Racing (Horse) : General Horse Racing Thread

[denphone]

Breath chasing July Cup first.

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...=&sub=&day=Thu

Bated Breath remains on course to bid for an elusive first Group One haul in the Darley July Cup.

The five-year-old was narrowly beaten by Dream Ahead in this race last summer and subsequently went close in the Sprint Cup at Haydock and a Grade One in America.

Roger Charlton's speedball made an excellent return to action when breaking the five-furlong course record in Haydock's Temple Stakes and was second to Hong Kong raider Little Bridge in last week's King's Stand Stakes.

Newmarket trip for Hoof It.

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...=&sub=&day=Thu

Hoof It is on target to run in the John Sunley Memorial Criterion Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday, with Frankie Dettori booked to ride.

Mick Easterby's talented sprinter was a creditable fifth in the Duke of York Stakes on his seasonal reappearance, but missed Royal Ascot as connections were not totally satisfied with his condition.

[denphone]

Camelot stars in Derby field.

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...=&sub=&day=Thu

Camelot will face six rivals in his bid to become the 16th horse to complete the Epsom and Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby double at the Curragh on Saturday night.

Aidan O'Brien's unbeaten colt, who will be ridden by the trainer's son, Joseph, will be joined by Ballydoyle duo Astrology (Seamie Heffernan) and Imperial Monarch (Colm O'Donoghue), with stablemates Daddy Long Legs, Father Of Science and Learn not declared

Power on standby for Nunthorpe.

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...=&sub=&day=Thu

Sole Power will be prepared for the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes at York following his fine third in the King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Eddie Lynam's sprinter is enjoying a midsummer break before he bids to regain his Nunthorpe crown on August 24, having won the race as a 100-1 shot two years ago.

[denphone]

Kirby hit by big ban.

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...d&sub=&day=Fri

Adam Kirby has been suspended for 21 days after being referred to the British Horseracing Authority following his winning ride on Reckless Abandon at Royal Ascot last week.

Kirby was found in breach of the whip rules by the Ascot officials, in that he used it above the permitted level, and referred as it was his fifth such breach meriting a suspension of between two and six days in the last six months.

Curragh not on Valyra's agenda.

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...agenda&day=Fri

Jean-Claude Rouget has ruled out supplementing his unbeaten French Oaks heroine Valyra for the Darley-sponsored Irish equivalent at the Curragh next month.

The three-year-old was the outsider of three Aga Khan runners in the Prix de Diane but produced an impressive performance in the hands of Johnny Murtagh to beat the previously unbeaten Beauty Parlour readily.

[denphone]

'UNIQUE' CAMELOT EYES DERBY DOUBLE.

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...double&day=Fri

Aidan O'Brien has hailed Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby favourite Camelot as "unique" as he bids to conquer unfavourable ground and maintain his unbeaten record at the Curragh on Saturday.

The Classic has been moved from its traditional Sunday slot to the last race on Saturday's card at 7.40pm, in the hope that it attracts a bigger crowd.

Such trivialities mean nothing to O'Brien, who is charged with masterminding the career of a colt who could create history by becoming the first winner of the Triple Crown in over 30 years.

CASPAR OUT TO NET PRAT PRIZE

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...=&sub=&day=Fri

Caspar Netscher continues his quest to win a first Group One for trainer Alan McCabe and owner Charles Wentworth in Sunday's Prix Jean Prat at Chantilly.

This will involve a rematch with French Fifteen, who got as close to Camelot as any horse has managed when beaten a neck in the 2000 Guineas, where Caspar Netscher was ninth.

A winner of three Group races last season, the Dutch Art colt added another to his trophy cabinet when lifting the German Guineas at Cologne.

[denphone]

McCain sweet on Ile prospects.

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...=&sub=&day=Sat

Donald McCain has high hopes Ile De Re can follow up his Chester Cup victory in the John Smith's Northumberland Plate at Newcastle.

The six-year-old led home a notable one-two for the Cheshire trainer when foiling Overturn's attempt to land back-to-back victories on the Roodee last month, and he will now bid to emulate his versatile stablemate, who won the two-mile 'Pitmen's Derby' in 2010.

Epsom heroine back at the Curragh.

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...e&sub=&day=Sat

Seamie Heffernan is thrilled to have kept the ride on Aidan O'Brien's Investec Oaks heroine Was as she takes on her elders for the first time in Sunday's Barclays Bank Ireland Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh.

The daughter of Galileo was a surprise 20-1 winner of the mile-and-a-half Epsom Classic earlier this month under Heffernan, with her better-fancied stablemate Maybe beaten into fifth.

The pair do battle again over 10 furlongs this weekend and the trainer's son, Joseph, will once again partner Maybe, leaving the way clear for Heffernan to get back on Was.

[adzzzbatch]

Nice one Camelot!

[denphone]

Camelot collects Irish Derby.

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...=&sub=&day=Sun

Epsom hero Camelot picked up another Classic as he added the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at the Curragh to his impressive haul.

Aidan O'Brien had expressed concerns about the heavy ground, but the red-hot favourite was travelling sweetly as he moved up to pass Akeed Mofeed and Light Heavy entering the closing stages of the contest after early leader Astrology had faded away.

It wasn't over, however, as Camelot needed to knuckle down to ensure he held off Born To Sea, who was last for most of the way but put in a spirited challenge. The winner hung left in the closing stages but did enough to score by two lengths.

Probably on track in Railway.

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...=&sub=&day=Sun

Probably demonstrated superior stamina as he saw off favourite Cristoforo Colombo in the Dubai Duty Free Full Of Surprises Railway Stakes at the Curragh.

David Wachman's runner (7-1) was dropping back in distance by a furlong for the Group Two contest after winning over seven furlongs at Limerick last time out and the extra touch of staying power proved crucial in the closing stages.

Joseph O'Brien produced 11-10 favourite Cristoforo Colombo to win his race inside the distance, but Probably was far from finished and responded gamely as Billy Lee asked him for another effort, and he prevailed from the market leader, with Tiger Stripes third.

An claims big sprint prize.

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...=&sub=&day=Sun

An Saighdiur came out best in a battle with Arctic to claim the valuable Paddy Power Sprint at the Curragh.

A winner at Dundalk in March, Andrew Slattery's charge was always in the front rank under 5lb claimer Michael Cleere as Arctic raced upsides.

However, when push came to shove, it was 20-1 shot An Saighdiur who had all the answers, prevailing by a length and a half, while Wokingham also-ran Gordon Lord Byron was sent off the 5-1 favourite but could finish no better than third.

Lee wins first Group race.

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...=&sub=&day=Sun

Grand National-winning jockey Graham Lee bagged his first Group race since turning his attentions to the Flat when guiding Maarek to victory in the Betfred Mobile Lotto Chipchase Stakes at Newcastle.

David Nagle's Irish raider was sent off a strongly supported 11-4 joint-favourite for the six-furlong test, having been turned out just a week after finishing sixth in the Wokingham Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Competing in atrocious conditions after the storm that battered the course on Thursday, Maarek travelled kindly all the way in the Group Three contest and picked up well in the final furlong to score by two lengths from Boastful.

[denphone]

HANAGAN HOPING FOR WEEKEND RETURN.

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...=&sub=&day=Sun

Dual champion jockey Paul Hanagan could be back in action by the end of the week after escaping serious injury in a fall at Newmarket on Saturday.

Hanagan came down in the £150,000 Tattersalls Millions 3-Y-O Cup when riding No Dominion, who clipped heels with the Richard Hughes-ridden Viewpoint.

He was taken to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge for X-rays on his arm and leg, but both came back clear and he is just severely bruised.

Hanagan's agent Richard Hale said: "I haven't bothered him this morning, but I'd imagine he's pretty stiff and sore.

[denphone]

GREGORIAN SECOND IN JEAN PRAT.

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...=&sub=&day=Sun

Aesop's Fables secured another Group One prize for Andre Fabre in the Prix Jean Prat at Chantilly as John Gosden's Gregorian had to make do with an honourable second.

The Mick Channon-trained Arnold Lane took the field along for the first half of the one-mile journey, but was easily passed by Gregorian and Mickael Barzalona in the straight.

The British raider did his best to fend off the challenge, but could not cope with the finishing kick of 12-1 chance Aesop's Fables, who won decisively in the hands of Maxime Guyon.

YORK DATE UNLIKELY FOR CAMELOT.

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...=&sub=&day=Sun

Camelot will have either one more outing or a racecourse gallop before his bid for Triple Crown glory in the Ladbrokes St Leger at Doncaster in September.

The 2000 Guineas and Investec Derby hero kept his unbeaten record intact with a determined victory in Saturday's Irish Derby in gruelling conditions and is now set for a midsummer break.

A trip to Town Moor is firmly on the agenda as he aims to become the first horse since Nijinsky in 1970 to win the Guineas, Derby and St Leger in Britain, but plans in the meantime are up in the air and he is unlikely to take on Frankel in next month's Juddmonte International at York.

[denphone]

ZZI TOPS PRETTY POLLY RIVALS.

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...=&sub=&day=Mon

Izzi Top won at the highest level for the first time as she swept to an impressive victory in the Barclays Bank Ireland Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh.

Winner of both her races this season, at Newmarket and York, the John Gosden-trained daughter of Pivotal was sent off a 6-4 chance and settled in second place as the four runners travelled in single file behind Dermot Weld's challenger Sapphire.

Izzi Top quickly picked up the leader when asked the question by William Buick going to the furlong pole and though she didn't do a lot in front in the testing conditions, she had plenty left to hold the odds-on favourite by a length and a quarter.

FABULOUS FAMOUS DOES IT AGAIN.

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...e&sub=&day=Mon

The remarkable Famous Name secured his 17th career victory in the Friarstown Stud International Stakes at the Curragh.

A winner of this 10-furlong contest in two of the last three years, Dermot Weld's 4-7 favourite went about his business with his usual professionalism and never looked in danger under regular rider Pat Smullen.

[denphone]

SEA IN CHAMPION FRAME.

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...=&sub=&day=Mon

Born To Sea is a candidate for the Irish Champion Stakes following his second-placed finish in the Irish Derby.

The improving John Oxx-trained colt gave Camelot a mini-fright at the Curragh on Saturday when he got to within two lengths of Ballydoyle's Triple Crown aspirant.

Born To Sea, a half-brother to Sea The Stars, is now in the frame to contest the Irish Champion at Leopardstown on September 8.

HANNON AIMING HIGH WITH LIBRANNO.

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...=&sub=&day=Mon

Richard Hannon is planning an ambitious second half to the campaign for his dual Criterion Stakes winner Libranno.

Well beaten in his first two starts of 2012, the four-year-old has returned to form with a vengeance, winning a Listed race at Salisbury and landing the Group Three at Newmarket for the second successive season on Saturday. Having finished fourth in the July Cup last year, that will be his next aim with options abroad likely to be taken up later in the summer.

[denphone]

THINK OUT OF ECLIPSE.

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...=&sub=&day=Thu

So You Think is lame and will not run in the Coral-Eclipse on Saturday.

Aidan O'Brien's Australian import, who was last seen landing the Prince Of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot, won the Eclipse 12 months ago and was a short-priced favourite to retain his crown on what was likely to be his final start before retiring to stud.

The trainer's wife Anne-Marie tweeted on Thursday morning: "So You Think was found to be lame in his stable a short time ago and will not run in the Eclipse on Saturday."

GOSDEN OUTLINES TOP TARGETS.

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...=&sub=&day=Thu

John Gosden is eyeing targets abroad for Izzi Top after she landed her first Group One in last Sunday's Pretty Polly Stakes.

Wins at Newmarket and York already this season set her up nicely and she once again showed a smart turn of foot, despite the very soft ground at the Curragh.

Her dam Zee Zee Top won the Prix de l'Opera at Longchamp and that is an obvious target, but she has also been invited to Japan for the race won by Snow Fairy for the last two years, the Queen Elizabeth II Commemorative Cup.

[denphone]

FARHAAN AIMING FOR GALA GLORY.

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...=&sub=&day=Fri

Angus Gold expects Farhaan to run a big race in the Ambant Gala Stakes at Sandown on Friday.

The John Dunlop-trained three-year-old has only been seen once this season after a promising juvenile campaign. He travelled well for a long way in the Fairway Stakes at Newmarket, form which has been franked by Thought Worthy and Noble Mission, but Hamdan Al Maktoum's racing manager is fearful of any rain.

"Farhaan has only had one run this season because of the soft ground, he doesn't like it. I thought he ran a very good race at Newmarket first time, that was a good contest and he just appeared to blow up after his long lay off," said Gold.

PARIS MAIN TARGET FOR SEQUENCE.

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...=&sub=&day=Fri

David Lanigan is pleased with Main Sequence as he builds towards the Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp on July 14.

The Niarchos Family-owned colt lost his four-race unbeaten record when a five-length second to Camelot in the Derby at Epsom.

He holds an entry in the Princess of Wales's Stakes at Newmarket's July meeting, but Lanigan is favouring a trip to France where he will compete against his own age group once more.

"He's done well. He had a quiet week after the Derby and we decided early we weren't going to supplement him for Ireland because there was always a danger the ground would come up very soft and it was always the race for Camelot," Lanigan told At The Races.

[denphone]

FARHH FACES ECLIPSE ACID TEST.

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...=&sub=&day=Fri

Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford thinks it would be a "tall order" for Farhh to land the honours in the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown.

The four-year-old has been on a rapid upward trajectory this season, adding to wins at two and three when claiming the Thirsk Hunt Cup on his seasonal bow in May.

Trainer Saeed bin Suroor then pitched him in firmly at the deep end in the Prince Of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot and he belied his inexperience to finish a two-and-three-quarter-length third to So You Think after starting slowly and having his run blocked at a crucial stage.

NATHANIEL BACK ON TRACK.

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...=&sub=&day=Fri

Nathaniel will be having his first start of the year in the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown on Saturday.

A setback ruled last year's King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner out of his intended return in May, and he has been off the track since finishing fifth in the Champion Stakes last October.

"For a lot of these older horses, the better races are now towards the end of the year. There's no point starting too soon in the spring, which we have to do with the three-year-olds for the Classics," trainer John Gosden told At The Races.

[adzzzbatch]

Originally Posted by denphone

THINK OUT OF ECLIPSE.

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...=&sub=&day=Thu

Keeping So You Think the Arc perhaps?