German runners in France today

Even in France, racing is at a low level before the big Arc weekend at Longchamp, and all 8 races at Chantilly are claiming races (reclamer). As so often, there is a huge German entry here, notably in the 1800 metres race at 16.00, in which 6 Germans are entered: Feathjer Cloud (Erika Mäder/ Henk Grewe), Black Jack (Michael Trybuhl/ Dominique Boeuf), Thanatos (Peter Schiergen/ Filip Minarik), El Vettorio (Christian Sprengel/ Stephane Pasquier), Lasse (Andreas Wöhler/ Maxime Guyon) and Royal Pepper (Mario Hofer/ Gerald Mossé). A Grman win seems highly likely here, though hard to day which of this group will come out best. Otherwis Mario Hofer has th best chances, and Sooner or Later, in the 1200 metres race for 3yo´s at 13.55, and Principe Uromonte in the mile race for 3yo´s at 14.55, both partnered by Gerald Mossé, should run well, while we make veteran Kaliyan (Hofer/ Johan Victoire) in the 3000 metres race at 15.30 our best bet of the day.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Molesne Bay - Histoire - Skimi
2. Race: Starcos - Mana Kourou - Arrieta
3. Race: Haizea - Doun Pearl - Mythie
4. Race: Italica - Zenside - Belle Chasse
5. Race: Dawara - Tap Tip - Smart And Fun
6. Race: Etty`s Diary - Bachelor Licence - Chorale d`Anges
7. Race: Tekila de l`Orme - Ainebe Crocus - Kaliyan
8. Race: My Call - Irish Rock - El Vettorio

5 meetings today

Plenty of flat racing today, with meetings at Newcastle, Nottingham and Salisbury this afternoon and Kempton (a.w.) this evening, as well as Sligo in Ireland, but all are of low quality. The races for juveniles look the most interesting events, and at Salisbury, Fremont (Richard Hannon/ Richard Hughes), 4th in a bug salkes rac at Donbcaster last time, should win the 7 furlongs race at 16.40 CET. The class 2 conditions race over 6 furlongs here at 17.15 looks the best race of the day. San Cassiano (Ralph Beckett/ Seb Sanders) won his only race in good style, while Mon Cadeaux (Andrew Balding/ William Buick) was an easy CD winner before a lesser effort in good company at Goodwood, but with the Godolphin 2yo´s in tremendous form, Chaperno (Saeed bin Suroor/ Frankie Dettori) is taken to win this. Godolphin also have 2yo´s running at Newcastle in the mile maiden at 16.50, with Judiciary (Ahmed Ajtebi) looking the pick of their two runners, and at Nottingham, where the well-bred Bi nt Almatar (Ted Durcan) is expected to make a winning debut in the fillies maiden, also over a mile, at 17.00. Kempton´s evening meeting is very low-key, with even two of the dreaded classified stakes; most interesting runner here is Sir Mark Prescott´s Arty Crafty (Seb Sanders), who can remain unbeaten for the season in the 3yo handicap over 1 1/2 miles at 21.50. Main interest at the Irish fixture at Sligo will be to see if Pat Smullen, who has rides in every race, can establish a lead over Johnny Murtagh -not riding today - in their battle for the Irish jockeys championship. His best chances would appear to be Sajja at 16.40, Barrel of Fun at 17.45 and Miss Chaparral (18.15), all for trainer Dermot Weld.

German runners in France today

Nancy is not far from the German border and there are always several German-trained runners at the meetings here; this is also the case today, with 15 German runners, many of them trained in Iffezheim. After 3 German successes at nearby Strasbourg on Sunday, there are high hopes that more wins will follow today. In our view, the best German prospects are Jenissej (Jan Kiropas), supplemented by trainer Christian von der Recke for the 3400 metres hurdle race at 14.25, and Zolango (Dr. Andreas Bolte/ Jiri Palik) and Perfect Courtesy (Heinz Hesse/ Antony Crastus) in the 2400 metres claiming race at 16.55.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Victoir d`Auteuil - Ma Cher - Lilly Gold
2. Race: Safari Rochelais - Marcomax - Garjado
3. Race: Zagzig - Mytshel - Black Law
4. Race: Saintenitouche - Puncho - Amnos
5. Race: Surething - Nachos - Fairy Dress
6. Race: Vireli - The Godfather - Insild
7. Race: Figo - Singapore Gus - Abson
8. Race: Sandy Road - Linux - Par Jupiter

N.H. racing at Sedgefield and Roscommon (Ireland)

There are the usual huge fields at the Irish jumps meeting at Roscommon today. Whispering Wind (Joanna Morgan/ Barry Geraghty) looks the best bet on the card in the mares maiden hurdle at 16.05 CET; she is due for a win after several good efforts and is easily best here on ratings. Geraghty also has a chance in the maiden hurdle at 17.35 on AK Wyse´s Wise Oscar, but Ruby Walsh´s mount Financialregulator looks the form choice here. At Sedgefield, the novice hurdle at 16.00 has attracted some fair performers and should mainly concern the 3 penalised horses Dr.Kildare (Gordon Elliott/ Keith Donoghue), Overrule (Brian Ellison/ Graham Lee) and Stagecoach Pearl (Sue Smith/ Tjade Collier). The 2 1/2 mile handicap chase at 17.30 looks very tricky. Last-time-out winner Tiger O´Toole (Evan Williams/ Paul Moloney) is the probably favourite but is not bombproof, and we fancy that inconsistent Pilca (Malcolm Jefferson/ James Halliday) could be a viable each-way alternative.

Southwell (a.w.) and Warwick

Once again, very poor racing in the U.K. and Ireland today, and like yesterday, the best races are run on the all-weather, this time at Southwell. The 5 furlongs handicap at 17.20 CET is the top race here and looks very difficult, with all 14 runners holding some sort of a chance. Guto (Bill Ratcliffe/ Kelly Harrison) has won 3 of his last 4 stars, but is moving up in grade and meets tougher opposition now. Pawan (Ann Stokell) is an absolute CD specialist, who can never be left out of calculations, but the most reliable performers could be Ocean Blaze (Rod Millman/ Chris Catlin), going for a hat-trick, and consistent Rebel Duke (Ollie Pears/ Tony Hamilton). Chris Catlin also has a chance on John Harris´ Ours in the equally tricky mile handicap at 16.20, but the lightly-weighted 3yo´s Allformary (Brian Smart/ Tom Eaves) and Swiss Art (Ruth Carr/ Silvestre de Sousa) look the two likeliest candidates here. Sir Mark Prescott has placed Valid Point brilliantly to win 6 successive races and he can score again under Stephen Donohoe in the 3yo handicap over 1 1/2 miles at 17.50.

At Warwick, Landowner (Saeed bin Suroor/ Ahmed Ajtebi) can continue Godolphin´s good run by taking the 3yo maiden at 16.10, where Music Maestro (Barry and Michael Hills) and Viking Dancer (Andrew Balding/ David Probert) look the main dangers. The most interesting runner on the card is Spanish Conquest (Philip Hobbs/ Jamie Spencer) in the staying handicap at 18.10. He has not run on the flat for a year, but won 3 hurdles races in the spring, and Hobbs is always dangerous with his flat runners, especially when a top jockey is booked. Hawridge King (Wilf Kittow/ James Millman), who has been running in better company, and consistent Mulcar (Clive Cox/ Ian Mongan) are the main threats. Ex- German Artreju (Peter Butler, Miss K. Loftus) has been dropped to a very lenient mark for the amateur riders handicap at 18.40. He has run well for this rider before and could spring a surprise at a big price.

Irish racing today

There is a mixed meeting today at Roscommon with 4 flat races, followed by 3 chases. Aidan O´Brien and stable jockey Johnny Murtagh had a highly successful weekend and can keep up the good work with Purple Heart in the 2yo maiden at 16.15 CET and Waltz in the 1 1/2 mile maiden an hour later - although Dermot Weld´s Sublime Talent (Pat Smullen) could be a big threat here. All the flat races have maximum fields of 15 runners, but there are only 7 declared for the best race of the day a Grade Three novice chase over 2 miles at 18.15. 5 of them are last-time-out winners, with preference for Bob´s Pride (Dermot Weld/ Robbie McNamara) and Fisher Bridge (Noel Meade/ Paul Carberry).

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Purple Heart - My Point Exactly - Munaawer
2. Race: Mirabile Dictu - Thats A Fret - Spavento
3. Race: Sublime Talent - Waltz - Leblon
4. Race: Only Heather - Diyla - Crowning Moment
5. Race: Bobs Pride - Fisher Bridge - Emmpat
6. Race: Your Night Out - Greenhall Wysteria - Conker Nails
7. Race: Glacial Promise - Ard Agus Fada - Jawad

Bath and Brighton

After the excitements of the weekend, and with the big Newmarket Cambridgeshire meeting coming up, not to mention the Arc weekend at Longchamp, it is no surprise that today´s racing in the U.K. is very low-key. Indeed all 6 races at Bath this afternoon are class 5 events, while most of the races at Brighton are class 6. Brighton is in any case a very tricky course and it is often best to concentrate on horses with a proven track racord. Therefore in the mile handicap here at 16.50 CET, the "best" race on the card, we expect the winner to come from the group of course specialists: top-weights Choreography (Jim Best/ Silvestre de Sousa), very inconsistent, but his last 4 wins have all been here, and Driven (Amanda Perrett/ Jim Crowley), only career win this CD, Cavendish Road (Willie Muir/ David Probert), 3 of 4 career wins here, and last not last German-bred Napoletano (Simon Dow/ Darryll Holland), who runs his best races here and is our hopeful selection. At Bath, Martin Dwy er looks the jockey to follow; he can land a double for Brian Meehan in the 2yo maidens, at 15.10 on Rakaan and at 16.40 (over the long distance of 10 furlongs) on Duty and Destiny. He also has good prospects with Marcus Tregoning´s Lady Hestia, in the stayers handicap at 16.10, and Meehan´s Chincoteague in the fillies´ maiden at 17.10.

All-weather racing at Wolverhampton

Rather surprisingly, the best racing of the day in the U.K. comes from the all-weather track at Wolverhampton, where most of the top jockeys and trainers are in action. The fillies´ handicap over 9 1/2 furlongs at 17.00 CET looks very open. Top-weight Suzi Spends (High Collingridge/ Jimmy Quinn) is an a.w. specialist, but looks exposed, and the lightly weighted 3yo´s Candy Ride (Ed Dunlop/ Tom Queally) and Expressive (Sir Michael Stoute/ Ryan Moore) can be preferred, while Sir Mark Prescott´s Golden Button /Stephen Donohoe) looks a big danger. The 2yo maiden half an hour later looks between Barlaman (Saeed bin Suroor/ Ahmed Ajtebi) and Noble Greek (John Best/ Robert Winston), while the 3yo handicap over 7 furlongs at 18.00 could see top-weight Mabait (Luca Cumani/ Kieren Fallon), Invincible Isle (Henry Cecil/ Queally) and Hightime Heroine (Jeremy Noseda( Ryan Moore) fighting out the finish. Hightime Heroine meets the Cecil runner on 4 lbs better terms for half a length and ma y be able to reverse the placings this time.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Blue Tango - Yab Adee - Zalkani
2. Race: Wigan Lane - Chandrayaan - Out The Ring
3. Race: Milldown Story - Turkish Lokum - Catchpenny
4. Race: Agent Boo - Newbury Street - Nabrina
5. Race: Expressive - Candy Ride - Golden Button
6. Race: Noble Greek - Barlaman - Look Whos Next
7. Race: Mabait - Invincible Isle - Hightime Heroine
8. Race: Vertigo On Course - Hypnotic - Arashi

Ascot festival: final day

Today is the third and final day of Ascot s big September meeting and the main event is the Group Two Diadem Stakes over 6 furlongs at 16.15 CET. With 15 runners, this looks wide open, but JJ the Jet Plane, now trained by Richard Hannon and ridden ths time by Dane O´Neill would have a great chance if back to his best. However he will need to be at his best, which he has not shown in recent outings, to see off High Standng (William Haggas/ Ryan Moore), Dream Eater (Andrew Balding/ William Buick), Palace Moon (Hughie Morrison/ Steve Drowne) and French raider Mariol (Robert Collet/ Christophe Lemaire). Main supporting race is the Group Three Cumberland Lodge Stakes over 1 1/2 miles at 15.40. Debbie Mountain´s Masterofthehorse (ex Aidan O Brien) has tzhe highest rating here, although Kieren Fallon, who has been booked to ride, is not certain to be able to following his neck problems yesterday. In any case we prefer Godolphin´ns Campanologist (Dane O´Neill), the Queen´s Kingdom of Fife (Sir Michael Stoute/ Ryan Moore) and Red Rocks (Brian Meehan/ Martin Dwyer). The last-named has not run since finishing down the field behind Eastern Anthem (runs Cologne today) in Dubai in March, but a repeat of his 2007 Breeders Cup form would see him the winner in this company. Also on the Ascot card is a listed race over 2 miles at 17.15. The Betchworth Kid (Michael Bell/ Hayley Turner) has a theoretical leading chance here, but the going may be too firm for his and we prefer the consistent Swingkeel (John Dunlop/ Ryan Moore). There is also flat racing in the U.K. at Musselburgh and N.H. racing from Market Rasen.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Storyland - Chiberta King - Night Crescendo
2. Race: Kingdom Of Fife - Campanologist - Masterofthehorse
3. Race: High Standing - Dream Eater - J J The Jet Plane
4. Race: Astonishment - Pleasant Day - Guest Book
5. Race: The Betchworth Kid - Swingkeel - Oasis Knight
6. Race: Credit Swap - Fanunalter - Tartan Gunna

Goffs Million races at the Curragh

These big sales races may be controversial because of the way they distort the statistrics, but they certainly offer attractve prizes and at the Curragh today we have the two most valuable of all, the Goffs Million races, each worth 985,000 euros to the winner. While last year they were run as a colts´ and a fillies´ race, this time they are both open to both sexes and we have one race over 6 furlongs at 16.20 CET and the other over a mile at 17.30. Npt surprisingly they have attracted huge fields, Richard Hannon is a specialist in such events and last year won both of them.He is double-handed in ths sprint race with Full Mandate (Mick Kinane) and Lucky General (Richard Hughes), but on form Beethoven, one of 3 Aidan O´Brien entries and the choice of stable jockey Johnny Murtagh, and Walk on Bye (Tommy Stack/ Wayne Lordan) can be preferred. In the mile race Azmeel (John Gosdn/ Mick Kinane) stands out after winning both his starts so far in excellent style. Crystal Gal (Kevin P rendergast/ Declan McDonogh) and Lord High Admiral (O´Brien/ Murtagh) are both undefeated after just one start, but the main danger looks to be Shakeaparean (Mark Johnston/ Joe Fanning), so it is quite likely that the lion´s share of the prize-money will go to England. There are also two group races on the card, both worth far less. Corcovada (dwatd Harty/ Fran Berry) is the form choice for the 7 furlongs 2yo fillis race at 15.45, but it is significant that Murtagh rides David Wachman´s Picture Perfect, behind her last time, in preference to two Aidan O´Brien runners, while the Bersdford Stakes over a mile for 2yo´s at 16.55 looks between St.Nicholas Abbey (O´Brien/ Murtagh), Passion for Gold (Saeed bin Suroor/ Alan Munro) and Layali Al Andalus (Johnston/ Fanning). There isd also jumps racing in Ireland today at Clonmel.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Sioduil - The Tooth Fairy - Irish Heartbeat
2. Race: Picture Perfect - Corcovada - Bikini Babe
3. Race: Walk On Bye - Gibraltar Blue - Full Mandate
4. Race: St Nicholas Abbey - Passion For Gold - Reiteration
5. Race: Azmeel - Shakespearean - Lord High Admiral
6. Race: Gan Amhras - Dohasa - Worldly Wise
7. Race: Majestic Concorde - Elyaadi - Silverhand

Irish racing today

There is flat racing today in Ireland at Gowran Park and N.H. racing from Navan. Main event is the Group Three race for fillies over 9 furlongs at 17.00 CET at Gowran Park. Aidan O´Brien and Sir Michael Stoute will doubtless be more interested in events at Ascot at that time, but their runners Roman Empress (Seamus Heffernan) and Ave (Richard Mullen) respectively look the two to beat here. There are some huge fields at Navan - 30 runners in 3 of the hurdles races- but in the better events normal size fields, and Ruby Walsh can land a double with the top-weights Oscar Dan Dan for Tony Mullins at 16.20 and Reisk Superman for Tony Martin at 17.25.

Gowran Park - betting forecast:
1. Race: Pittori - Northern Rocked - Alakhan
2. Race: Banna Boirche - Dunne Grand - Beth
3. Race: Precious Gem - Maurice Utrillo - Barack
4. Race: Roman Empress - Ave - Beach Bunny
5. Race: Banyan Tree - Black Eyed Susan - Virgil Caine
6. Race: Jan Vermeer - Leo Gali - Behtarini
7. Race: Sixteen Forty Two - Final Flashback - Qeethaara

Navan - betting forecast:
1. Race: Medical Debenture - Luzdeluna - Gwens Spirit
2. Race: Twelfth Of Never - Emotional Melody - Canadian Blaze
3. Race: Oscar Dan Dan - High Gales - Beckett Rock
4. Race: Corsican Native - Trotsky - Catch Twenty Two
5. Race: Reisk Superman - Emotional Article - Valain
6. Race: Dream Champion - Harro The Hero - Total Victory
7. Race: Where`S My Slave - Kavanagh - Gentle Paddy

Rest of U.K. racing today

There is plenty more racing today, with flat racing at Haydock and Chester this afternoon and Kempton (a.w.) this evening, while there is a good jumps card at Market Rasen. The two best races at Haydock are sprint handicaps. The 6 furlongs race at 16.00 CET can go to either Everymanforhimself (Kevin Ryan/ Darryll Holland) or Hitchens (David Barron/ Phillip Makin), both down the field in last week´s Ayr Gold Cup, or Prohibit (John Gosden/ Robert Havlin), who has not run since being unplaced in the Stewards Cup at Goodwood. Over 5 furlongs at 16.35, Green Manalishi (Ryan/ Holland) and River Falcon (Jim Goldie/ Kelly Harrison), both unplaced in the Ayr Silver Cup, catch the eye, as well as Oldjoesaid (Henry Candy/ Fergus Sweeney) At Chester, there are only 5 runners in the main event, a 10 furlongs handicap at 16.50. Top-weight Mirrored (Sir Michael Stoute/ Tom Queally) can come back to form here, with the progressive Kaolak (John Ryan/ Franny Norton) the main danger. It is no t clear whether Tony McCoy will be able to ride at Market Rasen, following his heavy fall on Thursday; if so, he has prospects of winning the top race, a valuable handicap chase over 2 3/4 miles at 16.15 on Tim Vaughan´s War of the World. Razor Royale (Nigel Twiston-Davis/ Paddy Brennan) and From Dawn to Dusk (Philip Hobbs/ Richard Johnson) are just two oif several dangers. Best bet at Kempton´s evening meeting should be Arty Crafty (Sir Mark Prescott/ Stephen Donohue) in the 3yo handicap at 19.45, who should stay unbeaten for the season and keep up the stable´s good run.

Haydock - betting forecast:
1. Race: Murcar - Overturn - Gordonsville
2. Race: Filligree - Tajneed - Pearly Wey
3. Race: Green Manalishi - Atlantic Story - Oldjoesaid
4. Race: Miss Antonia - Zahoo - Dancing Queen
5. Race: Super Collider - Start Right - Graymalkin
6. Race: Assabiyya - Gripsholm Castle - Grantsville

Chester - betting forecast:
1. Race: Jacqueline Quest - Let Them Eat Cake - Marie Cuddy
2. Race: Yurituni - Secret Millionaire - Leleyf
3. Race: Crazy Chris - Nesayem - Benedicte
4. Race: Kaolak - Mirrored - Hollow Green
5. Race: Mujood - My Gacho - Invincible Force
6. Race: Kingswinford - Grissom - I Confess
7. Race: Spirit Of Adjisa - Zuwaar - Inspector Clouseau

Kempton - betting forecast:
1. Race: Ramora - Mutamayez - Meyyal
2. Race: Resplendent Ace - Hits Only Cash - Dinner Date
3. Race: Arty Crafty - Foxtrot Charlie - Fine Tolerance
4. Race: Wasan - Copperbeech - Perks
5. Race: Inside Track - Point Out - Natural Law
6. Race: Diamond Laura - Stef And Stelio - Lady Pattern
7. Race: Esteem Machine - Mutamared - White Shift
8. Race: Equinine - Billberry - Capone

Rest of Ascot

The rest of the Ascot card is also very high class, featuring two top races for 2yo´s. The Fillies Mile (Group One) at 16.05 CET could go to Godolphin´s Long Lashes (Saeed bin Suroor/ Frankie Dettori), but Aidan O´Brien´s You´ll be Mine (Johnny Murtagh) is an obvious danger, while Hibaayeb (Clive Brittain/ Neil Callan), although still a maiden, has excellent form to her credit and may beat the both of them. The Royal Lodge Stakes (Group Two) at 15.30, also over a mile, also features a Godolphin - Coolmore clash, with each fielding two runners and Frozen Fire (Frankie Dettori) and Mikhail Glinka (Murtagh) looking the pick of their entries. High Twelve (John Gosden/ Jimmy Fortune) and Godolphin´s second string Vale of York (Ahme Ajtebi) are also not out of it. The card opens with a listed fillies´ handcap over a mile at 14.55 with 18 runners; almost anything is possible here, but top-weight Damaniyat (William Haggas/ Dettori) ran a great race in Turkey last time and should be i nvolved, while Shamwari Lodge (Hannnon/ Hughes) and Applause (Jeremy Noseda/ Shane Kelly), so far unbeaten in 2009, are two of many dangers. The 7 furlongs handicap at 16.40 has 29 runners and looks even more difficult. Marching Time (Sir MichaelStoute/ Ryan Moore) and Golden Desrt (Terry Mills/ Alan Munro) have won their last 2 races and are still improving, while we have not forgotten Giganticus´ win at Royal Ascot over this trip, and although he is up in the weights, we expect him to run another big race. Peter Chapple-Hyam´s Shalaal, who would have been Frankie´s mount here, is a non-runner. After the big one, Frankie then rides Red Dune for Michael Jarvis in the 7 furlongs listed race for fillies at 17.50; two fillies with German form could be the stumbling block here, Penny´s Gift (Hannon/ Hughes), winner of the German 1,000 Guineas, and Chantilly Tiffany (Ed Dunlop/ Jimmy Fortune), who won twice in Germany last year. The concluding 2 mile handicap at 18.25 is also ver y open but possibly front-runner Tungsten Strike (Amanda Perrett/ Martin Dwyer) can last home this time. Frankie rides top-weight Sagredo for Jonjo O´Neill; this hurdler is having his first flat race for 2 years and it is hard to imagine his playing any role in this company.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Applause - Annabelle`S Charm - Aspectoflove
2. Race: Frozen Power - Mikhail Glinka - Vale Of York
3. Race: Long Lashes - You`Ll Be Mine - Hibaayeb
4. Race: Marching Time - Redford - Swift Gift
5. Race: Rip Van Winkle - Delegator - Aqlaam
6. Race: Tropical Paradise - Glowing - Please Sing
7. Race: Sweetheart - Relative Strength - Woolfall Treasure

QE II day at Ascot

Ascot today stages one of the best cards of the whole season, on a day which will be forever remembered for Frankie Dettori´s exploits in 1996, when he won all 7 races. He had rides booked in all 7 races, but one of them is now a non-runner (Shalaal at 16.40) so he cannot repeat this feat; however he can certainly score a couple of times, and we fancy that he can take the main event, the Group One Queen Elizabeth II Stakes over a mile at 17.15 CET on Godolphin´s Delegator and beat his main rival, and likely odds-on favourite, Rip van Winkle (Aidan O´Brien/ Johnny Murtagh). Unfortunately the field has cut up badly, and there are only 4 runners, but the clash between Godolphin and the Irish Coolmore empire gives the race some added spice. With such a small field, it will be a tactical affair, and Murtagh will most likely make the running on Rip van Winkle, who is clear top on ratings here and was an impressive winner of the Sussex Stakes last time. Delegator´s best form was his second place in the 2,000 Guineas, but he was also an easy Goodwood winner last time and it is not impossible that he can beat the Irish raider for speed in the final furlong. The two other runners are also proven Group One performers, indeed Aqlaam (William Haggas/Richard Hills), winner of the Moulin last time, has a serious chance of turning over the two favourites, while Zacinto (Sir Michael Stoute/ Ryan Moore) also has excellent form to his credit. However with the Godolphin stable now in top form, we hope to see Delegator triumph.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Applause - Annabelle`S Charm - Aspectoflove
2. Race: Frozen Power - Mikhail Glinka - Vale Of York
3. Race: Long Lashes - You`Ll Be Mine - Hibaayeb
4. Race: Marching Time - Redford - Swift Gift
5. Race: Rip Van Winkle - Delegator - Aqlaam
6. Race: Tropical Paradise - Glowing - Please Sing
7. Race: Sweetheart - Relative Strength - Woolfall Treasure

La Coupe de Maisons-Laffitte

The best race in France today is the Group Three La Coupe de Maisons-Laffitte over 2000 metres at 16.00, which has attracted an international field. The German runner is Andreas Trybuhl´s Falun (Ioritz Mendizibal), who ran an excellent race at Baden-Baden when third in the Fürstenberg-Rennen, but faces tough opposition here. Best of the locals should be Chinchon (Carlos Laffon-Parias), but we prefer the British raider Big Bound (Richard Mullen), the first French runner for John Gosden since the controversial disqualification of Dar Re Mi. Rupert Pritchard-Gordon has declared Runaway, who ran a really good race behind Goldikova at Deauville, but he is expected to run on Cologne on Sunday instead.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Top Music - Six Realms - Platinum
2. Race: Full Steam - Happy Way - Mamie Zane
3. Race: Forum Magnum - Wonderfilly - Ladoga
4. Race: Voie De Printemps - Sanajiyr - Lutece Eria
5. Race: Chinchon - Calvados Blues - Falun
6. Race: Le Valentin - D`Outremer - Docteur Buzz
7. Race: Azagra - Afariyas - Ipponiki
8. Race: Gyrona - Top Wave - Ice Queen

This evening at Dundalk and Wolverhampton

Two meetings this evening under floodlights, at Dundalk in Ireland and at Wolverhampton. The better card is at Dundalk, where Johnny Murtagh and Pat Smullen, fighting it out for the Irish jockeys´ championship, are in action. They can dominate the finish to the 2yo fillies maiden at 20.30 CET on Crazyforlovingyou (David Wachman/ Murtagh) and Lisselan Grace (Dermot Weld/ Smullen) and again in the 10 furlongs conditions race at 22.00 on Augustusthestrong (Aidan O´Brien/ Murtagh) and Maziona (Weld/ Smullen). The best race here is the 2yo handicap at 20,00. Veteran trainer Kevin Prendergast has his juveniles in good form and can take this with Qubool (Chris Hayes). The best betting race of the evening is the 5 furlongs handicap at 19.50 at Wolverhampton. As always these sprints are very tricky; our short list includes CD specialist Almaty Express (John Weymes/ Darryll Holland), top-weight Little Pete (Andrew Balding/ Liam Keniry) and consistent Feeling Foxy (James Given/ Tom Qu eally). Sir Mark Prescott keeps sending out winners and can continue here with Veiled (Rosie Jessop) in the concluding stayers handicap at 22.20, who can score his 4th win in 5 starts at the main expense of Jadalee (Ger Butler( Kieren Fallon).

Ascot, Haydock and Worcester (N.H.)

Today is the first day of Ascot´s big September meeting (Festival of British Racing, as it used to be called), and the main event is the valuable Watership Down Sales Race for 2yo fillies over 6 1/2 furlongs at 16.10 CET. With a quarter of a million pounds in prize-money, this is worth than all today´s other races in the U.K. and Ireland put together. If ratings mean anything, it should be won by Shamandar (William Haggas/ Michael Hills), an easy listed winner at Salisbury last time, who has at least 10 lbs in hand. However there are 26 opponents to beat, so it is no foregone conclusion. Best of the opposition should be group-placed Dubawi Heights (Simon Callaghan/ Frankie Dettori) and Theladyinquestion (Andrew Balding/ William Buick), Also at Ascot, the listed race for fillies over 1 1/2 miles at 16.45 could see Phillipina (Sir Michael Stoute/ Ryan Moore) return to form after a poor effort last time, but CD winner Pollys Mark /Clive Cox/ Richard Hughes) and last-time-out w inner Snoqualmie Girl (David Elsworth/ Silvestre de Sousa) offer stern opposition.

The 3yo handicap over the straight mile at 17.20 can go to Laughing Boy, representing the in-form team of Luca Cumani and Kieren Fallon; he is still a maiden, but has been in the money all 4 career starts and is now dropped in distance, which may be the key to success.
The racing at Haydock is relatively low-key, but Atlaal (Michal Jarvis/ Richard Hills), beaten at 4-1 on last time, should certainly win the 2yo maiden at 15.45, whle the mile handicap at 17.30 looks very tricky. Mull of Killough (John Spearing/ Jamie Spencer) lost all chance at the start when beaten favourite at Beverley last time, and can possibly recover those losses at the main expense of front-runner Dunn´o (Clive Cox/ Philip Robinson), easy last-time-out winner Faithful Ruler (Richard Fahey/ Paul Hanagan) and Light from Mars (Rod Millman/ Freddie Tylicki).

There are some quite large fields at Worcester´s jumps meeting and winners are not easy to find. Ex- Grman Swordsman (Charlie Gordon/ Colin Bolger) is not the most consistent, but as a son of Acatenango should like the fast ground and can run well in the beginners chase at 15.20. The 2 miles handicap chase at 18.15 is the best race here. Fit to Drive (Brendan Powell/ Keith Renwick) and Kirby´s Vic (Nigel Twiston-Davies/ Paddy Brennan) were both in good form when last seen, but have been off the track for a while. On recent form Beherayn (Henry Daly/ Andrew Tinkler) can be preferred, but we also like top-weight Enlightenment (Evan Williams/ Donal Fahy), who had no chance in a better race at Ffos Las, but whose previous form reads well enough in this company.

N.H. racing at Fontwell and Perth

Two jumps meetings today, with the better sport on offer at Perth in Scotland. Nigel Twiston-Davies alweays dos well at this meeting and could be on the scoresheet today. Diablo in the novice chase at 15.50 CET, despite the fact that he has been pulled up on 3 of his last 4 starts, and Billie Magern in the novice hurdle at 16.20, both with Paddy Brennan aboard, have good prospects, while in the handicaps at 1650 and 17.20 he stable´s candodates Bermuda Pointe and Civil Servant also have chances.

However in the former race Prospectorous (Jack Dempsey/ Brian Hughes), an easy winner here yesterday, would be a big danger if he turns out again, while in the latter McMurdo Sound (Gordon Elliott/ Keith Donoghue) and top-weight Front Rank (Dianne Sayer/ Brian Harding) must also be respected. Tony McCoy was riding here yesterday, but now travels south to Fontwell, primarily to partner Jonjo O´Neill´s Good Harvest in the handicap chase at 17.40; however ex-German Early Wings (Caroline Bailey/ Andrew Thornton) is very consistent and appears extremely well handicapped here. McCoy possibly has better chances on Paul Milligan´s pair Capaille Eile in the novice chase at 16.10 (with the Acatenango gelding Nordwind looking a big danger) and Lady Hillingdon in the novice hurdle half an hour later.

Pontefract and Kempton (a.w. evening meeting)

Pontefract this afternoon and Kempton (a.w.) this evening stage the only flat racing in Britain today. The 5 furlongs handicap at 16.30 CET at the former track is a typically tricky sprint, but the eye is immediately drawn to CD specialist Mr. Wolf (John Quinn/ Tony Hamilton), who has won here 7 times, including 4 times this trip, and is now back to a very lenient handicap mark. The bst race here is the 10 furlongs handocap at 17.00; only a sall field but quite an open affair. Top-weight Laaheb (Michael Jarvis/ Richard Hills) threw away a winning chance last time at Newmarket by hanging badly, but if he stays straight can get back on the winning trail here. Larkham (Ralph Beckett/ George Baker) and consistent William Blake (Mark Johnston/ Greg Fairley) look the main dangers. With Sir Mark Prescott´s stable now firing on all fronts, his Valid Point (Rosie Jessop) can complete a five-timer in the apprentice handicap at 18.00. There is also a small field for the main event this evening at Kempton, a mile handicap for 3yo´s at 21.30, but some useful performers entered. Frankie Dettori is here to partner top-weight Musleh for Godolphin and he has an obvious chance, while Stoic (Jeremy Noseda/ Shane Kelly) and Penitent (William Haggas/ Jamie Spencer), neither of whom has so far finished out of the first two this season, are big threats.

N.H. racing at Perth (Scotland) and Down Royal (N. Ireland)

There are as always plenty of runners at Down Royal but the racing is of modest quality; the most interesting races are probably the two beginners chases, over 2 1/4 miles at 16.50 CET and over 2 miles 7 furlongs at 17.55. In the former event Gordon Elliott´s The Rocking Dock, who has been runner-up three tims running, must surely be involved, while in the latter, Call Me Max (Eoin Doyle/ Shay Barry) and Marhaba Million (Alan Crowe) are twolikely candidates. Gordon Elliott can also take the main event at Perth, where there is the usual strong Irish presence, with Kells Castle (Tony McCoy) at 17.45. However this 3 mile handicap chase is very open, and Flemish Invader (Nigel Twiston-Davies/ Paddy Brennan) as well as Top Dressing (Howard Davies/ Denis O´Regan) also look threatening. The Johnson/ O´Regan team could be in for a good day as Bergonzi, in the opening maiden hurdle at 15.25, and Blackstone Vegas, in the 3yo hurdle at 16.00, also have good prospects.

Goodwood, Redcar and Kempton (a.w.)

Flat racing this afternoon at Goodwood and Redcar, and this evening on the all-weather at Kempton. The best event of the day is the listed race over 10 furlongs at 16.45 CET at Goodwood, which has unfortunately only 5 runners and it will be a major surprise if Twice Over (Henry Cecil/ Tom Queally) fails to win here, as he is easily the best horse in the race. Perfect Stride (Sir Michael Stoute/ Ryan Moore) and Fanjura (Barry and Richard Hills) can follow him home.

There is again a small field in the 3yo handicap over 1 mile 3 furlongs here at 17.20, but it still looks quite tricky. Top weight State Banquet (Hughie Morrison/ Steve Drowne) failed to act on the all-weather last time, but has a good chance on his previous form, while lightly-raced Plymouth Rock (Jeremy Noseda/ Moore) is an obvious danger. Sir Mark Prescott, after a slow start, now has his strong in top form, and Point of Light (Stephen Donohoe) can defy a huge weight and win his seventh (!) race in a row in the1 1/2 mile handicap at 17.55. There are some large fields at Redcar and Kempton, but very little quality on show. The best event at Redcar is the claiming race over the straight mile at 16.25. Benandonner (Richard Fahey/ Paul Hanagan) is the class acr here and can concede the weight to Dabbers Ridge (Ian McInnes/ Gary Bartley), who is prbably better at 7 furlongs. At Kempton, Luca Cumani and Kieren Fallon can combine for a double with Luc Jordan at 20.20 and Buffett an hour later.

Ostland in Auteuil

There are far fewer German runners over jumps in France than there are on the flat, but they have a good strike rate, so it will be interesting to see how Peter Schiergen´s Ostland (Paul Johnson) gets on today when he contests a hurdle race for 4yo´s at 13.20 at Auteuil. Last year´s German Derby runner-up has been a big disappointment on the flat this year, but made a winning debut over hurdles at Baden-Baden. However he faces strong opposition here, notably from Bien et Rose (Cyril Gombeau) and Rhialco (Christophe Pieux)

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Kriss William - Ole Companero - Sept Verites
2. Race: Temple Lord - Dasaint - Kauto Stone
3. Race: Rhialco - Speedy Silver - Ostland
4. Race: Earlson Gray - Rubis Sur Ongle - Pour Changer
5. Race: En La Cruz - Mine Lointaine - Monika
6. Race: Miss Aubane - Rapide - Blue Road
7. Race: Panzara d`Airy - Quakhdari - Pottland

German runners in France today

Two races with German runners at Chantilly today: a conditions race for 3yo´s over 1200 metres at 16.20 and a claimer for 3yo´s over 2100 metres at 16.55. In the former race Nareion (Werner Baltromei/ Dominique Boeuf) can be preferred to Glad Sky (Miroslav Rulec/ Daniele Porcu), but may find Letteratura (Jean-Claude Rouget/ Christophe Lemaire) too strong. In the claimer, Canali (Baltromei/ Boeuf) and Tessaiga (Werner Hefter/ Johan Victoire) both have chances, but another German-bred Muscadet (Robert Collet/ Flavier Prat) loks a big danger. Main event is a listed race over 2400 metres at 15.50; Alain de Royer-Dupré has a good chance here with both his runners, the unbeaten Lando colt Shahwardi (Lmaire) and Gallilei (Gerald Mossé), while British challenger Serva Jugum (Paul Cole/ Ioritz Mendizibal) is the danger. There will also be a great deal of interest in the race for 2yo maiden fillies at 14.45, which sees the debut of the superbly-bred Deluxe (Andre Fabre/ Stephane Pasqui er).

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Ribadesella - Amico Fritz - Rengers
2. Race: Heaven King - No Cattle - Kolokol
3. Race: Elusist - Deluxe - Oranor
4. Race: Mubtassim - Frederick Handel - Memory Cloth
5. Race: Shahwardi - Serva Jugum - Makt
6. Race: Peace Camp - Letteratura - Glad Sky
7. Race: Botanique - Follow The Lead - Canall
8. Race: Question Of Time - Dear Maria - Cherma

Stratford (N.H.) and Fairyhouse ( Ireland)

There is also N.H. racing this afternoon at Stratford and Irish flat racing from Fairyhouse. Best race at Stratford is the 2 miles 7 furlongs handicap chase at 17.40 CET. Last time out War of the World (Tim Vaughan/ Dean Coleman) was an easy winner this CD from Tempsford (Jonjo O´Neill/ Tony McCoy) and may be able to confirm the form at the revised weights, but last-time-out winners De Soto (Paul Webber/ Sam Thomas) and Gaelic Flight (Jeremy Scott/ Nick Scholfield) could prove problematic. Thre are severela German-breds running at Stratford, the two with the bst chancs are in our opinion Sadlers Star (Alan King/ Robert Thornton), who fell last time when going well, in the handicap hurdle at 16.40, and King of the Night (Paul Nicholls/ Christian Williams) in the bumper at 18.10. Ar Fairyhouse, John Oxx and stable jockey Mick Kinane can take the most valuable race of the day, a 1 1/2 mile handicap at 18.25, with Adjaliya and also have chances in the 2yo maiden fillies race at 1 6.25 with Aliwiyya, both owned by the Aga Khan.

Beverley and Folkestone

Mainly poor racing this afternoon at the two flat meetings in the U.K. A poor card at Folkestone is given some interest by the presence of some top jockeys; Frankie Dettori is there to ride Game Stalker (Saeed bin Suroor) in the 10 furlongs maiden race at 17.20 CET. He was well beaten on his only start, but that was back in May, when the Godolphin stable was totally out of form. Now they are firing on all fronts, a much different performance can be expected, although Tafaool (Marcus Tregoning/ Richard Hills) looks a big danger. Kieren Fallon is also in action at Folkestone; since his comeback 2 weeks ago, he has already ridden 20 winners and can add to that total today. His best chances would appear to be Brendan Powell´s veteran Pic Up Sticks in the 5 furlongs handicap at 15.50 and Luca Cumani´s Maswerte in the 7 furlongs handicap half an hour later. Godolphin also have a runner at Beverley - Namecheck (Ahmed Ajtebi) in the 2yo maiden at 17.00, who also holds a winning chan ce. Best event here is the 5 furlongs conditions race at 16.30. The only 3yo in the line-up Percolator (Paul Cole/ Joe Fanning) in our choice here, although Captain Dunne (Tim Easterby/ David Allan) and Ishetoo (Alan Dickman/ Freddie Tylicki) both look dangerous.

Ballinrobe this afternoon

The weather has improved in Ireland and the fixture list is now back to normal. Today´s racing is a N.H. fixture at Ballinrobe, with maximum fields in most races. With little current form to go on, it is not an attractive card for betting purposes, but Isityourself (Willie Mullins/ Ruby Walsh) can be expected to take the maiden hurdle at 16.05 CET after his easy bumper win. Walsh also has chances on Tous les Tables in a very open handicap hurdle at 17.35, while Silver Jaro (Tom Hogan/ Joe Cullen), placed on his last 3 starts, can finally get off the mark in the beginners chase at 18.05.

Hamilton, Kempton (a.w.) and Leicester

With the Godolphin 2yo´s carrying all before them at present, their 2 runners at Kempton´s all-weather meeting this afternoon should certainly be watched, Dahaam in the mile maiden at 15.30 CET and Magic Doll in the fillies maiden over 7 furlongs an hour later, both ridden by Frankie Dettori. Both made a good debut and can be expected to improve for that run but meet some tough opposition today. Another trainer in good form is Sir Mark Prescott, but while his Kempton runners are relatively unfancied, it is a different story at Hamilton, where he landed a double yesterday and has 3 runners today, all with good chances: Prescription (Seb Sanders) attenpts to repeat her 2008 victory in the fillies handicap under top weight at 15.40, while Arty Crafty (Rosie Jessop) in the apprentice handicap at 16.10 and Passkey (Sanders) in the 9 furlongs maiden an hour later seem to have simple tasks. Best race at Leicester is the 5 furlongs handicap at 16.20, in which all 10 runners are in w ith a chance. Top-weight Total Impact (Richard Fahey/ Freddie Tylicki) represents a trainer and jockey in top form and was rather unlucky last time, while 12yo The Tatling (Milton Bradley/ Jack Dean) is currently in great form. Incomparable (Jeremy Glover/ Graham Gibbons) won well last time out, while we also fancy Le Toreador (Kevin Ryan/ Jamie Spencer), whose last run at Chster can be ignored as he was badly drawn.

N.H. racing at Plumpton and Uttoxeter

Tony McCoy, as so often, looks the jockey to follow at Uttoxeter today, with chances in 6 of the 7 races. He kicks off with Quivvy Bridge for N. Irish trainer James Lambe in the novice hurdle at 15.20, who looks the best bet of the day. Then come Brousse en Feux in the selling hurdle at 16.20 and Seven is my Business in the novice chase half an hour later, both for David Pipe. His final 3 rides are all for Jonjo O´Neill, Carey´s Road and Tarvini in the two divisions of the novice handicap hurdle at 17.20 and 18.20, and Nelson´s Spice in the handicap chase at 17.50; their chances on form look less obvious, but the opposition is in all cases very weak. Bst race at Piumpton is the 2 mile handicao hurdle at 16.30, where most of the 8 runners bring good recent form to the start. Bernatd Llewellyn has two good chances here with German-bred Olivino (Sam Twiston-Davies) and Sweet World (Isabel Tompsett), both ridden by competent claimers, while top-weight L´Eau du Nil (Andy Haynes/ Peter Toole) is clearly the best horse in the field but looks handicapped to the hilt. A more attractive bet should be Agente Romano (Evan Williams/ Paul Moloney), who has been placed on all 3 starts over hurdles and can finally get off the mark in the first division of the novice hurdle at 16.00.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Quivvy Bridge - Seedless - Risk
2. Race: Ishismart - Spangle Island - Lip Gloss
3. Race: Inner Voice - Brousse En Feux - Come West
4. Race: Kangaroo Court - Seven Is My Number - Farinelli
5. Race: Winchester Red - Mcqueen - Storm Of Applause
6. Race: Celtic Boy - Evelith Echo - Nelson`S Spice
7. Race: Wisteria Lane - Blossom King - Tarvini

Hamilton and Ballinrobe

there is no flat racing in England today, with 2 jumps meetings at Plumpton and Uttoxeter, while there is flat action in Scotland at Hamilton and in Ireland at Ballinrobe. The most intersting event is the 6 furlongs conditions raceat 15.40 CET at Hamilton, which in theory should only concern the two top-weights Garnica (David and Adrian Nicholls) and Major Cadeaux (Richard Fahey/ Paul Hanagan). They are clear best on ratings, but neither has raced since May. Garnica will be remembered as a Baden-Baden winner in 2006, but has only sporadically raced since. Clear preference is for Major Cadeaux, previously with Richard Hannon, who is having his first race for his new trainer, currently in sensational form. His only run this year ended in a fifth place (of 11) in the Group One Lockinge Stakes, and a repetition of that form would make him almost impossible to beat here. Fahey and his stable jockey Hanagan can go on to land a hat-trick with Layla´s Boy in the 2yo maiden at 16.10 a nd Sunnyside Tom in the claimer half an hour later. Another trainer with good prospects at Hamilton is Sir Mark Prescott, who can take the two best handicaps with Breakheart Move at 17.10 and Valid Point at 17.40, both partnered by Seb Sanders. The card at Ballinrobe is very low-level for an Irish Sunday meeting, but several of the top trainers saddle runners, and Aidan O´Brien and Dermot Weld can fight out the 1 3/4 mile maiden at 17.45 with Waltz (Seamus Heffernan) and Rite of Passage (Pat Smullen) respectively.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Carefree Smile - Dactik - Daly
2. Race: Look Officer - Quench The Flame - Captain Henry
3. Race: Estephe - Timoca - Lastkingofscotland
4. Race: Qudraat - Step Dancing - Nans Best
5. Race: Waltz - Rite Of Passage - Mashaal
6. Race: Mutadarek - Pride Celebre - Viceroy Of India
7. Race: Frutti Tutti - Ennis Express - Gudnis Gracious Me

Rest of U.K. and Ireland

Today is also the seventh and final day of Listowel´s harvest festival in Ireland, with 3 flat and 5 N.H. races. The jumps racs look the more interesting and Dessie Hughes and Roger Loughran have a chance of landing a double in the two top races, the novice chase at 16.55 with Sarteano and the handicap hurdle at 17.30 with Trimbellina. In England, there are two class 2 handicaps at Newmarket, and Alan Swinbank and jockey Jimmy Quinn can take them both with Honimiere over 10 furlongs at 16.00 and Saga de Tercey in the Cesarewitch trial over 2 1/4 miles at 16.450. This is however a very tough race in which Aajel (Marcus Tregoning/ Pat Dobbs), despite his huge weight, and Baddam (Ian Williams/ Saleem Golam) must also be respec ted. Swinbank also has a chance of taking the top race at Catterick, a 1 1/2 mile handicap, with German-bred Full Speed (Jamie Mackay). Another ex-German in this race is Stellino (Jimmy Moffatt/ Kosei Miura), but he has been off for over a year and this d istance is not ideal. Another German-bred of interest here is Terminate who runs at 17.45 over 1 3/4 miles for Alan Berry and Slade O´Hara. There is evening all-weather racing at Wolverhampton, but all 8 races are of poor quality.

Mill Reef and World Trophy at Newbury

There is also a strong card at Newbury this afternoon, headed by two group races, the Mill Reef Stakes for 2yo´s over 6 furlongs at 15.20 CET, and the World Cup Trophy for older sprinters at 16.25. The former event should in theory go to Brian Meehan´s Radiohead (Jamie Spencer), an excellent third to older horses in the Nunthorpe, but we suspect that he is better at the minimum trip and prefer the unbeaten Awzaan (Mark Johnston/ Richard Hills) and Stargaze (Andrew Balding/ William Buick). The latter event looks very open. Strike the Deal (Jeremy Noseda/ Kieren Fallon) finished strongly from last place to win at Doncaster last week, while Triple Aspect (William Haggas/ Ryan Moore), who had excellent form in the spring, is coming off a longish break.

Noseda and Fallon also have prospects in the valuable 10 furlongs handicap at 15.50. This looks just as difficult as the Ayr handicaps, and Class is Class (Sir Michael Stoute/ Moore) and Charm School (John Gosden/ Jimmy Fortune) are just two of many dangers. From the German point of view, the conditions race over 9 furlongs at 18.10, in which Godolphin´s ex-German Peligroso (Ted Durcan) reappears after his poor run in the Union-Rennen in mid-June. is also of interest. On recent form Glass Harmonium (Stoute/ Moore) can be preferred, but he has to give quite a lot of weight to the ex-Hofer runner.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: La Pantera - Haadeeth - Astonishment
2. Race: Radiohead - Awzaan - Stargaze
3. Race: Class Is Class - Royal Destination - Broomielaw
4. Race: Triple Aspect - J J The Jet Plane - Total Gallery
5. Race: Mufarrh - Official Style - Pont De Nuit
6. Race: Critical Moment - Lay Claim - Rasmy
7. Race: Glass Harmonium - Charlie Farnsbarns - Peligroso
8. Race: Santefisio - Zero Money - Secret Hero

Ayr Gold Cup day

Ayr stages its biggest day of the year with the Ayr Gold Cup, a 6 furlongs handicap at 16.10 CET, as the main event. This is always one of the toughest handicaps of the year and with 27 runners is as tricky as ever today.Yesterday´s results suggest that the inside (low draw) is the place to be, although this may not necessarily be the case this afternoon. However we ar hooping that this still holds true and take as our 4 against the field top-weight Knot in Wood (Richard Fahey/ Barry McHugh, drawn 9), 4th in this last year, Evens and Odds (David and Adrian Nicholls, frawn 3), possibly the pick of the Nicholls stable´s 6 runners and the likely favourite, Hogmaneigh (Jim Goldie/ Daniel Tudhope, drawn 8) and Signor Peltro (Henry Candy/ Seb Sanders, drawn 5).

The Silver Cup at 15.05, the second division, is just as strong and has the same size field; acting on the same principles as before, we suggest River Falcon (Goldie/ Tudhope, drawn 4) and Kaldoun Kingdom (Fahey/ McHugh, drawn 2) against the field. The Group Three race for 2yo fillies at 15.35 looks booked for Beyond Desire (Michael Jarvis/ Neil Callan), runner-up on a better race at the big York meeting, while the listed Doonside Cup over 10 furlongs at 17.25 looks between Godolphin´s two runners,Prince Siegfried (Frankie Dettori) and ex-German Baila Me (Alan Munro). Frankie has chosn the wrong one twice in recent days, so the fact that he is not riding Baila Me, who is having her first race for Godolphin and was last seen winning the Preis von Europa a year ago for Werner Baltromei, does not necessarily mean that she has no chance. On the contrary, if she is anywhere near her best 2008 form, she could win this.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Our Joe Mac - Centigrade - Flaming Miracle
2. Race: Prescription - Quest For Success - Roker Park
3. Race: Beyond Desire - Conniption - Music Show
4. Race: Evens And Odds - Genki - Redford
5. Race: Prime Exhibit - Imaam - Harrison George
6. Race: Prince Siegfried - Dream Lodge - Lady Gloria
7. Race: Lang Shining - Authentic - Tiger Reigns
8. Race: Stanstill - Demolition - Hollow Green

Newmarket and Wolverhampton

Autumn begins today with the first day´s racing on the Rowley course at Newmarket since the early summer. Easily the most valuable race is the Tattersalls Million Sprint for 2yo´s over 6 furlongs at 16.40 CET, worth more than 150,000 euros to the winner. These sales race have a distorting effect on the year´s statistics and today´s race is a particularly bad example, as it is a very poor race for the money. On ratings it should go to Jira (Clive Brittain/ Kosei Miura), but she is no good thing and Mark Johnston´s pair Take Two (Joe Fanning) and Lowdown (Richard Hills) could well prove superior. The 2yo handicap at 16.05 sees a quick return from John Holt´s Audacity of Hope, an easy winner at Doncaster last week and he can defy a penalty. He is ridden by Kieren Fallon,who then moves on to Wolverhampton´s all-weather evening meeting, where he has rides in 6 of the 8 races. All his rides have chances, with Luca Cumani´s pair Pictures at 19.20 and Mabait at 20.50 possibly the bes t of them.

Ayr and Newbury this afternoon

The best race in the U.K., today is the Arc Trial at Newbury at 15.45 CET. Like the rest of the Newbury card, it is sponsored by Dubai Duty Free but the 1 mile 3 furlongs Group Three in unlikely to have much effect on the Arc itself. Easily the best horse in the field is Look Here (Ralph Beckett/ Jim Crowley) and in theory the 2008 Oaks winner, in receipt of weight from all her 5 opponents, should win this easily, but she has not won since her classic success. Her main dangers should be Halicarnassus (Mick Channon/ Alan Munro), who put up his best-ever performamce when winning in Turkey at the beginning of the month,and Frankie Dettori´s mount Campanologist from the red-hot Godolphin stable. Godolphin also has an excellent chance of taking the Haynes, Hanson and Clark Conditions Stakes for 2yo´s over 7 furlongs with the German-bred Ameer, who created a very positive impression when winning on his debut at Newmarket.

The listed race over 7 furlongs at 16.55 should go to Stimulation (Hughie Morrison/ Darryll Holland), not beaten far in a Group Two over this trip at Doncaster last week. However that was his first race for a year so the bounce factor could be a problem. The Godolphin pair Huntdown (Dettori) and Ashram (Ted Durcan) look the dangers. Ayr is gearing up for its biggest day of the year tomorrow and today´s main feature is the listed Harry Rosebery Stakes over 5 furlongs for 2yo´s at 16.30. Several of these ran in last week´s Flying Childers at Doncaster, Mister Manannan (David and Adrian Nicholls) coming out best in third place and theoretically he should win this. Skylla (John Holt/ Jerry O´Dwyer) has never yet been out of the first two and looks a big threat. The big betting race here is the Bronze Cup, a handicap over 6 furlongs at 17.05 with 25 runners.

Although this is only the third division (the Gold and Silver Cups are run tomorrow) it is still a decent race in its own right, but very difficult indeed and made mo re complicated by thre fact that these horses have often run against each other and that several trainers are multiply-represented. David Nicholls,a specialist in such events, has 5 runners, with son Adrian partnering Silaah, while in-form Richard Fahey runs three, with stable jockey Paul Hanagan on Dark Lane. However anything is possible here and the effect of the draw is still unclear.

Arc trials at Longchamp

an excellent day´s racing at Longchamp, with the three Arc trials, all over the same CD as the big race itself, which is run in 3 weeks time, hogging the headlines. Best race is the Group One Prix Vermeille for fillies and mares at 16.40. Last year the unbeaten Zarkava won this en route to her Arc victory, and hopes are high that Stacelita (Jean-Claude Rouget/ Christophe Lemaire) can emulate her. The daughter of Monsun has done nothing wrong so far, but faces strong opposition today from Dar Re Mi (John Gosden/ Jimmy Fortune), an excellent runner-up last year to Zarkava, and winner of two Group Ones this season. Of the two German runners Soberiana (Andreas Wöhler( Johan Victoire), runner-up in the Preis der Diana, is easily preferred to Umirage (Hans Blume/ Thierry Thulliez), but she, another one of the five Monsuns in the race, would probably prefer softer ground and the same goes for Gestüt Schlenderhan´s Kalla (André Fabre/ Maxime Guyon). The Prix Niel for 3yo´s at 16.10 has been the best guide to the Arc in recent years, and 4 winners have gone on to Arc glory already this century. Andre´ Fabre has an excellent record here and saddles two runners in the Godolphin colours, with Frankie Dettori partnering Cavalryman, winner of the Grand Prix de Paris last time. In that occasion Beheshtam (Alain de Royer-Dupré/ Lemaire) was a disappointing favourite, but the Aga Khan runner is expected to out that right today. The POrix Foy for older horses at 16.40 should lie between Vision d´Etat (Eric Libaud/ Olivier Peslier), winner of the Niel last year and most recently a Group One winner at Royal Ascot, and the Abdullah pair Crossharbour (Fabre/ Stephane Pasquier) and Spanish Moon (Sir Michael Stoute/ Ryan Moore). Also of interest is the Prix du Petit Couvert over 5 furlongs at 15.35, a trial for the Abbaye. Rupert Plersch´s War Artist (James Eustace/ Peslier) won so well at Baden-Baden that he can follow up here, with Benbaum (Kevin Ryan/ Jamie Spence r), who won the Abbaye 2 years ago, the obvious danger. The Prix Gladiateur over 3100 metres at 17.10 as a trial for thr Cadran; Kasbah Bliss (Francois Doumen/ Thulliez) won this last year and may be able to follow up. Werner Baltromei runs Tiger Village (Dominique Boeuf) in the tiercé handicap for 3y´s over 200 metres at 15.08 and he is expected to figure prominently.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Lope De Vega - Menelas - Heaven`S Heart
2. Race: Delvita - War Artist - Stern Opinion
3. Race: Savoie - Seabreeze d`Ho - Mina Hill
4. Race: Stacelita - Kalla - Plumania
5. Race: Cavalryman - Beheshtam - Telluride
6. Race: Vision D`Etat - Magadan - Crossharbour
7. Race: Bassel - Quartz Jem - Candy Gift
8. Race: Milford Sound - Shemiyla - Eastern Joy
9. Race: Phoenix King - Ciccio Bello - Sapfo

Ireland today

there is good racing at the Curragh today, the second day of the Irish St.Leger fixture. Aidan O´Brien had a day to forget yesterday, and now he saddles Poet (Johnny Murtagh) in a Group Three over a mile at 17.15 CET. Poet has won his last 3 races, but is moving up in grade here and it is doubtful that he can give weight to the smart 3yo Rayeni (John Oxx/ Mick Kinane). Rayeni was a very promising 2yo, but has only run once this season, when runner-up here in the Irish 2,000 Guineas in May. If anywhere near peak form, he should win today, but Zafisio (Roger Curtis/ Graham Gibbons) is an interesting each-way alternative. he was also runner-up in a Guineas - this time the German one- and was well beaten in the French equivalent. The Group Three over 6 furlongs at 15.45 can go to Girouette (Tracy Collins/ Marc Hussey), who won a similar event this CD last time, but Snaefell ((Mike Halford/ Fran Berry) and Newmarket raider Danehill Destiny (William Haggas/ Murtagh) look dangerous. Murtagh also has chances in the listed race for 2yo fillies at 16.15 on David Wachman´s Picture Perfect, 3rd of 21 to Song of my Heart (won here yesterday) on her debut, but we prefer Kevin Prendergast´s Cornakill (Declan McDonogh), from a stable whose juveniles are really firing now. There is also Irish N.H. racing at Listowel, with the usual maximum fields in most races. There are only 11 runners however in the main event, a handicap chase over 2 miles 3 furlongs at 18.25; an interesting runner here is Ruby Walsh´s mount Pearly Jack, who has not run for 2 1/2 years, but on recent form The Phantom Piper (Mouse Morris/ Joe Cullen) and Plaisir d´Estruvel (Arthur Moore/ Paddy Flood) can be preferred.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Xtraxtra - Bewitched - Irish Reel
2. Race: Danehill Destiny - Girouette - Vocalised
3. Race: Picture Perfect - Cornakill - Sense Of Purpose
4. Race: Noble Galileo - Cybersnow - Taralga
5. Race: Rayeni - Poet - Lahaleeb
6. Race: Final Flashback - Hampshire - Sixteen Forty Two
7. Race: Via Con Dios - Worldly Wise - Harriers Call

U.K. racing today

after the excitement of yesterday´s St.Leger and other big races, today´s racing is a definite anti-climax and there are no better grade races at all at the 3 U.K. meetings. In fact Goodwood probably sets a record by staging a card consisting entirely of 8 class 4 handicaps. Mujood (Eve Johnson Houghton/ Andrew Heffernan) won over this CD on Tuesday and can follow up under top-weight at 17.55 CET. An interesting runner in the 2 mile race at 17.20 is the ex-German 8yo Absolut Power (Jonathan Geake/ Robert Havlin). The son of Acatenango last won 3 years ago and that was over hurdles; in fact he has never won in Britain on the flat, but will probably never find an easier opportunity than today. Another staying handicap is the best race of th day and that is run at 17.45 at Bath. Keenes Day (Mark Johnston/ Jean-Pierre Guillambert), who has been running in top races, appeals as the likely winner here; most of his opponents have been running over hurdles, notably David Pipe´s usefu l Raslan (Paul Hanagan), who is having his first flat outing for 2 years. Also at Bath, unbeaten Bab al Salam (Saeed bin Suroor/ Ted Durcan) can continue Godolphin´s hot run by winning the 3yo handicap over 10 furlongs under top weight at 18.30. Main attraction at Ffos Las today is Kieren Fallon, who has rides in all 6 races; his best chance of winning is probably Luca Cumani´s Paisley in the fillies handicap at 17.30.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Wee Charlie Castle - Nampour - Alicante
2. Race: Kurtanella - Cansili Star - Gobama
3. Race: Kaolak - Truism - Carbon Hoofprint
4. Race: Ramona Chase - Royal Amnesty - Dreamwalk
5. Race: My Kingdom - Equinine - Indian Skipper
6. Race: Rotative - Hawridge King - Alnwick
7. Race: Mujood - Ivory Lace - Belle Des Airs
8. Race: Lenny Bee - Requisite - Our Piccadilly

Irish St. Leger at the Curragh

the Doncaster race is not the only St. Leger run today, there is also the Irish equivalent at 16.20 CET at the Curragh. This race was the first "classic" to be opened to older horses and they have dominated in recent years. All eyes will be on the magnificant Yeats (Aidan O´Brien/ Seamus Heffernan), four times winner of the Ascot Gold Cup and the best stayer to run in Europe this century. However he is definitely vulnerable, and the ground, drying out in fine weather but still soft, will be against him. These conditions suit the ex-German Schiaparelli (Saeed bin Suroor/ Olivier Peslier) and he has a great chance of giving Godolphin their first European Group One of the season. Profound Beauty (Dermot Weld/ Pat Smullen) is a big danger, especially in view of his trainer´s excellent record in the race, as well as Alandi (John Oxx/( Mick Kinane), whose jockey prefers to ride here than at Doncaster, and All the Aces (Michael Jarvis/ Philip Robinson). The only 3yo in the field is Moon Indigo (Joseph O´Brien), but he is presumably acting at the pacemaker for stable-companion Yeats. However the O´Brien runners fare here, the Ballydoyle trainer must have a good chance of taking the Group One National Stakes for 2yo´s over 7 furlongs at 16.50, a race usually won by the Irish champion juvenile. O´Brien has 3 of the 6 runners here with jockey bookings suggesting that Alfred Nobel (Heffernan), who has won his last 3 races, is his main candidate, but Kevin Prendergast´s Kingscote (Declan McDonough) and Jim Bolger´s Chabal (Kevin Manning) look dangerous. Also at the Curragh, ex-German Lady Marian should win the Group Two Blandford Stakes for fillies and mares over 10 furlongs at 15.45; she was only just touched off in a Deauville Group One last time and has Chinese White (Weld/ Smullen) to beat.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Sioduil - Irish Heartbeat - Six Of Hearts
2. Race: Lady Marian - Roman Empress - Chinese White
3. Race: Yeats - Alandi - Profound Beauty
4. Race: Alfred Nobel - Kingsfort - Chabal
5. Race: Ferdinand Magellan - Jan Vermeer - Crystal Gal
6. Race: Raise Your Heart - Shela House - Kitty Hawk Miss
7. Race: Mister Tee - Wrong Answer - Rock Jock

rest of Doncaster

the rest of the Doncaster card is also very strong, and it kicks off with the Group Two Champagne Stakes for 2yo´s over 7 furlongs at 14.55 CET. This is always won by a top performer and the 7 runners include some major hopes for next season. Aidan O´Brien saddles three of them, with stable jockey Johnny Murtagh partnering Viscount Nelson, but he faces strong opposition, notably from Poet´s Voice (Saeed bin Suroor/ Frankie Dettori), Silver Grecian (John Ryan/ Michael Hills) and Layali al Andalus (Mark Johnston/ Joe Fanning). The Park Stakes over 7 furlongs at 16.35 is also Group Two and is a puzzle, with question marks over most of the contestants. Jeremy Noseda saddles Arabian Gleam (Murtagh), who last ran down the field at Royal Ascot, and Himalya (Dettori), who has not run since last year´s Royal Ascot, while Hughie Morrison runs Stimulation (Darryll Holland), who is top-rated but has also been off the track for a year. Ouqba (Barry and Richard Hills) won the Jersey Stakes but has disappinted since, so despite misgivings we choose Arabian Gleam, who has won this race for the past two years. The big betting race at Doncaster is the Portland Handicap over 5 1/2 furlongs at 15.25 which has 22 runners and is very difficult to decipher, especially as most of these have met before, notably in the Great St. Wilfrid at Ripon, won by today´s top-weight Markab (Henry Candy/ Pat Cosgrave) or in a similar race at York; on that occasion Intrepid Jack (Hughie Morrison/ Jimmy Fortune) and we fancy he could run well today at a decent price, though there are dangers galore.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Poet`S Voice - Silver Grecian - Viscount Nelson
2. Race: Markab - Jaconet - Pavershooz
3. Race: Kite Wood - Changingoftheguard - Father Time
4. Race: Stimulation - Arabian Gleam - Himalya
5. Race: Alazeyab - We`Ll Come - Espiritu
6. Race: Azizi - Start Right - Whippers Love
7. Race: Falcon Rock - Precision Break - Seeking The Buck

Doncaster St. Leger

the St .Leger is the oldest classic race, but it has lost some of its previous glamour and today´s field (Doncaster, 16.00 CET) is (with all respect) substandard. Sea the Stars or Fame and Glory would make mincemeat of this lot, but their trainers are still represented, John Oxx by Mourayan (Fran Berry) and Aidan O´Brien by Changingoftheguard (Johnny Murtagh) and Von Jawlensky (Colm O´Donoghue). Of this trio we prefer Changingoftheguard, who was very unlucky in the Ebor and is expected to be better suited by the fast going than Mourayan, whose third place in the Irish Derby is the best form on offer but probably needs it softer. Kite Wood (Saeed bin Suroor/ Frankie Dettori) is the likely favourite, but also apparently likes soft ground, so Godolphin´s second string Mastery (Ted Durcan) could finish in front of him, but he is held by Monitor Closely (Peter Chapple-Hyam/ Jimmy Fortune), who made all to win the Great Voltigeur, usually the best guide to the St. Leger, with Mast ery seobd and Father Time (Henry Cecil/ Jamie Spencer) third. This is a tricky race, wot the fast ground compolicating th issue, but on this going we take Changingoftheguard, Monitor Closely and Mastery for our short list, with preference for the first-named. It is probably significant that Murtagh is here to ride him, rather than Yeats at the Curragh, while Mick Kinane goes in the opposite direction.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Poet`S Voice - Silver Grecian - Viscount Nelson
2. Race: Markab - Jaconet - Pavershooz
3. Race: Kite Wood - Changingoftheguard - Father Time
4. Race: Stimulation - Arabian Gleam - Himalya
5. Race: Alazeyab - We`Ll Come - Espiritu
6. Race: Azizi - Start Right - Whippers Love
7. Race: Falcon Rock - Precision Break - Seeking The Buck

Irish racing today

There are 2 Irish meetings today - N.H. racing this afternoon at Kilbeggan (where the course passed an early morning inspection, but the going will be very testing) and this evening flat racing at Down Royal. Premier Victory (Tom Hogan/ Joe Cullen) has won her last 3 starts and can continue on her winning ways in the mares hurdle at 16.30 CET at Kilbeggan, where Age on Confusion (Ian Madden/ Ruby Walsh) can defy top-weight in the handicap chase at 18.00 after his good effort at the Galway festival. The most interesting event at Down Royal is the conditions race over 1 1/2 miles at 19.20. Ex-German Directa King (Dermot Weld/ Pat Smullen) is pretty useful but has been off the track for 14 months and it is in any case not certain that he can concede so much weight to the 3yo´s Trojan War (Aidan O´Brien/ Johnny Murtagh) and Dabirana (John Oxx/ Fran Berry).

Rest of U.K. racing today

There is also racing this afternoon at Sandown and Bangor (N.H.) and this evening on the all-weather at Wolverhampton. The best race at Sandown is the mile handicap for 3yo´s at 17.00 CET, which should mainly concern Brave Echo (John Gosden/ Jimmy Fortune) and Stoic (Jeremy Noseda/ Tom Queally), both asy Newmarket winners last time out. There could be some hot prospects running in the 2yo maiden at 16.25, but on public form this should go to the colt of that name trained by Michael Jarvis and ridden by Philip Robinson, as the form of his second place on his debut has been well boosted since.

Over jumps at Bangor, Ogee (Paula Robeson/ Jimmy McCarthy), who was very consistent over hurdles, can now get off the mark over fences in the novice chase at 15.30. The handicap hurdle at16.40 looks very tricky; Gordon Elliott´s Grand Opera has won his last 3 races and has the assistance of Tony McCoy in the saddle, so will probably start favourite, but it is a wide open race, The most interesting event on a poor card at Wolverhampton this evening is the maiden race over 8 1/2 furlongs at 21.10. Awesome Surprise (Noseda/ Shane Kelly) is the clear form pick here, but it could be significant that Luca Cumani and Kieren Fallon, in action at Doncaster in the afternoon, have the debutant Monaco entered. The son of Monsun is very well bred and could go in at the first time of asking.

Doncaster St. Leger meeting: day three

The St. Leger meeting continues today at Doncaster, where the going will be on the fast side; there has been no rain and the track is being watered, but horses that need soft ground will be at a disadvantage. There are 3 Group Two races today, starting with the Flying Childers Stakes for 2yo´s over 5 furlongs which opens the card at 14.35 CET. This should go to Clive Brittain´s filly Misheer (Nail Callan), who is very smart, with Our Jonathan (Kevin Ryan/ Jamie Spencer) and Sand Vixen (Saeed bin Suroor/ Frankie Dettori) the main dangers.

The Doncaster Cup over 2 1/4 miles at 15.40 is the last of the big "Cup" races and has only 6 runners, with Geordieland (Jamie Osborne/ Mick Kinane) and Askar Tau (Marcus Tregoning/ Ryan Moore) standing out on form. Geordieland was third in the Gold Cup at Ascot and ought to win, but he can be a bit tricky and is being partnered for the first time by Kinane. The May Hill Stakes for 2yo fillies over the straight mile at 16.15 has one of hottest favourites of the day in th line-up, Luca Cumani´s well-bred Seta (Kieren Fallon), who created a tremendous impression when winning first time out at Newmarket. However this is a big step up and she will not be at an attractive price.

Another hot 2yo to run here is Godolphin´s Al Zir (Dettori) who has only 2 opponents to beat in the 7 furlongs race a 17.25. The best betting race is the 1 3/4 mile handicap at 15.05; several of th 11 runners wre last seen in the Ebor Handicap, where German-bred Waldvogel (Cumani/ Fallon) finished 10th. Although he was behind some of the others, it would not be a great surprise to see him reverse the form today, in view of the excellent form of trainer and jockey.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Misheer - Sand Vixen - Star Rover
2. Race: Manyriverstocross - Nanton - Cosmic Sun
3. Race: Geordieland - Askar Tau - Drill Sergeant
4. Race: Seta - Virginia Hall - Gallic Star
5. Race: Jimmy Styles - Castles In The Air - Lowther
6. Race: Al Zir - Treadwell - Practitioner
7. Race: Prince Of Johanne - Presbyterian Nun - Muraweg

German runners at Longchamp

A mammoth card at Longchamp today with 9 races, including one for non-thoroughbreds and two for Arab-breds. There are only 2 German-trained runners today and both face stiff tasks. El Vettorio (Christian Sprengel/ Adrie de Vries) runs in the opening tiercé handicap over 1400 metres at 13.40; he is a ganuine and consistent performer, but this looks a very difficult race. Mario Hofer has a better chance with Principe Uromonte (Gerald Mosse) in a claiming race for 3yo´s over 1700 metres at 16.40, but he has to concede weight all round, which is never easy. News of top French jockey Christophe Soumillon, who took a terrible fall yesterday at Nancy, is that he has broken his elbow; he was operated on last night and is in good spirits, but will be out of action for several weeks and will definitely miss the Arc meeting.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Salut L`Africain - Expensive Detour - Tuning Mozart
2. Race: Raganeyev - Torronto - Galma
3. Race: Ezdehar - Anavelga - Printemps D`Alsace
4. Race: Nashwan Al Khalidiah - Al Jakbar - Adjinn d`Aroco
5. Race: Olzarte De Collongues - France Du Pecos - Synaptique
6. Race: Quincy Mae - Richemont - Royal d`Arc
7. Race: Ponte Di Legno - Rodez - Vera`s Moscou
8. Race: Officer - Silky Steps - Shalamara
9. Race: Loup Normand - Gold Amber - Miss Denmark

Epsom, Chepstow and Kempton (a.w.)

There is also racing this afternoon at Chepstow, with some large fields, and Epsom, and on the all-weather this evening at Kempton, but the racing at all 3 meetings is undistinguished. At Chepstow, Mark Johnston and Jean-Pierre Guillambert can team up to win the two divisions of the 2yo maiden at 14.50 CET and 15,20 with German-bred Lava Lamp and Guest Book respectively. The former is a Shamardal half-brother to Lady Marian. Saeed bin Suroor continues in good form and has runners at 3 tracks today; at Kempton he can win the 2yo maiden at 19.05 with either Golden Shaheen (Ted Durcan) or Saboteur (Ahmed Ajtebi), while Ajtebi also has a good chance on Five Cents at 15.45 at Epsom. Also at Epsom, we expect German-bred Napoletano (Simon Dow/ POat Cosgrave) to run well in the 7 furlongs handicap at 17.30. He has not won for ages, but ran much better over this CD last time out. Otherwise the race for jumps jockeys at 16.20 should be worth watching; CD winners Epsom Salts (Pat Phelan / Sam Thomas) and Inspirina (Richard Ford/ Steven Craine) are our two against the field here.

Doncaster St. Leger meeting: day two

Today´s Doncaster card is much stronger than yesterday´s and the main event is the Group Two Park Hill Stakes at 16.45; run over the St. Leger distance of 1 3/4 miles, this is the fillies equivalent, although older mares are also now eligible to run, and in fact only 3 of the 11 runners are 3yo´s. Best of them should be the Aga Khan´s Tanoura (John Oxx/ Mick Kinane), who won at York last time. However the same owner´s Shemima, trained in France by Alain de Royer-Dupré, carries his first colours; in place of the injured Christophe Soumillon, who broke his elbow in a nasty fall at Nancy yesterday, she will be partnered by Tom Queally, whose original mount Sevenna is a non-runner.

Clowance, fourth in the Oaks last year, is also a non-runner, and the main danger to the Aga Khan runners could be the top Irish N.H. performer Sesenta (Willie Mullins/ Kieren Fallon), who won the Ebor last time out. However Fallon fares here, he should certainly win the listed race for fillies at 17.50 on Luca Cumani´s Fantasia. She trvalled badly when baten in the two French classics on her last two runs, but has severalpoiunds in hand of this opposition. The most valuable race of the day is the 6 1/2 furlongs sales race for 2yo´s at 16.10. With 300,000 GBP in prize-money, this has attracted a maximum field of 22, with Mark Johnston (5 runners), Richard Fahey (4) and Richard Hannon (3) accounting for more than half the field. However the winner should be the one-trick trainer William Haggas´ Taajub (Richard Hills), whose second place in the Gimcrack is easily the best form on offer.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Munsarim - Coordinated Cut - Chain Of Events
2. Race: Fanjura - Eastern Aria - Alfathaa
3. Race: Taajub - Di Stefano - Rakaan
4. Race: Tanoura - Shemima - Perfect Truth
5. Race: Water Biscuit - Paleo - Yurituni
6. Race: Fantasia - Royal Confidence - Shamwari Lodge
7. Race: Tagula Night - Ingleby Lady - Seamus Shindig

Ireland today

Today´s Irish meeting at Tipperary goes ahead after an early morning inspection, but the ground will be very testing. Main event is a listed race over 7 1/2 furlongs for fillies and mares at 17.25 CET and thew clear form choice here is Favid Wachman´s Latin Love. It is probably signifiant that she will be partnered by Johnny Murtagh, while Aidan O´Brien´s Totally Devoted will have Seamus Heffernan in the saddle. Firey Red (Dermot Weld/ Pat Smullen) looks the main danger, as Aine (Tommy Stack/ Wayne Lordan), a useful performer. must give away weight all round, no easy task in this company. Also of interest is the Fegentri ladies race, a handicap over 1 1/2 miles at 20.25. German representative Nadine Gratz rides Tutti Frutti for Tom Hogan, while Susan Finn saddes two candidates, the 9yo German-bred Tabaco (C. Burri) and Effortless (Paula Fliermann), but the likely favourite is Noel Meade´s Roll Over Rover, with local girl- and Fegentri leader- Clare MacMahon in the saddle.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Milvian Bridge - Ainm Spartacus - Hero Of Waterloo
2. Race: Latin Love - Firey Red - Aine
3. Race: Purple Heart - Reggae Rock - Bygone Age
4. Race: Flameoftheforest - Simon Bolivar - White Front
5. Race: Mirabile Dictu - Winter Haven - Kilmannin
6. Race: Gothen Niece - Connyella - Bipasha
7. Race: Natural High - Faoileanda - Waltz
8. Race: Galianna - Ajman - Frutti Tutti

German runners in France today

Yesterday´s German raid on Nancy was not greatly successful, with only one winner (and that surprisingly over jumps) from 21 runners, and today another 22 German-trained horses run in the Lorraine capital. Kimbar (Ira Ferentschak/ Dominique Boeuf) runs in the tiercé handicap over 2400 metres at 13.40, while Boeuf rides Zosime for Nina Bach in a handicap for 3yo´s over 1350 metres half an hour later. No fewer than 7 of the 14 runners in the 1950 metres race for 3yo maidens at 15.10 are German -trained. Four more run in the conditions race over the same trip at 15.40 and three in the race for 3yo maidens over 2400 metres at 16.10, including La Poesie (Werner Baltromei/ Boeuf), in our opinion the best German chance of the day. Ther are 3 more German runners in the claimer for 3yo´s at 16.40 and four more in the secnd division of the 2400 metres handicap at 17.10, where possibly Night Heart can complete a double for Baltromei and Boeuf. There are also three German runners at Comp iegne today.

Betting forecast Nancy:
1. Race: Gentoo - Ribat El Fath - Storming Spirit
2. Race: Little Texane - Helipad - Stay Cool
3. Race: Balsaking - Vanille Champ - Country Chope
4. Race: Happy Wedding - Limurn - Al Batal
5. Race: Manaba - Lord Silvano - Tempelstern
6. Race: Retake - La Poesie - Absolute Lady
7. Race: Victorian Tycoon - Burlada - Bryman
8. Race: Royale Again - Ainebe Crocus - Kaliyan

rest of U.K. racing today

The Irish meeting at Tipperary has been abandoned because of waterlogging, so there is now only racing at Epsom, Uttoxeter (N.H.) and this evening on the all-weather at Kempton. There are some quite large fields at Uttoxeter and the main event, a 3 mile handicap hurdle, has had to be divided. Orchard King (Alison Thorpe/ Tony McCoy) was a narrow winner last time out from Amazing Valour (Peter Bowen/ Paddy Brennan), but the latter is now 8 lbs better off and can reverse the placings at 18.10 CET, but top-weight Willie´s Way (Andy Haynes/ Nick Scholfield) is in great form and looks the likeliest winner. The second division half an hour later looks much more straightforward, and we expect Knock em Dead (Jonjo O´Neill/ McCoy) to complete a hat-trick despite a hefty rise in the weights. At Epsom, Kaleo (Simon Dow/ Darryll Holland), who is out of German Guineas winner Kazoo, showed much improved form to win over this CD last time and can follow up at 16.55, with Potentiale (John an d Richard Hills) the main threat. The maiden race over 10 furlongs at 17.30 here looks a match betwen Alqaffay (John Gosden/ Richard Hills) and Monetary Fund (Ger Butler/ Neil Callan), both of whom have been repeatedly placed and deserve to win soon.

At Kempton this evening, Lutine Charlie (Peter Winkworth/ Luke Morris) should win the 2yo maiden at 20.20; he has been runner-up both career starts, including this CD last week. Amazing Tiger (Mark Johnston/ Joe Fanning), who has a good German pedigree, is an interesting runner in the 1 1/2 mile handicap at 21.50; when last seen in June, he won a mile maiden, and is now stepping up in class and distance, but knowing this trainer, he should be up to the task.

Doncaster St. Leger meeting: day one

The four-day Doncaster St. Leger meeting starts today, when the main feature is the listed Scarborough Stakes over 5 furlongs at 16.45 CET. This is one if the rare races when 2yo´s run against their elders, but the only juvenile in the field Above Limits (Tom Dascombe/ Cathy Gannon), despite a hefty weight allowance, does not look good enough.

We expect to see a "dandy"result here, with Dandy Man (Saeed bin Suroor) and Inxile (Dandy and Adrian Nicholls) fighting it out, but Strike the Deal (Jeremy Noseda/ Kieren Fallon) looks dangerous, as do Brian Smart´s two runners Moorhouse Lad (Jim Crowley) and Captain Gerrard (Tom Eaves), both down the field in the Nunthorpe but facing lesser opposition here. Elsewhere on the card, Twice Over (Henry Cecil/ Tom Queally) should take the conditions race over 10 furlongs at 16.10; he had no chance last time out in the Eclipse, but that was one of the best races of the year. The Queen´s Broad Cairn (Roger Charlton/ Steve Drowne) is still improving and has won 3 of his last 5 races; he has a good chance in the 3yo handicap over 7 furlongs at 17.20, where lightly-raced Russian Jar (Michael Jarvis/ William Buick) looks the main threat.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Ransom Note - Pleasant Day - Brick Red
2. Race: Angel`S Pursuit - Bond Fastrac - Transvaal Sky
3. Race: Twice Over - Serva Jugum - Chock A Block
4. Race: Moorhouse Lad - Inxile - Strike The Deal
5. Race: Russian Jar - Broad Cairn - Wildcat Wizard
6. Race: Haajes - Le Toreador - Ocean Blaze
7. Race: The Tatling - Feelin Foxy - Invincible Lad

German runners in France today

There is a good jumping card at Auteuil today, but the main interest from the German point of view, will be on the meeting at Nancy, where there are numerous German-trained runners. In all 21 German horses are running, amd in our opinion the best chances are held by Blue Citadel (Mario Hofer/ Maxime Guyon) in a claiming race over 2400 metres at 14.55, Serrato (Uwe Stoltefuss/ Christophe Soumillon) in a 1950 metres claimer at 15.55, and White Bull (Werner Baltromei/ Dominique Boeuf) in a handicap over the same trip an hour later.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Keulinn - Little Bay - Roi Bere
2. Race: Mon Parrain - Gonschara - Kalderry
3. Race: Singapore Gus - Bienvenido - Feet Of Flames
4. Race: Retour aux Sources - Zoe Dream - Regence Collonges
5. Race: Nanigata - Blow The Lot - Proci Road
6. Race: Le Bazin - Beau Lucky - Mister Chichi
7. Race: Desertub - Ange d`Azur - Sandy Road
8. Race: Enjoy Less - Mixirador - Cup of Tea

Goodwood, Lingfield and Sedgefield (N.H.)

Tuesday´s cards are usually poor in the UK, but Goodwood has some decent racing today, headed by the listed race over 7 furlongs for 2yo´s at 16.45 CET. 9 jveniöls line up, all with good form to their credit, and it is interesting that Frankie Dettori has picked Atlantis Star, rather than Vale of York (Ahmed Ajtebi), whose form is arguably superior, from Godolphin´s two runners. Mata Keranjang (Paul Cole/ Martin Dwyer) was below form last time, but before that ran really well this CD and he is the highest-rated runner. Kieren Fallin rode 3 winners yesterday for the Luca Cumani stable and they are now represented by Field of Dream, who has won his starts so far; they were in Italy and he is penalisd as a result, so it would be a surpise if he wins in this company.

Mon Cadeaux (Andrew Balding/ William Buick) won well last time and also comes in to the reckoning. A more likely winner for the Cumani/ Fallon team is Day of th Eagle in the 3yo maiden at 17.20; he has Custody (Sir Michael Stoute/ Neil Callan) and Charger (Jeremy Noseda/ Dettori) to beat. At Lingfield, the first 3 races are run on turf and the last 4 on the all-weather. Roger Charlton and Steve Drowne look the team to follow here. They can take the 2yo maiden at 16.20 with Folly Bridge (third to Mon Cadeaux- see above- at Salisbury) and mile maiden at 17.30 with Criticize. Drowne can round off a good day by winning the 7 furlongs handicap at 18.40 with Santefisio for trainer Peter Makin.

Irish trainers have been cleaning up in British N.H. races recently and that could be the case again at Sedgefield. The best race is the novice chase at 16.00 in which the Irish runnerscould take the first 3 placs; our fancy is ex-German Schelm (Ronald O´Leary/ Paul Carberry), whoi unseated his jockey last time but now has a top jockey in the saddle and loves this track. Another ex-German with chances is Andorn (Peter Kirby/ Phil Kinsella) in the opening maiden hurdle at 14.50, who could run well at a big price after being hampered here last time.

Extra evening fixture at Dundalk

This evening´s meeting on the all-weather at Dundalk (Ireland) is an additional fixture to make up for some of the Irish meetings that have been lost to the weatrher recently. Obviously this is a sensible idea and the pent-up demand is clearly shown by the fact that there are maximum fields (17 declared- 14 run) for all 8 races. The best-bred horse racing today is Jane Eyre (Aidan O´Brien/ Johnny Murtagh) who makes her debut in the fillies maiden over 1 1/2 miles at 21.25 CET. However there is no doubt a reason for the Sadler´s Wells filly out of multiple Group One scorer Albanova making such a belated debut, and possibly Ger Lyons´ Mister Tee in the opening 2yo maiden at 17.55 is a more likely winner for Murtagh, as he has been runner-up his last 4 races and is overdue for a win.

Best race of the evening is the conditions event over 7 furlongs at 20.25, where O´Brien runs two with the stable jockey on Gluteus Maximus, but Dohasa (Ger Lyons/ Keagen Latham) has been running in much better races and his form looks far stronger. The filly Magic Mornings (Mike Halford/ Shane Foley) has been first or second her last 6 starts (including this CD), and although moving up in grade, should not be underestimated.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Mister Tee - Jamaayel - My Mood
2. Race: Silver Shoon - Sampers - Forbidden City
3. Race: Balansara - Dhabia - Bada Bling
4. Race: Lord Kenmare - Elusive Double - Cabernet Sauvignon
5. Race: Herotozero - Hello Man - Time Travel
6. Race: Dohasa - Gluteus Maximus - Lastkingofscotland
7. Race: Grantsville - Oasis Sunset - July Days
8. Race: Jane Eyre - Easy Mate - Leblon