Runners and Riders

Dunguib the Cheltenham banker

2010-02-08T17:14:00.004Z

Just five weeks to go now until the greatest race meeting in the world begins, the Cheltenham four day festival. At Leopardstown in Ireland on Sunday Dunguib was mighty impressive and for all the big "hitters" he will surely be the banker of the 2010 meeting. In 1978 the Irish trainer, Edward O'Grady, had a simlar horse to Dunguib in his care called Golden Cygnet. Golden Cygnet came over to Cheltenham undefeated in four races over hurdles. The Irish would not hear of defeat for Golden Cygnet and with odds of 5/4 laid on him he toyed with his seventeen rivals in the Supreme Novice Hurdle. As soon as he had passed the post he was being hailed as the 1979 Champion Hurdler. I can see Dunguib carrying all the same expectations as Golden Cygnet. Lets hope he gets to take his chance in the 2011 Cheltenham Champion Hurdle. Tragically, a bad fall at the last flight in the Scottish Champion Hurdle in April 1978 left Golden Cygnet fatally injured and robbed hurdling of its most exciting recruit for years.

Cheltenham Festival Trials Day 2010

2010-01-26T15:20:00.004Z

It was good to finally get some top class racing back again last weekend after all the cancelled meetings due to the cold weather. C4 served up an exciting afternoon from Haydock where Diamond Harry was impressive for his first run over fences, and Ascot where Twist Magic won as he pleased and provides Paul Nicholls with a live second string for the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March. ATR covered the Leopardstown meeting in Ireland on Sunday and here Solwhit was a good winner and consequently promoted to favourite for the Cheltenham Champion Hurdle.

As always at this time of year all roads lead to the Cheltenham Festival and this Saturday (30th) Cheltenham stages their Festival Trials Day. I am sure they are hoping that Denman puts in an appearance. He will surely put a few extra thousand on the gate. He is engaged in the Argento (Cotswold Chase) worth £100,000 and run over 3 miles 1 furlong. Last years winner Joe Lively is also engaged along with Madison Du Berlais, Barbers Shop and Carruthers. Barbers Shop has a second option as he is also engaged in the Betfair Trophy Chase worth £50,000 run over 2 miles 5 furlongs.
The Betfair Cleeve Hurdle worth £50,000 and run over 3 miles looks as though it could be between Karabak and Fair Along.
Lets hope the cold weather stays away and the meeting can go ahead. For all the latest news from the course click on Cheltenham.

Arkle and Flyingbolt still the Greatest

2010-01-04T12:25:00.005Z

With the abandonment of the Sandown card on Saturday C4 filled in with discussions comparing Kauto Star with Arkle. Kauto Star is a great Chaser who has the speed to win at two miles and the stamina to win a Cheltenham Gold Cup. Film footage of the sixties bought back many happy memories of my visits to the Cheltenham Festival in that era. Besides Arkle I was also privileged to see Flyingbolt and Mill House. After Mill House won the Gold Cup in 1963 a lot of us, apart from the Irish, thought he would win the 1964 Gold Cup. How wrong we were, Arkle cruised upto Mill House at the second last and stormed away to win by five lengths. The picture above by Lionel Edwards, which adorns a wall in my home, captures that moment wonderfully well. It was in 1964 that we saw Flyingbolt for the first time at Cheltenham when he won the Gloucester Hurdle. In 1965 he won the Cotswold Chase over two miles and Arkle won his second Gold Cup. In 1966 Flyingbolt won the Two Mile Champion Chase by fifteen lengths and ran the next day in the Champion Hurdle where he finished third to Salmon Spray. Flyingbolt was breathtaking over two miles but he did stay as well. He finished his season in 1966 by winning the Irish Grand National under 12-7 giving huge lumps of weight away to his rivals. He was still only a seven year old. Arkle won his third Gold Cup in 1966. Both Arkle and Flyingbolt contested the big handicaps having to give lumps of weight away to their rivals and this is something Kauto Star has not done. He has been kept to Grade 1 races competing at level weights. However in the box next to him at Paul Nicholls stable is a certain Denman. Denman has already won two Hennessy Gold Cups at Newbury carrying top weight and a Cheltenham Gold Cup. He reminds me very much of Mill House, a strong galloping stayer well suited by a galloping course such as Newbury and Cheltenham. He looked better than ever when winning his last Hennessy Gold Cup by three and a half lengths giving 22 lbs to his stable companion, What a Friend, who has since gone over to Ireland and won the Lexus Chase over three miles at Leopardstown. Both Denman and Kauto Star, who was brillant in the King George VI Chase, look better than ever this season. We could be in for another mouth watering Cheltenham Gold Cup. If Denman regains his crown he will surely be rated up there with Kauto Star, but in my opinion they are both behind Arkle and Flyingbolt.

Countdown to King George VI Chase at Kempton 2009

2009-12-20T18:37:00.005Z

Lets hope the weather relents and racing can take place on Boxing Day where the feature race will be the William Hill King George VI Chase worth £200,000 run over 3 miles. Kauto Star should win it for a fourth time but there will not be much between him and Imperial Commander judged on their Haydock Park form. Madison du Berlais was behind them that day but he has excellent form over course and distance and could well be in the shake up.

It was a shame to lose the Ascot cards to the weather. The highlight on Saturday would undoubtedly have been the Long Walk Hurdle where the top rated hurdler Big Bucks would have been taken on by Diamond Harry amongst others. Like a lot of racing folk I cannot understand why the racing authorities have added the race to Newburys card on the 29th December. Why not add it to Cheltenhams card on January 1st when so many more people would be be able to watch and enjoy it.
Horse racing is very much a minority sport and needs all the good publicity it can get. This was very evident with the time alloted to it on BBC's Sports Personality awards programme. Blink and you would have missed it.

Cheltenham Boylesports International 2009

2009-12-11T11:20:00.004Z

The Cheltenham Boylesports International Meeting gets underway today (Friday) with some great racing in prospect culminating with the International Hurdle worth £150,000 tomorrow. This race looks to be a rematch of last years Cheltenham Champion Hurdle where Punjabi just beat Celestrial Halo and Binocular.
Barry Geraghty rides Punjabi and come next March he might have a difficult choice to make between Punjabi and Zaynar (pictured) who was mighty impressive at Ascot. Zaynar runs tomorrow in the Relkeel Hurdle which is the last race on the card.
The big betting race is the Boylesports.com Gold Cup Handicap Chase worth £150,000 and run over 2 miles 5 furlongs. It looks a very open affair with a lot of old favourites running. There are some interesting runners coming over from Ireland and the pot might well go back across the Irish Sea with Sky's The Limit if he puts his best foot forward.

Countdown to Cheltenham Festival 2010

2009-12-07T17:49:00.003Z

For the third Saturday running Ruby Walsh and Paul Nicholls won the "big" race. Kauto Star just at Haydock, Denmans demolition job at Newbury and Twist Magics' pillar to post at Sandown. All three horses were superbly ridden by Ruby Walsh and of course brilliantly trained by the Paul Nicholls team.
Denmans (pictured left) performance under top weight in the Hennessy was a Cheltenham Gold Cup winning performance. Will Ruby Walsh pick Denman as his Gold Cup ride or will he stay loyal to Kauto Star. If both horses get to Cheltenham fit and well in March 2010 it promises to be another great race between the two stable companions. The excitement is already mounting and Denmans performance in the Hennessy has seen a rush for tickets for Gold Cup day. For tickets and all the latest news from Cheltenham click here.

Countdown to Hennessy Gold Cup 2009

2009-11-24T19:33:00.003Z

After last weekends exciting performances by Kauto Star, Imperial Commander, Diamond Harry and Zaynar we now have the Hennessy Gold Cup Chase to look forward to at Newbury on Saturday the 28th as well as the Wbx.com Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle.

Denman (pictured) is a short priced favourite for the Hennessy.If he is in the same form of two years ago when he won this race he will take all the beating. He has to give weight to a lot of good horses namely Barbers Shop who will be wearing cheekpieces for the first time. They certainly worked for Madison du Berlais last season. Snowy Morning started favourite for this race two years ago only to fall early on. He had a disappointing season last season but you can never rule out one of Willie Mullins runners. War of Attrition also comes over from Ireland for the first time since his Cheltenham Gold Cup win of 2006. They all receive lots of weight from Denman. The one that interests me most though for an each way bet is Roll Along who finished sixth in last years Cheltenham Gold Cup when trained by Carl Llewellyn. Carl Llewellyn is now assistant to Nigel Twiston-Davies who now trains Roll Along. His horses are in tremendous form. Roll Along will be ridden by the in form jockey Noel Fehily. The Hennessy Gold Cup is worth £200,000 and is always one of the highlights of the jumping season.

Betfair Chase at Haydock 2009

2009-11-20T17:30:00.005Z

Tomorrow (Saturday) sees the return of jump racing star, Kauto Star (pictured), in the £200,000 Betfair Chase (the Lancashire Chase) at Haydock over 3 miles.
The going forecast is heavy which is ground Kauto Star has not won on before but he is a class act and great horses "go" on any ground. The mud loving Notre Pere and Halcon Genelardais, if he is the right frame of mind, might be the ones to make a race of it if it comes to a slog. Madison du Berlais had a terrific season last season but did not encounter heavy ground. He proved he stays beyond three miles by winning last years Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury over 3 miles 2 furlongs. If he acts on the ground he could be the each way value. It promises to be an interesting race.

Cheltenham Open Meeting 2009

2009-11-13T19:46:00.003Z

The 3 Day Cheltenham Open Meeting got underway today (Friday 13th) and certainly whetted our appetites for the months ahead. Tomorrow sees the feature race of the three days the Paddy Power Gold Cup Chase worth £150,000 and run over 2 miles 4 furlongs. It does look a very tricky affair and with the anticipated heavy rain forecast the ability to act on the going and stay beyond the race distance will be a major factor. According to Pete might well fit the bill. He did all his racing over 3 miles last season winning four times. He has to be kept to left-handed courses, likes to make the running and has a good racing weight tomorrow.
Maljimar (pictured) ran well in this race last year and eventually finished seventh. Next time out he very nearly won at the Festival in the William Hill Trophy where he lost by a neck to Wichita Lineman who was given a fantastic ride by Tony McCoy. This year Maljimar runs in the Servo Trophy Handicap Chase worth £55,000 and run over 3 miles 3 furlongs. He has already had a run over the Cheltenham course this season which should have put him spot on for tomorrow. He has to be patiently ridden which should help him stay the distance of this race which is unknown territory for him.

Review of Breeders' Cup Classic Race 2009

2009-11-09T19:35:00.004Z

What an extraordinary race the American mare

Zenyatta ran in the Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita on Saturday evening. She looked virtually tailed off early on and then showed a tremendous turn of foot to catch and pass the entire field and win with her ears pricked as pictured.

Rip Van Winkle was hugely disappointing. Trainer Aidan O'Brien and jockey Johnny Murtagh were very bullish beforehand but Rip Van Winkle folded very tamely as though he had had enough for the season. He had been on the go as long as Sea the Stars but run one race less.

Twice Over ran great to be third but he was probably only about two lengths behind Zenyatta. In my opinion an in form Sea the Stars would have won this race, but obviously connections did not want to take the chance that he would have been over the top for the season. Zenyatta was sensational and is America's version of Sea the Stars.

Countdown to Cheltenham Open Meeting 2009

2009-11-03T15:42:00.005Z

I always associate the Charlie Hall Chase Meeting at Wetherby as the start of the National Hunt season "proper". Last Saturday's race had a poor turn out for a £100,000 race, trainers no doubt concerned about the safety of the ground. As it happened the race provided a super finish between Deep Purple, Tamarinbleu and Ollie Magern, Deep Purple just getting up on the line.

Fair Along (pictured) won the John Smith's West Yorkshire long distance hurdle rather easily. He goes very well for young jockey Rhys Flint, who, according to the essay in Timeforms' Chasers & Hurdlers has been associated with the horse since he was thirteen. Fair Along disappointed in the Cesarewitch at Newmarket so denying the blogger of a 1-2-3 ! The trainers wife, Sarah Hobbs, stated that he had lost ground at the start and consequently sulked.

The Cheltenham 3 day Open Meeting on the 13th, 14th,and 15th November whets our appetites for the Festival next year. The main race will be the Paddy Power Gold Cup Steeplechase which takes place on the Saturday. A two and a half miles handicap, the race will be worth £150,000. The weights are yet to be published but I am hoping last years second, Barbers Shop, puts in an appearance.

On the Sunday the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle, worth £100,000 will be the feature race.

For all the up to date news from the course click on Cheltenham.

Champions Day at Newmarket 2009

2009-10-15T19:33:00.006Z

Champions Day at Newmarket on Saturday 17th October provides a terrific days racing again with the centre piece being the Emirates Airline Champion Stakes worth £350,000.00. The race is for 3 year olds and above and will be run over 1 mile 2 furlongs. Fame and Glory is the favourite but he disappointed in the Prix de l' Arc de Triomphe two weeks ago and might well be past his best after a long season. Sariska (pictured) comes here a fresh horse. Her last three runs have all been over 12 furlongs. She was just beaten last time by Dar Re Mi in the Yorkshire Oaks. Kieren Fallon comes in for the ride as Jamie Spencer is on "forced holiday". Never on Sunday comes over from France and has smart form over 10 furlongs. The trainer and jockey won this race two years ago with Literato. If Fame and Glory is not at his best Sariska could be the one to topple him and she looks the each way value.
The Totesport Cesarewitch worth £160,000.00 is a thorough stamina test run over 2 miles 2 furlongs. Trainers of predominately National Hunt horses have won this race four times over the last six runnings. With a maximum field of 34 runners a draw higher than 18 is an advantage, although old Caracciola came from draw 11 last season. Kieren Fallon comes in for the ride on Fair Along who seems to have been around for ages but is still only seven. He was placed in the race two years ago and Mamlook from the David Pipe yard was placed last year. Those two together with the handicap good thing, Darley Sun, make up my short list.

Sea the Stars is a real Star

2009-10-09T17:06:00.004Z

The BBC2's coverage last Sunday from Longchamp of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe was terrific for the armchair viewer. Of course the star of the show was Sea the Stars. His performance in the race was staggering. He pulled very hard in the early stages of the race which was reminiscent of New Approach in the English Derby last year. However when asked to go by his jockey Mick Kinane he showed a fantastic turn of foot to cut through the field and win as he wanted. I know Timeform and the official handicapper Phil Smith can only rate him on his winning margin over Youmzain, but for me this horse has acheived more than Sea Bird II and should be rated right up there with him. He has won six Group 1 races in a season which has included the 2000 Guineas, the Derby and the Arc de Triomphe. His win on Sunday was emotional for those of us that love racing and was also good for racing in general. It even got a mention on the National news ! I guess that will be the last we will see of him on the racecourse as I doubt whether he will be sent to America for the Breeders Cup.

Countdown to Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe 2009

2009-09-29T17:08:00.005Z

The clock is running down to this Sunday (4th October) when the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe will be run over 12 furlongs at Longchamp. This is the greatest flat race in Europe and is always won by a very good horse. We are all hoping that Sea the Stars will be able to run and win and prove what a great horse he is. The comparisons are already being made with Dancing Brave, Mill Reef and Sea Bird II (pictured at the start of the 1965 English Derby).
For us old timers Sea Bird II's performances in the Derby and the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe were breathtaking. He won the Derby without coming off the bit. I can still see him striding up the Epsom straight with his head in his chest. In the Arc de Triomphe he made a high class field look very ordinary and won by six lengths showing a tremendous turn of foot. The margin would have been more had he not drifted across the course in the last furlong.
Sea the Stars is already a great horse, having won over 8 furlongs, 10 furlongs and 12 furlongs. Like Sea Bird II he has got physically stronger as the season has progressed and I am sure we will be talking of him in the same breath as the great Sea Bird II after the Arc de Triomphe.

Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot 2009

2009-09-24T17:20:00.007Z

The Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes will be run over 1 mile at Ascot on Saturday. This race for three year olds and above has been won by some great horses over the years, none more so than Brigadier Gerard and Dubai Millennium. This years race worth £250,000.00 looks to be set up for Rip Van Winkle. There are likely to be only four runners and Delegator from the Godolphin team will be the biggest danger. Rip Van Winkle (pictured) was very impressive in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood. He stays beyond a mile and I expect he will make all the running and stretch Delegator's stamina to the limit.
I should be able to hear a commentary of the race as I drive to Ipswich for the game against Newcastle. It will be an emotional afternoon as the North Stand will be renamed the Sir Bobby Robson Stand in a ceremony at half time.

Ladbrokes St Leger Stakes at Doncaster 2009

2009-09-12T10:19:00.004Z

We are at Day 4 of the Doncaster St.Leger meeting already and I must confess that I have had to make do with watching recordings of racing in the evenings as I have been on "grandfather" duties. The Ladbrokes St.Leger is the oldest classic in the world and this years race does look a fairly open affair. The race is worth £500,000.00 and is for 3 year olds only and run over 1 mile 7 furlongs. Changingoftheguard was an unlucky loser of the the Ebor where he took on the older horses. Two years ago Honolulu,when a three year old, ran a great race to be second in the Ebor to Purple Moon but subsequently disappointed in the St.Leger when favourite. Johnny Murtagh had originally chosen Age of Aquarius as his mount before that horse was withdrawn. Godolphin purchased Kite Wood at the end of last season. He is a big strong powerhouse of a horse and a resolute galloper. Connections have some concern about the ground but there is only one St Leger and I hope Frankie Dettori will be riding yet another St Leger winner.

Tattersalls Millions Irish Champion Stakes 2009

2009-09-04T16:11:00.004Z

The Group 1 Tattersalls Millions Irish Champion Stakes will be run tomorrow at Leopardstown over 1 mile 2 furlongs. The race is worth 1,000,000 euros and is open to 3 year olds and above. I would imagine we are all hoping that Sea the Stars takes his chance, if he does I am sure the outcome will be the same as when he met Fame and Glory in the Epsom Derby. Sea the Stars is a great horse effective over one mile, ten furlongs and one and a half miles. He did win at Leopardstown in August 2008 as a two year old on soft to heavy ground so I am not sure what all the fuss is about as regards the going. Great horses will act on any going in my humble opinion. Lets hope he is allowed to run.

Also on the card is the Group 1 Coolmore Fusaichi Pegasus Matron Stakes for 3 year old and above fillies and mares. The race is worth 215,000 euros and will be run over 1 mile. It would be good to see Rainbow View finally win a race this season after all the expectations at the beginning of the Flat season. Perhaps a mile on soft ground will be what she needs.

Betfred Sprint Cup at Haydock 2009

2009-09-03T18:58:00.004Z

The Group 1 Betfred Sprint Cup will be run over 6 furlongs at Haydock on Saturday. The race is for 3 year olds and above and is worth £275,000.00.
The likely favourite is High Standing who will have the Kieren Fallon factor. If the ground gets too soft Fleeting Spirit and Finjaan will probably not run. Main Aim has been very well supported in the antepost market and will like the soft going. Corryborough (pictured) comes into the race a fresh horse. His trainer, Henry Candy, is hopeful of a big run. At 10/1 he looks the each way value in what should be a cracking sprint.

Injured Jockeys Fund

2009-09-02T16:43:00.005Z

The Injured Jockeys Fund annual newsletter has arrived together with their gift ideas for Christmas. As usual the Christmas card takes centre stage and can be ordered online by clicking on Christmas Card.

The Newsletter from John Oaksey describes how Oaksey House in Lambourn has now been completed with a number of retired jockeys already moved in. The Injured Jockeys Fund does a tremendous job in supporting and helping jockeys injured in the sport we all love to watch.

Kieren Fallon returns to race riding.

2009-09-01T12:58:00.007Z

Kieren Fallon returns to race riding in Britain for the first time since July 2006. I am sure he will be in great demand by trainers and owners. With so many top jockeys having lengthy bans he is sure to pick up some tasty rides. He resumes his riding career on Friday 4th September. It was while he was able to ride in Ireland and on the Continent that he rode his last big winner on Dylan Thomas when he won the Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe in a photo finish from Youmzain (also survived a thirty-five minute stewards' enquiry) in 2007. He subsequently received an eighteen month ban imposed by the French racing authorities at the beginning of 2008 for failing a drug test. He gets the ride on Youmzain in this years Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe. Would it not be strange if Youmzain got his head in front this year ?

Kieren Fallon is still only 44 (Mick Kinane is 50 and still going strong) so I am positive he has a lot more winners in him over the next few seasons.

Delegator wins for Goldolphin

2009-09-01T10:37:00.009Z

It was good to see Delegator have a confidence building win upholding the classic form after his second to Sea the Stars in the 2000 Guineas and his second to Mastercraftsman in that epic dual at Royal Ascot in the St James's Palace Stakes.

Frankie Dettori produced Delegator on the outside and he won quite easily. The win gave all the Godolphin team something to smile about and it would seem that the next port of call will be the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot on the 26th September.

York Ebor Meeting 2009

2009-08-17T11:41:00.006Z

The 4 day York Ebor Meeting returns to the Knavesmire this year and gets underway tomorrow Tuesday 18th August. Sea the Stars appears to have frightened most of the opposition away as there are now only four runners for the Group 1 Juddmonte Internatioal Stakes worth £600,000.00 and run over 1 mile 2 furlongs. Sea the Stars should show Mastercraftsman the way home again.

The Totesport Ebor Heritage Handicap run over 1 mile 6 furlongs on Wednesday for 3 year olds and upwards is the centre piece of the whole meeting. This year the race is worth £210,000.00, making it the richest handicap in Europe. In my blog of two years ago about the Ebor I did list past winners of the race. In my opinion there is nothing of the quality that we use to see contest this great race. However it does take a really good three year old to win the Ebor. Aidan O'Brien very nearly won it two years ago with the then three year old Honolulu. This year he runs the three year old Changingoftheguard who is favourite and strongly fancied.

The booking of Robert Hughes for Magicalmysterytour is interesting. Magicalmysterytour only just lost out in a photo finish over course and distance on his last run. This is tougher but he might well make the frame at a nice price.

Before the Ebor we have the Weatherbys Insurance Lonsdale Cup run over 2 miles for 3 yo's and above. Askar Tau ran a terrible race at Goodwood in the Goodwood Cup. On Wednesday he has the services of Ryan Moore and might be worth another chance.

The Group 1 on Thursday is the Darley Yorkshire Oaks worth £310,000.00 run over 1 mile 4 furlongs for 3 yo's and above fillies and mares. Sariska looks as though she has also frightened the opposition away.

The meeting concludes on Friday with the Group 1 Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes worth £240,000.00 run over 5 furlongs being the main race. This looks as though it will be a cracking contest with Kingsgate Native, Borderlescott, Art Connoisseur, Amour Propre and Radiohead all declared to run. The winner should come from one of them. There were excuses for Amour Propre's poor run at Royal Ascot and he could be the each way bet.

Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood 2009

2009-07-28T18:40:00.002Z

The 5 day Glorious Goodwood Festival got underway today (28th) and finishes on Saturday 1st August when the Group 1 Nassau Stakes worth £200,000.00 will be run. This is a 1 mile 2 furlong race for 3 year old and upwards fillies and mares. Perhaps Rainbow View will now be running over her best distance and hopefully she will get her nose in front where it matters.

The other Group 1 of the week, the Sussex Stakes, will be run tomorrow. This should be the highlight of the meeting. It is a race for 3 year olds and upwards worth £300,000.00 run over 1 mile. On form it looks to be between Rip Van Winkle, Paco Boy and Ghanaati. Johnny Murtagh considers this could be Rip Van Winkle's best distance. If he has recovered from his exertions against Sea the Stars ( pictured) in the Coral Eclipse, he should win.

It was good to see Marcus Tregoning's horses back in form with Finjaan winning today. On Thursday he runs Askar Tau in the Goodwood Cup, a race for 3 year olds and upwards run over 2 miles. Askar Tau has not run since starting favourite and finishing fourth to Caracciola in the Cesarewitch last October. This is a step up but he looked a progressive horse last season and has age on his side.

King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes 2009

2009-07-23T11:46:00.006Z

The 3 day Ascot "King George" Meeting gets underway tomorrow (Friday 24th) with the centre piece of the meeting being the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes which will be run on Saturday. This race was first run in 1951 and was designed for the finest horses from different generations and different countries to compete over one and a half miles. The winner would be recognized as a true champion. There are no overseas visitors this year but we do have some three year olds to take on the older horses. Disappointingly the top three year olds, Sea the Stars, Rip Van Winkle, Fame and Glory and Sariska are all being primed for races elsewhere. It is a shame for Ascot and its new sponsors Betfair that the race is not better patronized especially as it is worth £1,000,000.00. I guess the Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe run on the first Sunday in October at Longchamp will always be the number one champion race.
Sir Michael Stoute appears to hold the best hand of cards with his three runners, Conduit, who stable jockey Ryan Moore has chosen to ride, Tartan Bearer, to be ridden by Michael Kinane and Ask, to be ridden by Olivier Peslier.
There is bound to be a strong pace which will suit those who can stay beyond the one and a half miles. Conduit (pictured) and Ask come into this category. Conduit will be running over the distance for the first time this season and looks the one they all have to beat. The 12/1 on offer with Skybet for Sir Michael Stoute to train the first three home looks appealing.

The International Heritage Handicap worth £150,000.00 will be run over 7 furlongs before the King George. Captain Brilliance will be looking to recover losses for his narrow defeat in the Bunbury Cup at Newmarket.

Newmarket July Festival 2009

2009-07-07T10:36:00.005Z

The Newmarket July Festival gets underway tomorrow (Wednesday 8th) and promises to serve up some top class racing as usual. There are two Group 1 races, the Falmouth Stakes for fillies and mares 3 year old and upwards worth £200,000.00 will be run on Wednesday over 1 mile. The other Group 1 will be the highlight of the three days, the July Cup, a six furlong sprint for 3 yo's and upwards worth £400,000.00 which will be run on Friday.
Goldikova comes over from France for the Falmouth Stakes and if she reproduces her form of last season she will take all the beating. Rainbow View has gradually improved with each run this season and should make Goldikova pull out all the stops.
Scenic Blast pictured beating Fleeting Spirit in the King Stand Stakes over 5 furlongs at Royal Ascot will be a warm favourite for the July Cup. Art Connoisseur was equally impressive in winning the Golden Jubilee Stakes over 6 furlongs at Royal Ascot. I am hoping the extra furlong will help Fleeting Spirit get closer to Scenic Blast. She and Art Connoisseur look the each way value.
The big handicap of the Festival is the Ladbrokes Bunbury Cup worth £100,000.00 run over 7 furlongs on Friday. Signor Peltro is a reliable sort and might make the frame with any luck at a big price.
For all the latest news from the course click on Newmarket.