Epsom and Ascot countdown for 2 June 2008

Filed on 2 Jun 2008 @ 14:57

Major race entries 2008: Derby | Oaks | Coronation Cup | Sussex Stakes

Classic countdown, w/c: 7 April | 14 April | 21 April | 28 April | 5 May | 12 May | 19 May | 26 May | 2 June

Sunday 8 June 2008

Jim Bolger has revealed that New Approach will contest the Irish Derby next. Plans after that have yet to be formulated, with the trainer saying: "I will have to talk to Sheikh Mohammed and John Ferguson about it, but he could possibly go to York for the Juddmonte International or run in the Irish Champion Stakes, and I'll have to look at the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes as well, before finishing the season in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. After that, he will be handed over to Godolphin."

A rematch with the placed horses looks likely at the Curragh. Peter Reynolds, manager of Ballymacoll Stud, said of Tartan Bearer: "Ryan Moore said the pace could have been slightly better but it was a good performance and we're happy. The winner is a very good horse, but hopefully we'll go to the Curragh now for the Irish Derby."

Dermot Weld said of his Casual Conquest, third home: "I think it was a very good Derby and I don't want to take anything away from the winner who is an exceptional horse who has already been second in two 2000 Guineas and I am very pleased for his connections. The next stage is probably for a rematch in the Irish Derby."

Up at Doncaster yesterday, Michael Bell and Hayley Turner were on the mark in the three-year-old handicap with Redford, who is to head for the Britannia Stakes. “I am hopeful he will improve significantly for the run,” Bell said. “He is a big horse and he improved as last year went on. As long as the ground is on the good side of good to firm I am sure we will let him take his chance in the Britannia. It is a nice race to win - they have doubled the prize money this year and if at all possible we will be there. He is a very high-class miler in the making.”

At Musselburgh Spin Cycle won the juvenile conditions event for trainer Bryan Smart, and heads for the Norfolk Stakes.

The 1m 6f handicap was won by Mark Johnston's Record Breaker, who look set to drop back to a mile and a half at the Royal Meeting, where he could meet William Muir's Respendent Light, who won the 1m 4f handicap against the strong challenge of Sundowner.

Saturday 7 June 2008

Sir Michael Stoute was on the mark at Epsom on Saturday with progressive three-year-old handicapper Conduit, who has been introduced to the St Leger market at 14-1 after his comfortable six length win. Peter Reynolds of owner/breeder Ballymacoll Stud said: "That was a good start to the day and we do have a nice bunch of three-year-old colts. He is an improving type and we'll have to see what the trainer says about plans, but he could go to Royal Ascot.

"He is a close relation to Hard Top so there is no reason why he won't stay further. He'll be a nice horse for next year too."

The Woodcote Stakes saw One Cool Cat sire his fourth Listed winner in 10 days, and trainer William Jarvis said: "The owners will be keen to go to Ascot now. I'm not, so I'll have to do some explaining as I am thinking of a Group Two in Ireland on June 29."

Oaks winner Look Here is not a definite runner in the Irish Oaks, with trainer Ralph Beckett saying: "She is best fresh and I was worried about the time between Lingfield and here and given she is best fresh, we will wait and see how she is before making any plans. But my immediate reaction would be to say she won't go to the Irish Oaks as I don't want to travel her at this stage."

The second, third and fourth home are all likely to line up at the Curragh. Aidan O'Brien said of Moonstone: "I'd be lying if I was to give you an accurate reflection of how they have all run right now, but I can tell you the second filly has run a great race."

Oxx said of third home Katiyra: "She ran well. She was impeded a little bit coming down the hill when she was caught up in traffic. She stumbled crossing the road, which maybe cost her second, but then she quickened up well, despite her inexperience. I expect she'll run next in the Irish Oaks in five weeks' time."

Coronation Cup winner Soldier Of Fortune could head for the King George, but the second Youmzain will probably line up in the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot. "He's run a stormer," said trainer Mick Channon. "They didn't go any pace, but he was eating up the ground at the finish. He's now finished second in three of the most important all-aged races in Europe and I really want to win one with him. I suppose we will have a look at the Hardwicke now."

Godolphin's Ramonti will not defend his crown in the Queen Anne Stakes, with racing manager Simon Crisford saying: "Ramonti is only three weeks behind, but that is enough for us to have to forget about Ascot. We'll start him again in early July and the Sussex Stakes might be a possibility for him."

Thursday 5 June 2008

The ground description at Epsom was changed on Wednesday ahead of the weeekend's Derby meeting. Clerk of the course Andrew Cooper changed his ground description to good to soft from soft, good to soft in places, and issued a GoingStick reading of 6.8.

Although further rain is forecast for Friday, the course is expected to dry further before the Derby.

The BHA is to advise Jim Bolger that New Approach will not be permitted to delay the start of the Derby, although the colt will be ponied to post. The procedure delayed the start of the 2000 Guineas by six minutes.

BHA senior stipendiary steward William Nunneley, told the Racing Post: “I have asked Epsom's clerk of the course Andrew Cooper to state in his correspondence with Mr Bolger that New Approach will not be allowed to delay the Derby start in the way he did at Newmarket.

“What I can say is that there is no question of us agreeing to something that would compromise the chances of other horses.

“Two things are clear. First, New Approach will have to parade with the other horses, as that is part of the conditions of the race and, second, after parading, New Approach must not delay the start.

“There is no question of New Approach being allowed to trot all the way down behind the rest. Every horse in the Derby deserves to be given an equal opportunity, and the stewards will be adamant no privilege will be given to any one horse.”

Pat Smullen is bullish about the chances of his mount Chinese White in tomorrow's Juddmonte Oaks. "She has done everything we have asked of her and won really well the last day. I am really excited about riding her on Friday," the rider told At The Races. "You never know if they will handle the track until they are they're racing on it but she seems to be a very agile filly so I don't think it will bother her."

"There are some nice fillies in there but mine is in very good form and I wouldn't swap her for anything."

Peter Chapple-Hyam saddles Cape Amber, second to Lush Lashes in the Musidora on her seasonal debut last time.

Chapple-Hyam told peterchapplehyam.com: “I’m really happy with Cape Amber and am just excited about running her in the Oaks. I think she will act around Epsom because she is a filly who travels well – and you need to be able to do that there. She appreciates a bit of give so the ground will be fine and she goes there with an each-way chance.”

Also on Friday Chapple-Hyam saddles Don’t Panic who has been really progressive at four. He has finished second in Listed company on his last two starts and returns to Group Three level which he last competed in as a two-year-old.

Chapple-Hyam said: “He is in great form. While this is a bit of a step up he has been running well in Listed races and I’m hoping for a good show. He likes cut in the ground so it’s been a case of the more rain the better for him this week.”

Bouguereau looks to have plenty to find on the book, heading into the Derby with just a Pontefract maiden win on his CV and Chapple-Hyam said: “It looks a very stiff task for him, although he wasn’t able to do himself justice in the Italian Derby as he took a show off. I’m hoping that he can perform to his best and give a good account of himself.”

Henry Cecil has the progressive Kandahar Run in the Derby, and the master of Warren Place said: “The way I assess the Derby is the two Irish favourites have got the form and then there are six or seven others in the field who would have a chance but it depends entirely on how much they have progressed from their last runs.

“Kandahar Run is improving and I am very happy with his progress. Time will tell if he is good enough, but he likes give in the ground which he is likely to get. He deserves to take his chance in the race.”

Cecil is also shaping his team for Ascot. There were several possible for the five-day Royal fixture out and about on the gallops yesterday morning with Lockinge Stakes second Phoenix Tower moving smoothly in his exercise with Passage Of Time.

The pair, both with Royal Ascot entries, were galloping on the Al Bahathri polytrack with one other.

Twice Over, entered in both the St James’s Palace Stakes and the King Edward VII, was another to catch the eye as he enjoyed his exercise with the progressive Unnefer, a Hampton Court possible.

Earlier in the morning recent Newmarket winner Ancient Lights had worked pleasingly with Walking Talking on Racecourse Side.

Ancient Lights had been talked of as an Ascot possible after his victory a fortnight ago but yesterday Henry said: “He seems to be improving but maybe Ascot might come too soon for him.”

The Brian Brian Meehan-trained Klynch could be bound for the Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot after the improving juvenile galloped resolutely to a five length victory in the Euro 2008 Launch Party Tonight Median Auction Maiden Stakes at Kempton on Wednesday evening.

Wednesday 4 June 2008

Swettenham Stud Fillies' Trial winner Clowance is to be ridden in the Oaks by Frankie Dettori in preference to Steven Drowne.

"It has been decided that Frankie Dettori will ride Clowance because he has greater experience in Group One races at Epsom," trainer Roger Charlton told the Racing Post.

"It is no reflection whatsoever on Steve, with whom I have a very good friendship and working relationship, and he has done nothing wrong on the filly. He has been very understanding about the situation.

Mick Channon took the EBF Bishopton Maiden Stakes at Ripon on Tuesday with debutant Charging Indian, who has been working well at home and is now bound for Royal Ascot.

Tuesday 3 June 2008

The Luca Cumani-trained Balthazaar's Gift showed he is coming into form with victory in the Listed Leisure Stakes over 6f at Windsor on Monday. Powering home late under Jimmy Fortune, the five-year-old is now on target for the Golden Jubilee Stakes, a race in which he was second two years ago.

Also at Windsor, Danehill Destiny, a half sister to Where Or When, put herself in contention for the Queen Mary Stakes when digging deep to register a half length victory in the EBF Trailfinders Award-Winning Travel Novice Stakes.

Chris Richardson of owner Cheveley Park Stud said: "We've always thought a lot of her and she's done it in good style. She's a super filly and a very exciting prospect. I think the Queen Mary will be next. I'll have to speak to Mr and Mrs Thompson but all being well, that will be the plan."

Up at Carlisle Howard Johnson saddled South Central, who ran out an impressive winner on his racecourse debut, quickening well after half way and beating What A Fella by 13 lengths.

Howard Johnson said afterwards: "We have always thought he was a good horse and the plan is to go to Royal Ascot for the Norfolk Stakes or the Coventry Stakes - five or six furlongs won't make any difference to him."

Monday 2 June 2008

Connections of Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial winner Casual Conquest, the ante post favourite for Saturday's Vodafone Derby, have supplemented the Hernando colt for the race at a cost of £75,000. Trainer Dermot Weld had indicated last Thursday that he would be recommending the entry be made.

Chester Vase winner Doctor Fremantle and Poule d'Essai des Poulains third River Proud are the other two supplementary entries.

Aidan O'Brien has taken Henrythenavigator out of the race, but retains five entries led by Dante second Frozen Fire.

The surprise at Monday's confirmation stage was that Jim Bolger has left the winter favourite New Approach in the race.

John Ferguson, bloodstock advisor to Sheikh Mohammed, told PA Sport: "I received a phone call from Jim Bolger saying that New Approach was in exceptional form and had come out of the Irish 2000 Guineas really well. He recommended that if the ground was suitable that the horse take his chance in the Derby.

"I passed the message on to Sheikh Mohammed who agrees that as long as the horse is 100% and the ground is suitable the horse will run. It's very exciting."

The Freddie Head-trained Marchand d'Or dropped back in trip sucessfully on Sunday to win the Group Two Prix du Gros-Chene at Chantilly, beating Equiano by a neck. British raider Sir Gerry, winner of the Listed Pavilion Stakes last time, was three lengths adrift in third.

The winner is an intended runner in the Golden Jubilee Stakes over 6f on Saturday 21 June, whilst runner up Equiano is to take his chance in the 5f King's Stand Stakes.

The Juddmonte homebred Modern Look hacked up in the Group Two Prix de Sandringham, but is not a definite runner at Ascot. Owner Khalid Abdulla's racing manager Lord Grimthorpe said: "I'm very pleased and she was the form horse in the race. The form of the French 1000 Guineas is working out strongly. We'll have a look at Ascot and the Coronation Stakes but she is not certain to run there. The other option is the Prix D'Astarte at Deauville."

Jeremy Noseda could have a double-pronged assault on the Coventry Stakes after Awinnersgame and Himalya both won over the weekend. Himalya gave a very promising if green display in winning a 6f maiden at Doncaster and Awinnersgame stepped up on his second on his debut at York with a two-length win in a 6f maiden at Haydock.

Filed on 2 Jun 2008 @ 14:57

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