ALL THE NEWS FROM DAY ONE OF THE LADBROKES ST LEGER FESTIVAL
LADBROKES ST LEGER FESTIVAL, DONCASTER
RACENEWS RACECOURSE SERVICE
FIRST DAY, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2008
CROWD FIGURES UP "SIGNIFICANTLY" ON DAY ONE
Adam Waterworth, Managing Director of Doncaster Racecourse, was upbeat as racing drew to a conclusion on the opening day of the Ladbrokes St Leger Festival.
An increase in attendance figures was undoubtably aided by the dry weather conditions and the crowd of more than 7,200 enjoyed a great day of racing, highlighted by Galeota’s repeat success in the feature race, the Listed Construction News Scarbrough Stakes.
Waterworth enthused: "We are delighted with how day one of the Ladbrokes St Leger Festival has gone. The crowd, at just over 7,200, represents a significant increase on last year, which is a fantastic result given the weather over the last couple of weeks.
"Thankfully, it stayed dry and the weather was quite pleasant throughout the afternoon. The jockeys were also very pleased with how the ground rode and it was a great start to the Festival."
GOING UNCHANGED
Meanwhile, Clerk of the Course David Williams added: "I’m going to leave the going as it is for the time being, soft, good to soft in places on the straight course, soft on the round course. That’s pretty much what the jockeys have said.
"We forecast to get one to two millimetres of rain before 9am and possibly some showers thereafter. I’ll wait to see what rain we get overnight but that’s how conditions are at the moment."
CHARLTON HOPING ROSE GETS TO TAKE HER CHANCE
Roger Charlton will be keeping one eye on the skies this afternoon in the hope that Doncaster doesn’t get any more rain so that his Rose Diamond can take her chance in tomorrow’s Group Two Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield May Hill Stakes (3.10pm) over a mile.
The Daylami filly got off the mark on the second time of asking in a six-furlong maiden at Newmarket in late June and followed that performance up with a fifth placing in the Group Three Princess Margaret Stakes at Royal Ascot.
On her most recent start, she was possibly a shade unlucky in-running before staying on well in the closing stages to take second on her first start over seven furlongs in the Group Three Prestige Stakes at Goodwood on August 23.
"The biggest concern at the moment is the going and we wouldn’t want any more rain this afternoon so we’ll be monitoring the situation," explained Charlton.
"Rose Diamond is bred to get the one-mile trip so that shouldn’t be a problem, but she needs to relax a bit.
"She stayed on very well at Goodwood last time but she was probably beaten by a very good filly on the day. John Gosden’s filly (Rainbow View) is going to be very hard to beat tomorrow, but somebody has got to take her on."
The John Gosden-trained Rainbow View, who is unbeaten in her two starts to date, most recently in the Group Three Sweet Solera Stakes at Newmarket on August 9, certainly looks the one to beat on paper.
The daughter of Dynaformer won that contest by an easy six lengths, the same distance that she landed her course and distance maiden by, but she is also stepping up from seven furlongs to a mile for the first time.
Irish maestro Jim Bolger has declared Group One Moyglare Stud Stakes fourth Aaroness, while the field also includes the William Knight-trained Uvinza, who was second in an above-average maiden at Newmarket last month.
The other four declared runners include the Mick Channon pair of dual seven-furlong nursery winner Lahaleeb, who was fourth in the aforementioned Prestige Stakes, and the once-raced Lilly Blue.
David Elsworth will saddle Salisbury Listed winner Snoqualmie Girl, who is chasing a hat-trick of wins, while Paul Cole will be represented by Latin Tinge, second on her only start.
Jamie Spencer got the Ladbrokes St Leger Festival off to a perfect start when steering the absent Michael Bell’s 12/1 chance Ballantrae to a one and a half-length success over Mister Dee Bee in the opening Fläkt Woods Nursery over seven furlongs.
Settled towards the rear of the stands’ side group from stall 16, Spencer made his move to take the lead approaching the final furlong before running out to score readily.
The rider reported that the majority of the riders felt the ground was slower than reported but was very complimentary regarding how fair the straight track rides, naming it as his favourite course to ride on at the moment.
He said: "The ground is not deep so it’s not too bad. I think everyone, when they are on the winner, generally thinks it’s a bit better but Ryan (Moore) and the boys thought it was a bit soft.
"You wouldn’t mind if the weather stayed like this for the week because it doesn’t get sticky. When it’s like that, they aren’t finishing dead on their feet. They get through it.
"It’s a good surface - I like the straight track here. I came up with Ryan and we were saying that it’s nearly both of our favourite racecourse to ride on at the moment. It’s very fair - wherever you are drawn you have a chance and that race showed it. It’s a very fair track and I’m happy with that win."
Looking ahead towards the end of the week, Spencer reported that he will team up with former boss Aidan O’Brien in the Ladbrokes St Leger, but it has yet to be confirmed which of the eight Ballydoyle potential runners he will ride.
He added: "I ride something of Aidan’s (O’Brien), whatever he puts me on. He’ll make a decision in the morning so we shall see. His runners look to have good chances and it’s an open race. I spoke to him on Monday so I had to make up my mind."
Spencer was delighted to hear that weighing-room colleague Wayne Lordan has had his suspension lifted to allow him to take the mount on the Tommy Stack-trained Unsung Heroine in the Classic.
"That’s good for Wayne because he was harshly treated a couple of times in the last few weeks. He got four days at Dundalk and then got three the other night at Tipperary when he didn’t really cause too much trouble. It’s good for him - a good opportunity. And good for Fozzy (Stack)."
Race One - Flakt Woods Nursery Handicap - PLACE QUOTES
RUNNER-UP PLEASES HILLS
EQUIANO IN GOOD FORM AHEAD OF LADBROKES SPRINT CUP
Mister Dee Bee, the only maiden in the field, won the race on the far side - five went that side of the course - under Michael Hills to take second in the opening Flakt Woods Nursery, a length and a half behind Ballantrae.
The Barry Hills-trained colt, having his first start in handicap company, quickened past the Frankie Dettori-ridden High Alert at the furlong pole to edge the verdict among those drawn low but was unable to repel the winner, who swept to success down the stands’ side.
Charlie Hills, assistant to his father Barry, revealed: "I’m pleased with the way he has run, he has improved a nice bit on his previous run at Salisbury and the hope is that he might make into a nice three-year-old.
"Michael said he was always with them but Mister Dee Bee was a little green when he hit the front. He quickened nicely past Frankie’s horse and then had a look around. I wouldn’t like to use the draw as an excuse."
Hills also revealed that King’s Stand Stakes hero Equiano and stablemate Prime Defender are in good order ahead of the Group One Ladbrokes Sprint Cup here on Saturday.
Equiano posted a smart effort on his first start for the yard when fourth to Borderlescott in the rearranged Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes at Newmarket on August 22, a race in which Prime Defender was eighth.
Hills reported: "Equiano and Prime Defender will run in the Sprint Cup on Saturday, all being well, and they’re both in good form.
"Equiano came out of the July Cup well. It was a long gap from Royal Ascot to Newmarket and he will be sharper for that. The ground should be fine."
JOCKEYS REPORT ON GOING AFTER THE FIRST RACE
Jamie Spencer, rider of the 12/1 winner Ballantrae, said of the going that "It is soft, though they are getting through it."
Jimmy Fortune, rider of fourth placed Satwa Laird, reported the ground to be "Heavy, very very soft."
Ryan Moore, rider of Lucky Redback, said the going was "Soft."
Martin Dwyer, jockey of Come And Go, said the ground was "Just soft."
Frankie Dettori, jockey of High Alert, said "Soft."
Royston Ffrench, rider of Beautiful Breeze, reported "Soft ground."
Stephen Donohoe, jockey of Fol Liam, said "It is soft ground, but there are no problems getting through it."
Robert Winston, rider of Full of Nature, said the going was "Dead, and drying out."
Alan Munro, jockey of Go Go Green, reported the ground "Soft, though it is still a lovely even surface to ride on."
David Allan, rider of Amethyst Dawn, reported "Very sticky ground."
Race Two - Hire From Hewden Conditions Stakes
CAMBRIDGESHIRE-BOUND PERKS IMPRESSES THE BOOKIES
Perks jumped to the head of the betting for the totesport Cambridgeshire with the race sponsor after an impressive victory in the Hire From Hewden Conditions Stakes.
The John Dunlop-trained three-year-old is now 8/1 from 12/1 for the first leg of the Autumn Double after cruising through the extended 10-furlong contest under Jimmy Quinn to record a three-length verdict over With Interest, with long-time leader Flying Clarets third of the three runners.
Quinn stole a cheeky peak over his shoulder approaching the furlong-marker before asking his mount to quicken and easily repelling the challenge of With Interest, who was seeking a Godolphin hat-trick in the race.
Quinn revealed: "Perks has blossomed now. I won on him early in the season and on this ground he’s different class. He ran some bad races on firmer ground that didn’t suit him but he won nicely at Haydock on heavy last time. He quickens up on that like it’s good ground.
"The mile and a quarter suits him now. He’s a lovely, big, long-striding horse who takes a bit of time to get going and he’s an angel to ride.
"Flying Clarets always jumps and runs like that. Early on I was going half pace behind and then put the race to bed quickly. "
Frankie Dettori, rider of runner-up With Interest for the Godolphin team, was a bit unhappy with his mount on the way to post and reported that he was disappointed with the run.
Dettori said: "With Interest went to post very shuffly and I wasn’t very happy with him. He pulled up a bit so-so. It was a bit disappointing."
Ladbrokes makes Perks 8/1 joint-favourite (from 12/1) with Swop for the totesport Cambridgeshire, while William Hill makes the Selkirk gelding 10/1 joint second choice with Swop behind Ask The Butler (9/1). Paddy Power also goes 10/1 from 12/1.
The Richard Hannon-trained Galeota maintained his 100% record at Doncaster when capturing his fourth course success and a repeat victory in the Listed Construction News Scarbrough Stakes, the feature race on day one of the Ladbrokes St Leger Festival.
Settled in mid-division by Ryan Moore, the six-year-old, who lost a shoe in-running, travelled well to lay down his challenge at the two-furlong marker and was in front soon after. He was pushed out to the line to score by three parts of a length from Loch Verdi.
Galeota is entered to run in the Ladbrokes Portland Handicap here on Saturday, but it is unlikely that he will be turned out again so quickly.
Representing his father, Richard Hannon junior said: "I’d say he’s doubtful to run in the Portland, he’d have to carry something like 10st. Before today, he had 100 days off and he’s had quite a hard race so I don’t think there is any mad rush. But it’s not out of the question.
"There’s a race for him I think on Champions Day at Newmarket. He’s had his problems, that has been well documented, and he still has but we still get him to the track and he still enjoys it.
"It would be a massive ask to run here again on Saturday, I would say too big. He’s had quite a hard race and to bring him back three days later would be mean. He loves it here, that’s his fourth win here and he’s only run four times. We don’t want to ruin his record by running him on Saturday!
"There’s that race on Champions Day and there’s also the Diadem Stakes, but I’m not sure if Ascot suits him."
Race Three - Listed Construction News Scarbrough Stakes
PLACE QUOTES
SMART FRUSTRATED BY "UNLUCKY" RUN
Bryan Smart was left ruing what might have been following the Listed Construction News Scarbrough Stakes, in which his charge, Moorhouse Lad, came home third under Royston Ffrench.
The five-year-old, a 5/1 shot, appeared to have his progress impeded inside the final quarter-mile of the five-furlong contest, losing vital lengths as the principals quickened, before running on to make the frame, just a length behind the winner, Galeota.
A frustrated Smart said: "He was unlucky. He’s run a cracker and on ground that’s not ideal for him, but he’s been stopped at the wrong time. He lost two lengths and was only beaten three quarters of a length and a neck. You can’t lose that ground in a five-furlong sprint - there isn’t the time to recover - but that’s racing.
"I was very pleased with the way he handled the ground. We’ll take him home and see what we’ve got before making plans. He’s in the Prix de l’Abbaye."
Andrew Balding, whose Top Lock goes for Classic glory in the Ladbrokes St Leger on Saturday, was pleased with the effort of runner-up Loch Verdi.
The daughter of the brilliant mare Lochsong battled resolutely in the final strides to repel the late thrust of Moorhouse Lad and hold on to the runner-up berth.
Balding commented: "That was a good effort. She needed the run two weeks ago and it’s just a shame that she wasn’t right in the summer. We sent her home and hopefully have a fresh horse for the autumn.
"I’m not sure where we go next. She’s in the Rous Memorial Stakes or could go back to Scotland for the fillies’ Listed race she won last year at Hamilton."
Balding said of Top Lock: "I hope it dries up a bit - his stamina will be the major issue."
Race Four - Construction Index Conditions Stakes - Win Quotes
HANNON AND MOORE STRIKE FOR A RAPID DOUBLE
Bonnie Charlie completed a near 7/1 double for trainer Richard Hannon and jockey Ryan Moore in the Construction Index Conditions Stakes.
The 10/11 favourite followed stablemate Galeota into the winner’s enclosure, the latter having taken the previous race at odds of 3/1 to clinch his fourth win from as many starts at the course.
Bonnie Charlie, owned by Thurloe Thoroughbreds, relished underfoot conditions in the six-furlong event as he determinedly held off the sustained challenge of runner-up Faraway Flower for a head victory.
The Intikhab colt, who clinched his second win from four career starts, could be rewarded with a day out on the Cleveland Coast, with the Redcar Two-Year-Old Trophy on his agenda.
James Stafford, Racing Manager for owner Thurloe Thoroughbreds, said: "He’s in the Redcar Two-Year-Old Trophy and gets in on a reasonable mark, so that could be the plan.
He was in the Polypipe Flying Childers but won’t run in that now.
"Richard said he wanted to get him back in winning ways after slightly disappointing at Newmarket last time. But the ground was a bit quick then and they want give, these Intikhabs.
"He’s alright and is going the right way. There’s always a worry with these early two-year-olds that they won’t go on but he’s going the right way. The key to him is a bit of cut in the ground.
"The idea next year would be to win a Listed race and the Scurry Stakes, which we won this season with Corrybrough, would be ideal."
Corrybrough will carry the green and yellow silks of Thurloe Thoroughbreds in the Group One Ladbrokes Sprint Cup on Saturday.
Stafford continued: "Dane O’Neill rides Corrybrough in the Ladbrokes Sprint Cup because Ryan rides Assertive for Richard Hannon. Dane has been riding out of his skin, so all’s well."
Race 4 - Construction Index Conditions Stakes - placed quotes
HILLS HAPPY WITH FARAWAY FLOWER’S PERFORMANCE
Charlie Hills, assistant trainer to his father Barry, was more than pleased with the second place finish of Faraway Flower in the Construction Index Conditions Stakes, the filly going down by a head to Bonnie Charlie under Michael Hills.
Prominent for much of the six furlongs, Khalid Abdulla’s home-bred daughter of Distant View looked to have a slight advantage but could not contain the persistent challenge of the winner in the closing stages.
"Michael didn’t think that she handled the ground - he said she couldn’t quicken up on the ground. But she has still run a good race and the winner has some very good form," explained the assistant trainer.
"The trip was fine for her. I’m sure there will be more opportunities for her this season, we’ll have a look to see what there is. We’ll try to keep her to six furlongs anyway and try to find a bit of black-type for her. The horses are running better now generally."
Barry Hills’ assistant trainer Charlie Hills was bullish about Slugger O’Toole’s chance in the Heating And Ventilation News Handicap prior to the race and his confidence was confirmed when the Intikhab gelding scored by an easy two and a quarter lengths at 20/1.
Although running into a couple of minor traffic problems, Chris Caitlin produced the winner with a storming run to hit the front and he could have been called the winner with more than a furlong to race.
Hills said: "He relished the ground but he’s a well-actioned horse anyway and I’m sure he’d be just as effective on good ground, good to firm even. The horses weren’t quite right and weren’t firing earlier on in the season but they’ve hit form and he’s won quite nicely in the end.
"He ran into some slight problems but Chris (Caitlin) said that he was always going to win. It’s nice to get a winner - get off the seconds!
"We’ll keep him to handicaps definitely. There are some very nice handicaps towards the backend of the year. He would get a mile I’m sure, but he’s probably more effect over seven furlongs."
Looking towards Saturday, when the Hills team will be represented by Equiano in the rescheduled Group One Ladbrokes Sprint Cup, he added: "Equiano seems in good order, a lot sharper for the run. He probably had too much of a lay-off really, it’s a long gap between Royal Ascot and Newmarket as it was and he certainly looks a lot sharper for the race.
"I just think that they took him off his feet. They went flat out and he never travelled and didn’t get any confidence. He stayed on up the hill to finish fourth.
"I know he won a Group One over five furlongs but I think six would really suit him down to the ground. There’s a good bit of stamina on the dam’s side as well. He’s a very laidback horse. I think the switch from Haydock will probably come into his favour.
"Hopefully he’ll race on this season, he’ll definitely go to the Prix de l’Abbaye and we’ll see from there. There’s a lot of attractive races abroad over the winter. We could have a look at Hong Kong for instance, depending what the owner thinks, Brian Grassick and obviously dad."
He also had an upbeat bulletin on his father Barry, who recently underwent an operation, adding: "He’s back home and hopefully will be back on the track in two or three weeks time. He’s in good spirits and saw the horses out last week. He’s tough enough."
Meanwhile, Paul Hanagan, rider of runner-up Harrison George, said of the Richard Fahey-trained colt: "He’s probably run a career best. There are no excuses, the ground was perfect for him and I think the winner’s a really good horse."
Race Six - EMAP Glenigan Sprint Handicap
WIN QUOTES
JUDGE GETS THE VERDICT
Ron Harris is looking forward to next year after Judge ‘N Jury justified 7/1 favouritism to take the concluding EMAP Glenigan Sprint Handicap over five furlongs.
The four-year-old Pivotal gelding, a 2,000 guineas buy at Tattersalls last October, was striking for the fourth time this year, having missed the entire 2007 campaign.
Always travelling well, apprentice Kevin Ghunowa took the race to his rivals approaching the distance and Judge ‘N Jury kept on for a head victory over the Kevin Ryan-trained Rasaman.
Harris said: "You’ve seen a very good horse, perhaps not this year, but he’s definitely going the right way.
"He’s a big baby and was backward. When he came from Mr Cyzer’s, I couldn’t keep him straight but I put it down to growing pains. That will probably be it for the season - I’ll speak to the owners but I’d like to put him away until next year. He’s still only a baby.
"We’ll most likely keep him at five furlongs and the ground suited him today. That seems to be what he wants on breeding.
"He cost two grand at Newmarket last October and only got one bid. I’ve always wanted to achieve something like this with him for the owners, Ruth and Mark Serrell, who have always stuck by me."
Kevin Ryan, trainer of runner-up Rasaman, said: "Both horses ran great. Rasaman has run his race and kept going all the way to the line. He’s a hardy horse. He’s A Humbug (sixth) just needed the splits a little bit earlier. They could both end up at Ayr next week."
DONCASTER CUP FIELD OF 12 A RECORD SINCE 1900
If the 12 declared runners for Friday’s National Express Doncaster Cup all go to post, it will be the biggest field for the historic race since 1900.
There were 11 runners in 2000 when the John Oxx-trained Enzeli saw off his rivals in the Group Two event over two and a quarter miles. The previous highest number of runners in the 20th Century came in 1990 when Al Maheb defeated nine opponents.
The biggest-ever field to line up was 15 in 1834 when Tomboy triumphed. The race was founded in 1766.
LADBROKES CUT DOCTOR AFTER HEAVY SUPPORT
Ladbrokes have been forced to cut the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Doctor Fremantle into 10/1 for the Ladbrokes St Leger after continued support for the son of Sadler’s Wells.
Bidding to give Stoute his first success in the final Classic of the season, Doctor Fremantle has been cut from 12/1 with the sponsors for Saturday’s £500,000 showpiece.
David Williams, Ladbrokes Public Relations Manager, said this morning: "Since the five-day declarations, Doctor Fremantle has been the best backed horse in the Ladbrokes St Leger. We’ve been laying him heavily and have cut him from 12/1 into 10/1 as a result.
"We don’t want to cut prices in the Classic at this stage, but the support has been so strong that we’ve been forced to shorten him up this morning.
"Harrison George in the 3.45pm (Heating and Ventilation News Handicap) has been the best backed horse so far on day one of the Ladbrokes St Leger Festival. He’s been backed from 12/1 into 8/1.
"In today’s feature race, the Construction News Scarbrough Stakes, we are going the top price about the favourite Benbaun. We’ve been laying him a lot but the 7/4 should still be there in the early afternoon."
WILLIAMS LOOKING FORWARD TO BRIGHTER SATURDAY
Following persistent rain at Doncaster Racecourse yesterday, the ground has been changed but Clerk of the Course David Williams is hopeful that the weather will be better than originally forecast for later in the week.
He said today: "Yesterday we had a total of seven millimetres of rain and I changed the ground this morning to soft, good to soft on the home straight and soft on the round course. I anticipate that it will have dried out a little bit this morning, but I think that it is as it is going to be for racing this afternoon.
"The forecast for this afternoon is for possibly one to two millimetres of rain, which certainly isn’t the predicted amount that they thought we might get. We are forecast to get three or four millimetres tomorrow going into Friday but it’s looking better for Ladbrokes St Leger Day on Saturday."
Last year, Doncaster re-opened after a massive £34 million redevelopment project and Williams is confident that any teething problems have been amended and that the course is in top condition considering the wet weather this summer.
"It’s our second year since the redevelopment here and we are certainly trying to improve the place all of the time. Track-wise, logistically that is how it is and we haven’t really done much apart from re-surfacing," he explained.
"Last year was basically getting the place open and running so there were a lot of things that weren’t done. As you can see looking around, the place does look very good considering the weather conditions that we’ve had.
"The poor weather during the summer has caused problems in turf management terms. It’s very difficult to even do the basics like cut the track and any of the lawns, so it’s been a difficult year.
"Since July we’ve had just under 250 millimetres of rain and 50 millimetres of that fell in the last nine days so, running up to our biggest meeting of the year, it wasn’t ideal.
"Last year, I think we watered between the Friday and the Saturday, so that gives you a sort of transition from year to year. We’re getting deluges now rather than a couple of days of steady rain but we just have to try to cope with it and hopefully we’ll have another very successful Festival."
tote launch super7
The tote is launching its second new pool bet of the year today with the totesuper7 being added to the portfolio.
This coincides with the start of the Ladbrokes St Leger Festival at Doncaster.
The bet is a daily, multi-leg cross-card jackpot style bet where punters have to pick the winner of all seven nominated races. There are also consolation prizes for finding any six or any five winners from the selected races.
David Craven, totepool Managing Director commented: "This is a very exciting launch and we are sure that this new regular small stake, big return bet will be a welcome addition to our pool portfolio with both punters and bookmakers alike.
"We have seen the excitement that large rollovers in the totejackpot and totescoop6 generate and the totesuper7 aims to reach those on a more regular basis. The totesuper7 is similar in format to the V75, which is a hugely popular bet in Northern Europe."
The totesuper7 will be available every day except Saturday and takes in races from two or three race meetings on each day. Customers will be able to place bets in all totesport, Ladbrokes, William Hill and Coral betting shops (as will telephone customers with all four bookmakers), as well as on-line with totesport, Ladbrokes, Coral, Betfair, Bet 365 and Blue Square.
Craven added: "Whereas the toteswinger was launched primarily with the racecourse market in mind, this is very much an off-course bet and we are delighted that our major tote direct partners will be offering totesuper7 from launch."
Each totesuper7 bet costs £2, with permutations accepted in multiples of the £2 unit stake. The pool deduction rate is 30%, in line with the totescoop6.
The net pool is allocated as follows.
* 38% for all seven winners
* 28.5% for any six winners
* 28.5% for any five winners
* 5% for the starting fund
Three separate dividends are declared for each outcome, with only one dividend payable per winning line.
To launch the bet the tote is guaranteeing a £100,000 main prize pool for all seven winners. A starting fund will build in the background during each rollover sequence. Each time the 'all seven winners' pool is won, this will then be allocated in full to the main prize fund to start the next run.
Totesuper7 Legs Today
Leg 1 1.30 Doncaster - The Flaxt Woods Nursery
Leg 2 2.35 Doncaster - Construction News Scarborough Stakes
Leg 3 3.45 Doncaster - Heating And Ventilation News Handicap
Leg 4 4.05 Uttoxeter
Leg 5 4.20 Doncaster - EMAP Glenigan Sprint Handicap
Leg 6 4.40 Uttoxeter
Leg 7 5.10 Uttoxeter
INITIAL GOING REPORT
Straight Course: Soft, Good to Soft in Places
Round Course: Soft
The GoingStick reading at 7.00am was 6.0.
Seven millimetres of rain fell on Doncaster Racecourse yesterday and then it was dry overnight.
The forecast is for a dry and bright morning with possible showers this afternoon.
The stalls are positioned for the straight course on the stands’ side and on the round course on the inside.
The round course is railed out from the bottom of Rose Hill until approximately 4.5 furlongs into the straight. This will be removed on Friday to produce a 4.5-metre wide strip of fresh ground.
LATEST BETTING NEWS
Paddy Power and William Hill report opposition to the favourite Benbaun in the day’s feature event, the Listed Construction News Scarbrough Stakes (2.35pm) with the former shortening the Richard Hannon-trained Galeota into 3/1 from 100/30 and Hills going 3/1 from 7/2. Loch Verdi, trained by Andrew Balding, is now 8/1 from 10/1 with Paddy Power.
The opening Flakt Woods Nursery (1.30pm) sees Coral reporting interest in Satwa Laird (8/1 from 10/1) while the proven soft-ground performer Needwood Lad has shortened into 9/2 from 11/2 with William Hill and 4/1 from 5/1 with Paddy Power. William Hill has also seen money for Cook’s Endeavour at 7/1
In the three-runner Hire From Hewden Conditions Stakes (2pm), Paddy Power reports that the favourite Perks has tightened to 5/4 from 13/8, while John Dunlop’s charge is popular at 5/4 with William Hill.
Paddy Power has also taken money for a couple of runners in the 3.10pm Construction Index Conditions Stakes. Fitz Flyer, trained by David Brown, is 7/1 from 10/1, and the Jeremy Noseda-trained Parisian Art is 8/1 from 10/1. William Hill has seen Fitz Flyer supported at 8/1 and reports money for Invincible Heart (28/1) and Faraway Flower (5/1).
Carniolan is a warm order to give trainer Walter Swinburn victory in the 3.45pm Heating And Ventilation News Handicap, with William Hill shortening the hat-trick seeking gelding to 9/4 from 11/4 and Paddy Power offering 9/4 from 5/2. Dunn’o is now 12/1 from 16/1 with the same firm, while Slugger O’Toole is 20/1 from 33/1 with Coral.
Hotham was a 25/1 chance with Paddy Power early doors but has now shortened to 16/1 for the concluding EMAP Glenigan Sprint Handicap (4.20pm). William Hill has taken money for the Ron Harris-trained Golden Pixie at 33/1 and Jim Goldie’s Blazing Heights at 12/1.
For old articles (from 1st March 2000) go to the Newslink
Archive
