York and Carlisle

The only racing on turf today is at York and over jumps at Carlisle. Obviously the York card is much stronger and easily the most interesting race of the day is the conditions race over 10 furlongs at 15.45 CET. The field of 7 is almost good enough for a group race and is headed by Godolphin´s ex-German Peligroso (Frankie Dettori). He was just touched off by Saphir at Munich in early June, before running baly at Cologne 13 days later, and although the Munich form has notr worked out, it should still be good enough for him to score here. Any rain would inprive his chances. Stable companion Once More Dubai (Ahmed Ajtebi) will presumably make the running for him. Gestüt Ammerland´s Blizzard Blues (Henry Cecil/ Ian Mongan) is taking a massive jump in class, but still looks the biggest danger. He won his only race, a Newmarket maiden in July, in good style despite running all over the place, and is probably much better than his current rating; the runner-up then, Manifest, also tr ained by Cecil, has since given the form a big boost. Godolphin and Dettori can also take the first race, a 2yo handicap at 15.10, with another German-bred, the Big Shuffle colt Marine Spirit. The best races at Carlisle are the handicap chases,over 2 miles at 16.40 and over 3 miles at 17.50. In the former race, Tony McCoy is an interesting booking for Nicky Richards´ Glingerbank, but slight preference is for the easy last-time-out winners Some Touch (Howard Johnson/ Denis O´Regan) and Nudge and Nurdle (Nigel Twiston-Davies/ Paddy Brennan), while Noel Chance´s Divine Gift (Richtd Johnson) could also be dangerous if fit after a 7 months lay off. Top-weight Native City (Jonjo O´Neill/ McCoy) can complete a hat-trick in the 3 mile chase, but Sam Cruise (Tim and Robert Walford) looks a big threat off his light weight.