German runners at Deauville

Main feature at Deauville today, on the penultimate fixture of the August meeting, is a listed race for 2yo´s over 1400 metres at 14.50, and British raider Wildcat Wizard (Paul Cole/ Christophe Soumillon) mist have good prospects of defeating his 5 French-trained opponents. There are three German-trained runners on the undercard, all trained by Werner Baltromei and ridden by Dominique Boeuf. Loup de Mer is very reliable these days and can follow up his easy win at Clairefontaine on Monday by taking the 3000 metres claiming race at 16.50; he does however meet several old opponents on worse terms this time, so it may not be as easy as it was earlier in the week. The other stable runners are Fever in the 3yo maiden over 1500 metres (fibresand) at 15.50 and Genoveva in a 3yo handicap (also over 1500 metres on fibresand) at 17.20

Betting forecast:
1.Race: Rauh - Chasing Moonbeams - Rey Davis
2.Race: Quai De Conti - Sorokin - Cocody
3.Race: Homebound - Wildcat Wizard - Higha
4.Race: Illizmit - My Lorelei - Number Giant
5.Race: Ecume Du Jour - Polochon - Deacon Blue
6.Race: Miss Money Penny - Palampur - Sea Rhythm
7.Race: Loup De Mer - La Madonnina - Andrei Roublev
8.Race: Hms Pinafore - Tiger Cliff - Amelkis

Irish racing this evening

In Ireland as well the days are getting shorter and this evening´s meetings at Down Royal (4 flat races, 3 over hurdles) and Wexford (3 flat, 3 hurdles, one bumper) are the last turf evening meetings of the season, with maximum fields in most races. At Wexford the 1 1/2 mile handicap at 18.30 is wide open with 16 runners. The two ex-Germans Lyceum (Dessie Hughes/ Kevin Manning) and Gladiole (Ger Cully/ Paul Townend) both have a chance, as does Willie Mullins´ Dani California, ridden by jumps jockey Davy Condon. Ruby Walsh looks the man to follow at Down Royal and he rides the likely favourite in all 3 hurdle races, Azana for Pat Fahy at 19.45,Vital Plot for Dermot Weld in the feature at 20.15 and Flashy Beau for Tony Martin half an hour later

Salisbury and Wolverhampton this evening

Salisbury today stage the last evening meeting on turf in the U.K. in 2008 and their 8 race card features a listed race for 2yo´s over a mile at 19.05. Henry Cecil´s On our Way (Ted Durcan) is the only one of 8 runners to have form over this distance, which is an obvious advantage, but Dermas (Ed Dunlop/ Martin Dwyer), and Richard Hannon´s pair Sohcahtoa (Richard Hughes) and Measurement (Pat Dobbs) all won in good style last time and are expected to stay this extra furlong. At Wolvethampton´s all-weather track, the class 5 handicap over 1 1/2 miles at 21.20 is the most interesting race. Irish-trained Master of Arms (Daniel Loughnane/ Jerry O´Dwyer) won well here at the beginning of the month from Swords (Ray Peacock/ Ashley Hamblett), a winner since, and can possibly confirm the form on these terms, but Adorabella (Alan King/ Jamie Spencer) was an easy winner at Newbury last week and can prove best.

Chester, Sandown and Hamilton

The weather has now stabilised in Britain and Ireland, and the going is good, or even good to firm, for most of today´s racing. Hamilton´s best race is the 6 furlongs handicap at 17.50 CET in which the two lightly-weighted 3yo´s Elijah Pepper (David Barron/ Paul Fessey) and Nabeeda (Mel Brittain/ Tyrone Williams) must have a chance, but back to form Finsbury (Jim Goldie/ Nicky Mackay) and consistent CD winner Grazeon Gold Blend (John Quinn/ PJMcDonald) are also respected. At Chester the main feature is the class 2 racefor 2yo fillies over 6 furlongs at 17.05; only 5 runners, but an interesting heat, with both Excellerator (George Baker/ Jamie Spencer) and Aspen Darling (Alan Bailey/ Mick Fenton) having been competing in group races, but possibly Richard Hannon, whose juveniles are in great form, can pip them both with Acquiesced (Seb Sanders).

The 7 furlongs handicap there looks wide open, but Fashtha (Silvester Kirk/ Chris Catlin) is well drawn and deserves to win a race of this standard after several good efforts. The mile handicap at 17.30 a Sandown looks equally difficult. the 12 runners include 4 last-time-out winners, including Ebn Malk (Michael Jarvis/ Philip Robinson), Admiral Dundas (Willie Jarvis/ Frankie Dettori) and Isphahan (Andrew Balding/ William Buick), the three bottom weights, while Henry Cecil´s Rattan (Tom Queally) is an obvious threat.

Irish racing today

Two Irish meetings this evening, with flat racing at Tipperary and a mixed meeting at Bellewstown. Heavy ground is expected at the former track, which stages two listed races today. The race for 2yo´s over 5 furlongs at 17.55 CET could go to British raider Senor Mirasol (Kevin Ryan/ Neil Callan), who ran well when third in the Prix Morny at Deauville a month ago. The dangers are CD winner Nubar Lady (Tommy Stack/ Wayne Lordan) and Call me Alice (Johnny Murtagh( who represents David Wachman, whose 2yo´s are currently winning everything in sight. The 7 1/2 furlongs race for fillies at 19.25 has attracte quite a large field. John Oxx is now in top form and can take thisd with the Aga Khan s Sharleez (Mick Kinane), just tpouched off in a similar event last time. Psalm (Aidan O´Brien/ Murtagh) and Kyniska (TracY Collins/ Pat Shanahan) look dangerous. At Bellewtown, the best race is thre handicap hurdle at 19.15 which looks wide open with 16 runners. Last-time-out winnes Schindler s Gold (Tom Taaffe/ Adrian Joyce) and My Valley (Pat Fahy/ Barry Geraghty) and top-weight Jubilant Note (Michael Murphy/ Ruby Walsh) are three for the short list

Ayr, Great Leighs and Lingfield

3 flat meetings in the U.K. this afternoon, including Great Leighs (all-weather) and Lingfield, where the first 3 races are on turf and the last 4 on the all-weather. Grea Leighs, with 3 class handicaps, has arguably the best races and the 1 3/4 mile handicap at 16.30 CET looks very open. Oldtimer Kasthari (Jamie Bethell/ Darryll Holland) has nbowbeen dropped to a nice weight and can possibly get the better of consistent Jagger (Gerald Butler/ Tolley Dean). The 6 furlongs race at 17.00 should lie between all-weather specialist Diriculous (Terry Mills/ Jack Mitchell) and consistent Dingaan (Andrew BValding/ Franny Norton), whuilwe the lightly raced Once a Gulch (Jeremy Noseda/ Seb Sanders) looks a useful prospect and can take mile handicap half an hour later on his way to better things. At Lingfield, Liberally (Brian Meehan/ Eddie Ahern), a half-sister to classic winner Speciosa, was a very easy winner last week and can follow up in the 10 furlongs handicao at 15.50. Terminato r (Ian Willams/ Stephen Donohoe), a son of Acatenango, is dropping in class and must have an each-way chance in the selling race at 16.20. At Ayr, Nevada Desert (Richard Whitake/ Dean McKeown), who ran well at Ripon on Monday in a much hotter race, can take rhe 9 furlongs handicap at 17.10 and the same trainer also has chances in the 5 furlongs handicap at 16.40 with the speedy Rio Sands (Michael Stainton).

German runners at Deauville

The Deauville August meeting is drawing to a close and today´s meeting is very low level. There are several German-trained runners in action, and easily the best of them is Dieter Fechner´s Mosles (Johan Victoire) in the opening tiercé handicap over 2000 metres at 13.50. However this is as usual a brutally difficult race and Mosles will have to be in top form. Christian von der Recke´s Wango Girl (Christophe Soumillon) runs in a much lower grade when she contests the claiming race for 2yo fillies over 1500 metres at 15.50. Another claiming race, this time for older horses over 1900 metres at 16.50 on the fibresand track and for riders that have not won 10 races this year, is the target for Gerald Geisler´s Salon Turtle (Berengere Picart) and World in Action (Doris Smith/ Carolin Lippert). It is a long way from Munich to Normandy, and Salon Turtle, although very inconsistent, must have a good chance to score here for his sporting owners.

Betting forecast:
1.Race: Celtic Wolf - Senor Monk - God`s County
2.Race: Safety Wire - Benjamin - A True Dream
3.Race: Ciel Rouge - Soneva - Bahali
4.Race: Vesuve - Granitik - Duke Of Homberg
5.Race: Light of Men - Miss Love - Tessalha
6.Race: Cos - Bonjour l`Africain - Siffle Vent
7.Race: Jokari - Lapinto - Sham Risk
8.Race: Slick The Dreamer - Churriana - Montnamix

Ireland today

Bellewstown is today´s Irish meeting and after the wholesale abandonments last week, it is no surprise that there are maximum fields. The card comprises 4 flat races, 3 hurdles race and a bumper. Three of the flat races are mile handicaps, and the best of them at 18.15 CET has an interesting German-bred runner Poppyfield (Harry Rogers/ Colm O´Donoghue), a half-brother to Precious Boy. He showed little on hs recent comeback from a long break, but could run well at a big price. Rock and Roll Kid (Tony and Danny Mullins) is in theory a good thing in the 17.45 race after defeating 27 (!) opponents at the Curragh last Saurday; he has been raised 18lbs for that win but runs today with only a 5 lbs penalty. The best hurdle race is at 19.15 and ex-German Spiriton (Pat Cashman/ Davy Condon) must have a chance of atoning for his fall last time out, but Quinmaster (Mike Halford/ Ruby Walsh) and Gay Sloane (Noel Meade/ Niall Madden), an easy last-time-out winner, are two serious opponent s.

Ayr, Catterick and Great Leighs

Low level flat racing this afternoon at three meetings - Ayr, Catterick and Great Leighs (all-weather), but with some large fields everywhere and some very open betting heats. The two class3 handicaps at Great Leighs and the best races and both look very difficult. There are 15 declared in the 6 furlongs race for 3yo´s at 16.30 CET and the interesting one here is Onceuponatime, the mount of Ryan Moore, who landed a double here yesterday. He is having his first run for Ed Dunlop, having finished lame last time, but he looked quite useful in the spring. Wise Melody (Willie Haggas/ Liam Jones), a good third at Newmarket recently, and consistent Spartan Duke (Kevin Ryan/ Richard Mullen) look the most likely dangers. The mile handicap an hour later features Riggins (Liuca Cumani/ Dane O´Neill), who won his only career start back inApril 2007 and has not been seen out since he could be anything.

The only 3yo in the field is Henry Cecil´s lightly-raced Diamond Yas (Ted Durcan) and he looks very dangerous off bottom weight, while top-weight Golden Desert (Terry Mills/ Jack Mitchell) is consistent and last time out won a valuable ladies race at Ascot on King George day. At Catterick the 7yo mare Let it be (Keith Revely/ Colin Gillies) can defy top weight and complete a four-timer in the 2 miles handicap at 16.20. The improving Tartan Gigha (Mark Johnston/ Greg Fairley) can take the 7 furlongs handicap for 3yo´s half an hour later, although consistent Dream Express (Michael Dods/ Jamie Moriarty) should also be thereabouts. The mile handicap at 16.40 at Ayr can also go to the top-weight Spinning (David Barron/ Neil Brown), although Alexander Hurricane (Kevin Ryan/ Neil Callan) and Handsome Prince (Richard Fahey/ Freddie Tylicki) are to be respected. The 6 furlongs handicap at 17.40 is almost a re-run of a similar race over this CD 18 days ago, which Almost Married (Jim Go ldie/ Daniel Tudhope) beat Imperial Sword (David Barron/ Dean Heslop) and Argentine (Len Lungo/ Dean McKeown), and at the revised weights there should be little between them. As Jim Goldie has declared 3 more runners in this race, it might not be quite that simple.

French racing today

Clairefontaine stagesa mixed meeting today with 4 flat races, 4 over hurdles and a steeplechase, the Grand Steeple de la Ville de Deauville at 15.50. This valuable handicap over 4500 metres looks wide open with 18 runners - the same number as in the two races with German-trained runners today. Sandmann (Pavel Vovcenko/ Daniel Nigge) runs in a hurdle race for 3yo´s over 3600 metres at 14.50 and the same trainer saddles Geisha Dream (Xavier Hondier) half an hour later in a selling hurdle race over 3900 metres, in which he is joined by Doris Smith´s Pine Woods (Bertrand Bourez) There is also trotting this afternoon at La Capelle and this evening at Cabourg

Great Leighs, Ripon and Sligo

3 meetings today, but very modest fare all round. At Great Leighs the best race is the class 4 handicap over 1 3/4 miles at 16.30, which looks very competitive. City Stable (Sir Michael/ Stoute/ Ryan Moore) is still a maiden and quite possibly the worst horse in the yard, but still has a chance after being beaten a head at Catterick 11 days ago. Callisto Moon (Ian Williams/Chris catlin) is generally consistent, both on the flat and over hurdles, and has also now finished runner-up twice. Last-time-out winners Darksideofthemoon (Nick Gifford/ Paul Doe) and Casual Affair (Jamie Bethell/ Jimmy Quinn) hae at least shown that they are capable of winning, albeit at a very low level, but our preference is for lightly-weighted Natural Action (Willie Jarvis/Jimmy Fortune), who has only won once in 14 starts but has been in the money his last six races.

At Ripon, the lightly-raced Rose Street (Michael Jarvis/ Philip Robinson) looks likely to start at a short price in the class 3 handicap over 10 furlongs at 16.15 after her excellent seasonal debut. German-bred Turfshuffle (Ian Williams/ Steven Donohoe) has been dropped in the weights following two poor performances but still has it all to do under top weight. The 2yo race over 5 furlongs at 16.45 has only 5 runners but looks quite interesting, as Thunderous Mood (Paul Cole/ John Egan) and Caranbola (Mel Brittain/ Alan Munro) have both shown useful form but must give weight to the promising Magic Cat (Karl Burke/ Andrew Elliott). In Irelad there is a mixed meeting at Sligo (3 flat races, 3 hurdles and a bumper) and the two maoden hurdle can go to The Bay Lad (Pat Fahey/ Mr. J.A.Fahey) at 19.35 and an hour later Caim Hill (Philip Fenton/ Mr. B.T.O´Connell), who is making his hurdles debut after winning two bumpers. Best race on the flat is the sales race for 2yo fillies at 18 .05, which can go to Lough Mist (Tracy Collins/ Pat Shanahan), who is getting weight from her main competitors.

Loup de Mer on the menu

the only German-trained runner at today´s Clairefontaine meeting is Werner Baltromei´s Loup de Mer, who contests the 2900 metres claiming race at 17.05 with Dominique Boeuf in the saddle. With the stable in great form (two winners yesterday at Deauville) he is likely to start a warm favourite and appears to have only Tzar du Frene to beat. There is also trotting at Vincennes.

Cartmel, Huntingdon and Downpatrick

There is jumps racing this afternoon at Cartel and Huntingdon, while the N.Irish track Downpatrick has 3 hurdles races, 3 flat races and a bumper on the card. It would be no surprise were Ruby Walsh to win all the N.H. races, as he has the likely favourote in all 3 races - Noble Crusader for Dermot Weld at 15.35 CET, Chicawayo for Wllie Mullins half an hour later and Conker Nails for W.F.Codd at 16.40. The grandly-named Ulster Cesarewitch at 17.50 is actually a low grade handicap over 2 1/4 miles, in which Tony Martin´s ex-German Green Mile (Robbie Golgan) can make up for some recent disappointments.

The two most interesting races at Huntingdon are the two divisions of the maiden hurdle over 2 miles 1 furlong. Alan King´s Levera (Choc Thornton) was easily the best of these on the flat - rated at 107 in his prime- and should take the first division at 16.40, but the second division looks much more open. Another newcomer to watch is Nicky Henderson´s Scots Dragoon (Felix de Giles), who makes his chasing debut at 17.50; a useful hurdler, he can win this if he jumps round properly. The best race at Cartmel is the class 3 handicap chase at 16.30. Fantastic Arts (Ventia Williams/ Sam Thomas) has an obvious chance and holds Lankawi (Peter Bowen/ Bernie Wharfe) on their latest running, but Moor Spirit (Peter Beaumont/ Gary Berridge) and Brave Broncho (Peter Monteith/ Timmy Murphy) have both been in good form and must be feared.

Kempton (a.w.), Ripon and Warwick

Thee is flat racing this afternoon on the all-weather at Kempton and on turf from Ripon and Warwick. Ripon stages the best event, a listed race for 2yo´s over 6 furlongs at 16.35 CET. Only 6 runners, but all of them can be gven a chance, with unbeaten Desert Phantom (David Simcock/ Richard Mullen) facing strong opposition from Talaking Hand (Silvester Kirk/ Paul Hanagan), who has won his last 3 races, and Favourite Girl (Tim Easterby/ David Allan), who has won twice. The Ripon Rowels handicap at 17.10 over a mile is wide open with 17 runners. Bottom weight Mangham is very consistent and made all to win at Haydock on heavy ground recently, but Tim Easterby´s two runners Webbpow (David Allan) and Collateral Damage (Duran Fentiman) look dangerous, as does Osteopathic Remedy (Michael Dods/ Tom Eaves).

At Warwick, the class 3 conditions race over 7 furlongs at 17.20 has attracted some decent performers, including Godolphin´s Law Lord (Darryll Holland), who is best on ratings bt having his first race in Britain; he last ran at the Dubai Winter meeting and before that was trained by André Fabre. Caldra (Silvester Kirk/ William Buick) has been running in group and listed races without much success but this is more his level, while Tasdeer (Michael Jarvis/( Richard Hills) - despite top weight - and cult horse Pawan (Ann Stokell) are also not out of it. It coud be signifiant that Godolphinsend their number one jockey Frankie Dettori to Kempton´s all-

Bank Holiday Monday

Today is August Bank Holiday in the U.K. with plenty of racing, mainly at a very low level. Newcastle and Chepstow have been abandoned, but there are still 6 fixtures, two of them over jumps as well as a mixed meeting from Downpatrick in N. Ireland. The rest of the Tralee fixture in the Irish Republic has also had to be abandoned, as the track is flooded, but it is hoped to repeat the meeting - the last ever at this historic track- in the autumn.

four-timer Freddie?

an excellent card this afternoon at Deauville where the main feature is the Group One Prix Morny for 2yo´s over 1200 metres at 15.15. A huge field of 15 runners, but all eyes will be on Naaqoos, whose trainer Freddie Head and jockey Davy Bonilla have already won the first 3 Group One races at the meeting and could well complete an unprecedented four-timer here. Naaqoos won his only start in impressive style, but faces very tough opposition here, with 6 runners from England, one each from Ireland and Italy and some smart locals as well. In addition to the Morny, there are 3 more group races, all with German-trained runners. Werner Baltromei´s Lady Marian (Dominique Boeuf) contests the Group Three Prix de la Nonette for 3yo fillies over 2000 metres at 15.45 and has a chance of atoning for her unlucky defeat in the German Oaks. In the Prix Jean Romanet (Group Two for older fillies and mares) at 16.15, Mario Hofer´s consistent Fair Breeze (Jean-Pierre Carvalho) should go well but has to concede weight all round. never easy in this grade. The Prix Kergorlay over 3000 metres at 16.45 has attracted some of Europe´s best stayers, notably André Fabre´s Coastal Path (Stephane Pasquier) and Pavel Vovcenko´s Limatus (Boeuf) and Dr. Andreas Bolte´s Caudillo (Carvalho) will do well to finish in the frame. German prospects are probably better in the last 2 races; in the mile conditions race at 17.15 there are 3 German hopes, Bebe Vettori (Waldemar Hickst/ Antony Crastus), Obelix (Erika Mäder/ Carvalho) and Hashbrown (Christian Sprengel/ Mirco Demuro), while in the final 2000 metres handicap Langford (Heinz Hesse/ Christophe Soumillon) and Naxon (Baltromei/ Boeuf) could both be involved. Sprengel has also entered Japan in the opening race at 14.10, a 1300 metres claimer for 3yo´s on the fibregrass track, with Dominique Boeuf in the saddle.

Ireland today

two meetings in Ireland today, Ballinrobe and Cork, both starting off with 3 flat races followed by 3 hurdle races. At Ballinrobe, Oxalido (Seamus O´Donnell/ Andrew McNamara) can complete a course hat-trick by taking the handicap hurdle at 17.45 CET over 2 1/2 miles. At Cork, the useful ex-German Heavenly Blues (Ted and Ruby Walsh), who recently ran well on the flat at Galway, can win the 2 1/4 mile hurdle race at 17.25 by taking advantage of the 10 lbs weight concession he gets from form choice Larkwing (Eric McNamara/ Barry Geraghty), while Jessica Harrington´s Likie ictor (Andrew Leigh) will probably start at very cramped odds in the chase at 18.15 but appears to be a stand-out in this company

Beverley and Yarmouth

very low level racing this afternoon at Beverley and Yarmouth, and the likelihood of testing ground, especially at the former track, makes finding winners difficult. 8yo Master Nimbus /John Quinn/ Graham Gibbons) has been very consistent over the years both on the fla ad over hurdles and also handles the ground; he seems the safest option in the 1 1/2 mile handicap at 16.05 at Beverley and perhaps his trainer and jockey can follow up in the 5 furlongs handicap for 2yo´s at 16.40 with top-weight Fivefootnumberone. At Yarmouth, jockey Pat Cosgrave could be the man to follow. He has several promising rides, includng two for Luca Cuani - Magaling in the 2yo maiden at 15.20 and easy last-time-out course winner Siren Party in the fillies handicap at 15.55, while Rain Stops Play, for trainer Mick Quinn, although below form all recent starts, has come down a lot in the weights and can spring a surprise in the mile handicap at 16.30

handicaps at Goodwood

the best races at Goodwood this afternoon are handicaps, including the listed event for fillies over 10 furlongs at 16.20 CET. This looks very open race, though te obvious favourites are two inproving 3yo´s Crystal Capella (Sir Michael Stoute/ Jimmy Quinn) and Quirna (John Gosden/ Richard Mullen), both on a hat-trick after scoring twice very easily in lower grade. Top-weight Les Fazzani (Mark Wallace/ Shane Kelly) has been running in better company and is an each-way possibility. The Fegentri race for amateur riders over 9 furlongs at 16.55 could see both Geman lady riders involved - Vanessa Rodenbusch on Paul Cole´s Danetime Panther and Rebekka Unrath on Chris Kellett´s Admiral´s Way. William Haggas´ Maimoona (Martin Dwyer) was a very easy winner at Ripon last time and is the likely favourite for the 6 furlongs fillies handicap at 15.45, but Andrew Balding´s Sirens Gift Franny Norton) ran a good race when 9th of 27 in the Stewards Cup ove this CD and will appreciate this dro p in grade. The class 2 handicap over 7 furlongs at 17.30 is another tricky race, but perhaps Giganticus (Barry and Michael Hills), who has been running well without much success in these big handicaps all season, can finally come right this time.

Deauville today

Big race at Deauville today is the Group Two Prix Guillaume d´Ornano over 2000 furlongs for 3yo´s and this could well result in a British victory, as Twice Over (Henry Cecil/ Stephane Pasquier), City Leader (Brian Meehan/ Davy Bonilla) and River Proud (Paul Cole/ Christophe Soumillon) are all recommended on recent form. Best of the locals could be André Fabre´s lightly-raced Russian Cross (Johan Victoire). The Group Three Prix du Calvados for 2yo fillies over 1400 metres at 15.45 has only 4 runners, but they are all pretty smart and 3 of them are still unbeaten. German-trained runners on the undercard are Horst Steinmetz´ Jive (Dominique Boeuf), who runs in a mile race for 3yo´s at 14.10, Doris Smith´s Nadal (Ronan Thomas) in the tiercé handicap over 1000 metres at 14.55 and Andreas Trybuhl´s Something Stupid (Christophe Lemaire) in the 1300 metres race at 16.45

Betting forecast:
1.Race: Bocastar - Murcielago - Alsace
2.Race: Reasons - Chasing Moonbeams - Kerno
3.Race: Faylan - Voie De Printemps - Canwinn
4.Race: Ana Americana - Elusive Wave - Article Rare
5.Race: Twice Over - City Leader - Russian Cross
6.Race: Haadeej - Flower - Crudor
7.Race: Merlina - Major Wing - Nebela
8.Race: Loup Normand - Mary Read - Nuit De Glace

Ireland today

Ireland features a good card at the Curragh this afternoon, while Tralee finally gets its first day´s racing after four abandonments with a modest N.H. card. The main event at the Curragh is the Group Two Futurity Stakes race for 2yo´s over 7 furlongs at 17.15 CET. Aidan O´Brien has won this 5 times in the last 10 years and saddles no fewer than 5 of the 11 runners, with Westphalia (Seamus Heffernan) probably his strongest candidate. The Aga Khan´s Arazan (John Oxx/ Mick Kinane), a half-brother to top-class Azamour, is the obvious danger. The listed race over 1 3/4 miles at ^15.30 was won last year by Red Moloney (Kevin Prenxergast/ Declan McDonogh) from Hasanka (Oxx/ KInane) and this result could well be repeated, however the 3yo´s Ballyhaunis and Hold me Love me are also respected. The most valuable race on the card is the Tattersalls Ireland Sale Stakes over 6 furlongs at 16.05 and Prendergast/ McDonogh can double up here with Heart of Fire. Most interesting event at Tral ee is the novice chase over 2 1/2 miles at 17.35, in which Tom Hogan´s smart hurdler Sonnyanjoe (Paul Carberry) makes his chasing debut.

Beverley, Cartmel and Windsor

there is also racing this afternoon in the U.K. at Beverley and Cartmel (N.H.) and this evening at Windsor. Easily the best card is at Windsor, which features a Group Three race over almost 12 furlongs at 19.50 CET, and many of the top jockeys riding at Newmarket and Goodwood this afternoon will make their way to the Thames-side track to ride here. The 3yo filley Lady Deauville (Paul Blockley/ Franny Norton) won 2 listed races very easily last week, but probably needs it softer underfoot, while another 3yo, Henry Cecil´s Unnefer (Ted Durcan) has to improve, leaving Sir Michael Stoute´s Gulf Express (Ryan Moore) and Silver Pivotal (Gerald Butler/ Frankie Dettori) as the most interesting runners here,; the latter is coming off a 6 months break, but seems to go best when fresh. The listed race over 10 furlongs at 19.20 has also a decent field, headed by Clive Brittain´s Hattan (Darryll Holland), who as been running in mich better company. However Tranquil Tiger (Cecil/ Durcan) and Spanish Moon (Stoute/ Moore) will give him plenty to think about. At Beverley, David Nicholls´ Peace Offering, ridden by son Adrian, can complete a hat-trick in the listed 5 furlongs race at 16.20, while the valuable 10 furlongs for 3yo´s at 15.20 should lie between Drill Sergeant (Mark Johnston/ Joe Fanning) and My Aint Fanny (Andrew Balding/ Liam Keniry). The best race at Cartmel is the class 3 handicap hurdle at 17.35 which is a very open affair with 13 runners. German-bred Los Nadis (Peter Monteith/ Ryan Mania) ran a good race on the flat recently and should have a leading chance.

3 Group Races at Goodwood

Goodwood has a strong card today with 3 group races, including the Great Voltigeur Stakes which has been transferred from York. This traditional St.Leger trial for 3yo´s over 1 1/2 miles kicks off the programme at 15.10 and despite having only 5 runners looks a fascinating heat. Patkai (Sir Michael Stoute/ Robert Winston), an impressive winner of the Queen´s Vase last time, is favourite for the St.Leger so in theory should take this, but faces strong opposition from Andrew Balding´s Top Knot (Martin Dwyer), third in the German Derby when last seen, and Godolphin´s $ 11.7 million yearling purchase Meydan City (Frankie Dettori), who has two minor races very easily and is moving up in grade. main race on the card is the Celebration Mile at 16.15, which also has only 5 runners and should be a shoo-in for the only 3yo in the field Raven´s Pass (John Gosden/ Jimmy Fortune), who ran such an excellent race in the Sussex Stakes over this CD. Bankable (Luca Cumani/ Dane O´Neill) and Th ird Set (Saeed bin Suroor/ Dettori) should take the places. The Prestige Stakes for 2yo fillies over 7 furlongs at 16.45 has 10 runners, 9 of them winners, including the unbeaten Fantasia (Cumani/ O´Neill) and Faraway Flower (Barry and Michael Hills), but Pachatrack (Gerald Butler/ Dettori), an easy CD maiden winner, can step up in class to take this. The listed race over 1 3/4 miles at 15.45 should concern only the course specialists Tungsten Strike /Amanda Perrett/ Darryll Holland) and Sanbuch (Cumani/ O´Neill).

Juddmonte International at Newmarket

Newmarket yesterday staged higly successgul renewals of York´s Grpoup One races and will stage the third today at 16.35, the biggest race of the week, the Juddmonte International over 10 furlongs, the centrepiece of a huge card (9 races) with some huge fields. Both Irish superstars Duke of Marmalade (Aidan O´Brien/ Johnny Murtagh) and New Approach (Jim Bolger/ Kevin Manning) and the clash between arguably the best 4yo and best 3yo in Europe makes this one of the top racing events of 2008. Duke of Marmalade has done wrong this year, winning all 4 starts, all at Group One level, including the King George last time out, while New Approach has not run since his narrow but impressive win in the Derby at Epsom. Last year the Derby winner beat the King George winner in this event and we expect the same result this time around. It would be quite amazing if a third party should win this, but Henry Cecil´s pair Phoenix Tower (Ted Durcan) and Multidimensional (Tom Queally) as well as J ohn Gosden´s consistent Pipedreamer (Seb Sanders) should fight it out for third place. Another race transferred from York´s abadoned Ebor meeting is the Group Two Lowther Stakes over 6 furlongs for 2yo fillies at 14.25. All 7 runners can be given a chance, with Danehill Destiny (William Haggas/ Murtagh) hoping to atone foe her Royal Asco flop after looking very smart earlier. On recent form, African Skies (Kevin Ryan/ Neil Callan) and Penny´s Gift (Richard Hannon/ Ryan Moore) can be preferred. The listed 6 furlons race at 16.05 has attracted no fewer than 18 runners, and Peter Chapple-Hyam´s Winker Watson (Alan Munro) is clear best on form, but the stable has not had a good season and possibly Godolphin´s Floristry (Richard Mullen) and Stewards Cup runner-up King´s Apostle (Haggas/ Liam Jones) will come out on top.

French racing today

Deauville´s August meeting continues today, but there no major races on this afternoon´s card. The only German-trained runner is Andreas Trybuhl´s Gynolina, who contests a claiming race over 2400 metres for apprentice jockeys at 17.05. There is also trotting this afternoon at Cagnes and this evening at Cabourg.

Bath, Hamilton and Kilbeggan this evening

compared to the afternoon racing at Newbury and Newmarket, this evening´s offerings at Bath and Hamilton, as well as Kilbeggan in Ireland, are all very uninspiring. At the last-nemed meeting it will be an all-hurdles card, and two ex-German runners could go well, Simone Boccanegra in the 2 3/4 mile handicap at 19.15 CET and Orangoe Touch in the handicap at 20.45. At Bath, the class 5 handicap for 3yo´s over 1 mile 5 furlongs at 20.00 is the best race; Dubai Petal (Stan Moore/ Luke Morris) has the best form, but the unexposed maidens Capstan (Luca Cumani/ Dane O´Neill), Look to this Day (Roger Charlton/ Hayley Turner) and Abstract Colours (Andrew Balding/David Probert) could all be dangerous. At Hamilton, King´s College Boy (Richard Fahey/ Freddie Tylicki), who is very consistent and ran third yesterday at Chester, should not be missed if he turns out again for the 5 furlongs handicap at 19.20; if he is a non-runner, then By the Edge (David Barron/ Dean Heslop) looks the likel y winner

Gimcrack and

As the name Ebor is so closely connected with York, the big handicap has been rebranded as the Newburgh handiap for today´s substitute race at Newbury. The race, to be run at 16.25 CET, is now a furlong shorter and less valuable, but it is still a pretty hot handicap. Top weight Yellowstone (Jane Chapple-Hyam/ John Egan) is a class act but has a huge weight to carry. Pippa Greene (Paul Cole/ Shae Kelly) defeated Young Mick (George Margarson/ Robert Winston) last tie but he latter was unlucky that day and is now 4 lbs better off.Handicap specilaists Sir Mark Prescott, Luca Vumani and TonyMartin are reprfesented by Wicked Daze (Seb Sanders), Bauer (Richard Hughes) and Salute Him (Philip Robinson) respectively and must all be taken seriously, as must Henry Cecil´s Ajaan (Tom Queally).

The Group 2 Gimcrack Stakes for 2yo colts and geldings will also be run here, over 6 furlongs at 14.45. This is also very open with 13 runners. Art Connoisseur (Michael Bell/ Jamie Spencer) won his first 3 races and looked smart when scoring at Royal Ascot, but was disappointing last time in Ireland. Jobe (Kevin Ryan/ Neil Callan) was a very easy winner last time, but the two unbeaten colts Marine Boy (Tom Dascombe/ Richard Kingscote) and Master Noverre (Richard fahey/ Paul Hanagan) could be the ones on whom to concentrate.

Yorkshire Oaks and Nunthorpe at Newmarket

Two of York´s 3 Group One races have been transferred to Newmarket today, where the going is officially gpopd to firm, but unlikely to stay that way after heavy rain this morning. The Yorkshire Oaks over 1 1/2 miles for fillies and mares at 15.05 CET has only 6 runners but is a high-class affair, with Lush Lashes (Jim Bolger/ Kevin Manning) attempting to atone for an amazingly unlucky run in the Nassau Strakes at Goodwood. Although she flopped in th Oakas, her only previous attempt at this distance, she is still the class act here. She finished in front of Michita (John Gosden/ Jimmy Fortune) at Epsom, who has still won well at Royal Asco, and just ahead of Passage of Time (Henry cecil/ Ted Durcan) at Goodwood, but if she has the run of the race this time should again bea tese oppnents with something to spare. Gosden also saddles Dar re Mi, who is again partnered by Olivier Peslier, who roe he to an easy Deauville success last week, but this looks much tougher.

The Nunthorpe Stakes over 5 furlongs at 16.05 has an amazing field, although suprisingly South Afrca challenger National Colour is the only one of 14 runes not trained in England. He should run well, but needs to improve on his Royal Ascot form, where he was behind the Spanish-trained winner Equiano, who is now with Barry Hills but will also be ridden by Peslier as at Ascot, and Godolphin´s Dandy Man (Frankie Dettori) while Kingsgate Native (John Best/Ryan Moore) was below form that day but quickly bounced back to win the Golden Jubilee. As he won this event last year (at York) as a 2yo, he must be feared here. Last year´s July Cup winner Sakhee´s Secret (Hughie Morrison/ Steve Drowne) would have a great chance on 2007 form but has been a bit disappointing this time around, however he should still hold Captain Gerrard (Bryan Smart/ Tom Eaves). There are 3 speedy juveniles in the field today, inclufing PaulCole´s Percolator (William Buick), winner of 4 races in France this sea son, and John Best´s Flashman´s Papers (Jimmy Quinn), who pulled off a 100/1 shock at Ascot but is no longshot now.

The other race transferred from York is the DBS St. Leger Yearling Sales Race over 5 furlongs at 15.35. This is easily the most valuable race on the card, worth almost twice as much as the two Group Ones, and not surprisingly has attracted a huge field. Richard Hannon is a specialist for this kind of event, and saddles 5 of the 20 runners, with Donnie Charlie (Ryan Moore), runner-up in a group race at Goodwood, clear best and likely to start a strong favourite. Barry Hills is another one to be feared and has 3 runners, best of whom is probably Damien, the only unbeaten runner, with son Michael in ther saddle.

Mammoth cards at Newbury and Newmarket

One man´s meat is another man´s poison, and the bad news of the abandonment of the entire Ebor meeting at York has to a certain extent been cancelled by the speedy and efficient action of the BHA in allocating the top events to other racetracks this weekend. Newbury and Newmarket are the main beneficiaries today, with the Gimcrack and the "Ebor" (under another name) added to Newbury´s card, which now has 8 races, and the Yorkshire Oaks, Nunthorpe Stakes and DNS Sales Race added to Newmarket´s card, which now has 11 races. This evening´sNewcastle card has been abandoned, but Hamilton this evening goes ahead after an early morning inspection, while in Ireland Tralee has again been abandoned, and the N.H. meeting at Kilbeggan is now hurdles-only.

German runners at Clairefontaine

leading German trainer/ jockey combination of Peter Schiergen and Andrasch Starke are in action today at Clairefontaine with 2 runners, Blue Damask in the 1400 metres conditions race at 14.20 and the unraced 2yo filly Novita over the same distance at 16.00. While the latter is difficult to assess, and faces some well-bred opponents, the former, despite the outside draw, has an obvious chance and should certainly hold the other German runner, Pavel Vovcenko´s Gainsbury (Christophe Soumillon), a recent Bad Doberan winner. Another Grman-trained runner today is Hans Blume´s Dorosia, a winner at Hamburg´s Derby meeting, who runs in the lady amateur riders race over 2200 metres at 17.05 with Vanessa Rodenbusch in the saddle. There is also trotting this afternoon at Mauquenchy and this evening at Les Sables.

Betting forecast:
1.Race: Lady Mb - Saugere - Bateliere
2.Race: Mister Charm - Auzi - Blue Damask
3.Race: Temps Perdus - Serpotta - Royo
4.Race: Fairly Nobel - Special Gold - Tempo Uno
5.Race: Gainful - Celtic Air - Academicienne
6.Race: Soviet Supreme - Dorippe - Bachelor Boy
7.Race: Royal Pennekamp - Golden Memory - Dorosia
8.Race: Pirina - Miss Stream - Sirham

Chester and Fontwell this evening

Fontwell lies near the English South coast and has obviously missed most of the bad wearther, as the going for this evening´s N.H. meeting is reported to be good to firm. These conditions should be ideal for the German Group One winner Donaldson (Jonjo O´Neill/ Tony McCoy) who looks a good thing to win the novice hurdle at 19.25 CET. Shore Thing (Charlie Egerton/ Paddy Brennan), an easy Uttoxeter winner recently after a long layoff, looks the obvious danger, as it unlikely that yesterday´s Newton Abbot winner Option Money will turn out again and, even if he does, he cannot normally give a stone to Donaldson. There is also flat racing at Chester where the 1 1/2 mile handicap at 19.10 looks quite open. First Avenue (Michael Jarvis/ Philip Robinson) is the likely favourite after being placed 4 times running, but Leslingtaylor (John Quinn/ Graham Gibbons), who has not won on the flat for 2 years but is much improved over jumps, could be a big danger, as well as Polish-bred Dzesmi n (Richard Fahey/ Freddie Tylicki), having his first race for this shrewd trainer. Godolphin have booked the promising apprentice Louis-Philippe Beuzelin to ride last Saturday´s easy Newbury winner Craigstown in the 10 furlongs handicap at 20.40, but Just Rob (Reg Hollinshead/ Gibbons), runner-up his last 3 races, deserves to win here, as does John Gosden´s Rhadegunda (Jimmy Fortune), also runner-up her last 3 starts, in the following fillies´ maiden race.

Great Leighs and Stratford

while the loss of York is a bitter blow, at least there is a decent card on the all-weather at Greal Leighs today, with spme large fields and very competitve racing. The class 3 handicap over 5 furlongs at 16.15 CET has 13 runners and sees several in-form performers in the line-up. Cheveton (Roger Price/ Jim Crowley) has won his last 4 races and is not out of it, nor is Whiskey Junction (Andrew Balding/ Liam Keniry), who earlier also won 4 in a row, whiule the 3yo Hadaf (Marcus Tregoning/ Richard Hills) has not run since winning at Newmarket over this trip in May but is expected to make his presence felt here; these three are all racing for the first time at this track. The mile handicap at 16.50 looks even more difficult with 16 runners. Top-weight Yarqus (Clive Brittain/ Jim Crowley) could go well here, as could Count Ceprano (Mark Usher/ David Probert) and especially Mount Hermon (Hughie Morrrison/ Travis Block), who hs already run two good races here. The class 3 conditio ns stakes over a mile at 17.25 has the strongest field of thr afternoon., Masaalek (Tregoning/ Hayley Turner) won on thr all-weather in May and has since then run 4 good races in top handicaps, while 9yo Vanderlin (Balding/ Probert) is always capable of springing a surprise and Godolphin´s Igor Pritti (Frankie Dettori), a winner in Dubai in the winter, has to be considered despite the poor stable form, but our fancy is Royal Power (David and Adrian Nicholls), whos team are now in tremendous form and who won the German 2,000 Guineas 2 years ago. There are some small fields at Stratford´s N.H. meeting, not surprising as most summer jumpers are fast ground specialists. Paul Nicholls has an amazing srrike rate and can win the class 3 novices hurdle at 16.05 with Simondium (Sam Thomas), whle the class 3 hurdle for 3yo´s should be between the two penalised runners Rory Boy (Nigel Twiston-Davies/ Paddy Brennan) and Simarian (Evan Williams/ Donal Fahy), though neither of them has ev er run on ground as testing as it is likely to be this afternoon. Jam Packed (Jonjo O´Neill/ Tony McCoy) can defy top-weight in the class 3 handicap chase at 17.50, although Evan Williams` Leading Article (Paul Moloney) will be no pushover in receipt of 21 pounds

weather update & change of plans

the weather appears to be improving slightly now in Britain and Ireland, but too late to help York and Tralee, both of which have had to abandon their fixtures for Thursday and Friday. Inspections are still due to be held at Hamilton and Newcastle in respect of their Friday fixtures, and Tralee´s Saturday meeting is also far from certain. However Tralee- which closes down after this meeting- has now been granted 3 extra days next week, on Monday and Tuesday (repeating this week´s abandoned Tuesday and Wednesday cards) and Wednesday (with races from the Thursday and Friday cards). Of much more importance are the plans to save the principal races from York´s Ebor meeting, which have been rescheduled as follows: the 3 Group One races will now all be run at this weekend´s Newmarket meeting, the Yorkshire Oaks and Nunthorpe, as well as the DBS Sales Race, on Friday (which now has a mammoth card of 11 races), and the International on Saturday. The Ebor Handicap (with a new name) an d the Gimcrack will be run at Newbury on Friday and the Great Voltigeur at Goodwood on Saturday. The original fields and entries still stand, though it is not yet clear if the two Irish favourites for the International, Duke of Marmalade and New Approach, will travel over. However this initiative, and the quick thinking and organisational work involved, must be highly commended.

WHOLE OF EBOR MEETING ABANDONED

the bad weather continues and after an inspection today it was decided to abandon the whole of this week´s Ebor meeting at York, i.e. Thursday and Friday as well as the first two days. Efforts are now being made to stage the featured events at other meetings, probably Newbury, Newmarket and Goodwood at the end of this week. It is hoped that the Ebor Handicap itself (the richest handiap in Europe), the 3 Group Ones, 4 Group Twos and the valuable sales race for 2yo´s can all be saved, although this will require some complicated planning. This is a great blow to British racing as many racegoers regard the Ebor meeting as the best of the entire season. This afternoon´s racing at Hamilton has also been abandoned.

German runners at Deauville

the Deauville meeting continues today, but with no real highlights. Once again there are several German-trained runners. Probaböly the best German chance of thre day is Mario Hofer´s Laokoon (Andreas Suborics) who runs in a conditions race for 3yo´s over 1300 metres at 15.05. Horst Steinmetz has entered two 3yo´s both owned by Stall Nizza in the claiming race over 1600 metres at 15.40: Bedford Hope (Davy Bonilla) and Berlinale (Dominique Boeuf). Werner Baltromei runs Omasheriff (Jean-Michel Breux) in a race for young jockeys over 1300 metres on the fibresand track at 16.45. There is also trotting this afternoon at Vincennes

Betting forecast:
1.Race: All Speedy - Estoril City - Flyingwithbebe
2.Race: Unepetitehistoire - L`Eolia - Cos
3.Race: Clecame - Carved Emerald - Rauh
4.Race: Royal Protector - Alhaurin - Bedford Hope
5.Race: Munostal - Abwaab - Proci Volo
6.Race: Sand Chief - Armas - Lips Lion
7.Race: Ryalcount - Anawood - Leiden

Folkestone, Hamilton and Newton Abbot

with three meetings already called off, we are left with only low-level racing this afternoon at Hamilton and this evening at Folkestone and Newton Abbot (N.H.). The best race of the day is now the class 3 handicap over 9 furlongs at 17.15 CET at Hamilton - but the course has first to pass an early morning inspection. If the race goes ahead, there are 13 declared runners and it looks a wide open event, with most of the runners in good form. Top-weight El Dececy (Steve Parr/ Krish Gundowry), German-bred Wind Shuffle (Jim Goldie/ Daniel Tudhope), winner of 4 of his last 5 races including twice here, and Zabeel Tower (Dick Allan/ Tony Hamilton), winner of 5 races already this year, all appear now to be handicapped up to the hilt, so preference could be for Jim Goldie´s other runner Regent´s Secret (Nicky Mackay), a winner twice over hurdles last month, but extremely well handicapped on the flat. At Folkestone, the most interesting event is the class 4 handicap for 3yo´s over 7 f urlongs at 19.55. Henry Cecil´s progressive Portadora (Ian Mongan) is the likely favourite here, but top-weight Divine Power (Ralph Beckett/ James Doyle) and improving Benedetto (Amanda Perrett/ Darryll Holland) provide tough opposition. At Newton Abbot, there are only 4 rnners in the class 3 novice chase at 19.40, where Paul Nicholls´ Roby de Cimbre (Sam Thomas) should be able to concede the weight to Dai Burchell´s last-time-out winner Pipers Legend (Christian Williams). The novice hurdle at 20.10 should lie between the two penalised runners, Option Money (Tim Vaughan/ Richard Johnson), who scored by 23 lengths here last time, and Rising Force (John Spearing/ Liam Treadwell), an 8 lengths winner last time, but Tony McCoy´s mount Bolton Hall (Keith Goldsworthy) could be dangerous in receipt of weight after finishing placed on both his starts

York off again - also Tralee, Carlisle

the bad weather continues to pay havoc with racing fixtures in Britain and Ireland. Today´s racing at York, the second day of the Ebor meeting including the Ebor Handicap itself as well as the Gimcrack Stakes and Lonsdale Cup, has had to be abandoned, and Tralee in Ireland as well as Carlisle have also been called off. The loss of Tralee, where the meeting continues through Saturday, is particularly bitter as it is the last meeting ever to be held at the historic track, which is then due to close down. But of course the loss of the first 2 days of the Ebor meeting, one of the absolute top meetings of the entire year, is extremely bad news. An inspection will be held later to determine whether racing can be staged on Thursday and Friday, when the main scheduled races are the Yorkshire Oaks and Nunthorpe Stakes, while yesterdays Juddmonte International has been added to Friday´s card. There is an inspection called for today´s card at Hamilton, while several fixtures later in th e week are alo in danger, notably Newcastle on Friday. The situation is even worse in Ireland, with large areas of the country under water, and trainers reporting that many of the gallops are flooded, so that normal training is almost impossible.

German runners in France today

flat racing this afternoon at Clairefontaine and Vichy (also trotting this evening at Cabourg), with German participation at both meetings. At Vichy there is only one German-trained runner, Conny Brandstättter´s 2yo Mirageleve (Antoine Sanglard) over 1600 metres at 14.35, but there are several at Clairefontaine, where Michel Trybuhl and William Mongil team up with Arkando in the tiercé handicap over 2400 metres at 13.50 and Lone Star in a race for 3yo colts over 1800 metres at 16.00. In the equivalent race for fillies at 14.20 Mario Hofer saddles Additional (Andreas Suborics), while daughter Steffi partners Orlik for Christian von der Recke in the claiming race for lady riders at 17.05. Hans Blume´s Qui Dancer (Katharina Werning) and Pavel Vovcenko´s Spejbl (Erika Branecka) are also engaged in the same race.

Brighton, Newton Abbot and Southwell

with York off, also the opening day of the festival at Tralee (Ireland), only Brighton now races this afternoon, with evening N.H. racing from Newton Abbot and Southwell. It will be interesting to see if any of the top jockeys due to ride at York are now switched to the very low-level meeting at Brighton, but Seb Sanders was due to ride there anyway and has two good rides in Ralph Beckett´s Billy Hot Rocks in the seller at 15.35 CET and Limelight for his boss Sir Mark Prescott in the 1 1/2 mile handicap for 3yo´s at 17.20. Best race at Newton Abbot, were the ground will be heavy, is the class 3 handicap chase over 2 milöes at 19.40. Six runners, but quite an open affair, with top-weight Ease the Way (Evan Williams/ Donal Fahy) and Nasca de Thaix (Paddy Brennan), now trained by owner Peter Kelsall, both with chances, while Genghis (Peter Moore/ Jamie Moore) attempts to end a long and frustrating losing sequence. At Southwell, Milton Harris and Dave Crosse can combine to win tw o races, with the German-bred Salinas in the handicap chase at 19.25 and with the good flat horse (Ebor 2006 winner) Mudawin in the maiden hurdle at 20.55. Another interesting German-bred running here is Faraday in the conditional jockeys handicap hurdle at 19.55. Most dangerous opponent in a large field is Barney Curley´s Faith and Reason, who like Faraday, has not run over hurdles for a long time but is fit from the flat. All these horses need fast ground, but it appears that Southwell has missed most of the bad weather.

later: York abandoned! Tralee also off, Newton Abbot on

since our last report, weather conitions have further deteriorated at York and today´s card has been abandoned as the track is now waterlogged in places. Tomorrow´s card is also in danger and an inspection will be held this afternoon. The news is no better in Ireland, where the first day of Tralee´s final festival fixture has also been abandoned, and tomorrow´s racing is likewise threatened. The one piece of good news is that today´s Newton Abbot fixture goes ahead after an early morning inspection, but this can hardly make up for the loss of one of the best cards of the year at York.

Juddmonte International at York

York´s Ebor meeting begins today when the main feature is the Group One Juddmonte International over an extended 10 furlongs at 16.25 CET. This is always one of the best races of the season, but the problem this time is the heavy going following a long wet spell. On all known form two Irish-trained colts stand out - Aidan O´Brien´s Duke of Marmalade (Johnny Murtagh), unbeaten in 4 Group Ones this season and the highest-rated turf horse in the world, and Jim Bolger´s New Approach (Kevin Manning), who has not been seen in public since winning the Derby and has apparently recovered from the muscle problems which caused him to miss the Irish Derby.

Last year the Derby winner Authorized defeated the best O´Brien older horse Dylan Thomas in this race and the same result is possible here, especially as New Approach is much more likely to go well on the ground than Duke of Marmalade. With slight doubts about the principals, because of the going in Duke of Marmalade´s case and because of his fitness in New Approach´s, there must be a possibility of an upset, although the other runners are well held on form. Phoenix Tower (Henry Cecil/ Ted Durcan) was 4 lengths behind Duke of Marmalade at Royal Ascot, but finished in front of several of these whe just touched ff in the Eclipse. cecil´s other runner Multidimensonal (Tom Queally) won the heavy last time against weaker opposition, but did not look as if he were enjoying himself. David Elsworth´s Stubbs Art (Jamie Spencer), the only other 3yo in the field, is well held by New Approach on the form in the English and Irish Guineas, but could still be an interesting each-way bet at 50-1.

Betting forecast:
1.Race: Cheveton - Chief Editor - Strike Up The Band
2.Race: The Cheka - Prince Siegfried - Born To Be King
3.Race: Patkai - Alessandro Volta - Top Lock
4.Race: Duke Of Marmalade - New Approach - Pipedreamer
5.Race: Polish Pride - Favourite Girl - Carnaby Haggerston
6.Race: Love Galore - Tastahil - Allied Powers

Windsor and Yarmouth this evening

The going is likely to be on the soft side at this evening´s meetings at Windsor and Yarmouth, and itr could be significant that Franke Dettori is gracing the latter track with his presence, unusual for such a low grade card. He is there primarily to ride Godolphin´s newcomer Dream of MIne in the opening 6 furlongs maiden race for 2yo´s at 18.20 CET, who probably has Doctor Parkes (Eddie Vaughan( Jamie Spencer) to beat. Frankie can also win the mile handicap at 19.50 on James Given´s Kimono My House, whom he partnered to an easy CD win last time. At Windsor, Sir Mark Prescott´s Aleatricis (Rosie Jessop) can win his sixth successive race in the apprentice handicap that opens the card at 18.30. Ryan Moore can make for yesterday´s disappontment at Cologne by landing a double with Talk of Saafend (Richard Hannon) in the mile fillies handicap at 20.00 and French Art (David Elsworth) in the maiden race over the same trip half an hour later.

Betting forecast Windsor:
1.Race: Aleatricis - A Dream Come True - Mistress Eva
2.Race: Peninsula Girl - Tropical Paradise - My Superstar
3.Race: Jafaru - Pairumani Pat - Black Falcon
4.Race: Talk Of Saafend - Priti Fabulous - Montrachet
5.Race: French Art - Mazaris - Black Coffee
6.Race: Judge `N Jury - Equuleus Pictor - Make My Dream



Betting forecast Yarmouth:
1.Race: Doctor Parkes - Dream Of Mine - Nizhoni Dancer
2.Race: Faraway Sound - Silent Treatment - Simple Rhythm
3.Race: Onemoreandstay - War And Peace - Senorita Parkes
4.Race: Kimono My House - Navene - Complete Frontline
5.Race: Jennie Jerome - Merrion Tiger - Writingonthewall
6.Race: Broken Moon - Compton Falcon - Palace Walk

All-weather action at Lingfield and Wolverhampton

it is a long time since we had an all all-weather programme in the U.K., but that is the case this afternoon, with Lingfield and Wolvehampton both staging moderate cards and no racing on turf. At Lingfield the class 4 novice stakes for 2yo´s over 7 furlongs at 17.00 CET could prove informative. War Native (Jeremy Noseda/ Shae Kelly) was very heavily backed on his debt and duly landed the odds, but niw faces some string opposition, notably Laahig (Gerald Butler/ Hayley Turner) and thw ell-bred newcomer Loulou (Simon Callaghan/ Chris Catlin), who is out of the Group One winner Hatoof. The classs 4 handicap over the same tripo half an hour later looks very open with 14 runners. H Harrison (Ian McInnes/ Greg Fairley) is well handicapped on the all-weather and Cative Cavallino (J.E.Long/ Natalia Gemelova) usually runs well here for this rider, while Andrew Balding´s My Learned Friend (David Prpbert) and German-bred Napoletano (Simon Dow/ Ian Mongan) also have chances. At Wolver hampton, Sibi Saba (Royston Ffrench) should win the 1 1/2 maiden at 16.45 for Godolphin, while the 8 1/2 furlongs handcap at 17.15 looks the best race of the afternoon. Willie Ever (Brian Elison/ Jean-Pierre Guillambert) has won his last 3 races in good style, all here, while Wisdom´s Liss (Jamie Bethelöl/ Jimmy Quinn) has won his last 3 on the all-weather, including twice here and German-bred Carmenero (Willie Muir/ Eddie Ahern) looks an interesting each-way alternative...

Betting forecast Lingfield:
1.Race: Meydan Dubai - King`S Wonder - Seventh Cavalry
2.Race: Stoneacre Pat - Spic `N Span - Gower Belle
3.Race: Valatrix - Artistic License - Bahamian Bliss
4.Race: War Native - Laahig - Loulou
5.Race: Jake The Snake - My Learned Friend - Cativo Cavallino
6.Race: Stark Contrast - Josr`S Magic - Kings Topic



Betting forecast Wolverhampton:
1.Race: Piccolo Diamante - Polar Force - Welcome Approach
2.Race: Crystal Moments - Sparkling Crystal - Helpmeronda
3.Race: Swords - Adage - Natural Action
4.Race: Sibi Saba - Rio Guru - Lazeyma
5.Race: Wisdom`S Kiss - Willie Ever - Glenridding
6.Race: Murrisk - Beck - Kansas Gold

More weather woes

The continued bad weather in Britain and Ireland is once again playing havoc with racing fixtures. Today´s iris meeting at Roscommon has been abandoned, as has tomorrow´s N.H. meeting at Worcester, while tomorow´s otjer N.H. fixture at Newton Abbot is also threatened, as are several meetings later in the week. The big meetings at Tralee and York will probably go ahead as scheduled but the heavy ground will certainly cause several leading fancies to drop out, for example Duke of Marmalade, hot favourite for tomorrow´s International Stakes at York, is not certain to run if the ground remains heavy.

Jacques le Marois at Deauville

the big race at Deauville today is the Prix Jacques le Marois over a mile at 15.50. This Group One contest is always one of the best mile races of the season, but this time surprisingly there is only one foreign runner, the English-trained Major Cadeaux (Richard Hannon/ Richard Hughes), who hardly looks good enough. Freddie Head, who is in tremendous form, has a strong hand here with 2 runners, front-runner Racinger (Olivier Peslier) and impressive last-time-out winner Tamayuz (Davy Bonilla). Alain de Royer-Dupré and Pascal Bary also each saddle two runners, with Sageburg (Christophe Soumillon) and the 3yo filly Natagora (Yukata Take) respectively their main hopes.

Betting forecast:
1.Race: Mantadive - Jumeirah Queen - Singapore Treat
2.Race: Milongo - Observateur - Foolish Ego
3.Race: Skywell - Augira - Host
4.Race: Tamayuz - Racinger - Sageburg
5.Race: Los Gigantes - Denomination - Soul City
6.Race: Passibo - Golden Irish - Marchand Dolois
7.Race: Pickering - Al Tottara - Classified

Listed races at Bath and Pontefract

thjere are no problems for today´s meetings at Bath and Pintefract, although the going will be on the soft side, and both tracks stage a listed race for 3yo and older fillies and mares, events which usually attract a large field looking for black type. 14 are declared for the Pontefract race over 6 furlongs at 16.40 CET, which looks wide open. The penalised Our Faye (Sylvester Kirk/ Neil Callan) beat 4 of these last time out in a Group Three on soft going but is not certain to confirm the form with runner-up Lady Grace (William Haggas/ Alan Munro) at these weights. Red Dune (Michael Jarvis/ Philip Robinson) is an obvious danger, while Godolphin´s Floristry (Frankie Dettori) is an interesting runner. She won 3 successive races over this trip last autumn for Sir Michael Stoute, but made little show on her belated first appearancefor her new connections recently. At Bath, 10 fillies line up in the mile race at 17.30, including Nan´s Joy (Eoghan O´Neill/ Chris Catlin)and Perfec t Star (Clive Cox/ Dane O´Neill), who both won at the Shergar Cup meeting 8 days ago. Lady Deauville (Paul Blockley/ Franny Norton), wholoves the mud, won a similar race only on Wednesday, while Nolas Lolly (Marco Botti/ John Egan) has not run since finishing third to Peace Royale at Hamburg, but has an obvious chance on that form.

Betting forecas at Batht:
1.Race: Shiva Adiva - Queen Sally - Edgeworth
2.Race: King O`The Gypsies - French Riviera - Full Marks
3.Race: Latin Scholar - Ballora - Roodolph
4.Race: Bauhaus Bourbon - Make Amends - Granary
5.Race: Lady Deauville - Melodramatic - Nolas Lolly
6.Race: Memphis Man - Matterofact - Harrison`s Flyer

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Betting forecast at Pontefract:
1.Race: Magic Cat - Enderby Spirit - Master Lightfoot
2.Race: Fregate Island - Rowan Rio - Cotton Eyed Joe
3.Race: Mister Pete - Lodgician - Lady Killer Queen
4.Race: Floristry - Lesson In Humility - Our Faye
5.Race: Kal Barg - Born Tobouggie - Roaring Forte
6.Race: Mutawahej - Arikinui - Timocracy
7.Race: Diane`S Choice - Kings College Boy - Never Without Me

Jacques le Marois at Deauville

the big race at Deauville today is the Prix Jacques le Marois over a mile at 15.50. This Group One contest is always one of the best mile races of the season, but this time surprisingly there is only one foreign runner, the English-trained Major Cadeaux (Richard Hannon/ Richard Hughes), who hardly looks good enough. Freddie Head, who is in tremendous form, has a strong hand here with 2 runners, front-runner Racinger (Olivier Peslier) and impressive last-time-out winner Tamayuz (Davy Bonilla). Alain de Royer-Dupré and Pascal Bary also each saddle two runners, with Sageburg (Christophe Soumillon) and the 3yo filly Natagora (Yukata Take) respectively their main hopes.

Betting forecast:
1.Race: Mantadive - Jumeirah Queen - Singapore Treat
2.Race: Milongo - Observateur - Foolish Ego
3.Race: Skywell - Augira - Host
4.Race: Tamayuz - Racinger - Sageburg
5.Race: Los Gigantes - Denomination - Soul City
6.Race: Passibo - Golden Irish - Marchand Dolois
7.Race: Pickering - Al Tottara - Classified

Listed races at Bath and Pontefract

thjere are no problems for today´s meetings at Bath and Pintefract, although the going will be on the soft side, and both tracks stage a listed race for 3yo and older fillies and mares, events which usually attract a large field looking for black type. 14 are declared for the Pontefract race over 6 furlongs at 16.40 CET, which looks wide open. The penalised Our Faye (Sylvester Kirk/ Neil Callan) beat 4 of these last time out in a Group Three on soft going but is not certain to confirm the form with runner-up Lady Grace (William Haggas/ Alan Munro) at these weights. Red Dune (Michael Jarvis/ Philip Robinson) is an obvious danger, while Godolphin´s Floristry (Frankie Dettori) is an interesting runner. She won 3 successive races over this trip last autumn for Sir Michael Stoute, but made little show on her belated first appearancefor her new connections recently. At Bath, 10 fillies line up in the mile race at 17.30, including Nan´s Joy (Eoghan O´Neill/ Chris Catlin)and Perfec t Star (Clive Cox/ Dane O´Neill), who both won at the Shergar Cup meeting 8 days ago. Lady Deauville (Paul Blockley/ Franny Norton), wholoves the mud, won a similar race only on Wednesday, while Nolas Lolly (Marco Botti/ John Egan) has not run since finishing third to Peace Royale at Hamburg, but has an obvious chance on that form.

Betting forecas at Batht:
1.Race: Shiva Adiva - Queen Sally - Edgeworth
2.Race: King O`The Gypsies - French Riviera - Full Marks
3.Race: Latin Scholar - Ballora - Roodolph
4.Race: Bauhaus Bourbon - Make Amends - Granary
5.Race: Lady Deauville - Melodramatic - Nolas Lolly
6.Race: Memphis Man - Matterofact - Harrison`s Flyer

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Betting forecast at Pontefract:
1.Race: Magic Cat - Enderby Spirit - Master Lightfoot
2.Race: Fregate Island - Rowan Rio - Cotton Eyed Joe
3.Race: Mister Pete - Lodgician - Lady Killer Queen
4.Race: Floristry - Lesson In Humility - Our Faye
5.Race: Kal Barg - Born Tobouggie - Roaring Forte
6.Race: Mutawahej - Arikinui - Timocracy
7.Race: Diane`S Choice - Kings College Boy - Never Without Me

Inspection at Leopardstown

the bad weather continues in Ireland, and there is a strong doubt about today´s Leopardstown meeting, which includes no fewer than 5 group races (3 of them carried over from last Sunday´s abandoned Curragh fixture). An inspection will be held later, but Tramore has already been abandoned today as well as tomorrow´s Roscommon meeting. Should racing go ahead, Aidan O´Brien and Johnny Murtagh seem to be as usual in the pole position with strong entries in most races. The 5 group races are: Phoenix Sprint, 6 furlongs at 15.45 CET; Debutante Stakes, 2yo fillies, 7 furlongs, 16.45; Desmond Stakes, one mile, 17.45; Royal Whip, 10 furlongs, 18.15 (where 3 of the 5 declared runners are trained by O´Brien); and Ballyroan Stakes, 1 1/2 miles, 18.45

Betting forecast:
1.Race: Sea The Stars - Sirgarfieldsobers - Dark Humour
2.Race: Masta Plasta - Snaefell - Georgebernardshaw
3.Race: Scandal Sheet - Cnocan Gold - Maybe Grace
4.Race: Cuis Ghaire - Rare Ransom - Oui Say Oui
5.Race: Impossible Dream - Invincible Joe - Fit The Cove
6.Race: Carribean Sunset - Jumbajukiba - Lord Admiral
7.Race: King Of Rome - Zulu Chief - Alarazi
8.Race: Prima Luce - Profound Beauty - Washington Irving

Deauville today

Highlights at Deauville today are the Group Three Prix Gontaud-Brion at 15.45 as well as le Galop Hermes, an international jockeys´challenge run in two legs, in which Germany is represented by Andreas Suborics.

Betting forecast:
1.Race: Milreves - Jet Dancer - Siffle Vent
2.Race: Treasure - Caparroso - Raggle Taggle
3.Race: Castiglione - Charming Anna - Distrayante
4.Race: Skyteam - Objeto De Arte - Biniou
5.Race: Crossharbour - Boris de Deauville - Russian Desert
6.Race: Menestrol - Gloria de Campeao - De Zephyr
7.Race: Rosarina - Roi Bere - In Tempo
8.Race: Umiko - Hiram - Sigvati

Lingfield and Tramore this evening

there is evening racing at Tramore in Ireland (all flat) and in England at Lingfield, where the first 2 races are on the all-weather and the last 4 on turf. Stand in Flames (Pat Eddery/ Shane Kelly) as a very easy CD winner last week and can double up under top-weight in the 7 1/2 furlongs handicap at 19.30 CET, while consistent Patavian Ponce (Jo Crowley/ Travis Block), first or second his last 5 starts, including this CD, has good prospects in the 6 furlongs handicap at 21.00. At Tramore, Fran Berry looks the jockey to follow. He can take the 1 1/2 miles for 3yo maiden fillies at 18.50 with the Aga Khan´s Rayina and the 2 miles handicap at 20.20 with Willie Mullins´ Sesenta and has several other promising rides as well.

N.H.racing at Bangor and Market Rasen

there are two N.H. meetings today, this afternoon at Bangor and this evening at Market Rasen, with several leading jockeys dashing across country to ride at both fixtures. Best race at Bangor is the class 2 handicap hurdle over 2 miles 1 furlong at 17.15 CET, which looks a strong race for this track and has 12 runners, of which Little Lu (Alan Swinbank/ Brian Hughes), Southern Regent (Alan King/ Robert Thornton) and Distiller (Nigel Twiston-Davies/ Paddy Brennan) are all in excellent form. "Choc" Thornton and Brennan are also in action at Market Rasen, where they partner Cee Cee Rider (King) and Wild Tonto (Tim Vaughan) in the class 3 handicap hurdle at 21.10 and should both be involved in the finish again.

Newmarket and Ripon

the main feature at both Newmarket and Ripon today is a valuable class 2 6 furlongs handicap, and at Ripon the Great St. Wilfrid Stakes at 17.00 is one of the highlights of the season. With 20 runners this looks almost impossible to predict, especially as the effect of the draw is uncertain and also the going. Several of the top distance specialists in the North of England line up here, including top-weight Fullanby (Tim Etherington/ Lee Vickers), runner-up here in 2006, Knot in Wood (Richard Fahey/ Paul Hanagan) and Steve Wiliams´ Hogmaneigh (Saleem Golan), while Dandy Nicholls, always to be feared in such events, saddles two runners, Valery Borzov (Franny Norton), an easy winner on heavy ground at Haydock last week, and Tajneed with son Adrian in the saddle. The inconsistent Conquest (William Haggas/ Hayley Turner), who won the Stewards Cup at Goodwood last time at odds of 40-1, adds further spice but almos anything could happen here. At Newmarket the race at 16.30 is for 3 yo´s only, and with 14 runners looks marginally easier. Michael Dods has two likely candidates here, Marvellous Value (Tony Hamilton), winner of 3 of his 5 career starts and still improving, and Rubirosa (Paul Mulrennan), while last-time-out CD winner The Game (Tom Dascombe/ Richard Kingscote) and Spitfire (John Jenkins/ Eddie Ahern), 2nd of 20 in a similar race at te July meeting with several of these behind, are two more for the short list

2 group races at Newbury

Newbury is the main meeting in the U.K. today, and with more rain expected, the going may well turn out to be worse than the official "good to soft" forecast. These conditions should be ideal for Tom Tate´s tough front-runner Welsh Emperor (Tony Culhane), who runs for the third time in the Group two Humgerford Stales over 7 fuzrlongs at 16.15CET. He won it in 2006 and was just touched off last year, and the main threat wiuld appear to be Paco Boy (Richard Hannon/ Ryan Moore), winner of a similar race at Glorious Goodwood with 3 of these opponents behind.

Godolphin has entered two runners with Frankie Dettori aboard Alexandros, who also ran well at Goodwood but over a mile. It could be that this distance is more suitable but the stable form is still worrying. The day´s other group race, the Geoffrey Freer Stakes over 1 mile 5 furlongs at 15.40 is very open. Sixties Icon (Jeremy Noseda/ Johnny Murtagh) won the St. Leger 2 years ago but has been campaigned at shorter distances since, winning at Goodwood last time. Geordieland (Jamie Osborne/ Shane Kelly) has twice finished runner-up to Yeats in the Ascot Gold Cup, but also has form over this distance; however he is a notoriously difficult ride. Godolphin´s Eastern Anthem (out of German-bred dual classic winner Kazzia) has been a bit disappointing, but is definitely not out of it, and two other German-breds Tempelstern (Henry Cecil/ Ted Durcan) and Peppertree Lane (Mark Johnston/ Jimmy Fortune) also have chances, especially if the ground goes soft. However the safest option may b e Andrew Balding´s Donegal (Martin Dwyer), the only 3yo in the field, who looks like making up into a smart stayer. The stable continues in excellent form.

Betting forecast:
1.Race: Blakfrankisch - Monfils Monfils - Oldrik
2.Race: Cry of Freedom - Whispering Angel - Jazz Police
3.Race: Sixties Icon - Lion Sands - Geordieland
4.Race: Paco Boy - Alexandros - Il Warrd
5.Race: Silver Wind - Underworld - King`S Caprice
6.Race: Glen Molly - Suba - La Adelita
7.Race: Border Owl - Craigstown - Buddy Holly

German runners at Clairefontaine

today´s Clairefontaine card of 5 flat and 4 jumps races is mainly very low level, with some large fields of basically moderate peformers. This is especially true of the first 2 races for 3yo maidens over 1800 metres, in both of which Werner Baltromei has a runner with Dominique Boeuf in the saddle. In the colts´ version at 13.50 he saddles Alpenadler and in the fillies´ race half an hour later Alpe d´Huez. An interesting opponent in the former race is Rolf Brunner´s Manaba (Andre Fabre/ Stephane Pasquier), a half-brother to Manduro, but apparently with none of his ability. There is also trotting this afternoon at La Capelle and this evening at Cabourg.

Ireland today

there is flat racing on the all-weather track at Dundalk this afternoon and a jumps meeting this evening at Tramore. Most interesting runner at the latter track is surely Royal Approval (John McConnell/ S.J. Hassett), who has already won this week both on the flat and over fences and now runs in a hurdle race at 18.50 CET. In theory he should not beat The Spoonplayer (Harry de Bromhead/ Ruby Walsh), who is much higher rated, but he is clearly in great form and relishes the current soft going. German-bred Silex (Edward O´Grady/ Andrew McNamara) has good prospects in a very open handicap hurdle half an hour later. At Dundalk, David Wachman and Johnny Murtagh could be the team to follow. They have four chances, including top-eight Contest in the main event, a valuable 6 furlongs handicap at 17.10, and can also take the opening conditions race at 15.25 with The Emperor Nero, the race for 2yo maiden fillies at 16.00 with Marquesa and possibly the 2yo maiden, also over 7 furlogs at 16.35 with the well-bred newcomer Love Day Street.

Catterick, Kempton (a.w.) and Newmarket this evening

most of the racing at this evening´s 3 flat meetings is very uninspiring, but one event does stand out - the class 2 conditions race over 10 furlongs at 20.25 CET at Newmarket. The problem here that few of them have shown much form - or even run -this year, for example Godolphin´s two entries With Interest (Frankie Dettori) and Imperial Star (Ted Durcan), neither of whom run since the Dubai Winter Carnival. With Interest has won 4 of his 5 career starts, while Imperial Star is a half-brother to Derby winner Motivator, but with the Godolphin stable form still poor, preference is for Roger Charlton`s Blue Monday (Steve Drowne), who has not been seen on a racecourse since finishing 7th of 21 in last November´s Melbourne Cup; he was trained in Australia last year, but was a group race winner in England in 2006. The only runner with good recent form is Mark Johnston´s Drumbeat (Darryll Holland), who has been placed in all 3 starts this year and is now moving up in distance, perhap s he can make his fitness advantage tell. Best race at Kempton´s all-weather track is the mile handicap at 21.25. Visions of Johanna (Jeremy Noseda/ Richard Hughes), all-weather specialist Bomber Command (John and Patrick Hills), and Russki (David Simcock/ Richard Mullen), now with the blinkers back on, are three possibles here, but with the Andrew Balding and William Jarvis stables in great form, their runners Irony (Davd Probert) and Killena Boy (Ryan Moore) cannot be left out nof calculations. Most interesting event at Catterick is the 1 1/2 mile maiden at 19.45, in which Roger Charlton´s Dazzling Light (Paul Mulrennan), placed on all career starts so far, can defeat Sir Michael Stoute´s City Stable (Robert Winston), who showed promise as a juvenile last year, but was very disappointing on his only start this year.

Newbury and Nottingham this afternoon

Easily the best race today in the U,K. and Ireland is the listed event for 2yo fillies over 5 furlongs at 15.20 CET at Newbury. Several speedy sorts entered here, including Shyrl (Simon Callaghan/ Seb Sanders), narrowly beaten in the Queen Maty at Royal Ascot, where Lucky Leigh (Mick Channon/ Sam Hitchcott) was not far behind.Possibly Channon´s second runner Kerry´s Requiem (Tadge O´Shea) could be equally dangerous, althiugh she has to concede weight all round, Excellerator (George Baker/ Martin Dwyer) ran an excellent race at Ascot´s July meeting to be 3rd of 16 over 6 furlongs in a Group Three and may be suited better by the minumum trip, while Eoghan O´Neill´s Riotista (Chris Catlin) was a very easy of a minor event at Beverley on her only start and could be anything. Also at Newbury, Manyriverstocross (Alan King/ David Probert) looks likely to start warm favourite for the class 3 handicap over 1 mile 5 furlongs at 14.50, but top-weight Akarem (Karl Burke/ Fergus Sweeney) could be an each-way alternative at a big price. At Nottingham, the 10 furlongs fillies handicap at 16.45 looks the most interesting race. Quirina (John Gosden/ Ted Durcan) was an easy winner 6 weeks ago when last seen, while Amicable Terms (Rae Guest/ William Carson) and Snowdrop Princess (William Haggas/ Kirsty Milczarek) are both in great form; the former has won 4 of her last 8 starts, and been placed the other 4, while the latter has won her last two, both with this jockey.

German runners in France today

Big race in France today is the Group Three Prix de Miverve over 2500 mtres for3yo fillies at 16.20 at Deauville. Christian Spengel´s Carolina Directa (Andrasch Starke) takes a sharp leap in class here after her easy win at Hamburg and will do well to run into the money. Alain de Royer-Dupré ´s Shemima (Christophe Soumillon). André Fabre´s Astrologie (Stephane Pasquier) and John Gosden´s Englsh raider Dar re mi (Olivier Peslier) are all proven listed/ group race performers and could prove to strong for the German filly. There is also a German runner in the main supporting race, a listed event over a mile for 3yo fillies at 14.20, in whuch Werner Baltronei´s Time to Beat (Dominique Boeuf) faces Godolphin´s Desert Chill (Gerald Mossé) aming others. Other German runners here are Grazilla (Andreas Trybuhl/ Jerome Lermyte) in the opening tierce handicap over 2400 metres at 13.50, Malkovich (Trybuhl/ Soumillon) and Davitesse (Mario Hofer/ Andreas Helfenbein) in the 1200 metre claimers for 2yo´s at 14.20 and 15.20, and Zaubermann (Hans Blume/ Jean-Pierre Carvalho) in a 1500 metres claimer on the fibresand track at 16.50. There is also an evening flat meeting at Vichy, where Zadounevees (Wolfgang Gücher/ Eric Wehrel) contests the 2400 metres race at 18.20; any further rain would help his chances.

Great Leighs, Stratford and Tramore this evening

There is all-weather racing this evening at Great Leighs, N.H. racing at Stratford and a mixed meetimg at Tramore (Ireland), which has 4 flat races and 3 over jumps. Ex-German Gladiole (Ger Cully/ Robbie Cleary) has a chance of taking the 1 1/2 miles flat handicap at 19.15 CET, while Clear Gold (Willie Mullins/ Ruby Walsh) looks the best jumps bet in the handicap chase at 20.15. At Stratford, consistent Santera (Andrew Hales/ Wayne Kennedy) who goes well on the soft, looks a place banker in the handicap hurdle at 20.10, but 3 miles on this ground could prove too far for German-bred Salinas (Milton Harris/ Dave Crosse) in the following handicap chase. At Great Leighs, Sir Mark Prescott and Seb Sanders can combine to win the 1 3/4 miles handicap at 19.30 with General Ting and the mile handicap half an hour later with My Mentor.

Beverley, Sandown and Salisbury

Three flat meetings this afternoon, but easily the best racing is at Salisbury, where the Group Three mile race for colts and geldings at 17.15 CET is the main feature. With 10 likely runners, this looks very open, and mucvh will depend on how they handle the likely testing ground. Godolphin have a double entry, with Frankie Dettori riding Third Set, who had good form at the Dubai Winter Carnival, but has not run since. Richard hannon also ha two entries, Ordnance Row (Ryan Moore), runner-up in this last year, and front-runner Redolent (Richard Hughes), runner-up to Wiesenpfad at Dortmnund last time. Laa Rayb (Mark Johnston/ Royston Ffrench) won a valuabkew handicap over 7 furlongs at Ascot last time, where heavily-backed Redford (Michael Bell/ Jamie Spencer) was 6th of 29. Although Redford is worse off at the weights now, he is expected to be better suited by the soft going and could reverse the form. The fillies handicap here over 1 /2 miles at 16.40 has 8 runners, 6 of them last-time-out winners. Sir Michael Stoute´s Miss Rochester (Ryan Moore) won in the stylew of a rapidly improving poerformer 11 days ago at Newbury and can go in again. At Sandown, the best race is the class 3 handicap over 7 furlongs at 16.25 with 9 runners (the biggest field on the card). Dingaan (Andrew Balding / Liam Keniry) and Mumbleswerve are consistent performers who do not win very often, so preference could be for Keep Discovering (Mark Johnson/ Darryll Holland), who has been running in better grade events. At Beverley, Mark Johnston, who has runners all over today, can take the 10 furlongs handicap at 16.15 with front-runner William Blake (Joe Fanning); bottom-weight Motafarred (Micky Hammond/ Paul Mulrennan) looks the main danger, but Kingsdale Orion (Brian Ellison/ Lance Betts) is a soft-ground specialist and also has an obvious chance.

Hamilton and Sandown this evening

Best race this evening at Hamilton is the class 3 mile fillies handicap at 20.25 CET, and although there are only 6 runners, it looks wide open. Nutkin (James Fanshawe/ Jamie Spencer) defeated Badalona (Michael Bell/ PJ McDonald) last time out at Ascot but at the revised weights there should be little beween them now. Consistent Hula Ballew (Michael Dods/ Neil Brown) and Insaaf (William Haggas/ Tony Culhane) aso cme nto the equation, although it could be significant that Spencer comes here for just one ride, rather than ride at the better Sandown meeting, where the class 3 handicap for 3yo´s over 7 furlongs at 20.10 looks the best race. Top weight Brassini (Rod Millman/ Alan Munro), last-time-out winners Nezami (Brian Meehan/ Dane O´Neill) and Divine Power (Ralph Beckett/ Adam Kirby) as well as consistent Araban Spirit (Ed Dunlop/ Ryan Moore) all have chances in a tricky race. There could be some interesting runners in the 2yo maiden over the same distance at 19.35, where Too Tall (Luca Cumani/ Dane O´Neill), a good runner-up on his debut at Newmarket 18 days ago, is the choice on public form. However the well-bred newcomers could be dangerous, though one must hope for the sake of the commentator that Leulahleulahlay (Mark Johnston/ Frankie Dettori) does not get involved!

Beverley, Salisbury and Yarmouth

Some exotic visitors in the U.K. today. Pride of place goes to French champion trainer André Fabre, who is a regular at such meetings as Royal Ascot, but rarely ventures to British provincial meetings. Today he has for the first time ever a runner at Salisbury, in the listed 10 furlongs race for fillies at 17.05 CET. His entry In the Light (Ryan Moore) is very consistent, having won twice and placed 9 rimes from 12 career starts in France, inckuding an easy win at Longchamp last time out, bvut she has never yet scored at listed level and faces some tough opponents today. Marco Botti´s Nolas Lolly (John Egan) has rn two gopd races in Germany this year and was last time out third to Peace Royale in a mile Group Three at Hamburg. This trip is probably ideal and she must have a fair chance, but so do the 3yo´s Basque Beauty (William Haggas/ Liam Jones), who won an Ascot maiden by 6 lengths on her only 2008 startr, Kotsi (Eddie Vaughan/ Richard Mullen), in front of the last-named last year, Ico Project (Brian Meehan/ Martin Dwyer) and especially Cape Amber (PeterChapple-Hyam/ Alan Munro), dropping in grade after making no show in the Oaks and at Royal Ascot, but from a stable now back in form. It is equally to find Irish trainer Kevin Prendergast with a runner in a 2yo maiden at Beverley, so his debutant Roof Fiddle (Paul Hanagan) must be taken seriously in the 5 furlongs race there at 17.50. Geoffrey (Alan McCabe/ Andrew Elliott), who has been in the money all 3 starts, looks the one to beat. At Yarmouth, the class 5 handicap for 3yo fillies at 16.25 looks the best race on a weak card. Top-weight Whiteoak Lady (Jon Spearing/ Jack Dean), Artistic License (Mick Channon/ Tadge O´Shea) and Hurricane Harriet (Robert Cowell/ Oscar Urbina) all won last Thursday, at three different meetings, and one of them is likely to win again here.

Inspection at Gowran Park

The bad weather in Ireland continues and there is an inspection today at Gowran Park. If this evening´s meeting gets the green light, the going is certain to be very soft. Main feature is the 9 1/2 furlongs listed race for fillies at 19.50 CET, in which the Aga Khan´s Katiyra (John Oxx/ Mick Kinane) is the obvious form choice following her good performances in the English and Irish Oaks. However the trip seems on the short side, and there is plenty of opposition, with Aidan O´Brien saddling four runners, the best of whom is presumably Psalm (Seamus Heffernan), while Jim Bolger´s Shreyas (Kevin Manning) is also dangerous. She won a maiden race this CD last week by 11 lengths on only her second start and looks well up to this class. Incidentally, the 3 group races lost when the Curragh´s fixture last Sunday had to be abandoned, will now be run at this weekend´s Leopardstown meeting.

German runners at Deauville

Another busy day for German-trained runners at Deauville, who are active in 5 of the 8 races, but not in the main feature, a listed race for 3yo´s over 3000 metres at 14.20; the sole foreign runner here is Willie Muir´s Enroller (Martin Dwyer), whose best form was his 5th place in the Queen´s Vase at Royal Ascot. Werner Baltromei saddles Shawnee Saga in the tiercé handicap for 3yo´s over 2500 metres at 13.50 and Samiro in the second division at 17.20. Both will be partnered by Dominique Boeuf, who is also aboard the trainer´s Loup de Mer in a claiming race over 2700 metres at 16.50; here he faces stiff opposition from the other German runner Kasus (Pawel Vovcenko/ Christophe Soumillon). Boeuf also rides Himmelchen for Hans Blume in the 1500 metres race for 3yo´s at 14.50, while Christian von der Recke sends Mister Minister (Antony Cardine) for the claimer over 1500 metres for young jockeys and apprentices at 15.30. There is also flat racing at Vichy, where the only German runner is Dieter Fechner´s Marek (Ioritz Mendizabal) in the 1800 metres conditions race at 15.05. The big danger here is Baron Ullmann´s Saldenlicht (André Fabre/ Johan Victoire). There is also trotting this evening at Cabourg.

Betting forecast:
1.Race: Joly Nelsa - Tito Bustillo - Peak Rhythm
2.Race: Weald - Pompeyano - Watar
3.Race: Halong Bay - Ecume Du Jour - The Countess
4.Race: New's Ivoire - Lobau - Coloriste
5.Race: Golden Desert - Shirnaka - Conti Jet
6.Race: Dorippe - Rio Princess - Rava
7.Race: Loup De Mer - Kasus - Rudolph
8.Race: You Wait - Silicon Wise - Blek

Lingfield (a.w.) and Newton Abbot (N.H.)

Another Tuesday candidate for the worst day´s racing of the year, with low-level meetings this afternoon at Lingfield on the all-weather and Newton Abbot over jumps. The going looks likely to be very soft at the latter track, and easy last-time-out winners Distiller (Nigel Twiston-Davies/ Paddy Brennan) and Option Money (Tim Vaughan/ Richard Johnson) are not certain to go on the ground, but they could still outclass the opposition in the novice hurdle at 16.15 CET. Jonjo O´Neill continues in decent form and can land a double here with Jam Packed (Tony McCoy) in the handicap chase at 16.45 and Well Saved (Bobby McLernon) in the long distance handicap hurdle half an hour later. Easily the best race at Lingfield is the 6 furlongs handicap at 17.00 with 12 runners, most of whom can be given a chance. Dvinsky (Paul Howland/ Kirsty Milczarek) is in good form, but seems to be more of a Kempton specialist, while Rasaman (Kevin Ryan/ Darryll Holland) has won both this starts this CD, but they were in the spring of 2007. Lochstar (Andrew Balding/ Franny Norton) also won this CD 15 months ago, but has only run once since; he is a son of the great Lochsong and the stable remains in excellent form. Chjimes (Charles Dore/ Seb Sanders) is also in good form and won over this CD recently, beating Vintage (Jon Akehurst/ Eddie Ahern), who now reopposes on 4 lbs better terms. The opening maiden race over 1 1/2 miles at 15.30 looks more straightforward and Frankie Dettori can take this on Godolphin´s Red Kestrel, his only mount of the day.

Betting forecast:
1.Race: Red Kestrel - Buddhist Monk - Street Crime
2.Race: Kate The Great - Predict - Fault
3.Race: Zippi Jazzman - Liberty Valance - Sinead Of Aglish
4.Race: Expensive Art - Dvinsky - Chjimes
5.Race: Ornella - Luck Will Come - Bavarica
6.Race: Hazytoo - Aggravation - Wrighty Almighty

Betting forecast:
1.Race: Hawk'S Landing - Monsieur Delage - Three Lions
2.Race: Vibe - Red Man Ray - Past Heritage
3.Race: Distiller - Option Money - Darfen
4.Race: Jam Packed - See The View - Meet The Legend
5.Race: Andrew Nick - Jim Bobs Girl - Well Saved
6.Race: Gunnabelil - Dillay Brook - Covey

Musselburgh and Nottingham this evening

Musselburgh`s card consists entirely of class 5 and 6 races, and the only one of interest is the 7 furlongs handicap at 21.10 CET with 8 likely runners. Horatio Carter (Kevin Ryan / Neil Callan) is in good form and has won 2 of his last 3 races, but has a huge weight for a 3yo. At the weights Zabeel Tower (R. Allan/ Tony Hamilton), who ha won 4 races this year, including this CD twice, and the Lomitas colt King Kenny (Steve Parr/ Tony Culhane), whp showed sigs of coming back to form last time, can be preferred. At Nottingham, Pewter Chapple-Hyam´s much improved 3yo Tasheba (Alan Munro) can win the class 3 handicap over 1 3/4 miles at 19.55; he has wn his last 2 races in good style and has also run well iver this CD. Ex-German Directa´s Dagger (Michael Scudamore/ Jack Dean) and another lightly-weighted 3yo The Betchworth Kid (Michael Bell/ Jamie Spencer) look the main dangers. Spomd quite decent performers have been declared for the class 3 conditions race over 5 furlongs at 20.55. Pace Offering (David and Adrian Nicholls), who wo this in 2006, has top weight, but has been running respectablyin group races, as has Rowe Park (Linda Jewell/ Dane O´Neill), while Chief Editor (Mark Wallace/ Jamie Spencer) is a good handicapper wh won ver this CD in April. Andrew Balding´s Loch Verdi (Franny Norton) (whose half-sister runs this afternoon at Lingfield) is also very speedy, but has not run this season and would probably prefer faster ground.

Betting forecast:
1.Race: Dimashq - Rightful Ruler - Kyber
2.Race: Dispol Kylie - Majuba - Dispol Grand
3.Race: Grand Diamond - Joshua's Gold - King Of The Moors
4.Race: Highland Warrior - Circuit Dancer - Fire Up The Band
5.Race: Horatio Carter - Flores Sea - Zabeel Tower
6.Race: This Ones For Eddy - Afton View - Willyn

Betting forecast:
1.Race: Touch Of Style - Master Mahogany - Given A Choice
2.Race: Crackdown - Kings Troop - Pergamon
3.Race: Tasheba - The Betchworth Kid - Pass The Port
4.Race: West Leake - Anjuna - Lisburn
5.Race: Befortyfour - Peace Offering - Moorhouse Lad
6.Race: Equuleus Pictor - Matterofact - Comptonspirit

» All races in Nottingham

France today

There is trotting this afternoon at Enghien and a mixed meeting at Clairefontaine, where the first 4 races are over jumps and the last four on the flat. Although there are no German-trained runners today, there are some German-breds engaged, for example the ex-German performers Gandolfino and One Little David, who run in the two divisions of a valuable handicap hurdle over 3600 metres at 13.50 and 14.20 respectively

Ballinrobe, Thirsk and Windsor this evening

There is a mixed meeting at Ballinrobe in Ireland, with 4 flat races, 2 chases and a hurdle race. The bst flat race is the 1 1/2 mile handicap for 3yo´s at 20.10 CET with only 6 runners, which woulod appear tolie between Dermot Weld´s recent Galway winner Lady Alicia and David Marnane´s Ajman (Seamus Heffernan), who is stepping up in trip. Most interesting jumps race is the beginners chase at 20.40, in which James Barrett´s smart hurdler Barker makes his debut over fences; he will be partnered by Timmy Murphy, who won a big handiap hurdle on him in the winter. At Thirsk, the main event is a 5 furlongs handicap for 3yo´s at 20.30. Several of the 10 runners hae met recently for example Jaconet (David Barron/ Paul Fessey), Captain Dunne (Tim Easterby/ David Allan) and Know no Fear (John Quinn/ Jamie Moriarty), who finished first, second and fourth in a similar race at York. Although Jaconet is now 10 lbs higher, he is such good form that he may be able to win his 4th race in his last 5 starts. At Windsor, the best race is also a sprint handicap, this time for 3yo´s and up over 6 furlongs at 20.20. This is a very open event, but course specialist Kelamon (Mark Usher/ Billy Cray), Diriculous (Terry Mills/ Jimmy Fortune) and Efistorm (Charles Dore/ Philip Robinson) are three for the short list.

Southwell (N.H.) and Wolverhampton

Southwell stages one its rare N.H. meetings this afternoon, with little quality but some large fields and very open races. Tony McCoy has five rides and it would be no surprise to see him in the winner´s circle a few times. He has three promising rides for Jonjo O`Neill: Granite Man in te handicap chase at 15.15 CET, Charge It in the novices handicap chase an hour later, and Fresh Air and Fun another hour later in the novice hurdle. He also partners Insignia for Alison Thorpe at 15.45 and Muntami in the handicap hurdle at 17.45 for trainer John Harris. At Wolverhampton, it could the turn to Seb Sanders to shine. He has three mounts, all with winning chances: Elegant Cad for John Best, dropped in grade in the 2yo maiden at 15.30, Black Falcon for John Harris in the 1 1/2 mile selling race at 16.00 and top-weight Haven´t a Clue for his boss Sir Mark Prescott in the 2yo handicap half an hour later. After yesterday´ s disaster in Sweden, where he was banned for 14 days after failing an alcohol test, Sanders needs every winner he can find to keep up his challenge to Ryan Moore for the jockeys´ championship.

Maurice de Gheest at Deauville

Feature of a high class card today at Deauville is the Group One Prix Maurice de Gheest over 1300 metres at 16.15. This has been won for the past 2 years by Freddie Head´s Marchand d´Or (Davy Bonilla), who ha good prospects of landing te hat-trick, especially with te Head stable currently in excellent form. However there is little between him and US Ranger (Aidan O´Brien/ Johnny Murtagh), whom he beat by a head in Newmarket´s July Cup after the latter looked all over the winner. With 16 runners this is by no means a two horse race. O´Brien´s second string Astronomer Royal (Christophe Soumillon) was only a length behind the two principals at Newmarket, but would prefer faster going, while any further rain would improve the chances of another Irish raider Jumbajukiba (Jessica Harrington/ Johan Victoire). The other group race on the card is the Prix de Pomone at 15.45 for fillies and mares over 2500 metres. Only 6 runners but all of them are in with a chance.On last year´s form Mrs. Lindsay (Francois Rohaut/ Christophe Lemaire), winner of the Prix Vermeille, should score, but she has twice run below that level this year. Anna Pavova (Richard Fahey/ Paul Hanagan) loves soft ground and could be a major factor, while the German-breds Avanti Polonia (Freddie Head/ Davy Bonilla) and Turfrose (André Fabre/ Stephane Pasquier) cannot be discounted. Three German-trained runners on the card are Highness (Werner Baltromei/ Dominique Boeuf) in the 2000 metres claiming race at 15.15, and Pirina (Hans Blume/ Johan Victoire) and Salliustra (Mario Hofer/ Dominique Boeuf), who both run in a claiming race for 3yo´s over the long distance of 3000 metres at 17.20.

Downpatrick, Leicester, Redcar and Windsor

Without the Curragh card (see below - abandoned) the rest of today´sracing in Britain and Ireland is at a very low level. The remaining Irish fixture is an all-hurdles card at Downpatrick, where the 2 1/4 miles race at 16.55 CET looks a match between Dermot Weld´s Absolute Image (Ruby Walsh) and Gordon Elliott´s Roman Villa (Barry Geraghty). Absolute Image has not run over hurdlkes for over 9 motnhs, but has been in good form on the flat, and with Dermot Weld´s stable in great form (including last night in Chicago), he can be preferred. German-bred Lugato has been very consistent over hurdles and will like the soft ground; he should be thereabvouts in the handicap hurdle over the same trip half an hour later. Bes race in Britain is the class 2 handicap over 7 furlongs for 3yo´s at 16.50 at Leicester, in which Zakhaaref (Mark Johnston/ Richard Hills), top-weight Lindoro (Walter Swinburn/ Saleem Golam) and bottomweight Autumn Blades (John Hills/ Liam Jones) appear to be the main contenders. There are some large fields at Redcar, with 14 declared for the main event, a 6 furlongs handicap for 3yo´s at 16.40. Borasco (David Barron/ Paul Fessey) won here yesterday and if he turns out again can score a quick double; in his absense The Game (Tom Dascombe/ Silvestre de Sousa) and Novellen Lad (Eric Alston/ David Allan) would proably have the best prospects. At Windsor, there are 5 last-time-out winners in the field of 9 for the class 4 handicap for 3yo´s over 10 furlongs at 16.30, but House of Lords (Michael Bell/ Jamie Spencer), whose fourth place last time at Newmarket reads very well, is probably the form pick, while Mick Channon´s Rileyskeepingfaith (Eddie Creighton), 6th in a Group Two at Goodwood last time, can take the class 3 conditions race for 2yo´s an hour later.

German runners at Deauville

A good Saturday card today at Deauville, with 2 listed races as the main features, and a mass invasion of German-trained runners, 15 in all, running in 7 of the 9 races on the card. No fewer than 6 run in the listed sprint over 1000 metres at 16.20: Sacho (Wilffried Kujath/ Alxi Baden), Mood Music (Mario Hofer/ Maxime Guyon), Smarten Die (Erika Mäder/ Jean-Pierre Carvalho); Etoile Nocturne (Werner Baltromei/ Dominique Boeuf), Acotango (Mäder/ Marvin Suerland) and probably the best of them Best Joking (Werner Hefter/ Johan Victoire). However they face a stiff task against the two British speedballs Corrybrough (Henry Candy/ Olivier Peslier) and Inxile (David and Adrian Nicholls). The mile handicap has had to be divided into 4 divisions, with Ziethe (Andreas Trybul/ Adrie de Vries) running in the first, and best, division at 14.45, Naxon (Baltromei/ Boeuf) in the third division at 17.55 and Fancy Running (Trybuhl/ de Vries) in the fourth and easiest at 18.25. Triple Beat (Hofer/ Boeuf) and Bebe Vettori (Waldemar Hickst/ Christophe Soumillon) both run in the mile conditions race at 15.15, while Diacaro (Hans Blume/ Katarina Werning) and Wild Tiger (Sascha Smcrzek/ Berengere Picart) go for the ladies race on sand at 16.55. The final German runner is Uwe Ostmann´s Omonia (VIctoire) in the 2000 metres claiming race at 17.25, while if the ground is soft, the German-owned and-bred Tempelstern (Henry Cecil/ Olivier Peslier) can take the listed race over 2500 metres at 15.45.

Rest of U.K. and Ireland

There is also racing at Redcar this afternoon, Lingfield and Wayr this evening and also an Irish N.H. meeting at Kilbeggan, where 2 ex-German horses could run into the money: Simone Boccenagra (Gerard Cully/ Davy Condon) in the 3 miles handicap hurdle at 19.30 CET, and Dow Jones (Mike Halford/ Ruby Walsh) in the 2 1/2 mile handicap chase half an hour later. The handicaps at Redcar look very tricky, but Freddie Tylicki has two interesting possibilities with Handsome Falcon for Richard Fahey over 7 furlongs at 16.00, and Violent Velocity for John Quinn over the straight mile at 16.35. At Lingfield, where the first 3 races are run on the all-weather and the last 3 on turf, John Gosden´s Seminole (Robert Havlin) looks a good thing to take the 2yo maiden over a mile at 19.10 after finishing second on both his starts so far. At Ayr, the 2yo maiden over 6 furlongs at 19.20 looks a straight match between Aladdin´s Lamp (Mark Johnston/ Royston ffrench) and Jobe (Kevin Ryan/ Neil Callan), both expensive and well-bred yearlings who finished third on their debuts. The 10 furlongs handicap at Ayr at 20.50 looks much more open, but Peter Monteith holds a strong hand with the two top-weights Shy Glance (Ryan Mania) and Hawkit (Neil Brown)

Group races at Newmarket and Haydock

While the Shergar Cup may grab the headlines, the better racing is prbaby to be found at Haydock and Newmarket, both of which have a group three race on the card. With rain forecast for almost all of the U.K. the going is likely to be on the soft side, and this may not be in favour of Henry Cecil´s Multidimensional (Ted Durcan), likely favourite for the Rose of Lancaster Stakes over 10 1/2 furlongs at 15.35 CET at Haydock. He is the highest-rated runner in the field, and has several decent performances to his credit in better events, but the two top handicappers Flying Clarets (Richard Fahey/ Paul Hanagan) and Smoky Oakey (Mark Tompkins/ Jimmy Quinn) - part-owned by Oscar winner Judi Dench) -could well come out on top on this ground. At Newmarket, the Sweet Solera Stakes for 2yo fillies over 7 furlongs, has 14 runners and looks quite open. Best on form is Rosabee (Eddie Creighton), a very cheap yearling trained by ex-model Vicki Haigh, who can possibly provide the trainer with her biggest ever win, However both Rainbow View (John Gosden/ Jimmy Fortune) and Ballantrae (Michael Bell/ Jim Crowley) come into the race off one start and one very easy maiden victory and could be anything. The valuable 7 furlongs handicap at Newmarket at 16.50 has 17 runners with almost as many likely winners. Andrew Balding´s Kalahari Gold (Liam Keniry) has won 2 of his 3 career starts, including an easy win this CD last week, but faces much tougher opposition now. Giganticus (Barry and Michael Hills), wo this last year and is coming bac to form, while top-weight Little White Lie (John Jenkins/ Darryll Holland) won the Bunbury Cup this CD, with several of these behind, and certainly cannot be left out of calculations.