Major race entries 2008: Derby | Oaks | Coronation Cup

Classic countdown, w/c: 7 April | 14 April | 21 April | 28 April | 5 May | 12 May | 19 May | 26 May

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Sunday 11 May 2008

The unexposed Falco was an emphatic winner of the Poule d'Essai des Poulains at Longchamp this afternoon, but Godolphin's Rio De La Plata ran a fine race in second, with bookmakers cutting the Rahy colt to 14-1 for the Derby. Simon Crisford, racing manager for Godolphin, said: "He's run very well and we are very pleased, but we'll just see what happens from here. We'll go home and make some plans. He's entered in everything from a mile to a mile and a half, including the Derby, and all options are open."

Dermot Weld has his string in fine form and he saddled a double in Leopardstown's Classic trials on Sunday, headed by an impressive performance from Hernando colt Casual Conquest who ran out a six length winner of the Group Two Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial.

Pat Smullen took Casual Conquest from last to first in the straight, sweeping past his rivals in an impressive display. Washington Irving was sent off the favourite and didn't have the easiest passage but would not have beaten the winner in any event. Ballysax winner Moiqen was third.

Casual Conquest isn't entered at Epsom and is likely to run in the Prix du Jockey Club. Weld said: "He's in the French and the Irish Derby and it's a great pity the entry fee is too high for the Epsom Derby. We'll speak to Moyglare Stud but the French Derby is probably the likely option.

"He's had a little hold-up but he's really come to himself in the last few weeks and I thought he was capable of winning."

Danehill Dancer filly Carribean Sunset had won the Leopardstown 1000 Guineas Trial a month ago, beating today's French Guineas third Halfway To Heaven by a head, and she showed a likeable attitude to win again today, landing the Group Three Derrinstown Stud 1000 Guineas Trial.

Carribean Sunset hit the front a furlong out and repelled the challenge of hot favourite Katiyra to win by half a length. Indiana Gal was third.

Whilst the winner is to head to the Irish 1000 Guineas, Katiyra is an intended runner in the Oaks. Her trainer John Oxx said: "A mile is a minimum for her really. She's tailor-made for a mile and a half and she's more likely to go to Epsom than for the Irish Guineas." She has been instelled a s6-1 co favourite with some firms.

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Saturday 10 May 2008

The Group Three Lingfield Derby Trail over 1m 3.5f on Saturday was won by Aidan O'Brien's Allessandro Volta, a Listed winner over 9f at Navan last November, who used his stamina to win well despite not handling the hill.

Johnny Murtagh told Channel 4 after the race: "The track isn't ideal for him, as he's a big galloping type. We took the lead as we thought we'd use his big stride. He didn't handle the hill, but in the straight he found his stride and galloped on well - that will put him right for Epsom."

The Clive Cox-trained Miracle Seeker won the Listed Oaks Trial over 1m 3.5f at Lingfield on Saturday with a superbly timed front-running ride from Adam Kirby that saw her made a 33-1 chance for Epsom.

Miracle Seeker is a Rainbow Quest half sister to champion hurdler Katchit. After the race, her trainer Clive Cox said: "She's earned a crack at the Oaks with that. She is very promising. The trip was her strong point and she proved she handled the ground. I'm really peased with her."

The Derby second favourite Curtain Call will miss his intended prep in today's Lingfield Derby Trial because of the good to firm ground.

His trainer Luca Cumani said: "We will probably go straight to Epsom now. He worked this morning and worked well and we will just have to implement a plan B now to get him to Epsom.

"I've not really had time to think about what we will do yet as we were organising this morning's work. We will have to have a think about it over the next few days and map out a plan."

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Friday 9 May 2008

Sir Michael Stoute landed Chester's second Derby Trial, the Dee Stakes, with Sheikh Hamdan's Tajaaweed, who knuckled down to beat Henry Cecil's Unnefer by a short head.

Angus Gold, racing manager to owner Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum, told Channel 4 Racing: "He's a great big horse so it was nice to see him handle the track as well as he did and to see him progress from two to three. I thought the second horse had slipped him and I thought he knuckled down really well.

"I think he'll come on for today and the experience will stand him in good stead. I'm sure, unless something goes wrong, we'd be silly not to consider the Derby."

The Roberto line has done well in the trials - Tajaaweed is by Dynaformer, a son of Roberto, whilst Doctor Fremantle, winner of yersterday's Chester Vase, is out of a dam herself out of a Roberto mare.

The Aga Khan's Zarkava heads the market for the French 1000 Guineas at Longchamp on Sunday, where she will face 13 rivals.

Andre Fabre's classy Thewayyouare is drawn wide in the colt's Classic, for which 19 have been declared. Full declarations for the French Guineas.

Luca Cumani is to walk the course at Lingfield tomorrow before committing Curtain Call to the Lingfield Derby Trial. "His one disappointing run came at Doncaster on the fastest ground he has encountered but we prefer to think that was because it was late in the season," said Cumani.

"The most interesting thing Neil [Mackenzie Ross of Lingfield] said was that there is still a lot of moisture underneath the ground, we are not talking about July and August-type ground. I think the ground will be OK but I will walk it tomorrow morning to make doubly sure. My main concern is not whether the horse goes on it or not, it is that he comes back sound and not run any risks so that he is ready to run in the Derby.

"He's not a heavy horse, he's very nimble and light on his feet so going on that you would have to say that good to firm should not inconvenience him.

Peter Chapple-Hyam is to run the exciting Cape Amber in Wednesday's Musidora Stakes at York after working the filly this morning.

"I am pleased with how Cape Amber is coming along. She worked well this morning," the trainer told www.peterchapplehyam.com. "She has never been extravagant at home but that was the best she has worked so far this year.

"She has got to run somewhere, so we are planning to go to the Musidora next Wednesday. She will improve for a first run and the eventual step up to a mile and a half will see her improve a lot."

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Thursday 8 May 2008

Doctor Fremantle put in a decent effort to win the Chester Vase on Thursday, but the Khalid Abdulla homebred is not entered at Epsom.

The owner's racing manager Teddy Grimthorpe said: "He missed the break slightly and it was a muddling race, but the split came nicely against the rail and he quickened well. He pricked his ears when he got through and then went through with it.

"He is not in the Derby, but he is in the King Edward VII and the Irish Derby and I think we'll look at that route. We will bring him on and if he is good enough I imagine he will go for the Irish Derby.

"We would not be thinking of supplementing for Epsom at this stage and Twice Over is our main and only Derby contender at the moment."

The Pascal Bary-trained Natagora didn't have to run to her best mark when winning the 1000 Guineas on Sunday. BHA handicapper Dominic Gardiner-Hill said: "General consensus throughout Europe is that Natagora performed to 113 in winning the 1000 Guineas, 5lb below her current mark of 118 which was achieved when winning the Cheveley Park.

"It is difficult to get her any higher at present as Saoirse Abu and Infallible appear to have run to their respective marks of 111 and 110, while Spacious, Lush Lashes, Royal Confidence and Muthabara have all improved on previous performances. It is also likely that Nahoodh, who is adjudged to have actually run to her current rating of 110, would have stepped up on that with a clear run."

John Gosden's recent Sandown winner Dar Re Mi (Singspiel) was made favourite for the Oaks after her seven length Esher victory, and will step up in class in next week's Musidora Stakes at York.

Sail won the Cheshire Oaks nicely on Tuesday, and could head to Epsom. Her jockey Johnny Murtagh said: "She will suit the track. If she improves as much as she has from her maiden to win this, then she will have the class. She is still a little timid and will have learnt a lot today.

"She is at the top [of Ballydoyle's pecking order] at the moment butwe have a busy week ahead and we will know more by the end of next week."

Rio De La Plata worked well at Newmarket on Wednesday ahead of the French Guineas on Sunday. Godolphin's Simon Crisford told the Racing Post: “Rio De La Plata went fine and Frankie was pleased with him. It was just a blow out looks in good shape, he has travelled well. He runs on Sunday and we will take it from there.”

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Wednesday 7 May 2008

John Oxx's Peintre Celebre filly Katiyra is reported to be ready to run, and could take on the colts in the Derrinstown Derby Trial.

Oxx said: "She beat a filly of Jim Bolger's called Toirneach on her only start last season and had a setback after that run. She gave a few coughs and then had another setback over Christmas, which meant she didn't have her first canter until March.

"The Derrinstown is a nice race and there is no reason why she can't run against the colts. I did it with a horse called Ebadiyla and while she didn't win at Epsom, she did win the Irish Oaks. This horse didn't run again last season and after her setbacks we need to put the gun to her head and see if she's good enough."

Zarkava is reported to have worked well on Tuesday morning ahead of her engagement in Sunday's Prix d'Essai des Pouliches, for which 24 fillies stand their ground after Tuesday's forfeit stage.

Khalid Abdullah could be double-handed in the race with Modern Look, who was second to Natagora at Maisons-Laffitte, and Conference Call, who chased home Zarkava at Longchamp.

Jim Bolger could run Monday's Athasi Stakes winner Prima Luce if the ground is soft.

Aidan O'Brien, who has landed two of the three Group Ones to be run thus far this season, has Halfway To Heaven and Psalm in the Pouliches and has Lucifer Sam, One Great Cat and Georgebernardshaw entered in the colts' Classic.

Andre Fabre will be represented by Sean Mulryan's Thewayyouare, another reported to have worked well yesterday.

Godolphin hope to kick-start their season with Rio De La Plata. "Rio De La Plata is very well. Let's see how he runs and we'll take it from there," said Godolphin's racing manager Simon Crisford yesterday. "All the horses are well, with the exception of Fast Company. His blood isn't right."

Paul Cole could oppose with two colts, General Eliott and River Proud, with Oliver Cole saying: "We're very happy with both of them, but River Proud broke a bit too quick first time out and didn't give the best of runs. He'll probably need a lead and a typical French pace might not make that easy as they often go slow.

"Hopefully there might be a pacemaker in there and we'd like a normal English pace really. General Eliott is very versatile and quite straightforward and we think he's a proper horse."

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Tuesday 6 May 2008

The official handicapper has given Henrythenavigator a provisional rating of 121 for his 2000 Guineas win, equal to the rating achieved by George Washington two years ago.

"After discussion with Gary O'Gorman in Ireland, we currently have Henrythenavigator running to 121 and New Approach 120," said Dominic Gardner-Hill, deputy head of handicapping. "This would make Henry's performance 1lb superior to Cockney Rebel last year and on a par with George Washington the year before. That may well be subject to change once more evidence comes to light."

Two of Dermot Weld's Classic hopes are likely to contest domestic Classics instead of travelling abroad. Famous Name, the four-length winner of the Leopardstown 2000 Guineas Trial, is more likely to run at the Curragh in the Irish Guineas than in the French version.

Teddy Grimthorpe said: "He's more likely to go straight for the Irish Guineas. No decision has been taken, but he's more likely to go for the Irish 2000 than go to France. He's done well and we hope he can carry on."

Sunday's Gowran Park Listed winner Chinese White rocketed to the head of the Oaks market, but the contours of Epsom seem likely to deter her: "Chinese White is in good form but it is highly unlikely that she will run in the Juddmonte Oaks," Weld told the Racing Post.

"A definite decision won't be made until this weekend but I think that the contours at Epsom might not suit the filly and it is far more likely that she will wait for the Darley Irish Oaks at the Curragh on July 13."

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Monday 5 May 2008

We reported on Saturday that the 2000 Guineas first and second could reoppose in the Irish 2000 Guineas, but whilst New Approach is likely to contest the Irish Classic it has emerged that Henrythenavigator could instead run in the Derby at Epsom.

Trainer Aidan O'Brien told The Times that the Derby would be debated as an option at Ballydoyle, saying: “It means so much to John Magnier that it is almost the be-all and end-all, so we will sit down and talk about it.”

Bolger said oon Monday: "New Approach is very well. He doesn't know he didn't come out on top and he is on course for the Irish 2000 Guineas.

"Saoirse Abu is heading for the Irish 1000 Guineas, while Lush Lashes will go for the Irish Oaks, that's the plan at the moment."

1000 Guineas winner Natagora has come out of the race well, with Patrick Barbe, racing manager to owner Stefan Friborg, saying: "She left about four hours after the race and is very well. She's been eating, sleeping and having a little walk around.

"The range of races is wide open. She's entered in the French Guineas, the Coronation Stakes, the Irish Guineas, the French Oaks and the French Derby. You never know, there's even the July Cup and the Arc de Triomphe! She can't run in them all, but we will have a think in the next few days."

Henry Cecil has options for the Derby after Kandahar Run won the Listed Newmarket Stakes so impressively in a run that saw his odds for Epsom contract to 14-1.

Cecil said: "He stays well and settled much better today. He just thought he had done enough at the end and definitely looks like he'll get a mile and a half. There are no immediate plans and he's in everything - the King Edward VII Stakes and races like that. We'll just have to see."

Cecil also has Twice Over, the Observatory colt that bypassed the Guineas in favour of a Derby trial in the Dante at York next week. Cecil continued: "We'll see what happens at York and then decide. If he looks like he needs a mile and a half then he'll run in the English Derby and if he looks like he needs a mile and a quarter he'll run in the French Derby. He seems fine, so we'll see how he gets on."

Dermot Weld's Dalkhani filly Chinese White was promoted to Oaks favouritism after winning a Listed race at Gowran Park on Sunday.

Weld said after the race: "She did that nicely and we'll see how she comes out of that, it'll probably be about a week's time before we decide where to go. She's in the Oaks at Epsom, she's in the Irish Oaks and the Prix de Diane too and will probably go for one of those races next. The obvious race would be the Irish Oaks, but I wouldn't rule out Epsom.

"She had been slow coming in her coat and was carrying a bit of excess weight but we were happy with that performance in the ground, which was softer than ideal. She'll want good ground but her class won it for her today. She is potentially a very high-class staying filly."

1000 Guineas second Spacious was cut to 10-1 for the Oaks, but trainer James Fanshawe cautioned: "She ran very well but Jamie said she could have done with a stronger pace.

"We'll see how she is before making plans but she will not be going up in trip. We are not thinking of the Oaks, we'll stick to a mile at the moment."

Two Classic trials were run in Germany on Sunday, and Peter Schiergen landed both. At Frankfurt Kamsin, a son of German Derby winner Samum, became his sire's second Group winner when landing the Group Three Fruhjahrspreis des Bankhaus Metzler in a front-running display that saw him win with something in hand.

The Listed Grosser Preis der Sparkasse Mulheim an der Ruhr at Mulheim saw outsider Duellant score by a head.