Wednesday, July 18, 2007

PROTECTOR AMONG 128 ACCEPTORS FOR THE £100,000 BLUE SQUARE.COM STEWARDS’ CUP

Trainer Gay Kelleway has the classy former South African gelding Protector firmly on course for the prestigious six-furlong heritage handicap, which is one of the most thrilling spectacles of the British season.

Protector, a winner at Nad Al Sheba, Dubai for South African trainer Herman Brown in January, was an impressive winner of the Northern Sprint Handicap on heavy ground at Newcastle on June 30, before finishing runner-up to the Richard Fahey-trained Knot In Wood (10/1) in the John Smith’s Scottish Stewards’ Cup Handicap at Hamilton on July 13. He is a 16/1 chance for the Blue Square.com Stewards’ Cup with the sponsor Blue Square.

Kelleway revealed today: “Protector has been on target for the Blue Square.com Stewards’ Cup ever since I bought him in March and the plan was always to have three runs beforehand.

“He ran a blinder to finish eighth in the Wokingham at Royal Ascot, when I’d only had him since May from Dubai, then we went up to Newcastle and he showed what a really good horse he is as he bolted up on unsuitable ground.

“We hoped that it was going to be good ground at Hamilton last time but sadly it rained a lot and we had to give the winner 11lb. Added to that, our original jockey Kevin Darley couldn’t take off from York and missed the ride, so it was a recipe for disaster but he still put up a good show in finishing second to Knot In Wood. I think that on better ground we can beat that horse.

“He works so well on good ground. Saying that, a little bit of rain wouldn’t worry me too much as he’s not overburdened with weight. He has 9st 3lb as things stand and that would be perfect.

“He’s a serious horse and I backed him at 20/1 for the race. Providing we get a good draw, he’s certainly got a big chance. I’ve never had Protector better.”

Kelleway’s string has been in fine form of late and the Newmarket handler is particularly pleased with Protector, who was also third in the Listed Jebel Ali Sprint in Dubai in March. The six-year-old is set to have the services of the champion jockey at Goodwood.

The trainer reported: “My horses are at the top of their game and long may it continue. They’re in blinding form and they’re holding it well - we had another winner at Brighton yesterday (Tuesday). They’re in really good heart and Protector in particular came out of the Hamilton race better than ever.

“I’ll freshen him up and he’ll have one piece of work before Goodwood. The track will suit him and hopefully he’ll have a good draw. Ryan Moore will definitely ride him providing he steers clear of suspensions and injuries.”

The 2006 winner Borderlescott (14/1), a creditable seventh in the Group One Darley July Cup on July 13, could bid for back-to-back wins in the Blue Square.com Stewards’ Cup.

The Robin Bastiman-trained five-year-old held the Kevin Ryan-trained Mutamared (14/1) by a neck in a spine-tingling finish last year, with Firenze (16/1) from the James Fanshawe yard the same distance further back in third, while the Clive Brittain-trained Excusez Moi (25/1), subsequently successful in the Great St Wilfred Handicap at Ripon, took fourth.

The first four home in last season’s Blue Square.com Stewards’ Cup could all reoppose, along with the sixth-place finisher Woodcote (33/1) from the Clive Cox yard who also has Kostar (33/1), Out After Dark (25/1), Pearly Wey (33/1) and Chinalea still engaged.

Fanshawe could look for another big run from Firenze as well as Zidane, who scored over six furlongs at Ascot in May and is 8/1 joint-favourite with the sponsor.

The Terry Mills-trained Something is the other 8/1 joint favourite. He has run well in two major handicaps this season, taking fourth place in the Wokingham Handicap at Royal Ascot and then running a gallant third to Giganticus in the seven-furlong Bunbury Cup at Newmarket on July 13, a race in which Grantley Adams (16/1) was ninth and Bentong (33/1) 11th.

Irish trainer Ger Lyons is no stranger to big-race success in Britain this term and he could run the filly That’s Hot (25/1), second in the six-furlong Group Three Ballyogan Stakes at Leopardstown on June 6.

Intrepid Jack (14/1) was runner-up in the Wokingham Handicap, but beat only one home in the Bunbury Cup on July 13, whereas the Walter Swinburn-trained Viking Spirit (12/1) enhanced his claims at Chepstow on the same day with a three-length victory over Tony James.

As well as the John Smith’s Scottish Stewards’ Cup winner Knot In Wood, Fahey’s remaining entries are 2005 Blue Square.com Stewards’ Cup runner-up Fonthill Road (20/1), who was third in a Newcastle Group Three on June 30 and was subsequently runner-up to Song Of Passion over seven furlongs at Chester, and Utmost Respect (14/1), third to Shmookh in the totesport.com Stakes at Newmarket on July 11.

The Stuart Williams-trained Hogmaneigh (16/1) ran well to be fourth in the prestigious Rockingham Handicap at the Curragh on July 15,

Top-weight Sierra Vista (33/1) (9st 10lb) landed the Group Two Temple Stakes over five furlongs at Sandown in May, and David Barker’s mare remains along with stablemate Mecca’s Mate (25/1), while the Luca Cumani-trained Balthazaar’s Gift (16/1), a Group Two winner as a juvenile and runner-up in the Group One Golden Jubilee Stakes last season, finished third to Dark Missile in the Wokingham Handicap in June.

Alongside Mutamared, North Yorkshire trainer Kevin Ryan’s remaining seven includes the Group Three-placed Advanced (33/1), Listed winner King Orchisios (40/1) and Green Manalishi (33/1).

David Nicholls loves to have winners at Glorious Goodwood and his 19 remaining entries include Group Three winner Peace Offering (40/1), 2005 Blue Square.com Stewards’ Cup hero Gift Horse (20/1), Machinist (14/1), Buachaill Dona (20/1), Indian Trail (20/1), Turnkey (25/1), veteran Group One winners Bahamian Pirate (33/1) and Continent (40/1), as well as Group Three victor Masta Plasta (25/1).

John Quinn saddled Fantasy Believer (16/1) to score over the distance at Glorious Goodwood last term and the nine-year-old may line up alongside stablemate Pacific Pride (25/1).

Owner-breeder Bridget Swire saw her colours carried to Group One glory by Sakhee’s Secret in the six -furlong July Cup and she has that colt’s half-brother King’s Caprice (33/1), trained by Jonathan Geake, still engaged in the Goodwood spectacular, along with stablemate Ripples Maid (25/1).

The Nick Littmoden-trained Orpsie Boy (16/1) completed a hat-trick of victories when taking the Ruffler Bank Handicap over six furlongs at Ascot on July 13.

Welsh sprint king Milton Bradley has the veteran speedster The Tatling (33/1), fourth in the Group Three Laurent-Perrier Champagne Sprint Stakes over five furlongs at Sandown on July 7, while fellow old stagers Ashdown Express (33/1), Fayr Jag (40/1) and Steenberg (33/1) also remain after the forfeit stage.

There is a maximum field of 28 allowed for the Blue Square Stewards’ Cup.

LATEST BLUE SQUARE PRICES
Zidane 8/1, Something 8/1, Knot In Wood 10/1, Viking Spirit 12/1, Intrepid Jack 14/1, Utmost Respect 14/1, Mutamared 14/1, Borderlescott 14/1, Machinist 14/1, Firenze 16/1, Grantley Adams 16/1, Orpsie Boy 16/1, Balthazaar's Gift 16/1, Hogmaneigh 16/1, Fantasy Believer 16/1, Protector 16/1, Fonthill Road 20/1, Green Park 20/1, Indian Trail 20/1, Buachaill Dona 20/1, Cape 20/1, Gift Horse 20/1, Ice Planet 25/1, Longquan 25/1, Excusez Moi 25/1, Lipocco 25/1, Aegean Dancer 25/1, Masta Plasta 25/1, Out After Dark 25/1, That's Hot 25/1, Beaver Patrol 25/1, Phantom Whisper 25/1, Turnkey 25/1, Mecca's Mate 25/1, Ripples Maid 25/1, Ingleby Arch 25/1, Pacific Pride 25/1, Wyatt Earp 25/1, Pearly Wey 33/1, Advanced 33/1, Loch Verdi 33/1, Woodnook 33/1, Sierra Vista 33/1, Siren's Gift 33/1, He's A Humbug 33/1, Captain Hurricane 33/1, Baron's Pit 33/1, Golden Dixie 33/1, Gallery Girl 33/1, Beckermet 33/1, The Tatling 33/1, Kostar 33/1, Bentong 33/1, The Jobber 33/1, Philharmonic 33/1, Ektimaal 33/1, King's Caprice 33/1, Mastership 33/1, Steenberg 33/1, Bond City 33/1, Prince Namid 33/1, Idle Power 33/1, Ashdown Express 33/1, Woodcote 33/1, Green Manalishi 33/1, Bahamian Pirate 33/1, Fire Up The Band 33/1, Sand Cat 40/1, Fayr Jag 40/1, River Bravo 40/1, Varadouro 40/1, One More Round 40/1, Barney McGrew 40/1, King Orchisios 40/1, Distinctly Game 40/1, Keyaki 40/1, Obe Gold 40/1, Qadar 40/1, Talbot Avenue 40/1, Mujood 40/1, Roman Maze 40/1, Royal Storm 40/1, Lady Livius 40/1, Heywood 40/1, Charles Darwin 40/1, Perfect Story 40/1, Peace Offering 40/1, Bonus 40/1, Continent 40/1, Merlin's Dancer 50/1, Joseph Henry 50/1
one quarter the odds on five places

THE BLUE SQUARE.COM STEWARDS’ CUP

Form Horse Age/Wt Owner Trainer
2011150 SIERRA VISTA 7-9-10 David Metcalfe David Barker
0/3(2)32-5 ADVANCED 4-9-09 T Doherty and McHeen Kevin Ryan
00-40530 BALTHAZAAR'S GIFT (IRE) 4-9-09 Ryder Racing Ltd Luca Cumani
10-21244 PEACE OFFERING (IRE) 7-9-08 Lady O'Reilly David Nicholls
262-2200 BORDERLESCOTT 5-9-08 Border Rail & Plant Limited Robin Bastiman
623320 BECKERMET (IRE) 5-9-06 Great Head House Taylor Nash Edwards Roger Fisher
301-1306 FIRENZE 6-9-05 Jan and Peter Hopper James Fanshawe
0(0)(1)-(1)(1)00 KING ORCHISIOS (IRE) 4-9-05 Mr & Mrs Julian and Rosie Richer Kevin Ryan
00-1506 GREEN MANALISHI 6-9-05 T Fawcett, S McCarthy, J Brennan & J Smith Kevin Ryan
(1)(1)60-343 SOMETHING (IRE) 5-9-04 John Humphreys Terry Mills
1(2)(5)-2(2)20 INTREPID JACK 5-9-04 Michael Lynch Hughie Morrison
1-414350 GRANTLEY ADAMS 4-9-04 Mrs T G Trant Mick Channon
300-3104 HOGMANEIGH (IRE) 4-9-04 Lucille Bone Stuart Williams
25-30032 FONTHILL ROAD (IRE) 7-9-04 Una Towell Richard Fahey
264550 ASHDOWN EXPRESS (IRE) 8-9-03 John Jackson Chris Wall
100(3)012 PROTECTOR (SAF) 6-9-03 Joshua Snellings Gay Kelleway
5-30600 FAYR JAG (IRE) 8-9-03 Jonathan Gill Tim Easterby
22300333 BOND CITY (IRE) 5-9-03 Reg Bond Geoff Oldroyd
0005-60 STEENBERG (IRE) 8-9-02 Kenneth MacPherson Mark Tompkins
(0)02200 EXCUSEZ MOI (USA) 5-9-02 Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Clive Brittain
31-(3)(0)00 KING'S CAPRICE 6-9-02 Bridget Swire Jonathan Geake
100-020 BENTONG (IRE) 4-9-02 HRH Sultan Ahmad Shah Paul Cole
305-122 THAT'S HOT (IRE) 4-9-02 John Burke Ger Lyons IRE
00(3)520 MUTAMARED (USA) 7-9-01 Errigal Racing Kevin Ryan
0/-502(6)0 BARON'S PIT 7-9-01 A M Pickering Ed Vaughan
60-31504 THE TATLING (IRE) 10-9-00 Dab Hand Racing Milton Bradley
20-(0)100 KOSTAR 6-9-00 Mrs P Scott-Dunn And Mrs F J Ryan Clive Cox
4-0002615 MECCA'S MATE 6-9-00 David Metcalfe David Barker
(3)01620 RIPPLES MAID 4-9-00 Rex & David Mead Jonathan Geake
104-(4)10 ZIDANE 5-9-00 Jan and Peter Hopper James Fanshawe
601101-4 THE JOBBER (IRE) 6-8-13 Rosemary Wilkerson & Partners Michael Blanshard
240100- PHILHARMONIC 6-8-13 R Cowie Richard Fahey
(5)(3)(2)(0)(2)(6) QADAR (IRE) 5-8-12 Nigel Shields Nick Littmoden
1522-601 KNOT IN WOOD (IRE) 5-8-12(3lbx) Rhodes, Kenyon & Gill Richard Fahey
00-03050 GIFT HORSE 7-8-11 Alfi and Partners David Nicholls
(5)30011 MACHINIST (IRE) 7-8-11(3lbx) Berry & Gould Partnership David Nicholls
0(3)(2)(2)-401 VIKING SPIRIT 5-8-11(3lbx) The Masterminds Walter Swinburn
0004005 FANTASY BELIEVER 9-8-10 The Fantasy Fellowship B John Quinn
2160-120 LIPOCCO 3-8-10 The Anagram Partnership Ralph Beckett
(2)(1)(4)4040 MASTERSHIP (IRE) 3-8-10 Sheikh Marwan Al Maktoum Clive Brittain
1216-46 BUACHAILL DONA (IRE) 4-8-10 Mike Browne David Nicholls
063-03050 OUT AFTER DARK 6-8-09 The Night Owls Clive Cox
(5)-15605 BEAVER PATROL (IRE) 5-8-09 G C Stevens Eve Johnson Houghton
(5)(0)-043(0)0 SAND CAT 4-8-09 EERC Gary Moore
501-0000 WOODCOTE (IRE) 5-8-07 Dennis Shaw Clive Cox
23210-10 LONGQUAN (IRE) 3-8-07 R & G Marchant D M Ahier J P Carrington Peter Makin
560-004 MASTA PLASTA (IRE) 4-8-07 Lady O'Reilly David Nicholls
2-(3)0(2)00 BONUS (IRE) 7-8-07 The Bonus Partnership Gerard Butler
3053010 GREEN PARK (IRE) 4-8-07 G A Fixings Ltd Richard Fahey
0-(1)6500 MERLIN'S DANCER 7-8-07 Helen Chamberlain Simon Dow
(0)(3)(3)000 ONE MORE ROUND (USA) 9-8-07 Nigel Shields Nick Littmoden
0-10400 FIRE UP THE BAND 8-8-07 A A Bloodstock Ltd David Nicholls
00052016 TURNKEY 5-8-07(3lbx) Middleham Park Racing XXIII David Nicholls
6-006144 ICE PLANET 6-8-06 David Faulkner David Nicholls
0223045 BAHAMIAN PIRATE (USA) 12-8-06 Lucayan Stud And G G N Bloodstock David Nicholls
0-601600 WYATT EARP (IRE) 6-8-06 Los Bandidos Racing Richard Fahey
51/10-05 RIVER BRAVO (IRE) 4-8-06 Ronald Arculli Peter Chapple-Hyam
2460-000 PACIFIC PRIDE 4-8-05 Maxilead Limited John Quinn
1444-245 SIREN'S GIFT 3-8-05 Jeff Smith Andrew Balding
10(0)(0)-00 VARADOURO (BRZ) 5-8-05 David Nicholls David Nicholls
5000-(1)11 ORPSIE BOY (IRE) 4-8-05(3lbx) Vanessa Church Nick Littmoden
(1)(2)(0)(6)40 WOODNOOK 4-8-04 Julia Scott James Toller
00-53303 INGLEBY ARCH (USA) 4-8-04 Dave Scott David Barron
046-5010 PEARLY WEY 4-8-04 Dennis Shaw Clive Cox
0-000003 INDIAN TRAIL 7-8-04 Martin Love David Nicholls
00-(1)04005 LADY LIVIUS (IRE) 4-8-04 Mrs John Lee Richard Hannon
(0)(3)00223 PHANTOM WHISPER 4-8-03 Tina Ann Dormer Rod Millman
-(1)(1)(1)(1)(0)5 EKTIMAAL 4-8-03 The Serendipity Partnership Ed Dunlop
1604(4)(0)6 MUJOOD 4-8-03 Eden Racing Eve Johnson Houghton
41-1301 AEGEAN DANCER 5-8-02 Pinnacle Piccolo Partnership Bryan Smart
153-10 HE'S A HUMBUG (IRE) 3-8-02 David Fravigar, Kathy Dixon Kevin Ryan
(2)(0)-(0)3100 HEYWOOD 3-8-02 Sheikh Mohammed Mick Channon
00-003120 GOLDEN DIXIE (USA) 8-8-02 Vicki Davies Ron Harris
000-000 ROYAL STORM (IRE) 8-8-02 The Cloran Family Amanda Perrett
(4)(1)(3)(0)(3)00 DISTINCTLY GAME 5-8-01 Mr & Mrs Julian and Rosie Richer Kevin Ryan
0/00-(0)00 CAPTAIN HURRICANE 5-8-01 The Comic Strip Heroes Brian Meehan
33(1)210 KEYAKI (IRE) 6-8-01 S Oldroyd Chris Wall
0-540000 OBE GOLD 5-8-01 BDR Partnership Mick Channon
050-0100 DINGAAN (IRE) 4-8-01 Lady C S Cadbury Andrew Balding
(2)(0)-(6)(6)(2)50 TALBOT AVENUE 9-8-01 Mrs C S Wilson Michael Blanshard
(0)-140152 ROMAN MAZE 7-8-01 The Jenko and Thomo Partnership Mark Brisbourne
11-03 UTMOST RESPECT 3-8-00 The Rumpole Partnership Richard Fahey
2135-200 LOCH VERDI 4-8-00 Jeff Smith Andrew Balding
3111-65 CAPE 4-8-00 Wyck Hall Stud James Fanshawe
(4)-500400 CHARLES DARWIN (IRE) 4-7-13 J M Beever Michael Blanshard
(0)-(2)22000 PERFECT STORY (IRE) 5-7-13 John Drew and Dr Bridget Drew James Toller
000043 IDLE POWER (IRE) 9-7-13 The Idle B'S Jim Boyle
(0)-(0)420604 PRINCE NAMID 5-7-13 S Adamson Ann Duffield
41546-5 JOSEPH HENRY 5-7-13 Billy Hughes David Nicholls
(2)5(5)120 BARNEY MCGREW (IRE) 4-7-13 M A Whelton James Toller
0201500 CONTINENT 10-7-13 Lucayan Stud And G G N Bloodstock David Nicholls
00-02312 GALLERY GIRL (IRE) 4-7-13 Peter Bourke Tim Easterby
02-6110 BERTOLIVER 3-7-12 Mrs A Shone Dean Ivory
4653-10 MY GACHO (IRE) 5-7-12 Grant Mercer David Barron
0-(1)(0)(4)0(4)1 BORDER MUSIC 6-7-12(3lbx) Kingsclere Stud Andrew Balding
0610060 LUCAYOS 4-7-11 Alex Sweeting Heidi Sweeting
(5)-105325 FOREST DANE 7-7-11 The Ember Partnership Dina Smith
121-12110 HOW'S SHE CUTTIN' (IRE) 4-7-11(3lbx) Chris McHale David Barron
3324100 ADANTINO 8-7-10 Tarka Two Racing Rod Millman
(6)-0(1)(1)(1)(1) WHITBARROW (IRE) 8-7-10(3lbx) Mrs H Brain Rod Millman
160-142 TROJAN FLIGHT 6-7-09 Timothy O'Gram Richard Fahey
605500-(5) TONY THE TAP 6-7-09 K J & S Mercer William Muir
(0)(6)(3)5(0)0 PIETER BRUEGHEL (USA) 8-7-08 David Faulkner David Nicholls
(2)-(3)1143(3) KYLE (IRE) 3-7-08 Noodles Racing Richard Hannon
21-0000 ROYAL CHALLENGE 6-7-08 Killarney Glen Mark Tompkins
(0)-00630 BLUE TOMATO 6-7-08 Dab Hand Racing Milton Bradley
0-00030 MINE BEHIND 7-7-08 M Folan, R Lees, R Crampton John Best
0(0)-0104 ABWAAB 4-7-07 Anthony Pye-Jeary And Mel Smith Eve Johnson Houghton
30-0100 ORANMORE CASTLE (IRE) 5-7-06 The Knavesmire Alliance David Nicholls
5-40403 HOLBECK GHYLL (IRE) 5-7-06 Holbeck Ghyll Partnership Andrew Balding
311130 MISARO (GER) 6-7-06 Messrs Criddle Davies Dawson & Villa Ron Harris
105140 RACCOON (IRE) 7-7-06 Peter Savill David Chapman
6-42000 RIVER KIROV (IRE) 4-7-06 The Archers Peter Chapple-Hyam
1616250 NAMIR (IRE) 5-7-05 ownaracehorsecouk (Shakespeare) Derek Shaw
011-2600 THE CAYTERERS 5-7-03 R D Willis And M C Watts Milton Bradley
600-000 ART MARKET (CAN) 4-7-03 Richard Green (Fine Paintings) Gary Moore
01-(0)000 CIRCUIT DANCER (IRE) 7-7-03 David Fish David Nicholls
56-30(0)0224 BOND BOY 10-7-03 Reg Bond Geoff Oldroyd
(0)(0)-0040 GUEST CONNECTIONS 4-7-03 Middleham Park Racing L David Nicholls
(2)-(1)(1)(6)64(2) LOUPHOLE 5-7-03 Ten of Hearts Peter Makin
(2)(6)(1)(2)-063 DON PELE (IRE) 5-7-03 Robert & Nina Bailey Ron Harris
015-(0)(0)0 HYPNOTIC 5-7-02 Bill Wallace / Gary Butters David Nicholls
4064203 HIGH REACH 7-7-01 Eric Buck Partnership David Barron
30(3)-504(0) HIGH RIDGE 8-6-11 The Lovely Jubbly's Milton Bradley
30-45634d PEGASUS DANCER (FR) 3-6-11 Rievaulx Racing Syndicate Kevin Ryan
0404540 CHINALEA (IRE) 5-6-07 Gwyn Powell and Peter Ridgers Clive Cox
(4)03091)(2)(2) GEORGE THE SECOND 4-6-02 The Kennet Connection Heidi Sweeting
(0)(0)(0)00201 FUNFAIR WANE 8-6-01(3lbx) The Wayward Lads David Nicholls

128 entries remain after first forfeit stage
1 Irish-trained

CARTIER RACING AWARDS LATEST

*WINKER WATSON STORMS TO TOP OF JUVENILE COLT DIVISION*

The Peter Chapple-Hyam-trained son of Piccolo made it three wins from as many starts as he unleashed a breathtaking burst of acceleration that took him from last to first under Jimmy Fortune to gain a short-head victory over River Proud and bring his Cartier points tally to 32.

Winker Watson had already secured the Group Two Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot, having made a winning debut at Newbury in April.

The Aidan O’Brien-trained Henrythenavigator (16 points) is currently in a three-way tie for second in the category, along with stablemate Lizard Island (16) and the Mick Channon-trained Hatta Fort (16).

Henrythenavigator bolted up by seven lengths on his debut at Gowran Park in May before gaining the Group Two Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot by three quarters of a length from the David Elsworth-trained Swiss Franc (12), while Lizard Island captured the Group Two Anheuser-Busch Adventure Parks Railway Stakes at the Curragh on July 1.

The Ahmed Al Maktoum-owned Hatta Fort made it two wins from four starts when running on strongly to score in the Group Two Weatherbys Superlative Stakes at Newmarket on July 13.

You’resothrilling lived up to her name with a length victory over the Harry Dunlop-trained Festoso (8) in the Group Two Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Cherry Hinton Stakes at the July Festival on July 11.

The O’Brien-trained sister to the phenomenal Giant’s Causeway made up for a slightly unlucky runner-up finish behind Nijoom Dubai (8) in the Group Three Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot in June and took her points tally for the Cartier Awards Two-Year-Old Filly section to 28.

Elletelle (20) is currently chasing the Ballydoyle filly in this Cartier Racing Awards category, just as she did at Newmarket. Ger Lyons’ charge, victorious in the Group Two Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot, lost eight lengths at the start of the Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Cherry Hinton Stakes and was still last with two furlongs to race before running home strongly to take third, just a length and a quarter behind You’resothrilling.

The Pascal Bary-trained Natagora (8) leads the way in France and is joint third in the Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly division along with Festoso and Nijoom Dubai. Natagora has three wins from four starts to her name including the Group Three Prix du Bois, which she won at Maisons-Laffitte on July 1.

Dual 1,000 Guineas winner Finsceal Beo (88) remains at the top of the Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly division but is now being closely pressed by Peeping Fawn (78) who has taken both the Darley Irish Oaks and the Group One Audi Pretty Polly Stakes since finishing second to Light Shift (60) in the Vodafone Oaks at Epsom Downs in June.

Poule d’Essai des Pouliches winner Darjina has 48 points, while the Jeremy Noseda-trained Simply Perfect moves on to 44 following her all-the-way win in the Group One UAE Hydra Properties Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket.

Prix du Jockey Club winner Lawman takes up the running in the Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt Award after an impressive three-length victory in the Group One Prix Jean Prat at Chantilly on July 8, which puts him on 89 points.

Vodafone Derby hero Authorized is in second place with 80 points after failing to master Notnowcato in the Coral-Eclipse Stakes at Sandown.

English and Irish 2,000 Guineas hero Cockney Rebel is joined on 72 points by Soldier Of Fortune who stormed to a nine-length win in the Budweiser Irish Derby at the Curragh on July 1, while Poule d’Essai des Poulains winner Astronomer Royal, fourth in the Prix Jean Prat, has 44 points.

Manduro still heads the Cartier Older Horse division with 72 points but Notnowcato (65) moves into second place after his thrilling Coral-Eclipse Stakes victory. Dylan Thomas (60) is in third, while Ramonti and Yeats remain on 48 points.

Soldier’s Tale narrowly holds sway in the charge for the Cartier Sprinter Award but his 36 points are being rapidly eroded by the new speedster on the block, Sakhee’s Secret. Hughie Morrison’s charge took his unbeaten run this season to four when winning the Group One Darley July Cup at Newmarket on July 13, and now has accumulated 32 points. Beauty Is Truth, Peace Offering and Red Clubs each have 20 points.

Group One Ascot Gold Cup first and second, Yeats and Geordieland, fill the same positions in the Cartier Stayer division with 48 and 32 points respectively but the German-trained Bussoni (18) has moved into joint-third, alongside Le Miracle, after securing the Group Two Prix Maurice de Nieuil at Longchamp on July 14. Sergeant Cecil has 17 points.

The 2007 Cartier Racing Awards, European horseracing’s most prestigious accolades, are presented at a glittering invitation-only event at the Four Seasons Hotel in London on the evening of November 14.

The coveted eight horse awards, including the Cartier Horse Of The Year, are now in their 17th year and celebrate the champions of the Turf, plus one person and are European horseracing’s equivalent of the Oscars.

The Cartier Racing Awards are determined by points earned in Pattern races combined with the opinions of a panel of racing journalists plus votes from readers of the Racing Post and The Daily Telegraph, a system which accurately rewards supreme excellence.

Harry Herbert, Cartier’s racing consultant, commented today: “The two-year-olds are starting to make an impact on what is already proving to be a terrific season. Winker Watson’s performance at Newmarket last week was spectacular, while it will be fascinating to watch the progress of Giant Causeway’s sister You’resothrilling.

“The expected third clash between the three-year-old fillies, Peeping Fawn and Light Shift, in next month’s Blue Square Nassau Stakes at Goodwood could bring a new leader in that Cartier Racing Awards category.

“Ascot’s King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes always has a big impact the awards for the Cartier Older Horse and the Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt and it would be great if Vodafone Derby winner Authorized runs.

“Sakhee’s Secret looked a sprinter of great class in the Darley July Cup last week and the battles for all the Cartier Awards have a considerable way to go.”

Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly
You’resothrilling 28
Elletelle 20
Festoso 8
Natagora 8
Nijoom Dubai 8

Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt
Winker Watson 32
Hatta Fort 16
Henrythenavigator 16
Lizard Island 16
Swiss Franc 12

Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly
Finsceal Beo 88
Peeping Fawn 78
Light Shift 60
Darjina 48
Simply Perfect 44

Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt
Lawman 89
Authorized 80
Cockney Rebel 72
Solder of Fortune 72
Astronomer Royal 44

Cartier Older Horse
Manduro 72
Notnowcato 65
Dylan Thomas 60
Yeats 48
Ramonti 48

Cartier Sprinter
Soldiers Tale 36
Sakhee’s Secret 32
Beauty is Truth 20
Peace Offering 20
Red Clubs 20

Cartier Stayer
Yeats 48
Geordieland 32
Bussoni 18
Le Miracle 18
Sergeant Cecil 17

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

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