Gifford to continue fine run

THERE is no month like November for Josh Gifford. The Sussex trainer is not a man to follow in the early stages of the jumps season and had sent out only two winners by the end of last month.

But his yard invariably comes alive in November, a period during which he trained no fewer than 18 winners two years ago. He is enjoying another purple patch this time and Major Summit should take the stable's monthly tally to 15 today with victory in the Jacky Upton Handicap Chase at Newbury.

The seven year old has done his bit to contribute to Gifford's record with successful reappearances in November of each of the last two years. He looks set to complete the hat trick today as he embarks on what promises to be a highly profitable second season over fences.

Major Summit followed his first time out win in a novice chase here with victories in similar events at Sandown and Towcester. And he was the only horse to make a race of it with the hugely impressive Mr Mulligan in the Reynoldstown Novices' Chase at Ascot in February.

He kept tabs on the leader from the off, jumping boldly and well, until his efforts told and he lost second late on to subsequent Sun Alliance Chase winner Nahthen Lad.

The first two that day are Gold Cup candidates yet Major Summit reappears on the mark of only a fair chaser. Given plenty of time to recover from his Ascot exertions and with a record of running well fresh, Major Summit looks set to take full advantage today.

Earlier, Chai Yo can complete a hat trick in the Brimpton Handicap Hurdle. Last week's impressive Aintree winner should prove too strong for Bolivar who will be a much better horse when turned over a longer trip and refitted with the blinkers in which he showed much improved form on the Flat in the summer.

Bangor racegoers today will be lucky to see two horses as good as Castle Sweep and Mr Mulligan who graced the fixture 12 months ago. But the useful River Mandate may well be good enough to defy a near two year lay off in the Maelor Handicap Chase.

. Yesterday's meeting at Uttoxeter was abandoned due to frost after a lunchtime inspection. Carlisle was also called off for the same reason.

All morning Uttoxeter's clerk of the course, David McAllister, had been issuing upbeat bulletins, saying the chances of racing were 50-50 and that no inspection was planned.

But just before noon the start of the opening John Stubbs Memorial Novices' Hurdle was ominously put back half an hour, with an inspection pencilled in for 12.45.

The remaining five events were due to be run at 25 minute intervals if the meeting went ahead.

But after a brief look at the course the stewards, accompanied by senior jockeys Jamie Osborne and Simon McNeill, called the meeting off, a decision which came as no surprise to almost every trainer and jockey in attendance.

. Leighton Aspell yesterday signalled his intention to make a serious bid for the British conditional jockeys' title by appointing an agent.