NICHOLLS GOES FOR AUDI STAKES STRIKE - BRITTAIN EYES £100,000 LADBROKES.COM HANDICAP
Dandy Nicholls could aim Strike Up The Band at the £50,000 Group Three Audi Stakes at Goodwood on Thursday, August 3, as he bids to capture the five-furlong sprint for the second year in succession.
Strike Up The Band won the Group Three Betfair Molecomb Stakes over the course and distance at last year's Glorious Goodwood Festival, where Nicholls also saddled Fire Up The Band to victory in the Audi Stakes, before completing a prestigious sprint treble at the meeting with Gift Horse in the Vodafone Stewards' Cup
The Cyrano De Bergerac colt is yet to win this term but the speedster enjoyed no luck on his most recent outing in the Listed Chester City Wall Stakes at Chester on July 15, when he was checked as he made his challenge and consequently finished fourth, two lengths behind Tournedos.
Nicholls' wife, Alex Greaves, revealed today: "Strike Up The Band will probably run in the Audi Stakes. He was a bit unlucky at Chester last time. He went for a run up the inside and they shut the door on him, and he'd have definitely finished a lot nearer if he hadn't got baulked in running.
"It's getting to that time of year when the three-year-olds are starting to catch up with the old horses. He's fit and well, and the ground should be fine, so the plan is to go there with him."
Moss Vale, winner of the Group Two Prix du Gros-Chene at Chantilly in June and under two lengths fifth to Les Arcs in the Group One Darley July Cup at Newmarket last time, could also take his chance in the Audi Stakes, although a final decision is still to be made.
Greaves reported: "Moss Vale is only a possible at this stage. He's entered in Ireland on August 13, and he's in the Nunthorpe, so it depends which race the owners want to go for.
"Fire Up The Band probably won't run because he's been out of form lately."
Strike Up The Band could face his Chester conqueror, the Roger Charlton-trained Tournedos, who won the 2004 Betfair Molecomb Stakes when in the care of Mick Channon.
The Audi Stakes (registered as the King George Stakes), first run in 1911 in honour of King George V, is Goodwood's premier sprint over the five-furlong course and boasts a long list of top-class speedsters on its roll of honour.
The amazing Lochsong scored back-to-back victories in 1993 and 1994 after taking the Vodafone Stewards' Cup in 1992. She is one of only three horses since the Second World War to complete the Stewards' Cup/Audi Stakes double, following in the footsteps of another speedy mare, Soba (1982 and 1983), and Ahonoora (1978 and 1979).
Lochsong, trained by Ian Balding, went on to add the Group One Prix de l'Abbaye at Longchamp after both her Audi Stakes victories, and 1995 saw another flying filly, Hever Golf Rose, complete the Goodwood/Longchamp five-furlong double.
Clive Brittain, who has enjoyed Group One success this season with Rajeem in the Falmouth Stakes, could bid for another big-race victory in the 10-furlong £100,000 ladbrokes.com Handicap on Thursday, August 3.
The Carlburg Stables handler will rely on the consistent Lake Poet in the prestigious handicap for three-year-olds, and is hoping for a bit of luck for his admirable charge.
The Galileo colt scored over the distance at Newmarket in May and subsequently finished third, despite being hampered, behind the well-regarded Stage Gift in the 10-furlong Vodafone Live! Stakes at Epsom on June 3, which is traditionally a good pointer to the ladbrokes.com Handicap. He was four lengths sixth to Formal Decree in a mile and a quarter heritage handicap at Newmarket on July 13.
Brittain reported today: "Lake Poet will go for the ladbrokes.com Handicap. He's in really good form at present. He didn't get the best of runs again at Newmarket but that's the way it goes. With a fair run he'll always run a good race and goes to Goodwood with a good chance. He's very genuine and will go on any ground.
"He could well have been second at Epsom if he hadn't encountered trouble - the winner was pretty well handicapped that day."
The ladbrokes.com Handicap was first run in 1962 and is recognised as one of the most prestigious three-year-old middle-distance handicaps of the season, often proving a stepping-stone for Group race success.
The William Muir-trained Enforcer took last year's running and has since gone from strength to strength. The colt landed the Group Three Lexus Darley Stakes at Newmarket in October and has mixed it with the best this term, finishing third behind Shirocco and Ouija Board in the Group One Vodafone Coronation Cup in June.
The 2003 victor, the John Gosden-trained Tiber, won the Group One Hong Kong Classic Mile at Sha Tin in February, 2004, while the 2002 renewal went the way of Macaw, who left trainer Jim Goldie for the US later that year and was subsequently twice Grade One-placed before winning a Grade Three race at Keeneland in April, 2005.
The second day of the five-day Glorious Goodwood Festival, Wednesday, August 2, features the Group One Cantor Spreadfair Sussex Stakes (3.15pm) which has 15 entries going forward after today's confirmation stage, including a supplementary one from Godolphin, recent Lingfield winner Echo Of Light, who joins stable companions Caradak, Iffraaj and Librettist.
Simon Crisford, Godolphin's racing manager, today outlined some plans for Glorious Goodwood.
Crisford revealed: "We will wait and see what the weather does before we make any firm plans.
"We have supplemented Echo Of Light for the Cantor Spreadfair Sussex Stakes, although that doesn't mean that he's a definite runner because it will depend on the ground.
"Iffraaj will probably run in the Betfair Cup (Group Two, seven furlongs, Tuesday, August 1) although he will also be confirmed for the Sussex Stakes as well. Caradak could also run in the Betfair Cup and we will take it from there.
"Goodwood is a very important meeting and we very much hope we can do well there."
Ante-post favourite Araafa, who has won his last two races in Group One company, is in the Cantor Spreadfair Sussex Stakes too, along with star filly Soviet Song who is aiming to be win Goodwood's top race for a second time, having scored two years ago and then coming a close second in 2005.
The Ed Dunlop-trained Court Masterpiece finished second to Ad Valorem in the Group One Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot last month and is aiming to turn the tables. Ad Valorem is one of three from Ireland's champion trainer Aidan O'Brien still in the Cantor Spreadfair Sussex Stakes, the others being Arabian Prince and Aussie Rules.
Sir Michael Stoute, the Newmarket trainer, has three to choose from, with the likeliest runner being Rob Roy, though Jeremy and Peeress also remain in the prestigious race. Vanderlin and Babodana are the two others going forward.
Wednesday also sees the running of the Group Two Veuve Clicquot Vintage Stakes (2.40pm) for two-year-olds, which has attracted a 17-strong entry, the £85,000 cantorspreadfair.com Heritage Handicap (3.50pm) over 12 furlongs for three-year-olds (34 entries) and the opening long distance £50,000 Invesco Perpetual Goodwood Handicap (2.05pm) (27 entries).
The first day, Tuesday, August 1, has also attracted a healthy total of 199 entries for the high-quality seven-race card, which features the Group Three BGC Stakes (2.40pm), the Group Two Betfair Cup (3.15pm) and the Group Three Betfair Molecomb Stakes (3.50pm).
BRADLEY TARGETS SKY BET DASH WITH BLUE TOMATO
Milton Bradley is always a man to be feared with his sprinters and the Chepstow-based handler is hoping that Blue Tomato can land the £50,000 Sky Bet Dash over six furlongs at York on Saturday, July 29.
Blue Tomato, rated a 10/1 chance with the sponsors for the valuable prize, has been in tremendous recent form, notching three wins on the bounce over six furlongs at Goodwood, Newcastle and Haydock, and last time out was a good two-length second to Adantino over six furlongs at Lingfield on July 14, conceding 13lb to the winner.
Bradley said this morning: "The owner [Dab Hand Racing] wants to go to York on Saturday so that's where we'll head.
"Blue Tomato has been doing very well lately and I think the ground was just too quick last time out - that's what beat him. It was very fast and the jockey reported that he just never strode out properly on it. As long as the ground's not too firm, he'll go for the Sky Bet Dash.
"Blue Tomato has come out of his last race fine, there are no problems and he seems in good form. It hasn't jarred him at all, he's eating well and is working nicely."
The five-year-old, a dual six-furlong winner at York as a juvenile when trained by Paul Cole, is set to carry 8st 9lb on Saturday, but apprentice Liam Treadwell, who has struck up a great relationship with the horse in his last four races, looks unlikely to be on board again.
Bradley explained: "I don't think Liam Treadwell could do the weight, as he's quite a big lad, so we'll be looking for another jockey.
"It's a competitive race and I think we've got a decent chance, but nobody could say they would definitely win it - they'd be talking rubbish then!"
Latest Sky Bet Dash prices from Sky Bet: 7/1 Wyatt Earp, Fantasy Believer, 8/1 Knot In Wood, 9/1 Machinist, 10/1 Blue Tomato, Ice Planet, Steel Blue, Yomalo, 12/1 My Gacho, Bo McGinty, Desperate Dan, Fonthill Road, 14/1 Munaddam, 16/1 Rising Shadow, Talbot Avenue, Bond Boy, Dazzling Bay, 18/1 Highland Warrior, 20/1 Bahamian Pirate, Obe Gold, Continent, 25/1 Glencairn Star, Josh, Kings Gait, Pacific Pride, The Kiddykid, Crocodile Bay
Each-Way: 1/4 the odds a place 1, 2, 3, 4
Saturday's card is headed by the £100,000 Sky Bet York Stakes, a new Group Two contest over a mile and a quarter in which Budweiser Irish Derby third Best Alibi is set to be partnered by Ryan Moore. Harrogate-based Sky Bet sponsor six races on the card in total.
Last year's high-class renewal of the Sky Bet Dash went to the Barry Hills-trained La Cucaracha, who returned to the Knavesmire the following month and secured victory in the Group One VC Bet Nunthorpe Stakes.
Racing commences at 2.10pm with the £15,000 Skybet.com EBF Fillies' Handicap over 10 furlongs and is followed at 2.40pm by the two and a quarter mile Sky Bet Press Red To Bet On Channel Four Handicap, worth £12,500.
The Sky Bet Dash will take place at 3.15pm and the Sky Bet York Stakes at 3.50pm. The two features precede the six-furlong £10,100 Sky Bet Maiden Auction Stakes (4.25pm) and the £10,000 skybet.com Claiming Stakes (5.00pm) over seven furlongs.
Sky Bet is supporting another first at York this evening, July 27, when it sponsors the first race run over the trip of five and a half furlongs at the course. The contest is part of the preparations for the temporary relocation of the St Leger Festival in September, when the Portland Handicap will be over this unusual sprinting distance.
YORK RACECOURSE JULY MEETING
ORDER OF RUNNING 2006
Thursday, July 27
Gates open 4.00 pm
Channel 4 or Racing UK Race Time Race Title Age Prize money Distance
Racing UK 6.00 pm The Four High Petergate Hotel and Sawfish Software Maiden Auction Stakes 2 £10,100 Seven furlongs
Racing UK 6.30 pm First TransPennine Express Stakes (Handicap 61-80) 3 £10,000 Six furlongs
Racing UK 7.00 pm Skybet.com Portland Trial Stakes (Handicap 71-90) 3+ £12,500 Five & a half furlongs
Racing UK 7.30 pm Rose of York Conditions Stakes 4+ £16,000 One mile
Racing UK 8.00 pm Garrowby Handicap Stakes 81-100 3 £20,000 One & a half miles
Racing UK 8.30 pm Sgt Pepper's Handicap Stakes 56-75 3+ £8,500 One mile & one furlong
Saturday, July 29
Gates open 11.15 am
Channel 4 or Racing UK Race Time Race Title Age Prize money Distance
Channel 4 2.10 pm Skybet.com EBF Fillies' Stakes - Handicap 71-90 3+f&m £15,000 One & a quarter miles
Channel 4 2.40 pm Sky Bet Press Red to Bet on Channel Four Stakes - Handicap 61-80 3+ £12,500 Two & a quarter miles
Channel 4 3.15 pm Sky Bet Dash - Heritage Handicap 0-105 3+ £50,000 Six furlongs
Channel 4 3.50 pm Sky Bet York Stakes - Group 2 3+ £100,000 One & a quarter miles
Racing UK 4.25 pm Sky Bet Maiden Auction Stakes 2 £10,100 Six furlongs
Racing UK 5.00 pm Skybet.com Claiming Stakes 3+ £10,000 Seven furlongs
Racing UK 5.35 pm Fulford Golf Club Centenary Stakes - Handicap 61-80 4+ £12,500 One & a half miles
MUSIC EVENTS:
Thursday - 'The Cavern Beatles'
Saturday - 'Killer Queen'
On both evenings, the music will commence shortly after racing and last for approximately 90 minutes.
AINTREE AND JOHN SMITH'S TO SPONSOR GRAND NATIONAL WINNING JOCKEY
Aintree Racecourse and John Smith's have teamed up with Grand National winning jockey, Niall Madden, to deliver an innovative new sponsorship and further develop their links in the racing industry with the John Smith's Grand National meeting.
The sponsorship will include 20-year-old Madden wearing branded breeches up to and including the 2007 John Smith's Grand National meeting. Madden, who is currently riding in both flat and jump races in Ireland, will carry John Smith's Grand National Winning Jockey' branding in all races he competes.
Charles Barnett, Managing Director of Aintree Racecourse said: "We are delighted to be supporting Niall throughout his Grand National winning year. We are incredibly fortunate to have John Smith's as a fantastic sponsor for racing and through their association, has enabled us to provide the funding to support Niall.
"The growth of the Grand National meeting in recent years has included the attraction of many leading horses from Ireland. Many of these have been ridden by young Irish jockeys who would have been relatively unknown in the UK. Niall is a classic example, although the ride that he gave Numbersixvalverde in this year's John Smith's Grand National will ensure that he will become well-known to racegoers in this country."
This sponsorship will be an integral part of the promotional activity being carried out by Aintree and John Smith's within Ireland. This, coupled with an increase in the numbers of airline carriers travelling into Liverpool Airport from Ireland, will help grow the attendance figures further for the 2007 Grand National meeting.
For old articles (from 1st March 2000) go to the Newslink
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