Racing: Banker's Remittance reminder

NICK HENDERSON notched his half-century for the season at Kempton yesterday as King's Banker, carrying the colours of one of the trainer's best chasers, Remittance Man, took the Manor Novices' Chase.

The eight-year-old put in a convincing round of fencing under Mick Fitzgerald and had seven lengths in hand of Native Player at the line. According to Henderson, whose best season came in 1986-87 with 67 winners, the similarity between King's Banker and Remittance Man does not stop at their owner, Tim Collins.

"This horse was desperately unlucky last year and was a bit like Remittance Man," he said. "Remittance Man was unlucky and it took me nearly two years to win a hurdle race with him.

"This horse is entered in the Royal & SunAlliance but he could run in the National Hunt Chase. He jumped well and he travelled well.

Fitzgerald missed his remaining two rides after aggravating a neck injury in a fall from Call My Guest in the handicap hurdle, but expects to ride today.

Julies Jewel will make an ambitious assault on the Triumph Hurdle after springing a surprise on his jumping debut at Market Rasen. The 25-1 chance, trained a few yards from the track by Michael Chapman, showed great tenacity to land the juvenile hurdle.

Julies Jewel has been a regular on the all-weather circuit this winter. "We all backed him today - we thought he had a good chance," Chapman said. "It's not often that you can say a horse has been prepared for the Triumph Hurdle by running on the all-weather.

Satellite, digital and selected cable subscribers will be able to enjoy every race at the Cheltenham Festival. The 4 Extra channel will screen all 20 races from the meeting, as well as showing reviews of the previous day's action from 6am.

The Cheltenham Festival entry The Outback Way has been purchased by the Winning Line for an undisclosed sum and transferred to Venetia Williams's stable. The nine-year-old has scored three times this season for David Wintle and holds entries in the Mildmay Of Flete and Grand Annual Chases.