1000 Guineas: Moth added to Newmarket field

Aidan O'Brien's Moth has been supplemented for the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket on Sunday...

Beaten in both starts as a juvenile, the daughter of Galileo appeared much improved when running out a most impressive winner of a Curragh maiden on her three-year-old debut at the Curragh in early April.

O'Brien revealed afterwards the first fillies' Classic of the season would be considered and she has now been added to the field at a cost of £30,000.

The master of Ballydoyle also has Magical Dream and Snow Queen in the mix for the 1000 Guineas.

Sir Henry Cecil's hugely impressive Nell Gwyn scorer Hot Snap is the ante-post favourite and features among 18 confirmations.

Charlie Hills' star filly Just The Judge remains in the hunt, as does the Mikel Delzangles-trained French challenger What A Name.

Richard Hannon could saddle Fred Darling winner Maureen and Nell Gwyn runner-up Sky Lantern, but one significant absentee is William Haggas' Rosdhu Queen.

Unbeaten as a juvenile but beaten into fourth when seemingly failing to stay seven furlongs in the Fred Darling, the three-year-old is set to revert to sprint distances.

Haggas said: "We think she'll be better over shorter and we've decided to give up on the Guineas.

"She worked at the weekend and is in great form.

"I think that race (Fred Darling) has done a lot of good, but she needs to be better than that at a mile and I can't see it.

"She has a lot of speed, she is good at going fast, so let's use that as a major weapon."

Asked where Rosdhu Queen could run next, Haggas said: "I haven't got as far as that yet. I'll get there."

Leading Irish handler Dermot Weld has Big Break and Rasmeyaa in the field, while other contenders include Roz, Ollie Olga and Diaminda.

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2000 Guineas: Dawn stars on Newmarket list

Long-time favourite Dawn Approach tops 14 colts confirmed for Saturday's 2000 Guineas at Newmarket...

The Jim Bolger-trained colt has dominated the betting for the 2000 Guineas after ending his 2012 campaign unbeaten in six starts, culminating in an impressive victory over stablemate Leitir Mor in the Dewhurst Stakes.

Victory for the Dawn Approach could provide owner Godolphin with a little comfort after a torrid few days following the Mahmood Al Zarooni drugs scandal.

Leitir Mor is also among the contenders for the Guineas, with Aidan O'Brien having the pick of four from Cristoforo Colombo, George Vancouver, Lines Of Battle and Mars.

Richard Hannon appears to have a strong hand with Craven Stakes victor Toronado and last year's Racing Post Trophy second Van Der Neer.

Hannon has, however, taken out Craven Stakes runner-up Havana Gold.

Free Handicap winner Garswood is set to represent Richard Fahey, while Greenham third Moohaajim is Marco Botti's sole contender.

Correspondent, Dont Bother Me, Glory Awaits and the Sir Henry Cecil-trained Kyllachy Rise complete the list of possible runners.

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Sectional Debrief: Day Three Newmarket July Meeting

Mayson’s success in the Group 1 July Cup took many by surprise, but the evidence of the clock is that he is bordering on high-class...

Simon Rowlands, Timeform's Head of Research and Development, reviews the sectionals from the third and final day of Newmarket's July Meeting...

A substantial amount of rain on what was already just about soft going turned conditions "heavy" for day three, though nowhere near unraceable as some were suggesting. Furthermore, overall and sectional times indicated that conditions deteriorated a negligible amount as the card progressed.

The following are the headline figures from the day, provided by TurfTrax:

• The fastest opening furlong was recorded by Reply (14.61 sec, 30.80 mph from a standing start) in the Group 1 July Cup, in which he finished last of 12.

• The fastest individual furlong was recorded by Ortensia (11.41 sec, 39.44 mph) in the third of the six furlongs of that race. The mare's effort was short-lived and she finished fourth.

• The fastest closing furlong was recorded by Hasopop (14.13 sec, 31.85 mph) in the steadily-run two-year-old conditions stakes which followed the feature event. Hasopop won by seven lengths and eight lengths in a field of three.

• Mayson's success in the Group 1 July Cup took many by surprise, but the evidence of the clock is that he is bordering on high-class, if not quite so good as a face-value interpretation of the result might suggest. He set a good pace after the opening furlong, registering three successive sub-12-second furlongs in the middle of the race, on his way to a good overall time. His last two furlongs sectionals were both faster than any of his rivals'.

• The first furlong of the opening one-mile handicap was remarkably slow (16.25 sec, 27.69 mph), and the horse that set it, Ocean Tempest got back up having quickened to challenge again with a sub-12-second furlong between three furlongs and two furlongs out.

• Olympic Glory had just enough left to hold off Birdman in the Group 2 Superlative Stakes, his final furlong a fairly slow (compared to his overall time) 14.57 sec, raising some doubts about his stamina for still further when conditions are testing.

• Bonnie Brae had as many in front of her as behind her mid-race in the 15-runner Bunbury Cup Handicap but jockey Ryan Moore had judged things well, and she recorded close to optimum sectionals as she overhauled pace-setters Captain Bertie and Captain Ramius, posting the fastest sectionals for the last two furlongs for good measure. Captain Ramius, in particular, probably deserves marking up.

• John Louis made all in the concluding handicap, though sectional analysis shows he was plodding by the end and that his overall time will have suffered by going as fast as he did earlier. This sectional profile - of a leader running his rivals into the ground and holding on for a win in a slowish time - is seen more often over jumps but was also in evidence in Cape Blanco's 2010 Irish Champion Stakes success on the Flat.

Full details of by-furlong individual sectional times for the first two days of the Newmarket July Meeting can be found on the TurfTrax website: http://www.turftrax.co.uk/tracking-data-julymeeting-2012.html

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Graham Cunningham's In-play Tips: Saturday at Newmarket and York

I'm more than happy to take a swing at Dandy Boy in the belief that this Irish raider has way more going for him than his double figure price suggests.

Recommended Bets
Back Area Fifty One and lay off at 4.03/1 in-running in the 15:00 @ York
Back Dandy Boy and lay off @ 4.03/1 in-running in the 15:20 @ Newmarket
Back Ponty Acclaim @ 3.02/1 in-running in the 15:35 @ York
Back Royal Rascal in the 17:20 @ York

With Black Caviar back in Australia after her Ascot exploits, Europe's champion sprinter crown is up for grabs. But who will stake a claim in Saturday's July Cup at Newmarket? Several leading fancies could be all at sea if further rain hits HQ and Racing UK analyst Graham Cunningham is hoping an Irish raider can take advantage on the back of a career best effort which may have slipped under the radar.

Now here's a rum old punting puzzle for the July Cup.

Black Caviar is back in Oz after her dramatic Diamond Jubilee win; her nearest Ascot victims Moonlight Cloud and Restidiargent haven't travelled from France; Coolmore have decided not to step Frankel's regular punchbag Excelebration back from a mile; and the likes of Strong Suit and Ortensia line up on the back of very subdued efforts.

Bated Breath and the ex-Australian star Sepoy are almost certainly the fastest horses in this field, but the final climb to the line could pose serious problems for both given the recent storms and I'm more than happy to take a swing at Dandy Boy in the belief that this Irish raider has way more going for him than his double figure price suggests.

If recent sprinting history tells us one thing it is that the gap between top handicaps like the Wokingham and major sprint can be bridged by the right horse.

Fayr Jag did it after landing the Wokingham from a BHA mark of 102; so did Deacon Blues after his Wokingham win off 98 last year, while Iffraaj came within an ace of landing the 2006 July Cup having landed the Wokingham off a BHA perch of 101 in 2005.

Dandy Boy was racing from a BHA mark of 106 when springing a 33-1 surprise for his Wokingham win at Ascot last month.

And there wasn't an ounce of fluke about it, as he travelled powerfully under restraint from the start on the far side before quickening impressively to beat a tremendously deep field with real authority.

That win provided a broad hint that Dandy Boy - having spent the vast majority of his career racing over seven furlongs and a mile - is ideally suited by patient tactics in a strongly-run race over a stiff six.

I'm not leaning on the fact that he clocked a faster time than Black Caviar at Ascot.

But I am leaning on the fact that Dandy Boy has suddenly hit a new level stepping down in distance and he makes plenty of appeal as a back to lay option at a working man's price.

*

It's a shame the focus on the July Cup will take the spotlight off John Smith's Cup day at York, but that won't worry a massive crowd including any number of jolly boys day out trips gathering on the Knavesmire.

I will be one of those jolly boys trying to blend a bit of boozing with a little more betting and my progress will revolve largely on how a couple of York's favourite sons fare. Richard Fahey and Tim Easterby are the locals in question.

Fahey saddles Area Fifty One for the big race at 15:00 and this highly progressive gelding is well treated under a penalty for his commanding win at Newmarket.

Jockey David Nolan said, "Fast ground is the key," after Area Fifty One had bolted up at HQ.

However, that doesn't tally with his excellent York second on his previous start and, with the good claimer Shane B Kelly booked, Area Fifty One has the ability and prominent racing style to trade much shorter than the current 9 and bigger once things get serious in the straight.

Tim Easterby's Ponty Acclaim and Royal Rascal are the other two to keep an eye on this Saturday.

Ponty Acclaim will be a fair price for the 15:35, but she's a smart filly with solid York form in the book who was far from disgraced from a troublesome draw in Royal Ascot's King's Stand Stakes.

I'm hoping she can show up boldly and trade short in this more suitable grade, while stablemate Royal Rascal bolted up on deep ground over this course and distance two starts ago and did more than enough in defeat behind the well-regarded Euxton Hall at Pontefract. She could be one of the bets of the weekend in the nursery at 17:20.

Recommended Bets
Back Area Fifty One and lay off at 4.03/1 in-running in the 15:00 @ York
Back Dandy Boy and lay off @ 4.03/1 in-running in the 15:20 @ Newmarket
Back Ponty Acclaim @ 3.02/1 in-running in the 15:35 @ York
Back Royal Rascal in the 17:20 @ York

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2000 Guineas: Camelot dominates Newmarket entries

News / Timeform / 07 March 2012 / Leave a Comment

Camelot winning at Doncaster.

"Camelot, rated 117P by Timeform, is one of 11 entries for Aidan O'Brien as he chases a sixth win in the race..."

Aidan O'Brien's Camelot is the star name among 63 entries for the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on May 5...

Already a Group One winner thanks to his stunning victory in the RP Trophy at Doncaster, the unbeaten colt currently heads the market for both the Guineas and the Derby.

Camelot, rated 117P by Timeform, is one of 11 entries for the Ballydoyle handler as he chases a sixth win in the race.

Born To Sea, trained by John Oxx, and Jim Bolger's Dewhurst winner Parish Hall add to the Irish challenge, while Harbour Watch is among eight possibles for Richard Hannon.

French trainer Mikel Delzangles, successful with Makfi two years ago, has two contenders in Dragon Pulse, formerly with Jessica Harrington in Ireland, and Hermival.

"The 2000 Guineas is a race we are considering for both horses," said Delzangles.

"They will both run once before that in the trials - one will run in the Prix Djebel (Maisons-Laffitte, April 5) and the other in the Prix de Fontainebleau (Longchamp, April 15). We will see what happens there and then decide after that.

"Dragon Pulse has been with me for three weeks. I was impressed with his Irish form, and he looks like he is a very decent horse. He has not done any work for me yet, but physically he has all the looks and size to make a champion.

"Hermival won quite impressively at Saint-Cloud and I like him. He is not a show horse, but he is a very hard worker and if he improves he could be a very good horse.

"Although he won on heavy ground, I think he will be fine on better ground."

Another French possible is Nicolas Clement's French Fifteen, who has been bought by Sheikh Al Thani after winning the Criterium International Saint Cloud.

Clement said: "The plan now is to run him in the Prix Djebel (before Newmarket) and he is a colt who needs a true early pace to show his best.

"He has a good turn of foot and could be ridden by Olivier Peslier if he isn't claimed by the Wertheimer brothers as he now has a second retainer with Sheikh Al Thani."

Matusalen is the Spanish-trained entry for Mauricio Delcher Sanchez, who has already enjoyed significant success in Britain having saddled Equiano to success in the 2008 King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot.

The 2000 Guineas market is, at present, dominated by Camelot, who currently trades at [3.8]. Born To Sea can be backed at [13.5] with Power not far behind that one at [14.0].

...........
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Mendip is likely to bid to give Godolphin an 11th success in Round 3 of the Al Maktoum Challenge at Meydan on Super Saturday on March 10....

Bart Cummings will rely on German import Illo and second string Precedence as he attempts to win his 14th Australian Cup at Flemington on Saturday......

Trainer Paul Nolan has stated that he is pleased with leading Irish fancy Noble Prince's preparation for the Ryanair with the horse having had a breathing operation since his last start......

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Newmarket Placepot: Saturday October 8

Daily Placepots / Mark Powell-Bevan / 08 October 2011 / Leave a Comment

Nicky Henderson has a good chance of a third Cesarewitch with Veiled

"Jumps trainers have done well down the years and Nicky Henderson especially, winning it twice recently, so his Ascot Stakes winner Veiled has to be on the list."

It's Future Champions Day at Newmarket, but the present is all that matters in terms of getting through the placepot and here are the selections that can, hopefully, do just that...

14:05 - There's no heroics in the opener, the Challenge Stakes, as while it's tempting to take one of Strong Suit (won the Jersey and the Lennox, good third in the Jean Prat in between) and Chachamaidee (never finished out of the first three this season), who stand out from the rest, it's safer to include them both and, hopefully, we'll double up.

14:35 - Bapak Chinta tops the Timeform ratings in the Middle Park, but he's no placepot horse given things clearly haven't gone to plan, unseen since his Norfolk win at Royal Ascot. He will play a big part in the race, though, likely to set a scorching pace, which could set things up nicely for Lilbourne Lad, who's only a few stalls away, has a solid if unspectacular record and could easily get involved. It's also worth having the French raider Family One onside, however, as his Morny second looks good given the style of his Deauville conqueror Dabirsim's win on Arc day.

15:10 - Power sets the standard in the Dewhurst, but it's not an unsurpassable one and Bronterre, winner of both starts so far, has the potential to improve past the Ballydoyle colt. Roger Varian, fresh from a first Group 1 win, could easily have another, as his Ektihaam is one who's got much more still to offer, making him an obvious second choice against what could be a vulnerable market leader.

15:50 - Here's where it could easily get out of hand, the ultra-competitive Cesarewitch Handicap. Jumps trainers have done well down the years and Nicky Henderson especially, winning it twice recently, so his Ascot Stakes winner Veiled has to be on the list. Roger Charlton's Keys has a good profile, too, still unexposed, as is Sir Mark's Tuscan Gold, while of those with more miles on the clock Abergavenny looks interesting towards the bottom of the weights, crying out for a test and getting one today.

16:25 - Its' a case of form vs. potential in the Rockfel, with Sunday Times and Pimpernel clear of some less-exposed rivals in ratings terms, so the best approach may be to take one from either camp. Aidan O'Brien's Wading has won one of her two starts and likely has much more to offer, while Jeremy Noseda's Regal Realm, who won the Prestige at Goodwood in August, is much better than she could show in the May Hill last time and is worth another chance.

17:00 - You've probably guessed it by now, but with so many lines used up already it's the inevitable last-leg banker, but luckily Aidan O'Brien has done us a favour by running his Astrology, who has arguably the best form in the book already but who himself has yet to show everything he's got, third in the Futurity at the Curragh last time when seeming to find the race coming too soon after his debut win.

Selections
14:05 - 1, 5
14:35 - 8, 10
15:10 - 1, 2
15:50 - 5, 7, 24, 32
16:25 - 7, 9
17:00 - 1
= 64 lines

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Following two successful Placepots in three days for this column, Timeform's Adam Brookes is going for broke by taking on a devilishly difficult card at York this afternoon......

Timeform's Joe Szekeres heads to Exeter this afternoon to have a crack at what looks a winnable Placepot......

After Dominic Finn landed a monster Placepot (paid £912.20!) at Southwell yesterday, Phil Thompson is feeling the pressure at Ludlow this afternoon......

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Newmarket

Going Report / Editor / 08 October 2011 / Leave a Comment

Racecourse: Newmarket
First Race Time: 14:05
Going: Good
Other Information: 5.4mm in showers on Friday. Dry overnight. Overcast and breezy morning forecast to be followed by dry day with temperatures up to 13 degrees.

Racecourse: York First Race Time: 13:50 Going: Good Other Information: Dry overnight. Dry day forecast with some bright spells....

Racecourse: Hexham First Race Time; 14:10 Going: Good, good to firm in places (watering) Other Information: Dry and windy overnight. Forecast odd chance of a light shower....

Racecourse: Chepstow First Race Time: 14:25 Going: Good, good to soft in places Other Information: Dry overnight. Mainly dry day forecast....

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Nick Shiambouros' Patented 80/20 Bet: Newmarket, 16:25

80/20 / Nick Shiambouros / 08 October 2011 / Leave a Comment

Saturday is the Time for Sunday-themed horse to deliver

Today's 80/20 is Sunday Times in the 16:25 at Newmarket.

This filly put in a super effort last time out when finishing an excellent second to Lightening Pearl in the Cheveley Park over this course last month. She ran on strongly in the closing stages but could not get to grips with the talented winner. I think she can take another step forward today and should go close at a decent price in this high-class event..At present she is trading at [5.5] on the exchange.

Can Nick's selection master the 15:40 at York today?...

Nick has it on good authority that today's selection is in with a real chance......

Nick has come up with an excellent prospect as today's 80/20 selection......

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Betting Briefing: Stayers & Future Champions at Newmarket

Weekly Betfair Briefing / Timeform / 01 October 2011 / Leave a Comment

Newmarket stages the Cesarewitch on Saturday

"Saturday brings one of the big end-of-season handicaps at Newmarket, this one for stayers, the Cesarewitch. Won last year by Aaim to Prosper, who will carry top-weight if taking part again, this particularly competitive event over two and a quarter miles is a real test of stamina."

Timeform look over the next week's racing, which gets underway with Longchamp's Arc day on Sunday and ends with a high-class card at Newmarket on Saturday....

Sunday October 2
Longchamp's Arc meeting is one of the highlights on the racing calendar, and this year's renewal is no different. Every race there on Sunday carries Group 1 status and it has a stunning line-up of horses including Goldikova, Sarafina, So You Think, Workforce and many more quality performers. Arc weekend is a real treat for racing fans with race after race to get excited about, and after months of looking forward to it, it is finally here.

There's also racing on Sunday on the National Hunt scene at Huntingdon, Kelso and Uttoxeter, whilst Tipperary stages a good-quality mixed-code card in Ireland, where Captain Cee Bee and Luska Lad feature in a Grade 2 hurdle and the David Marnane-trained Dandy Boy makes his seasonal reappearance in the Group 3 Concorde Stakes.

Monday October 3
Monday doesn't quite scale the heights of the previous day but you can't have a Group 1 card every day of the week, so Pontefract, Warwick and Windsor it is. Arguably the most interesting race of the day is Pontefract's conditions event over two miles and a furlong. Likely participants include Ajaan, winner of the race last year, the Roger Varian-trained Pekan Star, who is stepping markedly up in trip, and Fire Fighter, who will be seeking a hat-trick of wins.

Tuesday October 4
Flat action on Tuesday at Catterick and Leicester, and on all-weather at Southwell. Catterick host what could develop into a competitive nursery over seven furlongs, whilst Leicester stage an interesting conditions event for two year-olds and a pair of maidens that could consist of large fields, as is the trend at this time of year. We also have National Hunt action over in Ireland, once again courtesy of Tipperary.

Wednesday October 5
The busiest day of the week so far on Wednesday, with racing on the flat at Nottingham and in Ireland at Navan, National Hunt racing at Ludlow and Towcester, before we head to Kempton for an evening of floodlit racing. Memorabilia, a fair performer on the flat and second on his hurdling debut on Friday, is entered again at Ludlow on Wednesday and could build on that hurdling experience. Nottingham's card features three maidens out of six races, with a number of powerful stables holding entries.

Thursday October 6
Just the two flat meetings on Thursday, at Ayr in the afternoon and Wolverhampton in the evening. Jumps racing is more the order of the day, with action at Exeter, Worcester and over in Ireland at Tramore. Interestingly, trainer Charlie Longsdon is 2-2 with his National Hunt flat runners at Worcester in the 2011-12 season, and holds three entries in their final event on Thursday.

Friday October 7
Friday takes us to York, Carlisle and Newton Abbot in the afternoon, with the former staging the only flat card. York's feature event on a seven race card is a class 2 handicap over a mile, whilst Newton Abbot host a valuable handicap hurdle over two miles and six furlongs. We again sample the delights of Wolverhampton in the evening, for a seven race card at the same time as Dundalk host a card headed by a very valuable listed event over seven furlongs.

Saturday October 8
Saturday brings one of the big end-of-season handicaps at Newmarket, this one for stayers, the Cesarewitch. Won last year by Aaim to Prosper, who will carry top-weight if taking part again, this particularly competitive event over two and a quarter miles is a real test of stamina. Other entries of note include the Roger Charlton-trained Keys, an impressive winner on two occasions this season, Sir Mark Prescott's Tuscan Gold, antepost favourite at [10.0], and Nicky Henderson's Veiled, who took the Ascot Stakes on her most recent outing.

It's also 'Future Champions' day on Newmarket's revamped Cesarewitch card, and the two big juvenile races to take note of are the Group 1 Middle Park and the Dewhurst, over six and seven furlongs respectively. A two year-old can dramatically enhance his claims to next year's classics in either of these races, so horses like Ektihaam, Camelot and Daddy Long Legs will be looking for success here.

Elsewhere on Saturday, York stages a solid looking card featuring the listed Rockingham Stakes over six furlongs, whilst Chepstow and Hexham hold National Hunt cards, as does Fairyhouse in Ireland. We visit Wolverhampton for the third evening in a row for another seven race card.

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Timeform look ahead to the coming week, featuring mid-week action from Ayr, Salisbury and Warwick, before we head to Newmarket and Ascot on Saturday for valuable sales races and pattern race action......

Timeform look ahead to next week's racing, featuring good mid-week cards at Goodwood and Newmarket, before a fascinating order of play on Saturday including a quality card at HQ......

Timeform look ahead to next week's racing, which features interesting mid-week cards from Sandown and Yarmouth, and culminates in Ayr's Gold Cup meeting......

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Newmarket

Going Report / Editor / 17 September 2011 / Leave a Comment

Racecourse: Newmarket
First Race Time: 13:45
Going: Good to firm (watered)
Other Information: Dry overnight. Forecast sunny spells and showers with temperatures up to 17 degrees.

Racecourse: Newbury First Race Time: 13:25 Going: Good, good to soft in places Other Information: Dry overnight. Newbury Show weekend so junction 13 of M4 will be congested - racegoers advised to use junctions 12 or 14 instead....

Racecourse: Ayr First Race Time: 13:40 Going: Soft, heavy in places. 7.9 on going stick. Other Information: 7mm of rain in last 24 hours. Forecast to be showery throughout day with up to 5mm of rainfall....

Racecourse: Catterick First Race Time: 14:05 Going: Good Other Information: 20mm of rain overnight. Mainly dry day forecast with scattered showers....

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Newmarket Placepot: Friday August 5

Daily Placepots / Joe Szekeres / 05 August 2011 / Leave a Comment

Newmarket's July Course

"The lightly-raced Long Awaited is the main eye catcher here. He was beaten favourite on his handicap debut last time, but shaped better than the bare form suggests."

Newmarket is the venue for today's Placepot, hopefully providing followers with a winning combination for the second time this week, and Joe Szekeres is hoping he can achieve this in just four lines...

17:50 - Citizen's Charter is our opening banker from Newmarket and this two-year-old can improve for the step up in trip, having shaped as if in need of the extra furlong last time out when fourth behind Harbour Watch over six furlongs at this venue. He wasn't given a hard race on that occasion and can run well off of what seems a fairly workable mark given his pedigree, physique and connections.

18:20 - Two selections here in what looks to be a tricky seller and our first choice is Speedi Mouse, who overcame greenness to make a winning debut in one of these at Yarmouth 11 days ago. Failing that, our second selection is Tweedle Dee. She was a promising fourth behind Rayvin Black at Yarmouth last month on debut and is another likely to improve for her first appearance.

18:55 - A race full of unraced two-year-olds will be the downfall of many a placepot this evening and this looks by far the trickiest race on the card but based on breeding we are going to side with Metalmark and Wrotham Heath, both sired by a useful source of two-year-old winners in Dansili. Metalmark was a very expensive yearling, costing connections over €200,000Y and Wrotham Heath currently holds an entry in the Dewhurst. At least one of these should run well enough to see us through.

19:30 - Handicap debutant Ryton Runner is our second banker of the evening. This John Gosden trained three-year-old shaped encouragingly on debut in 2010 prior to finding the company too hot in a valuable sales race on his only subsequent outing that year. He ran with plenty of promise on his seasonal reappearance when finishing fifth behind Sud Pacifique in a Doncaster maiden over this trip back in April, shaping as if better than the bare form would suggest on that occasion with his best work coming at the end under a hands and heels ride. He has received a seemingly lenient handicap mark as a result and heads here with every chance.

20:00 - Al Kazeem is head of the Timeform ratings for this and rates as the third banker of the evening. He has steadily improved throughout his career and showed his very best last time out defeating Labarinto, Fulgur and Dominant, all three of which have gone on to post victories in good-quality races. Tonight's race is quite competitive despite the small field, but Al Kazeem is open to the most improvement and looks to one to beat.

20:30 - The lightly-raced Long Awaited is the main eye catcher here. He was beaten favourite on his handicap debut last time, but shaped better than the bare form suggests, travelling best of all but arguably reaching the front too soon and not given a hard time of it by his jockey once passed. That performance suggested that Long Awaited is well handicapped and he's our final banker of the evening.

Selections: 4 lines

17:50 - 2
18:20 - 6, 10
18:55 - 8, 13
19:30 - 7
20:00 - 1
20:30 - 6

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Sandown pretty much picks itself for today's 'pot given the paucity of runners elsewhere, but that's not to say it isn't an attractive card to tackle......

Timeform give their take on this afternoon's Placepot at Brighton......

Catterick is the venue for today's placepot......

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Newmarket

Going Report / Editor / 09 July 2011 / Leave a Comment

Racecourse: Newmarket
First Race Time: 14:20
Going: Good
Other Information: Dry overnight. Forecast of sunny spells with the possibility of a light shower later in the day and temperatures up to 22 degrees.

Racecourse: Ascot First Race Time: 13:55 Going: Good Other Information: Dry overnight...

Racecourse: York First Race Time: 14:05 Going: Good, good to soft in places Other Information: 0.5mm of rain overnight following 12 mm yesterday. Dry sunny day forecast with temperatures up to 20 degrees....

Racecourse: Chester First Race Time: 14:15 Going: Good, good to soft in places Other Information: 2mm of rain overnight. Dry day forecast....

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Nick Shiambouros' Patented 80/20 Bet: Newmarket, 15:35

80/20 / Nick Shiambouros / 09 July 2011 / Leave a Comment

July Cup runner has caught Nick's eye - will you be following?

Today's 80/20 is Elzaam in the 15:35 at Newmarket.

This colt put in a super effort when finishing fourth to Society Rock in the Golden Jubilee at Royal Ascot last month, making good progress a furlong from home and finished strongly. I think he is sitting on a big effort and should run well at a decent price in this important race. At present he is trading at [8.8] on the exchange.

Can this particular Lady shine at Newmarket today?...

Nick's selection is running at HQ today but who has he gone for?...

Is Nick's selection the best in show...or a simple show pony?...

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Timeform Daily: July Cup, Saturday, Newmarket 15:35

Race of the Day / Timeform / 09 July 2011 / Leave a Comment

Delegator heads the market for the July Cup

"Delegator has a chance here to prove himself the leading sprinter he's always promised to be, but at around twice the price Star Witness is taken to gain compensation for his narrow defeats at Royal Ascot."

Timeform go through the runners for this Group 1 sprint...

Amico Fritz is a French-trained horse who won a Group 3 in Germany in April and then fared best of those that raced on the stand side when beaten only three lengths in the Golden Jubilee at Royal Ascot. He needs a career best by a long way to figure here.

Bated Breath made excellent progress in 2010 and has been better still this year, winning cosily and Haydock and Windsor. His latest fifth in the Golden Jubilee can be improved upon back on quicker ground.

Dalghar made up into a really smart six- and seven-furlong performer for Alain de Royer-Dupre last year, when second in the Diadem at Ascot. He is yet to hit top form this year and finished behind some of these in the Golden Jubilee.

Delegator was a high-class three-year-old who finished second in the 2000 Guineas and the St James's Palace Stakes. He got back on track dropped to six furlongs when winning the Duke of York Stakes on his reappearance and is a must for the shortlist.

Genki is a smart hold-up sprinter who was third in the Group 1 Sprint Cup last season and has returned with wins this year in a listed race at Newmarket and a Group 3 at Newcastle. He is likely to come up just short again at this level, though.

Jimmy Styles made a smooth transition from top-end handicaps to listed company late in 2010 and put up a career best in May when winning a Group 3 in Ireland. He is better than he was able to show in the Golden Jubilee last time, when drawn on the wrong side.

Jimmy Styles won the Ayr Gold Cup in 2009, and though he struggled last year, showed he's not a spent force when winning a listed race at Doncaster in April. He had a stiff task in the Golden Jubilee last time and it's a similar story here.

Monsieur Chevalier was a smart two-year-old but missed 2010. He showed he's lost none of his ability this year when second in the Golden Jubilee last time, and should be in the mix again over a trip that looks his optimum.

Regal Parade is a dual Group 1 winner who hasn't quite peaked this term and was behind Genki at Newcastle last time when sent off at odds on, despite having conditions to suit. He has something to prove as a result.

Star Witness is a Group 1 winner in Australia and has returned to form since arriving in Britain, being placed in both the King's Stand and the Golden Jubilee at Royal Ascot. He shaped best on soft ground in the latter and there's a good chance he'll come out on top this time.

War Artist is a globetrotting sprinter who looked better than ever when taking a handicap off a mark of 115 at Meydan in February. He got outpaced before staying on late in the King's Stand last time and is a lively outside back at his best trip.

Winker Watson was a smart juvenile back in 2007, but has failed to attain those heights since. He returned from a spell at stud to finish sixth to Genki at Newcastle and should be sharper for that, but this is still a very big ask.

Swiss Diva won a listed race and two Groups 3ds in France last year. She was well held in the King's Stand on her first run for eight months and needs to get right back to her best to feature here.

Dream Ahead was a high-class two-year-old who was most impressive when winning the Group 1 Prix Morny and Middle Park Stakes over this trip. He has since been disappointing behind Frankel in the Dewhurst and the St James's Palace and has some questions to answer now.

Elzaam was just collared in the Coventry as a two-year-old and the return to six furlongs had a positive effect when routing his rivals in a listed race at Newbury in May. His latest fourth in the Golden Jubilee was no bad effort all things considered.

Libranno is a free-going front runner who won a pair of Group 2 events over six furlongs last year, including the July Stakes over course and distance. He got back to those heights when landing the seven-furlong Criterion Stakes here last month, but this looks a step too far.

Oracle took five goes to break his duck in maidens but his form has taken off this year, the highlight being his third in the Irish 2000 Guineas. He ran creditably in the seven-furlong Jersey Stakes last time, but the further step back in trip isn't sure to suit.

Timeform 1-2-3:
1. Star Witness
2. Delegator
3. War Artist

Timeform View: Delegator has a chance here to prove himself the leading sprinter he's always promised to be, but at around twice the price Star Witness is taken to gain compensation for his narrow defeats at Royal Ascot. War Artist rates a lively outsider back at six furlongs.

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Timeform run the rule over this Group 1 for fillies and mares......

It's the first day of the Newmarket July meeting, and the Group 2 Princess of Wales's Stakes looks one of the most interesting betting races of the day......

This handicap over a mile looks a competitive race of its type......

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Newmarket

Daily Racing Info / Editor / 18 June 2011 / Leave a Comment

Racecourse Newmarket
First Race Time 1.35pm
Going Good to Soft, Good in places
Other Information 7.5mm of rain in the last 24 hours. Dry this morning, showers forecast for this afternoon.

All the latest price movements ahead of this afternoon's racing....

Racecourse Ascot First Race Time 2.30pm Going Soft Other Information 7mm of rain since racing yesterday....

Racecourse Ayr First Race Time 2.20pm Going Soft, Good to Soft in places Other Information 15mm of rain in the last 24 hours. Today will be cloudy with showers bringing up to 2mm of rain. Going stick 8.5....

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Weekend Racing: Brian Meehan's runners at Haydock and Newmarket

Trainer Talk / Brian Meehan / 27 May 2011 / Leave a Comment

Will you back Brian's runners at Newmarket (above)?

"The trip and track should be in Murbeh's favour and I am hopeful that he will run a big race."

Brian Meehan provides the lowdown on his weekend runners as they bid for glory at HQ and Haydock...

Newmarket, Saturday

14.20, 1m Handicap

Quadrant: He only just got back up to win at Newbury last time but he has improved since then. He is developing mentally all the time and with this step back up to 1m looking sure to suit, I am hopeful he will win again.

16.35, 6f Maiden

All Nighter/Sandbetweenourtoes: All Nighter looks to have a very good chance. His debut run at Newbury has already thrown up a couple of subsequent winners and he will have learned a lot there. It's a Newmarket maiden so you never know what you might be up against but he would look to have a very solid chance.

Sandbetweenourtoes is a well-bred colt but like most of mine, he will probably need this first run.

17.10, 1m Maiden

Guisho: He ran a nice race on his debut but he had to have some time off as he was still growing physically. He has done very well from two to three, but I just feel he might need this reappearance.

Haydock, Saturday

14.35 6f Listed

Murbeh: He goes in the Listed race and he should be sharper for his reappearance at Ascot. The trip and track should be in his favour and I am hopeful that he will run a big race.

15.35 7f Group 3

Inler: He was very disappointing in the Duke Of York Stakes last time but he had plenty of use made of him and we will be trying different tactics here. He was held up when he won at Doncaster last season and hopefully Jamie Spencer will be able to deliver him late this time.

16.10 7f Handicap

El Muqbil: He needed his reappearance in a Newbury handicap and he came back a bit stiff afterwards. He has been working well since though and I still think he is on a good mark. I would be confident he would do a good deal better here.

16.45 5f Maiden

Shumoos: This is a very classy filly and although mine usually need a run, it wouldn't surprise me at all if she were to make a winning debut. She will learn from this, but she is one to keep on the right side of.

To back Brian Meehan's horses in a combination of Multiples click here

Michael Bell has a trio of horses in action this weekend at Haydock and HQ. Here he discusses their chances......

A quintet of potential winners are sent out by Brian Meehan at Goodwood and Lingfield on Saturday - but which of the five have the best chance of landing the money? Read on......

Michael has a number of contenders running on Saturday including a trio of strong hopes - find out who they are here...

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Weekend Racing: Michael Bell's runners at Haydock and Newmarket

Trainer Talk / Michael Bell / 27 May 2011 / Leave a Comment

Will you back at Activate at Haydock?

"Although he will come on for this first run, I would be hopeful that Sovereign Debt could be involved in the finish."

Michael Bell has a trio of horses in action this weekend at Haydock and HQ. Here he discusses their chances...

Haydock, Saturday

14:05, 2m Handicap

Activate: He was a progressive handicapper last season and he must have a leading chance here on his reappearance. Any more rain would be a bonus and the way he has been working at home - with the 98-rated Tactician - suggests he has improved from three to four. He still looks well handicapped and he must go close off this mark.

Newmarket, Saturday

14.20, 1m Handicap

Biaraafa: This looks a warm contest but she is working well and she is ready for this step up to 1m now. She beat the colts at Yarmouth before not having things go her way at Newbury last time. She is a straightforward ride so, by having Ian Burns on board, it will hopefully be 7lb wisely used.

16.35, 6f Maiden

Sovereign Debt: He is a 2yo who has been pleasing me in his home work. He is by Dark Angel who has made a great start to his stallion career and although he will come on for this first run, I would be hopeful that he could be involved in the finish.

To back Michael's horses in a Betfair multiple click here

Brian Meehan provides the lowdown on his weekend runners as they bid for glory at HQ and Haydock......

A quintet of potential winners are sent out by Brian Meehan at Goodwood and Lingfield on Saturday - but which of the five have the best chance of landing the money? Read on......

Michael has a number of contenders running on Saturday including a trio of strong hopes - find out who they are here...

Betfair website

Newmarket

Going Report / Editor / 12 May 2011 / Leave a Comment

Racecourse Newmarket
First Race Time 5.45pm
Going Good to firm, good in places (watered)
Other Information Dry overnight. Bright morning and mainly dry day forecast with the chance of a light shower early afternoon.

Racecourse Perth First Race Time 2.20pm Going Soft Other Information Immeasurable rain overnight. Possibility of light showers this morning....

Racecourse Salisbury First Race Time 2.10pm Going Good to firm. 8.6 on going stick. Other Information Dry overnight...

Racecourse York First Race Time 1.30pm Going Good Other Information Dry overnight. Bright morning and mainly dry day forecast with the chance of a passing shower....

Racecourse Folkestone First Race Time 5.35pm Going Good to firm (watered) Other Information Dry overnight. Mainly dry day forecast with the chance of a passing shower from midday onwards....

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Timeform Daily: 2000 Guineas, Saturday, Newmarket 15:10

Race of the Day / Timeform / 29 April 2011 / Leave a Comment

Frankel: A red-hot favourite for the Guineas

"It is hard to look beyond the unbeaten Frankel with no concerns about his well-being, and he looks set to justify a tall reputation."

Timeform go through the runners for the first classic of the season...

Broox is a front runner who won three times up to six furlongs in France last year, when also second to Irish Field in the Prix Robert Papin and fourth to Dream Ahead in the Prix Morny. Even that form leads him with plenty to find here.

Casamento developed in a leading juvenile last year for Mick Halford, tasting defeat just once (beaten a head by Pathfork) and ending the season with a game success in the Racing Post Trophy. His new trainer has made a good start to the campaign and a big run is expected.

Dubawi Gold was promising for Michael Dods last year and has improved to land both starts in listed company on the AW for his current yard. He failed to settle when winning last time and a stiff mile at the top level may be beyond him.

Frankel proved himself one of the best juveniles for many years when a ready winner of the Royal Lodge and the Dewhurst in an unbeaten campaign. He easily landed the Greenham on his return and will prove very hard to beat.

Fury was unbeaten in two runs last year, improving markedly on his maiden win when landing the Tattersalls Millions here in some style. He looks an exciting prospect and is sure to develop into a better three-year-old.

Happy Today shaped better than the bare result when fourth on debut here in August prior to a routine win in a Bath maiden. He improved to finish runner-up in the Feilden Stakes on his return but looks to be punching above his weight here.

Loving Spirit looked a smart prospect when landing a 17-runner seven-furlong maiden here on debut last year and confirmed that impression by finishing second in the Houghton Stakes later in October, but his future lies over further than a mile.

Native Khan wasn't far off the best juveniles last year when winning the Solario Stakes and finishing fourth to Casamento in the Racing Post Trophy. He landed the Craven Stakes here on his reappearance but that form has already been let down and the chances are he'll find at least a couple too speedy.

Pahtfork was unbeaten in three starts as a two-year-old, lowering the colours of Casamento in the National Stakes at the Curragh on his final start in 2011. He promises to be better still at a mile and can't be ruled out with his yard among the winners. He wears a first-time tongue tie today.

Rerouted won a seven-furlong Group 3 at this track last season and was a good second in the Free Handicap on his reappearance, but he wears blinkers here and is likely to be making the pace for Frankel.

Roderic O'Connor stepped up on his maiden win when chasing Frankel home in the Dewhursy and landed a Group 1 in France on his final-two-year-old start. He is respected as the Ballydoyle number one, but it's difficult to see him reversing Dewhurst form with Frankel.

Saamidd made a big impression on his first two starts in 2010, notably when quickening smartly to win the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster. He clearly wasn't himself when running a shocker in the Dewhurst, but has questions to answer now and Dettori prefers Casamento.

Slim Shadey's sole success in six starts as a two-year-old came in a minor event at Ascot and while he wasn't discredited in smart company afterwards, is clearly some way short of the level required to make an impact here.

Timeform 1-2-3:
1. Frankel
2. Pathfork
3. Casamento

Timeform View: It is hard to look beyond the unbeaten Frankel with no concerns about his well-being, and he looks set to justify a tall reputation. Pathfork and Casamento are closely matched and can fill the places, with the former perhaps the more progressive of the pair.

Timeform run the rule over this five-furlong handicap for three-year-olds......

It's the Perth Festival for today's Race of the Day......

In the week of the Royal Wedding, Free Agent will aim to give the Queen a winner at Ascot in the 2m Sagaro Stakes.......

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Handicappers' Corner: Frankel bang on track for Newmarket

Handicappers' Corner / David Johnson / 21 April 2011 / 2 Comments

Frankel stretches clear in the Greenham

"Frankel may not even have to run better than he seemed to at Newbury to win at Newmarket on April 30, and it would take a quite outstanding Guineas winner to top the best he has already achieved."

The first Classics of the year are less than a fortnight away, and the last week has seen the last of the major trials. It is a case of "as you were", with the colts' classic remaining at the mercy of one horse, while the 1,000 Guineas still looks as open as ever. David Johnson gives the Timeform view of how things currently stand.

Frankel stretched his unbeaten run to five in the Greenham without having to reproduce the best of his two-year-old form. He has been credited with a performance figure of 127 for beating Excelebration (115) by four lengths with a further six lengths back to Shropshire (97).

This is in the middle of the range of likely ratings prompted by race and prior-rating standards, below the 129 that might be expected from a particularly strong 2010 edition - which saw subsequent Group 1 winners Dick Turpin and Canford Cliffs come clear - but above the 123 and 120 resulting from the slightly weaker renewals won by Vocalised in 2009 and Paco Boy in 2008.

The overall time of this year's Greenham looks unexceptional and is unlikely to provide many further clues as to Frankel's merit. The early pace was steady and a number of the runners (including Frankel himself) took a while to settle.

Frankel's Timeform master rating is likely to remain unchanged on 133p. With regards to his chance in the 2000 Guineas, the last five renewals (with the most recent first) have produced the following ratings from the winners: 124/128/124/125/129.

In other words, Frankel may not even have to run better than he seemed to at Newbury to win at Newmarket on April 30, and it would take a quite outstanding Guineas winner to top the best he has already achieved.

The Craven used to be one of the pre-eminent Guineas trials, but it hasn't produced the winner since Haafhd took both races in 2004. Native Khan's rating was raised to 114p on the back of his smooth two-length victory over Libranno in this year's Craven. He came up short at the top level in the Racing Post Trophy last autumn, though, and it's likely to be the same story in the Guineas.

The major fillies' trials in the last week have merely muddied the waters with regards to the 1000 Guineas. Neither Barefoot Lady (110) - successful in the Nell Gwyn - nor Rimth (109) - who took the Fred Darling - is entered at Newmarket.

What those two races did do, however, is confirm the strength of Hooray's Cheveley Park win. She had Rimth four and a half lengths behind in second that day, with Nell Gwyn third Maqaasid a further length and a quarter back in third.

Hooray's rating of 121 for that win is 5 lb above the average achieved by the winner of the 1000 Guineas over the last five seasons. However, there remain doubts over Hooray's stamina for the May 1 classic, while her trainer Sir Mark Prescott has also reported that she's been slow to come to hand.

A filly that enhanced her Guineas claims recently is Moonlight Cloud, who won the Prix Imprudence at Maisons Laffitte on April 7 by two lengths from Helleborine. In what was an above-average renewal, Moonlight Cloud earned a figure of 112p. Although she had the advantage of dictating, she was well on top at the finish.

One other classic aspirant well worth a mention is the Henry Cecil-trained World Domination. Out of the Oaks winner Reams of Verse, he came with a big reputation and could not have made a much better start than when beating stable-mate Solar Sky by three and three quarter lengths in a Newbury maiden over eleven furlongs. He earned a figure of 100P, which is high for a debutant, and is well worth his place in a Derby trial.

Timeform handicapper Gregg Taylor looks back on the latest running of the Aintree showpiece, as well as reflecting on the ratings of the other big-race winners from the meeting.......

With the Cheltenham and Aintree festivals just around the corner, Timeform handicapper Gregg Taylor reflects on three races from Kempton at the weekend that are likely to have an impact on both meetings......

Timeform handicapper Gregg Taylor analyses the highlights from Newbury's rescheduled totesport Trophy meeting at Newbury on Friday, as well as looking back on Saturday's Ascot Chase....

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