Nenuphar has turned corner – King

The eight-year-old won the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle two seasons ago and was beaten less than a length in the William Hill Trophy at Cheltenham last year.

He has failed to cut much ice so far this season, but with King's string back to form in recent days and after a bit of respite from the handicapper, a big run could be in the offing this Saturday.

"We've definitely turned the corner. We've got over the problem that we had before Christmas," said King who also trains Yorkshire businessman Sir Robert Ogden's two-time Cheltenham hero Voy Por Ustedes.

"It looks a slightly better race for him and I think the track should suit. He might be well handicapped and this might be more his grade."

In other Doncaster news, Iris De Balme faces his first racecourse test since winning the Scottish National in April 2008 when he runs over hurdles at Doncaster on Saturday

Trainer Sean Curran says the race will be a stepping stone prior to the marathon Eider Chase at Newcastle on February 27 – and then the Grand National.

ROBERT Thornton, stable jockey to the aforementioned Alan King, was taken to hospital with a suspected back injury after suffering a crunching fall in the Dick Christian Novices' Chase at Leicester.

Thornton was riding Cracboumwiz for his boss and appeared to be just getting the better of 2-5 market leader The Polomoche when he came down at the third-last fence.

This left The Polomoche to come home in his own time and record another winner for in-form Malton rider Andrew Tinkler as the only other runner Grey Dasler was pulled up.

Thornton initially tried to get to his feet, but was placed into an ambulance on a stretcher.

PETER Beaumont brought down the curtain on a fantastic training career as his final runner, Fencote Mystery, finished unplaced at Sedgefield.

For a long way it looked as though the eight-year-old might provide the North Yorkshire handler in the handicap chase, but he weakened to come in last of the six finishers.

Beaumont, 75, enjoyed many notable triumphs in a career spanning 24 years, including the 1993 Cheltenham Gold Cup with Jodami.

To mark the occasion, Sir Peter O'Sullevan – the 'voice of racing' – presented him with a bottle of champagne.

"It's lovely Sir Peter was here and that was a nice surprise as I wasn't expecting that," said Brandsby-based Beaumont.

Yorkshire-jockeys Brian Hughes and Tjade Coillier, two of the weighing room's rising stars, were both successful at the County Durham track.

CHAMPION trainer Paul Nicholls is still mulling over a move to bring forward Denman's reppearance to this Saturday and the Argento Chase, the centrepiece of Cheltenham's Festival Trials Day.

Newbury's Aon Chase next month has always been the intended target for the two-time Hennesy hero but Nicholls says the 10-year-old is ready for a run before his planned Gold Cup duel with stablemate Kauto Star in March.

"I'm just amazed how quick he has come to hand," said Nicholls.

PLANS are being finalised for the 20th anniversary of the tremendously popular Middleham Stables Open Day, which will be held, once again, on Good Friday.

The fear, once again, is that this could be the final open day if the British Horseracing Board backs moves to introduce Good Friday racing.

Robert Beaumont, one of the organisers, said: "They have thought about it before, but this time I think it's serious."

WETHERBY has missed out on the chance to stage an additional fixture on February 12 to partially compensate for the four fixtures that it had to be abandon during the winter freeze. Instead, Ayr will stage the card.