Thursday, May 1, 2003

LATEST CORAL ANTE-POST PRICES

Domedriver's narrow defeat resulted in his odds for that race being eased to 5-2 from 2-1 although he remains the ante post favourite.

**Queen Anne Stakes
5-2 Domedriver, 4-1 Where Or When, 5-1 Hawk Wing, 7-1 Firebreak, 10-1 Desert Deer, 12-1 Olden Times, 14-1 Dandoun, Victory Moon, 16-1 Dubai Destination, Tillerman, 20-1 Burning Sun, Eventuail, Gateman, 25-1 Pablo, Blatant, Beauchamp Pilot, 33-1 Binary File,

**Ascot Gold Cup
6-1 Mamool, 7-1 Pugin, 8-1 Bollin Eric, 10-1 Boreas, 12-1 Milan, Wareed, 14-1 Warrsan, Highest, 16-1 Mr Dinos, Jardines Lookout, Fight Your Corner, 20-1 Persian Punch, Alcazar, Clety, Darasim, Hugs Dancer, Savannah Bay, Tholjanah, Windermere, 25-1 Bar

**Golden Jubilee Stakes
8-1 Airwave, Oasis Dream, 10-1 Malhub, Continent, 12-1 Belle Du Jour, 14-1 Feet So Fast, Captain Rio, 16-1 All Thrills Too, Choisir, Country Reel, Romantic Liaison, Crystal Castle, Firebreak, Tomahawk, Elusive City, Needwood Blade, Three Points, Zipping, 20-1 Statue of Liberty, Khulood, Mount Abu, Nayyir, Hawk Wing, Danehurst, 25-1 Acclamation, Orientor, Polar Way, Red Carpet, 33-1 Bar

**King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes
3-1 Sulamani, 7-2 High Chaparral, 10-1 Victory Moon, Alamshar, Nayef, 12-1 Muqbil, 14-1 Falbrav, 16-1 Grandera, Islington, Hawk Wing, Ange Gabriel, Refuse To Bend, 20-1 Chevalier, 25-1 Dalakhani

MIGUEL AND SPORAZENE LAND GRADE 1 DOUBLE FOR NICHOLLS

Sporazene, a winner at Ayr last month after being gelded, spearheaded a 1-2 for British raiders when coming home two lengths clear of the consistent Spectroscope, trained by Jonjo O'Neill.

"Sporazene could be the first serious Champion Hurdle horse we've had," said Nicholls. "He's got scope and would jump over fences now but on what I've seen today, he'll be staying over hurdles."

Sporazene finished third on his first two starts this season before showing dramatic improvement at Ayr last time out and Nicholls added: "The lads that own him wanted to run him at Wetherby first time out and then we saw another opportunity and ran him too quickly.

"I said to them to give the horse time so we cut him and turned him away. After he won at Ayr I said to Ruby (Walsh) that he'd win at Punchestown."

Walsh was equally impressed with the performance. "It was easy," said the jockey. "I got there plenty soon enough but he kept going well and won. He's got a lot of scope and looks like he'll jump a fence."

British runners again filled the first two spots in the Swordlestown Cup Novice Chase with Henrietta Knight's Impek taking advantage of a last-fence blunder from Rathgar Beau to run on into second place six lengths behind the decisive winner Le Roi Miguel with Ruby Walsh again in the saddle.

The 8/11 favourite scored at Aintree last time out and earned a 16/1 quote from Ladbrokes for next year's Queen Mother Champion Chase.

"He's only five, he keeps improving and has got lots of potential," admitted Nicholls. "We'll have to try and keep him away from Azertyuiop.

"I'm delighted we've come here and won two nice prizes. It's been a very rewarding visit - we're pleased to be here and we've been very well looked after."

SACUNDAI FOLLOWS ORDERS IN STAYERS EVENT

The half-length winner, who was backed from 8/1 into 6/1, finished eighth in the Smurfit Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham and had won a Listed race on the Flat at Navan just five days ago.

"Shay gave him a great ride and has struck up a great rapport with the horse," said Mullins. "He rode him at Cheltenham over two miles where he didn't get a chance to settle him. I should have run him in the Stayers' Hurdle there - I should have run him over three miles sooner.

"I thought he was beaten when Sacundai headed him after the last and I turned to the owner and said great, but we're second' and then he put his head down."

Holy Orders has been declared for tomorrow's Emo Oil Champion Hurdle but Mullins said: "I wouldn't think he'll run tomorrow - it's unlikely as he ran his heart out today. A Flat campaign is likely for him and I'm also thinking about the French Champion Hurdle, which I think is run over three and a quarter miles which would suit him - I'll have to make enquiries."

Shay Barry said: "He has a fair engine and I was afraid of getting to the front too soon. But I knew if he winged the last I'd beat Sacundai."

The runner-up, who had won his four previous start including when defeating Smurfit Champion Hurdle winner Rooster Booster at Aintree last time out, will be given a break.

"He's finished for the season," said Sacundai's trainer Edward O'Grady. "He was always travelling too easily - he prefers it to be a bit more competitive. He'll start off next season in the Hatton's Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse (on November 30)."

The 4m 1f Quinns Of Baltinglass Chase for the La Touche Cup over Punchestown's unique banks course went to J P McManus's Buailtes And Fadas, who less than 24 hours earlier was successful in the CSL Associates Hunters Chase over three miles on the same course.

The winner was trained by Enda Bolger, who had won the previous five runnings of the La Touche Cup with the now-retired Risk Of Thunder.

RESULTS OF TODAY'S JOCKEY CLUB ENQUIRIES & APPEALS

The Panel found that BE UPSTANDING had interfered with COMMANCHE HERO (IRE) but considered that BE UPSTANDING had not improved his placing in respect of the interference with COMMANCHE HERO and therefore dismissed the appeal and confirmed the placings of BE UPSTANDING first and COMMANCHE HERO (IRE) second. The Panel ordered the deposit money to be returned

Andrew Sansome

The Disciplinary Panel of the Jockey Club, on 1st May 2003, held an enquiry to consider whether or not Mr Andrew Sansome had committed a breach of Rule 220 (vii) (c) of the Rules of Racing, and Regulation 170 (vi) (c) of the Jockey Club Regulations for Point to Point Steeple Chases, in the light of his failure to provide full details of his medical history on the respective Declarations of Health which accompanied his applications for an Amateur Riders Licence for the 2002/03 season and a Riders' Qualification Certificate for the 2003 Point to Point season.

Having considered the evidence, including a statement from Mr Sansome, the Panel accepted an admission from him that he was in breach of Rule 220 (vii) (c) and Regulation 170 (vi) (c) and imposed a fine of £100 upon him.

Fakenham Racecourse Ltd

The Disciplinary Panel of the Jockey Club held an enquiry on 1st May 2003 to consider whether or not Fakenham Racecourse Limited, the Managing Executive of Fakenham Racecourse, had committed breaches of Rule 80 (ii)(a) of the Rules of Racing, in the light of Rule 80 (ii)(b) and Jockey Club General Instructions (JCGI) 11.1, headed 'Requirements for the Provision of Racecourse Medical Services', and 11.2, headed 'Responsibilities of Racecourse Medical Officers and other Medical Staff', in that at their
meeting on 25th October 2002:

(i) the nurse failed to arrive one hour before the advertised time of the first race;
(ii) the two paramedic ambulances that were present one hour before the advertised time of the first race, were not staffed by the requisite "paramedics";
(iii) the Senior RMO failed to check that the correct medical staff were present one hour before the advertised time of the first race and failed to inform the nominated representative of the Managing Executive immediately when he identified that one of the paramedics was not present.

Having considered the evidence, including a statement from David Hunter, the Fakenham Racecourse Manager and the representative of the Managing Executive, the Panel accepted an admission from Fakenham Racecourse that it was in breach of Rule 80 (ii)(a) on all three counts.

It imposed a fine of £1500 upon Fakenham Racecourse Limited, this being their second offence within the previous 12 months.

Fakenham Racecourse Ltd

The Disciplinary Panel of the Jockey Club, on 1st May 2003, held an enquiry to consider whether or not Fakenham Racecourse Limited, the Managing Executive of Fakenham Racecourse, had committed breaches of Rule 80 (ii)(a) of the Rules of Racing, in the light of Rule 80 (ii)(b) and Jockey Club General Instructions (JCGI) 3.7, headed 'Hazard Warnings, Falls, Fence Attendants, By-Passing of Fences and Hurdles', in that at their meeting on 9th October 2002:

(i) the direction marker provided for the fence attendants and used in the by-passing of the third-last hurdle during the running of the Prince of Wales Stand Conference Novices' Hurdle Race incorrectly directed the runners to the left hand side of the hurdle, as opposed to the correct side, the right hand side, which was shown on the racecourse map in the weighing room;

(ii) the fence attendants on duty at the third-last hurdle did not understand, or were not capable of carrying out, their duties.

Having considered the evidence, including a statement from David Hunter, the Fakenham Racecourse Manager and the representative of the Managing Executive, the Panel accepted an admission from Fakenham Racecourse that it was in breach of Rule 80 (ii)(a) on the first count but found them not in breach in respect of Count 2.

It imposed a fine of £1000 upon Fakenham Racecourse Limited.

Geoff Wragg

The Disciplinary Panel of the Jockey Club, on 1st May 2003, held an enquiry into the analysis of the urine ordered to be taken from NORTHERN DESERT (IRE), trained by Geoff Wragg, by the Stewards at Goodwood after the colt had finished unplaced in the European Breeders Fund Racegoers Club Classified Stakes on 3rd August 2002.

The urine of the horse was found to contain naproxen, which is a prohibited substance. After considering the evidence, including a statement from Wragg who was legally represented, and other witnesses, the Panel was satisfied that the source of the substance was medication containing naproxen being taken by the travelling head lad.

The Panel accepted an admission from Wragg that he was in breach of Rule 53 but felt that it could not be proven to their satisfaction that the substance was administered accidentally and that Wragg had taken all reasonable care.

It imposed a fine of £600 upon Wragg and under Rule 180(ii), the Panel disqualified NORTHERN DESERT (IRE) from the race.

Matthew Gingell

The Disciplinary Panel of the Jockey Club, on 1st May 2003, held an enquiry into the analysis of the urine ordered to be taken from MICHAEL'S PRINCESS, trained by Matt Gingell, by the Stewards at Market Rasen after the mare had finished unplaced in the A J Glassfibre Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle Race on 6th October 2002.

The urine of the horse was found to contain clenbuterol, which is a prohibited substance. After considering the evidence, including statements from Gingell, and other witnesses, the Panel was satisfied that the source of the substance was feed containing ventipulmin which was left in a manger following another horse's treatment for a breathing problem and consumed by MICHAEL'S PRINCESS when she was put into the same box.

The Panel accepted an admission from Gingell that he was in breach of Rule 53 and imposed a fine of £600 upon him. Under Rule 180(ii), the Panel disqualified MICHAEL'S PRINCESS from the race.

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

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