Racing (Horse) General Horse Racing Thread - Page 35

denphone · 20-07-2012, 15:17

GOSDEN ANTICIPATING GEORGE BATTLE.

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

Quote:

John Gosden insists Coral-Eclipse hero Nathaniel has plenty on his plate as he aims to secure a quick-fire Group One double in Saturday's King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot.

The Galileo colt was an impressive winner of the Betfair-sponsored showpiece 12 months ago, his second course and distance victory after his triumph in last season's King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot.

He signed off for the year by finishing fifth in the Champion Stakes and looked better than ever when scoring on his four-year-old debut in the Eclipse.

denphone · 21-07-2012, 06:55

STOUTE CALM OVER SEA CHANCE.

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

Quote:

Sir Michael Stoute is "hopeful rather than confident" of securing his sixth King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes triumph with Sea Moon at Ascot.

The four-year-old scrambled home when long odds-on for his seasonal reappearance at Goodwood, but was far more impressive in the Hardwicke Stakes.

"It's a very competitive renewal, that's for sure - Nathaniel, St Nicholas Abbey and there are others too who are very decent Group One horses," Stoute told Sky Sports News.

ABBEY ON ROAD TO ASCOT.

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

Quote:

St Nicholas Abbey attempts to go two better than last year in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot.

Aidan O'Brien's five-year-old had to settle for minor money behind the reopposing Nathaniel 12 months ago but was a scintillating winner of the Breeders' Cup Turf at the end of the campaign and landed his second Coronation Cup at Epsom when last sighted.

The trainer's son and jockey, Joseph, said: "It's a good race and we're looking forward to it. He won well the last time and he seems to be in good enough form."

denphone · 21-07-2012, 17:01

FAN SPRINGS MILE SURPRISE.

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

Quote:

Hot favourite Carlton House could only dead-heat for fourth as 33-1 shot Fanunalter sprang a major surprise in the Transformers & Rectifiers Summer Mile Stakes at Ascot.

Sir Michael Stoute's charge, in the colours of The Queen, was all the rage as he dropped back to a mile after chasing home So You Think in the Prince Of Wales's Stakes.

Ryan Moore stayed close to the pace throughout, but was unable to pick up when it mattered and Fanunalter, having his first start for trainer Michael Wigham, could be spotted travelling kindly in behind in the hands of Olivier Peslier before finding a gap to beat Pastoral Player by a neck.

denphone · 21-07-2012, 19:48

DANE LANDS KING GEORGE GLORY.

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

Quote:

Last season's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe heroine Danedream lunged late to deny Nathaniel in a thrilling King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot.

Nathaniel was attempting to defend his crown in the mile-and-a-half Group One feature, having made a winning return in the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown a fortnight ago.

He looked set to claim victory when quickening into the lead in the home straight, but the Peter Schiergen-trained Danedream (9-1) flew home in the hands of Andrasch Starke to get up by a nose. St Nicholas Abbey came fast and late to take third place.

denphone · 22-07-2012, 06:48

NATHANIEL CAMP PROUD IN DEFEAT.

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

Quote:

Trainer John Gosden was brimming with pride after Nathaniel agonisingly relinquished his crown in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot.

The four-year-old ran out an impressive winner of the Betfair-sponsored Group One a year ago and looked to have every chance of repeating the dose following a victorious seasonal return in the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown.

With just a fortnight between the two races, Nathaniel could have been forgiven for showing a degree of fatigue, but he produced an effort full of heart to go down by just a nose to the German filly Danedream.

DREAM SUCCESS FOR OSBORNE.

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

Quote:

Field Of Dream finished best to win the ultra-competitive Betfair Summer Double International Stakes at Ascot.

Fourth in the Royal Hunt Cup at this track before finishing down the field at Sandown, the Jamie Osborne-trained five-year-old was allowed to go off at 25-1 dropped back to seven furlongs.

Leading fancy Edinburgh Knight appeared to have made a race-winning manouvre when quickening to the front on the far side of the track inside the final furlong, but Field Of Dream came from a long way back under Richard Hughes to get up by half a length. Bertiwhittle was third.

HAZEL SWOOPS IN NEWMARKET HEAT.

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

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Hazel Lavery came from last to first to claim the Newsells Park Stud Stakes at Newmarket for Charlie Hills.

denphone · 22-07-2012, 12:31

ARC STILL THE PLAN FOR DUNADEN.

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

Quote:

Connections of Melbourne Cup winner Dunaden are still inclined to go down the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe route after he could finish only sixth in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot.

Craig Williams jetted over from Australia to take the ride and renew his association with the six-year-old, but he found himself towards the head of affairs, which was not the plan.

ABANDON SHIPSHAPE FOR PAPIN TEST.

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

Quote:

Trainer Clive Cox is hoping for another "exciting performance" from Reckless Abandon when he puts his unbeaten record on the line in the Prix Robert Papin at Maisons-Laffitte today.

The youngster grabbed Royal Ascot glory in the Norfolk Stakes following a taking racecourse debut at Doncaster in mid-May, and the Royal victory was all the more meritorious as Reckless Abandon hung violently left entering the last of the five furlongs.

"I've been very pleased with him since Ascot, very pleased indeed. This looks a nice, healthy step forward for him. He's stepping up half a furlong, but that shouldn't be a problem and he gets into the race without a penalty," said the trainer.

denphone · 22-07-2012, 14:36

RECKLESS TAKES CHARGE IN PAPIN.

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

Quote:

Reckless Abandon put up a superb front-running performance to take the Prix Robert Papin at Maisons-Laffitte in a one-two for British raiders.

Clive Cox's colt, winner of the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot, was chased home by the Richard Hannon-trained Sir Prancealot, who was coming off a fourth in the Coventry Stakes at the Royal meeting.

denphone · 23-07-2012, 06:26

DIVINE HEAVENS TAKES IRISH OAKS.

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

Quote:

Great Heavens showed a tremendous turn of foot to take the Darley Irish Oaks in testing conditions at the Curragh.

The John Gosden-trained filly looked beaten two furlongs out as the pace quickened, with Shirocco Star tightening up Was at the head of affairs before seeing off the Epsom Oaks heroine.

William Buick pulled Great Heavens out for a run and once in the clear, she took off in tremendous style to zip past the field down the outside and beat Shirocco Star by three lengths.

GRAFELLI SPARKLES IN ANGLESEY.

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

Quote:

Grafelli secured a second win on the bounce in the Jebel Ali Stables & Racecourse Anglesey Stakes at the Curragh in the absence of likely hot favourite Cristoforo Colombo due to the ground.

The Group Three contest had an open look to it and Jim Bolger's colt (9-4) handled the conditions best of all, ploughing through the mud to beat the Andrew Oliver-trained Hard Yards by six and a half lengths.

Ballydoyle jockey Joseph O'Brien switched to Count Of Limonade, who was sent off the 7-4 favourite, but he was eventually well beaten after holding every chance.

denphone · 23-07-2012, 12:28

APPROACH TUNING UP FOR RETURN.

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

Quote:

Jim Bolger expects to make a decision on a target for Dawn Approach in the next few weeks.

The impressive Coventry Stakes winner, a son of Bolger's Derby winner New Approach, holds entries in the Phoenix Stakes, the Futurity and the National Stakes, while the Dewhurst has also been mooted.

denphone · 23-07-2012, 14:30

YORK-BOUND PEARL IN 'GREAT SHAPE'.

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...26#39;&day=Mon

Quote:

David Barron's exciting sprinter Pearl Secret remains on target for a crack at the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes at York on August 24.

The three-year-old is unbeaten in four career starts and will make the big leap from Listed class to Group One company on the Knavesmire. With the sprinting division still looking cloudy after Mayson's victory in the Darley July Cup, there appears to be room for a genuine superstar to emerge.

SEQUENCE TEAM LOOK TO VOLTIGEUR.

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

Quote:

Main Sequence is likely to have his next start in the Neptune Investment Management Great Voltigeur at York on August 22 as he builds towards a crack at the Ladbrokes St Leger.

David Lanigan's Aldebaran colt began the season in handicap company off a mark of 89 and did not lose his unbeaten record until taking on Camelot in the Derby.

Last time out he was regarded by many as an unlucky loser behind Camelot's stablemate Imperial Monarch in the Grand Prix de Paris.

denphone · 24-07-2012, 06:36

PLANTEUR A YORK CONTENDER.

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

Quote:

Group One winner Planteur is among a 21-strong entry for the Sky Bet York Stakes on Saturday.

The five-year-old landed the Prix Ganay in 2011, when in the care of Elie Lellouche, and is now in the hands of Marco Botti. He has already taken minor honours for the Newmarket trainer in the Dubai World Cup and Prix d'Ispahan but he was unplaced in the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot.

SEQUENCE TEAM LOOK TO VOLTIGEUR.

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

Quote:

Main Sequence is likely to have his next start in the Neptune Investment Management Great Voltigeur at York on August 22 as he builds towards a crack at the Ladbrokes St Leger.

David Lanigan's Aldebaran colt began the season in handicap company off a mark of 89 and did not lose his unbeaten record until taking on Camelot in the Derby.

Last time out he was regarded by many as an unlucky loser behind Camelot's stablemate Imperial Monarch in the Grand Prix de Paris.

denphone · 24-07-2012, 19:18

FRY TAKING CHARGE OF RUBY.

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

Quote:

Champion Hurdle winner Rock On Ruby is set to have a new trainer next term as Harry Fry is planning to take out a training licence.

Rock On Ruby ran under champion trainer Paul Nicholls' name last term, although he was prepared by the handler's satellite yard at Seaborough Manor in Dorset.

That operation has been overseen by Richard Barber, with Fry acting as his assistant, but Fry is now applying to take out a licence from October 1.

HARBOUR TO SWERVE GOODWOOD.

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

Quote:

Harbour Watch will sidestep his intended reappearance at Glorious Goodwood next week as he continues to recover from a hind-leg injury.

The son of Acclamation has been sidelined since winning the Richmond Stakes at Goodwood 12 months ago.

Richard Hannon had pencilled in the Lennox Stakes as a possible starting point for Harbour Watch, who was the highest-rated British-trained two-year-old of 2011.

denphone · 25-07-2012, 06:15

BALDING TAKES GLANCE AT YORK.

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

Quote:

Side Glance, third to Frankel at Royal Ascot, is likely to test his powers over a mile and a quarter for the first time in Saturday's Sky Bet York Stakes.

Andrew Balding's five-year-old was a Group Three winner over a mile last season and struck at the same level over nine furlongs in the Diomed Stakes at Epsom in June.

He ran arguably a career-best when third behind the world's highest-rated horse in the Queen Anne Stakes, and Balding thinks it is worth testing his charge's stamina at the longer trip.

NAHRAIN ON RECOVERY MISSION.

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

Quote:

Roger Varian is seeking a return to form from Nahrain when she lines up in the Group One Markel Insurance Nassau Stakes at Goodwood on Saturday week.

The four-year-old won the Prix de l'Opera at Longchamp last October before finishing a close second in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Churchill Downs a month later.

However, the Selkirk filly could finish only a disappointing ninth on her reappearance in the Windsor Forest Stakes at Royal Ascot.

denphone · 25-07-2012, 10:56

KITTY ON COURSE FOR NUNTHORPE.

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

Quote:

Tom Dascombe is excited about the chances of Ceiling Kitty in the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes at York on August 24.

The Red Clubs filly has won her last three starts, including the prestigious Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot. Given she is only a juvenile and a filly to boot, the weight allowances she receives in the Group One are such that connections feel obliged to let herthave a crack at her elders.

ARC BID UNLIKELY FOR BAUDOLINO.

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

Quote:

Andre Fabre is cool on the idea of running Saint Baudolino in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in October.

denphone · 25-07-2012, 13:06

CAMELOT TOPS LEGER CONTENDERS.

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

Quote:

Camelot is one of 36 entries for the Ladbrokes St Leger as he continues his quest to win the Triple Crown.

Having already won the first two legs, the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket and the Derby at Epsom, if Camelot is successful at Doncaster on September 15 he will become the first winner of the three races since Nijinsky in 1970.

DIBAYANI ON ROAD TO TIPPERARY.

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

Quote:

Dibayani is likely to have his next start in the Coolmore Canford Cliffs Stakes at Tipperary on August 10 after getting off the mark at the Curragh last weekend.

Owned by the Aga Khan and trained by Mick Halford, the Shamardal colt finished second in a maiden that has worked out extremely well on his debut, before winning a race that has seen the likes of Teofilo and New Approach announce themselves onto the scene.

"He's come out of the race fine and we're looking at a Listed race at Tipperary on August 10 for him," said Halford.