Monday, April 7, 2003
LATEST WILLIAM HILL ANTE-POST PRICES
JUST PERFECT
A whole host of changes over the weekend for the upcoming Classics and the Kentucky Derby. Six Perfections is now 3-1 clear favourite for the 1000 Guineas after her win today in France, whilst Intercontinental and Luvah Girl are both shortened. Trade Fair is supported prior to his run in the Craven Stakes next week to be second favourite for the 2000 at 9-1. Hold That Tiger is also backed on the strength of an impressive workout. Buddy Gil was the most impressive from the action over the pond and is halved in price to 8-1 for the Kentucky Derby.
THE CLASSICS
SAGITTA 2000 GUINEAS: 9-4 Hold That Tiger, 9-1 Trade Fair (from 10-1), 10-1 Refuse To Bend, 12-1 Lateen Sails (from 14-1), Oasis Dream, Tomahawk, 14-1 Tout Seul, 16-1 Statue of Liberty, Van Nistelrooy, 25-1 Maghanim, Muqbil, 33-1 Al Jadeed, Battle Chant, Bourbonnais, Brian Boru, Captain Saif, Elusive City, Makhlab, Saturn. (Others Upon Request)
SAGITTA 1000 GUINEAS: 3-1 Six Perfections (from 4-1), 4-1 Soviet Song, 9-2 Russian Rhythm, 12-1 Intercontinental (from 14-1), 14-1 Mezzo Soprano, 16-1 Hi Dubai, Khulood, 20-1 Echoes in Eternity, Etoile Montante, Geminiani, 25-1 Luvah Girl (from 33-1), Nayzak, Vintage Tipple, Yesterday, 33-1 Casual Look, Hanami, L'Ancresse, Pearl Moon, Summer Spice, Tante Rose, Zinziberine. (Others Upon Request)
VODAFONE DERBY: 7-2 Brian Boru, 10-1 Hold That Tiger (from 12-1), 12-1 Refuse To Bend, 14-1 Dalakhani, 16-1 New South Wales, 20-1 Alamshar, Almushahar, Chevalier, Muqbil, 25-1 Alberto Giacometti, Powerscourt, Songlark, Tomahawk, 33-1 Apex Star, Faayej, Castle Spring, Essex, Fremen, Front Rank, Grainkos, Handel, Illustrator, Middlemarch, Murashah, Parhellon, Qais, Saturn, Solskjaer, Summerland, Surbiton, Trade Fair, Vanishing Act. (Others Upon Request)
VODAFONE OAKS: 10-1 Mezzo Soprano, Yesterday, 14-1 Soviet Song, 16-1 Echoes In Eternity, Hi Dubai (from 20-1), Time Honoured, 20-1 Casual Look, 25-1 Elasouna, Geminiani, Hanami, High Praise, L'Ancresse, Olympienne. (Others Upon Application)
KENTUCKY DERBY: 2-1 Empire Maker, 8-1 Buddy Gil (from 16-1), 10-1 Dynever, Indian Express, 12-1 Badge of Silver, 14-1 Peace Rules, Ten Most Wanted, 20-1 Stswhatimtalknbout, Inamarato, Kafwain, Region of Merit, 25-1 Branusci, Ministers Wild Cat, New York Hero, Songlark, 33-1 Domestic Dispute, Eugenes Third Son, Indy Dancer, Posse. (Others Upon Request)
GRAND NATIONAL 2004: 16-1 Monty's Pass (from 20-1)
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, 14-1 Westender, 20-1 Intersky Falcon, Davenport Milenium, 25-1 Flame Creek, Like-A-Butterfly, Landing Light, Spectroscope, Well Chief, 33-1 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)
CLASS ENTRY FOR 2003 POWERS GOLD LABEL IRISH GRAND NATIONAL
Quality is in abundance for the 132nd running of the Powers Gold Label Irish Grand National, which forms the centrepiece of the Fairyhouse 3-Day Easter Festival on Easter Monday April 21st.
Among the 67 entries for the EUR170,000 stamina-sapping contest over three miles and five furlongs are 19 from the UK including last month's Cheltenham Festival winner Sudden Shock, trained by the in-form Jonjo O'Neill.
Top-weight First Gold is the first French-trained entry in the race and the manner of his runaway Martell Cognac Cup victory at Aintree last Thursday April 3rd means he will be a force to be reckoned with if fully over his Liverpool exertions in two weeks time.
Davids Lad, whose owners Eddie Joe's Racing Syndicate recently failed in their Supreme Court appeal to have a 42 day ban incurred at Naas in February overturned, is also set to reappear on Easter Monday.
The nine-year-old will be making his first appearance in public after the ban for using the racecourse as a training ground ends on April 14th and supporters will be hoping for a repeat of his Powers Gold Label Irish Grand National victory two years ago.
Noel O'Brien, Ireland's Senior NH Handicapper, is delighted with the entries, "I must say it is a very high class line up. Having Foxchapel King, who has performed at the highest level, among the entries along with three previous winners namely Commanche Court, who finished runner-up in the 2002 Cheltenham Gold Cup, Davids Lad and The Bunny Boiler, is great for the race."
"The likes of Takagi, multiple winner Moscow Express, Barrow Drive which ran the best race of our novices at the Cheltenham Festival, Colonel Braxton and Rince Ri help make it a real quality race."
"The addition of recent Aintree winner First Gold is very exciting as he would be the first French-trained runner in an Irish handicap while the British entries include a large proportion of high class handicappers," says O'Brien.
Dick Sheil, Fairyhouse General Manager, is looking forward to the Easter Festival.
"The Powers Gold Label Irish Grand National is without doubt the highlight of the year at Fairyhouse and a look back at some of the previous winners shows just why this is such a quality chase in the latter half of the season. We are expecting a bumper crowd and they'll be glad to know that our admission prices have remained the same for the last three years. My special thanks must go to Irish Distillers Limited for their continued support of Fairyhouse Racecourse as well as our many other loyal sponsors."
Adding glamour and style to Fairyhouse on Easter Monday there is the annual Powers Gold Label Carl Scapa Best Dressed Lady competition, judged by top Irish model Vivienne Connolly and her panel of judges.
The winning lady will go home with a EUR2,000 voucher for any Carl Scarpa retail outlet throughout the country and a Powers Whiskey decanter.
Powers Gold Label are also offering punters a chance to win a trip to the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in Paris on Sunday October 5th including flights, accommodation and VIP passes.
To be in with a chance of winning this super prize racegoers will be invited to participate in a quiz that will be broadcast on CCTV in the bars and restaurants throughout the afternoon. Full details will appear in the race card on Easter Monday.
Patrons are advised to arrive at the course early not only to avoid the heavy traffic but to tune into the informative Fairyhouse Preview Show, hosted by Gearoid Moynihan. Sponsored by Ladbrokes, Chronicle Bookmakers and Tote Ireland, the programme begins at 12.30pm in the Parade Ring on both Powers Gold Label Irish Grand National Day and Powers Gold Cup Day.
David Haworth, Home Trade Director of Irish Distillers Limited, rates the Irish Grand National highly on their sponsorship portfolio, "The sponsorship of the Powers Gold Label Irish Grand National is an important part of our annual programme of support for Powers Gold Label, Ireland's favourite whiskey. We look forward to a great day's racing on the 21st April and I wish all racegoers an enjoyable and successful day."
JUMPING TROPHIES ON THE LINE
With only one meeting left in Yorkshire of the current Jumping season - Wetherby's traditional Easter Monday fixture - the awards for the leading trainer and jockey during the National Hunt campaign on the Yorkshire tracks are both up for grabs, as the season reaches an exciting climax.
Last year's winner, Mary Reveley heads the trainers' category with 14 winners, closely pursued by Sue Smith on 13 winners, Tim Easterby (12 winners) and Jonjo O'Neill (11 winners).
It's just as close for the jockeys' prize, with last season's recipient, Tony Dobbin, leading the way again with nine winners, just ahead of Russ Garritty and Graham Lee (both 8 winners), with five riders on the seven-winner mark - Gino Carenza, Liam Cooper, Jim Culloty, Warren Marston and Padge Whelan.
For the second year, the three racecourses which host Jump racing in Yorkshire - Catterick, Doncaster and Wetherby - through their management company, International Racecourse Management, provide the trophies for both trainer and rider, which will be presented to the respective winners at the 'Go Racing in Yorkshire' Annual Lunch at the Ripon Spa Hotel on Tuesday, 2 December. These are in addition to the existing awards for the top trainer and jockey during the Flat season in Yorkshire - supported by Sky Bet - which are also presented at the Annual Lunch.
So, there's everything to play for at Wetherby on Easter Monday!
FRENCH BLOODSTOCK NEWS
SOUMILLON IN TOP FORM
Last weekend at Longchamp Belgian jockey Christophe Soumillon scored his first four-timer including the two big races of the day. This included a Listed win on Famille Lagardère's Fairly Ransom and victory in the Gr.2 Prix d'Harcourt on Philippe Demercastel's Ana Marie.
The new Fabre/Soumillon has been in superb form, recording eleven winners from fifteen runners.
SAINT-MARTIN RETURNS
Eric Saint-Martin has returned to France from Hong Kong due to the outbreak of "flu" in the ex-colony. Racing has been stopped so it was quite a simple decision to come back to France. Of course, he will continue to ride and trainers are invited to contact him - his riding weight is 53kg.
PERFECTIONS CONTESTS IMPUDENCE
Six Perfections (Celtic Swing), a leading fancy for this years Classics, makes her reappearance today in the Listed Prix Impudence at Maisons-Laffitte. Last year she took the Gr.1 Marcel Boussac in impressive fashion.
GOLD AWAY OFF THE MARK
Haras du Quesnay's first season sire, Gold Away (Goldneyev), scored with his first runner yesterday. Alexander Goldrun won and EBF maiden at the Curragh by an eased-down three lengths.
FRENCH-BREDS HAVE SUCCESSFUL AINTREE
French-bred horses had a great first day at Aintree, winning three of the five big races. Carlovent (Cadoudal) took the Listed Handicap Hurdle. This was quickly followed up by Francois Doumen's First Gold (Shafoun), wearing blinkers for the first time, hacking up in the Gr.2 Martell Cognac Cup Chase. This was a welcome return to form for the Chaser who has been disappointing since being bought by J P McManus. Later in the afternoon Le Duc (Villez) scored in the Gr.2 Four-Year-Old Novices' Hurdle.
The meeting proved something of a success for Goffs France who sold three winners over the three day meeting. These were Sacundai, winner of the Grade 1 Martell Cognac Aintree Hurdle, purchased at the Goffs France Autumn Sale for FF260,000, Master Tern,winner of Martell Cognac Hcap Chase, purchased at the Goffs France Summer Sale for FF400,000, and finally Clan Royal, winner of the Martell Cognac Sainsbury's Topham Chase, a Goffs France Summer Sale purchase for FF52,000.
LANDON ELECTED PRESIDENT
France Gallop have elected, as expected, Serge Landon as president, gaining 38 votes of the 44 cast. Landon, has been temporary president since the death of Jean-Luc Lagardere. He will hold this post until just the end of the year when new elections will be held.
At the same meeting, Arnaud Lagardere, Jean-Luc's 42 year old son, was elected to the committee of France Galop.
FRENCH BREDS WINNERS IN SPAIN
Mijas Apr 6
4yo+ hcp 1m 2,700
ASTAIR HARMONY 4f Astair - Beaute Nordique (Northern Treat)
3yo wfa 1m 7,200
LUTH HIGH 3c Luth Dancer - High Steppe (Petoski)
San Sebastian Apr 6
4yo+ hcp 1m2f 3,000
KALIBAN DES EPEIRE 5h Le Glorieux - Marie D'Issambres (Baillamont)
4yo+ hcp 1m2f 3,300
JACIRA (FR), 4f Sillery - Vol Sauvage (Always Fair)
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
BBAG APPOINT ROOT AS UK REP
BBAG, Germany's premier sales company, have appointed Barry Root of Algarve Bloodstock as their uk representative. Algarve Bloodstock have offices in Newmarket and Deauville and will shortly be opening a Baden-Baden office. Barry can be contacted on +44 (0)1638 666348 or mobile 07721 530205.
PLEASE SUPPORT A GOOD CAUSE
The Lords Taverners raises over £1.5million annually to help disadvantaged children, with the provision of specially-adapted mini-buses to organisations throughout the UK, as well as other much-needed equipment.
On Saturday 28 June, the charity hosts "A Day at Newmarket Races", when celebrities from the world of sport, television and show business will be attending the afternoon's racing, and meeting friends and supporters of the charity at the hospitality marquee on the racecourse.
The Lords Taverners invites organisations and individuals to help them raise much needed funds on the day by sponsoring a race on the Newmarket race card that day, or by sponsoring a number of other initiatives, such as wines and drinks reception, tabledecorations, celebrity entertainment for the marquee, menu cards, table decorations, printing, etc. or by purchasing corporate hospitality places in the charity's marquee. Here a three course luncheon will be provided with a drinks reception, wines, afternoon tea, race card, tote facilities and entertainment, at a cost of £85 per head.
For further details and offers of support for the afternoon, please contact Barry Root.
Race-Horses.com and frenchbloodstock.com also announced the launch of their Charity Page for anyone involved in the Racing Industry that is raising funds for Charity. Details will posted for FREE here, of all good causes. race-horses.com and frenchbloodstock.com support all positive action to provide for those less fortunate than ourselves. Email us for your FREE space!
RACE-HORSES.COM LAUNCHES TIPPING LINE
Like ourselves and this newsletter, our sister site Race-Horses.com is totally free. To help maintain this status they have just launched their Dark Horse Ratings telephone service which aims to give British-based punters a helping hand with their betting selections. For a short message call 0906 206 6208
RESULTS
Longchamp 6th April
Gr.2 PRIX NOAILLES 2200m 3yo 54,150 20,900 9,975
1. SUPER CELEBRE (Fr) 3c Peintre Celebre – Supergirl (Woodman)
2. CORONER (Ire) 3c Mtoto – Tamnia (Green Desert)
3. JIPAPIBAQUIGRAFO (USA) 3c Irish River – Ken de Saron (Kenmare)
O: Ecurie Wildenstein B: Jean-Pierre Dubois T: E Lellouche
Distances: 2 nse
Longchamp 3rd April
LR PRIX FINLANDE 1700m 3yo f 20,500 8,200 6,150
1. BAIE (Fr) 3f Green Tune - Baie (Tourangeau)
2. MES BLEUX YEUS (Fr) 3f Exit to Nowhere - Restless Mixa (Linamix)
3. TIKKANITA (USA) 3f Cozzene - Reiko (Targowice)
O: N Cordero B/T: F Rohaut
Distances: ½ 6
Saint-Cloud 2nd April
LR PRIX OMNIUM II 1600m 3yo c&g 20,500 8,200 6,150
1. SIGN OF THE WOLF (GB) 3c Loup Solitaire - Sign of the Vine (Kendor)
2. KRATAIOS (Fr) 3c Sabrehill - Loxandra (Last Tycoon)
3. SNIPEWALK (USA), 3c Nureyev - Ramirena (Key To The Mint)
O/B: A D D Crichton T: F Rohaut
Distances: 1 2½
Maisons-Laffitte 1st April
LR PRIX COR DE CHASSE 1100m 3yo+ 20,500 8,200 6,150
1. SWEDISH SHAVE (Fr) 5h Midyan - Shavya (Shavian)
2. FOMALHAUT (USA), 4c Spinning World - Coup de Folie (Halo)
3. TSIGANE (Fr), 4c Anabaa - Trevillari (Riverman)
O: S Thynell B: Societe Sogir T: R Gibson
Distances: 1½ 2
TWO-DAY ACTION STARTS 2003 CAMPAIGN AT THIRSK
Thirsk's 2003 season on the Flat begins with the traditional two-day Spring Meeting on Friday and Saturday (11 & 12 April).
The principal race is Saturday's Sky Bet Thirsk Classic Trial, the only Listed race of the season at Thirsk, and with a record total prize fund of £32,000, it is the most valuable race ever staged at the course.
Contested over one mile by three-year-olds, The Sky Bet Thirsk Classic Trial is thought to be the oldest 'Classic Trial' in Britain, and is sponsored for the first time by Sky Bet, one of the leading betting and gaming companies in the U.K.
Last year's winner, Aramram (trained by former England footballer, Mick Channon) went on to finish sixth in the colts' classic, The 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket.
Saturday's quality programme, which begins at 2.25 p.m., also features the 13th renewal of The Michael Foster Memorial Conditions Stakes - a contest for sprinters over six furlongs which commemorates a former chairman of Thirsk Racecourse - while The Thomas Lord Stakes, a sprint handicap for three-year-olds, is named after the founder of Lord's Cricket Ground, who was born in Thirsk in 1755.
Racing on Friday is scheduled to start at 2.00 p.m., the opening race being a contest for novice two-year-old fillies supported by The European Breeders Fund. Highlights on Friday include The Hambleton Classified Stakes (five furlongs), The Feversham Arms Helmsley Maiden Stakes (three-year-olds - one mile and a half) and The Carpenters Arms Felixkirk Handicap Stakes (one mile).
Musical entertainment on Saturday is provided by the John Addy Band, while attractions for children in the Family Ring include Professor Stringfellow's musical puppets and a roundabout.
For old articles (from 1st March 2000) go to the Newslink
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