Sunday, April 20, 2003

LADBROKES BETTING FOR THE IRISH GRAND NATIONAL

IMPERIAL GOLD UPSETS TEMPLE GWATHMEY STAKES AT MIDDLEBURG

Owned by Eldon Farm Racing Stable and trained by Doug Fout, Imperial Gold challenged pacesetting favorite Tres Touche on the backstretch and powered away to win the $50,000 Temple Gwathmey Stakes. Ridden by Rob Massey, Imperial Gold thrived on the soft turf and won by four lengths over Pelagos (Tom Foley). Tres Touche (David Bentley) was third. The winner collected $30,000 and covered the 2 1/2 miles in 5:08 1/5.

Bred in New Zealand, Imperial Gold won once in two American hurdle starts last fall and came into 2003 as a leading second-year novice horse. Fout tried to run his horse in the novice conditions at Atlanta, but the plan came undone when Imperial Gold tripped over a fallen rival and fell at the sixth fence. No matter, Imperial Gold handled the Gwathmey's step up in competition.

"We had a lot of bad luck in Atlanta, but we got lucky too because he was OK," said Fout, who won the 1977 Gwathmey at Belmont Park as a jockey on Bel Iman. "It took him a little bit to get his confidence back, and we schooled him to help him get over the fall. We always thought he wanted distance, and that this course would suit. The horse is dead honest, and he jumps well. Being from New Zealand, he appreciated the ground being soft today too."

In other steeplechase stakes action Saturday, Contrarian Stable's Naughty Prince won the Century BMW Block House Stakes at Tryon, N.C. Ricky Hendriks trained the winner, a half-brother to Tres Touche, and Gerry Carwood handled the riding assignment. Nannette Robertson's Narrow River upset the $30,000 Grand National timber stakes at Butler, Md. by defeating favorite Wood Whistle. Both horses are aiming for the $65,000 Maryland Hunt Cup April 26.

ALAMSHAR PROMOTED TO NEW DERBY FAVOURITE BY CORAL

**Vodafone Derby
7-2 Alamshar, 4-1 Brian Boru, 8-1 Refuse to Bend, 10-1 Muqbil, Hold That Tiger, 14-1 Dalakhani, 16-1 New South Wales, 20-1 Chevalier, Powerscourt, Qais, Songlark, 33-1 Al Jadeed, Almushahar, Calibre, Castle Springs, Front Rank, Graikos, Handel, Murashah, Saturn, Solskjaer, Spartacus, Surbiton, Van Nistelrooy,

**Sagitta 2,000 Guineas
7-4 Hold That Tiger, 5-1 Lateen Sails, 6-1 Refuse to Bend, 8-1 Muqbil 10-1 Tout Seul, 16-1 Qais, Hurricane Allan, 20-1 Van Nistelrooy, Statue of Liberty, 25-1 Bar

**Sagitta 1,000 Guineas
5-2 Six Perfections, 9-2 Soviet Song, 5-1 Russian Rhythm, Intercontintal, 9-1 Mezzo Soprano, 12-1 Khulood, 14-1 Hector’s Girl, 16-1 Geminiani, Hi Dubai, Tante Rose, 20-1 Etoile Montante, Yesterday, 25-1 Bar

**Vodafone Oaks
8-1 Mezzo Soprano, 10-1 Yesterday, Hi Dubai, 14-1 Time Honoured, 16-1 Russian Rhythm, Soviet Song, Echoes In Eternity, L’Ancresse, 20-1 Mananiyya, 25-1 Approach, Casual Look, Nayzak, 33-1 Elasouna, Huja, Oblige, Rainbow Queen, Summitville, La Scala

** Kentucky Derby
13-8 Empire Maker, 6-1 Peace Rules, 7-1 Buddy Gil, 10-1 Funny Cide, Ten Most Wanted, Scrimshaw, 12-1 Atswhatimtalknbout, 16-1 Kafwain, 20-1 Sir Cherokee, 25-1 Indian Express, Brancusi, 33-1 Offlee Wild, Eugene’s Third Son, Domestic Dispute, Trust N’Luck,

**Queen Anne Stakes
2-1 Domedriver, 4-1 Where Or When, 5-1 Hawk Wing, 7-1 Firebreak, 10-1 Nayyir, 16-1 Dubai Destination, Tillerman, 20-1 Dupont, 25-1 Imtiyaz, Red Carpet, Bowman, Parasol, King Of Happiness, Redback, Essence Of Dubai

**Ascot Gold Cup
5-1 Vinnie Roe, 8-1 Mamool, 10-1 Pugin, Bollin Eric, 12-1 Media Puzzle, Beekeeper, Boreas, 16-1 Mr Dinos, Akbar, Jardines Lookout, Total Turtle, 20-1 Invermark, Cover Up, Pushkin, Persian Punch, Hatha Anna

**Golden Jubilee Stakes
8-1 Airwave, Oasis Dream, 10-1 Continent, Belle Du Jour, 12-1 Malhub, Trade Fair, 14-1 Feet So Fast, Captain Rio, 16-1 Nayyir, Crystal Castle, Hawk Wing, Romantic Liaison, Danehurst, 20-1 Somnus, Firebreak, Tomahawk

**King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes
3-1 Sulamani, 7-2 High Chaparral, 10-1 Brian Boru, Nayef, 14-1 Falbrav, 16-1 Grandera, Islington, Hawk Wing, Ange Gabriel, Refuse To Bend, 20-1 Alamshar, Chevalier, 25-1 Dalakhani, Muqbil, Systematic

**2004 Smurfit Champion Hurdle
5-1 Rooster Booster, 8-1 Back In Front, 10-1 Rhinestone Cowboy, 12-1 Davenport Millennium, 16-1 Intersky Falcon, 20-1 Ned Kelly, Kicking King, 25-1 Like A Butterfly, Liberman, Our Vic, Spirit Leader, 33-1 Landing Light, Westender, 40-1 Thisthtandtother

**2004 Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup
2-1 Best Mate, 12-1 Beef Or Salmon, 16-1 Baracouda, 20-1 La Landiere, Jair Du Cochet, One Knight, 25-1 Chives, Truckers Tavern, Hussard Collonges, Keen Leader, 33-1 It Takes Time, Harbour Pilot, Valley Henry, Kingscliff, Barrow Drive

**2004 Champion Chase
3-1 Moscow Flyer, 4-1 Azertyuiop, 12-1 Cenkos, 14-1 Impek, Native Upmanship, 16-1 Flagship Uberalles, Seebald, 20-1 Kadarann, Adamant Approach, Farmer Jack, 25-1 Geos, Latalomne, 33-1 Dark N Sharp, 40-1 Palarshan

MEZZO SOPRANO STRIKES THE RIGHT CHORD FOR 1000 GUINEAS PUNTERS

THE CLASSICS

SAGITTA 1000 GUINEAS: 11-4 Six Perfections, 9-2 Soviet Song, 5-1 Intercontinental, Russian Rhythm, 8-1 Khulood, Mezzo Soprano (from 9-1), 16-1 Hector Girl, 20-1 Geminiani, Luvah Girl, Yesterday, 25-1 Echoes in Eternity, Hi Dubai (from 16-1), Nayzak, Vintage Tipple, 33-1 Casual Look, Hanami, L'Ancresse, Mananiyya, Nasij, Pearl Moon, Summer Spice, Zinziberine.

(Others Upon Request)

SAGITTA 2000 GUINEAS: 7-4 Hold That Tiger, 6-1 Lateen Sails, 7-1 Refuse To Bend, 9-1 Muqbil, 10-1 Tout Seul, 14-1 Tomahawk, 16-1 Hurricane Alan, 33-1 Al Jadeed, Bourbonnais, Indian Haven, Maghanim, Saturn, Zafeen, 40-1 Castle Springs, Dubai Lightning, Dublin, Foss Way, Kalaman, Le Vie Dei Colo, Lundy's Lane (doubtful), Miguel Cervante, Qais, Some Kind Of Tiger, Songlark, Western Diplomat, Wizard Of Noz. (Others Upon Request)

VODAFONE DERBY: 4-1 Alamshar, 9-2 Brian Boru (from 4-1), 8-1 Refuse To Bend, 10-1 Hold That Tiger, 16-1 Alberto Giacometti, Muqbil, New South Wales, 20-1 Chevalier, Lateen Sails, 25-1 Powerscourt, Songlark, 33-1 Almushahar, Bourbonnais, Big Bad Bob, Battle Chant, Grainkos, Parhellon, Saturn, Tomahawk, 40-1 Apex Star, Balestrini, Castle Spring, Dunhill Star, Essex, Faayej, Former Senator, Fremen, Front Rank, Handel, Illustrator, Magistretti, Middlemarch, Murashah.(Others Upon Request)

VODAFONE OAKS: 7-1 Mezzo Soprano, 10-1 Yesterday, 14-1 Hi Dubai, 16-1 Echoes In Eternity, Soviet Song, Time Honoured, 20-1 Casual Look, L'Ancresse, 25-1 Elasouna, Geminiani, Halawanda, Mananiyya, 33-1 Approach, Gonfilia, Hanami, High Praise, Huja, Nofa's Magic, Olympienne. (Others Upon Application)

WILLIAM HILL GREYHOUND DERBY: 9-1 Micks Mystic, 14-1 Clover Hare, Knockeevan Major, Top Savings, 16-1 Kings Cadet, 20-1 Burberry Boy, Droopys Agassi, Droopys Corleone, Lark Boe, Vigorous Robby, 25-1 Cooly Pantera, Jurassic Jack, Knock Split, Learn and Earn, Lethal Legend, Maxie Rumble, Man of Cash, Mustang Buster, Prince Toff, 33-1 BAR.

CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL 2004

CHELTENHAM GOLD CUP 2004: 6-4 Best Mate, 8-1 Beef Or Salmon, 14-1 Keen Leader, 16-1 Baracouda, First Gold, Hussard Collonges, Truckers Tavern, 20-1 It Takes Time, Jair Du Cochet, One Knight. (Others Upon Request)

CHAMPION HURDLE 2004: 5-1 Rooster Booster, 7-1 Back in Front, 8-1 Rhinestone Cowboy, 20-1 Intersky Falcon, Davenport Milenium, Westender, 25-1 Like-A-Butterfly, Landing Light, Spectroscope, Well Chief, 33-1 Flame Creek, In Contrast, Liberman, Spirit Leader, Thisthatandtother. (Others Upon Request)

QUEEN MOTHER CHAMPION CHASE 2004: 3-1 Moscow Flyer, 4-1 Azertyuiop, 10-1 Le Roi Miguel, 12-1 Cenkos, Tiutchev, 14-1 Flagship Uberalles, Impek, Kadarann, 16-1 Seebald, 20-1 Adamant Approach, Farmer Jack, Isio. (Others Upon Request)

ALAMSHAR GAMBLE SHOWS DERBY IS BACK FROM THE BRINK

"In the space of a week we have suddenly found ourselves with a quarter of a million pound liability with one bet today of £50,000 to £10,000," said Ladbrokes spokesman Balthazar Fabricius.

The big ante-post price available for Alamshar was eagerly snapped up initially purely on the basis that he was the only horse to have beaten Brian Boru, in the Juddmonte Beresford Stakes, who had been clear favourite ever since the 2003 Derby book opened.

In defence of the bookmakers, Fabricius was keen to point out that, "until the latest declaration stage on 9th April, the John Oxx-trained hope had not actually been entered for the race. Punters however seem to have been happy to take the value and with it the risk. The risk seems to have been a shrewd one!"

How the recent flow of money has forced Alamshar into favouritism:
26th March 16/1
10th April 14/1
13th April 7/1
14th April 6/1
15th April 5/1
20th April 9/2
20th April 4/1

The Vodafone Derby

1m4f, Epsom, Sat 7th June 2003

4 (from 5) Alamshar, 5 (from 4) Brian Boru, 10 Hold That Tiger, 10 Refuse To Bend, 16 Alberto Giacometti, 20 Muqbil, 20 New South Wales, 33 Big Bad Bob, 33 Bourbonnais, 33 Dunhill Star, 33 Graikos, 33 Powerscourt, 33 Magistretti, 33 Sabre D'argent, 33 Saturn, 33 Seeking Bellissimo, 33 Tomahawk, 40 Al Jadeed, 40 Almushahar, 40 Arundel, 40 Carpanetto, 40 Former Senator, 40 Hi Dubai, 40 Lateen Sails, 40 Private Charter, 40 Risk Seeker, 40 Songlark, 40 Spartacus, 50 Artistic Lad, 50 Atticus, 50 Awakened, 50 Balestrini, 50 Battlechant, 50 Bosra'a Valentine, 50 Calibre, 50 Castle Springs, 50 Desert Quest, 50 Dhabyan, 50 Essex, 50 Faayej, 50 Fontanesi, 50 Handel, 50 Hawksbill, 50 High Day, 50 Icklingham, 50 Ikhtyar, 50 Love You Always, 50 Lundy's Lane, 50 Maghanim, 50 Middlemarch, 50 Multazem, 50 Olympus, 50 Parhelion, 50 Persian Majesty, 50 Piano Star, 50, Poewr Mountain, 50 Policy Maker, 50 Qais, 50 Shanty Star, 50 Silver Gilt, 50 Solskjaer, 50 Successor, 50, Summerland, 50 Surbiton, 50 The Great Gatsby, 50 Van Nistelrooy, 50 Vanishing Act, 50 Wordsworth, 50 Zeis, 66 Abunawwas, 66 Alumni News, 66 Apex Star, 66 Audacious Prince, 66 Audience, 66 Bury St Edmunds, 66 Catcher In The Rye, 66 Commission, 66 Cougar, 66 Cruzspiel, 66 Dalcassian, 66 Delacroix, 66 Emran, 66 First Dynasty, 66 France, 66 Fremen, 66 Front Rank, 66 Gala Sunday, 66 Hasanpour, 66 Hawk Flyer, 66 Illustrator, 66 Interceptor, 66 Irish Legend, 66 Jade Quest, 66 Jubilee Time, 66 Kalabar, 66 Louis Napoleon, 66 Loup Romain, 66 Meadow Hawk, 66 Mill Byre, 66 Murashah, 66 Mustaneer, 66 Mynish, 66 Navaron Charms, 66 Pretence, 66 Putra Kuantan, 66 Rainbow World, 66 Rejess, 66 Roosevelt, 66 Rudood, 66 Shield, 66 Shostakovitch, 66 Shuhood, 66 Sir Haydn, 66 Skibereen, 66 Some Kind Of Tiger, 66 Splendid Era, 66 Squirtle Turtle, 66 Statement, 66 Strength 'N Honour, 66 Urowells, 66 Yawmi, 66 Zeryaab, 100 Alasil, 100 Albanov, 100 Barney Mcall, 100 Brave Call, 100 Cat Ona High, 100 Dalaram,
100 Foodbroker Founder, 100 Franklins Gardens, 100 Grand Halo, 100 Hilbre Island, 100 Let Me Try Again, 100 Prince Nureyev, 100 Qabas, 100 Rahaf, 100 River Celebre, 100 Rocket Force, 100 Silver City, 100 Titurel, 100 Unigold, 100 Wake, 100 Warhol, 100 Weavers Pride, 150 Maidstone Mistral, 200 Snow's Ride, 500 Skelligs Rock (1/4 odds 1,2,3)

Flat Jockeys' Championship 2003
4/9 K Fallon, 5 R Hughes, 5 K Darley, 6 D Holland, 14 S Sanders, 20 J Spencer, 33 E Ahern, 33 J Fortune, 40 T Quinn, 50 L Dettori, 50 P Eddery (1/3 odds 1,2)

For old articles (from 1st March 2000) go to the Newslink Archive

©Racenews 2002
designed and produced by Racenews Internet Services