons for Swinton hero
Sajjhaa set for late return
Cadeaux thriving in Singapore
Pink primed for Duke Of York
Liber takes aim at Musidora
Battle won for O'Brien
Pretending the real deal
Duntle back to winning ways
Classic glory for Flotilla
Style wins the day in Paris
Highclere double-handed for Dante
Cornerstone plans up in the air
Beckett planning Gesture workout

12 May 2013

No hurry for Jammy plans
Guest in hunt for more Ascot glory
Vow set for Goodwood return
Gold-en boy Anodin in Classic hunt
Buick aiming for French strike
Angel flies home to land Chartwell
Barizan bounces back in style
Queally lights up Ascot meeting
Ektihaam storms to Buckhounds win
Nevis takes depleted Trial contest
Hard-fought battle won at Haydock
Secret impresses in Oaks Trial
Ascot drama for Fanning

11 May 2013

Felix foot-perfect on fencing debut
Cavalryman leads Cup charge
Ramsa ready to stand Trial
Duntle out to dazzle in Amethyst
Swift return doesn't bother Moran
Garman gives Bolger hope
Henderson: Ground vital for Voice
McMahon sweet on Tart Ascot claims
Murphy to move to France
Athos flies to Ormonde glory
Dee day for impressive Magician
Kingdom confirmed for Queen Anne
Secret's out for Lingfield glory
Lambe expects good run from Hall
Marengo ready to do battle
Greatwood on trial at Lingfield
Barizan sneaks into Swinton
Jamesie gunning for Vic-tory

10 May 2013

Telescope focus is on Dante
Blinkers considered for Guarantee#
Bonfire camp bemoan Huxley flop
Moohaajim has six appeal
Ascot welcomes a couple of Guests