Racing (Horse) : General Horse Racing Thread

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THE FUGUE GRABS NASSAU GLORY.

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

The Fugue was produced with a perfectly timed run by Richard Hughes to take top honours in the Markel Insurance Nassau Stakes at Glorious Goodwood.

The three-year-old was the lesser fancied of two runners for John Gosden, with Izzi Top the choice of stable jockey William Buick, and the 7-4 favourite appeared to be travelling nicely towards the lead a couple of furlongs down.

But she was unable to quicken as well as her stable companion, who pounced from the rear and ran out a decisive winner by a length from the front-running Timepiece, with Oaks winner Was in third. Izzi Top was ultimately well beaten.

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LEE STRIKES ON HAWKEYE.

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

Hawkeyethenoo held off the late challenge of Imperial Guest to win a thrilling renewal of the Blue Square Bet Stewards' Cup at Glorious Goodwood.

Third in the Wokingham Stakes and fifth in the July Cup, after which he finished a luckless seventh in the competitive International Stakes at Ascot, Jim Goldie's Scottish raider was a leading fancy at 9-1.

Always travelling well on the far side of the track in the hands of Grand National-winning jockey Graham Lee, the six-year-old quickened to the lead inside the final furlong and stayed on too strongly for Imperial Guest, whose challenge down the centre of the track came up a nose short.

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NUNTHORPE RETURN FOR NATIVE.

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

Dual Group One-winning sprinter Kingsgate Native is set to make his first appearance for trainer Robert Cowell in the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes at York.

The seven-year-old won the Knavesmire sprint as a juvenile and the Golden Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot the following year before heading to Cheveley Park Stud to take up stallion duties.

However, after proving infertile and being gelded, Kingsgate Native returned to training with Sir Michael Stoute, for whom he won two races.

He failed to rediscover his best form towards the end of last season, but Cheveley Park are keen to see if a change of yards can reignite the old flame.

MAN IN LEOPARDSTOWN FRAME.

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

The Red Mills Irish Champion Stakes is a possible target for Reliable Man following his fine run in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

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MAGIC MOONLIGHT IN GHEEST REPEAT.

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

Moonlight Cloud ran out a very impressive winner of the Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville for the second successive year.

Freddie Head's filly, who came so close to becoming the first horse to beat the legendary Black Caviar in the Diamond Jubilee at Royal Ascot, absolutely hacked up.

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SUPER SAPPHIRE IN SPARKLING FORM.

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

Dermot Weld's Sapphire produced an exhilarating display in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Give Thanks Stakes at Cork.

Second to Izzi Top in the Group One Pretty Polly on her last start, she was far too good for her rivals in this Group Three event.

She sprinted clear under Pat Smullen and those who took the 1-7 price never had to worry as she beat Demurely by seven and a half lengths.

Weld said: "That is a nice double. She is the first mare to win both the Noblesse Stakes and the Give Thanks Stakes. She was very impressive and very good. She is a lovely big staying mare and there is lots to look forward to with her.

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GROUND CRUCIAL TO SUIT PLANS.

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

Ground conditions will dictate where Strong Suit is seen next following his withdrawal from the Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville on Sunday.

The Richard Hannon-trained four-year-old finished 10th behind Frankel in the Queen Anne and eighth behind Mayson in the July Cup over six furlongs, and it was thought the unique trip of six and a half furlongs at the weekend would have suited him down to the ground, but his preference for a fast surface saw connections pull the plug.

CHARLTON CONSIDERS NEXT STEP.

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

Roger Charlton's Dundonnell could be seen again later this month before potentially tackling some big-race entries in the autumn.

After finishing third in what looked one of the hottest juvenile maidens of the season at Newmarket's July meeting, the youngster justified cramped odds with a 12-length triumph at Lingfield on Saturday and is engaged in the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster, Ascot's Royal Lodge Stakes and the Dewhurst at Newmarket.

"I think Timeform increased his rating from 84 to 102, so they obviously took a bit of a shine to it," said Charlton.

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CHEVELEY PARK GET SHARE IN MAYSON.

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

Cheveley Park Stud have bought a majority share in the July Cup winner Mayson.

The colt provided Richard Fahey and jockey Paul Hanagan with their first domestic Group One winner at Newmarket and will remain in the trainer's care, as well as in the colours of David Armstrong, for the remainder of the year.

A statement on the Newmarket stud's website revealed Mayson's next start may be the Haydock Sprint Cup, although the Nunthorpe Stakes remains under consideration.

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HEAD TEMPTED BY QUICK CLOUD RETURN.

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

Freddie Head is considering a quick return to action for Moonlight Cloud after her "awesome" display in the Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville on Sunday.

After narrowly failing to catch Black Caviar at Ascot, the four-year-old filly blitzed her rivals over six and a half furlongs. She may now return to the track this weekend for the Prix Jacques le Marois over a mile, with races like the Prix du Moulin - where she could meet Frankel - and the Prix de la Foret coming under consideration later in the season.

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BOTTI EYES FRANKEL CLASH.

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

Planteur faces the daunting task of crossing swords with Frankel after being withdrawn from the Sky Bet York Stakes on the Knavesmire last month.

Marco Botti's top-class middle-distance performer was a leading fancy for the Group Two contest but after walking the track, connections felt conditions were too fast and decided not to run.

Botti admits it was a frustrating scenario and it now means that provided the ground is deemed suitable, he is likely to meet the world's highest-rated racehorse back at York in the Juddmonte International on August 22.

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'SCARY' SACRE BACK WITH HENDERSON.

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

Nicky Henderson has described Sprinter Sacre as looking "unbelievable" after his stable star returned from his summer break last week.

The six-year-old turned in some awesome performances during an unbeaten novice campaign over fences, treating his rivals with contempt in the Arkle Trophy at the Cheltenham Festival and on his final start of the season at Aintree.

The six-year-old is already as short as even-money with some bookmakers for the Queen Mother Champion Chase and his trainer is delighted after welcoming him back to Seven Barrows.

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APPROACH IN FRAME FOR PHOENIX.

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

Dawn Approach is the star name among 15 entries for the Keeneland Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh on Sunday.

Jim Bolger's unbeaten juvenile has won each of his four starts to date, most recently impressing in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot.

The form could hardly have worked out better, with runner-up Olympic Glory having since scored twice in Group Two company.

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CIRRUS TO MISS FRANKEL SHOWDOWN.

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

French star Cirrus Des Aigles will not lock horns with Frankel in the Juddmonte International at York after failing to recover from an ankle injury.

Last year's Champion Stakes hero added to his Group One tally in the Dubai Sheema Classic and the Prix Ganay earlier this year, but was narrowly beaten by Golden Lilac in the Prix d'Ispahan at Longchamp on his last start.

Trainer Corine Barande-Barbe had been looking forward to seeing her pride and joy take on the world's highest-rated racehorse on the Knavesmire on August 22, but he could now be re-routed to the Red Mills Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown on September 8.

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HUGHES SETS SIGHTS ON CROWN.

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

Richard Hughes vowed to go "flat out" for the jockeys' championship after he rattled off a 251.5-1 four-timer at Bath.

Although he trailed home last of seven runners aboard outsider Lady Calantha in the opening contest, Hughes collected the next four races to cut the deficit with Ryan Moore to just three winners.

The rider won on Waspy (11-8 favourite), Dynastic (7-2), Griffin Point (13-8 favourite) and Cockney Fire (8-1), although he also picked up a two-day suspension for his use of the whip on the last of those.

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FRANKEL STARS ON CHAMPIONS LIST.

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

Frankel is one of 46 entries in the Qipco Champions Stakes on Champions Day at Ascot on October 20 - what is expected to be his last appearance on a racetrack.

Sir Henry Cecil's unbeaten superstar is due to step up to 10 furlongs for his next race at York in the Juddmonte International later this month after having achieved all that is possible over a mile.

Old foe Excelebration is one of a huge army of possible top-class rivals from Aidan O'Brien's Ballydoyle yard, including Triple Crown aspirant Camelot, Imperial Monarch, St Nicholas Abbey and Power.

The likes of last year's winner Cirrus Des Aigles, Nathaniel, Giofra, Meandre, Golden Lilac and The Fugue could also take him on.

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CHIPPENDALE STEELED FOR YORK TILT.

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

All roads for Thomas Chippendale lead to the Neptune Investment Management Great Voltigeur Stakes at York on August 22.

Sir Henry Cecil's colt has won three of his five starts, including the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot last time when he defeated stablemate Noble Mission by half a length.

The form has been franked as Noble Mission won the Gordon Stakes at Glorious Goodwood last week.

NO DECISION ON KAUTO FUTURE.

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

Connections of Kauto Star have yet to decide whether the National Hunt legend has raced for the final time.

The 12-year-old was pulled up with over a circuit to go on his final start in the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March, but connections insisted they would let the dust settle before a decision on his future would be made.

Although many National Hunt horses have now returned to training in readiness for the new campaign, Kauto Star is still in the field, accompanied by now-retired stablemate Denman.