YOU BET: Bad break for Barbury yard (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

YOU BET: Bad break for Barbury yard

2:00pm Thursday 15th December 2011 in Ray Burroughs Racing Column By Ray Burroughs

BARBURY Castle trainer Alan King will be without number one jockey Robert Thornton for several weeks after his fall from Western Whisky at Hereford last Sunday.

Thornton broke his upper right arm and is expected to undergo surgery, ruling him out for four to six weeks.

“It’s such bad luck, a real shame for him as he is riding really well at the moment,’’ said King.

“We will survive this end, but he is a massive part of the team here.’’

The field for Ascot’s three mile, one furlong Lough Derg Long Walk on Saturday is led by Paul Nicholls’ Big Buck’s who, with stable companion Celestial Halo, dominates the betting.

Timmy Murphy, aboard Sparky May, believes the Kieran Burke-trained six year old can make a bold show, as could David Pipe’s Dynaste.

Cotswold trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies enters Pettifour, but Big Buck’s looks the one to beat after cruising to victory in Newbury’s Long Distance Hurdle.

Nicholls could also lift the Listed Ladbroke Handicap Hurdle with Prospect Wells, a winner of two of his three hurdles starts.

Gary Moore’s Via Galilei poses a threat. as does Nicky Henderson’s Gibb River.

Lambourn’s Henderson could start the afternoon with success in the Novices Handicap Hurdle with Foxbridge, AP McCoy’s mount Well Hello There also in the running.

Haydock’s feature is the Tommy Whittle Chase, with teh Donald McCain-trained Wymott holding an each way chance.

There are also jumps at Newcastle, while all-weather flat meetings take place at Lingfield.

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