Newmarket Cambridgeshire Meeting: day three

a huge card at Newmarket today, including two Group One races, a Group Two and the Cambridgeshire, one of the biggest handicaps of the year and the first leg of the "autumn double". All races look very difficult and anybody who gets the tote placepot up today deserves a medal.
The card begins with the Group Two Royal Lodge Stakes for 2yo´s over a mile at 14.55 CET. Aidan O´Brien won this last year and now sends over Afonso De Sousa with son Joseph in the saddle. It is the stable´s only runner here and must be taken seriously, but on collateral form he should not beat Steeler (Mark Johnston/ Kieren Fallon). Al Waab (Sir Henry Cecil/ Tom Queally) and the Monsun colt Excess Knowledge (John Gosden/ William Buick) are other candidates on a very open race.
The Cheveley Park Stakes (Group One) for 2yo fillies at 15.25 is generally regarded as the top race of the year for the juvenile fillies- despite the fact that there were two similar races here yesterday. Richard Hannon has a good line to 2yo form and his Maureen (Richard Hughes) has to go on the short list, together with the unbeaten fillies Rosdhu Queen (William Haggas/ Johnny Murtagh) and Winning Express (Ed McMahon/ Franny Norton). It would be nice to see the last.-named win for a small stable, but the race is wide open.
The other Group One is the Sun Chariot Stakes over a mile for filllies and mares, which has attracted a select field. Sir Henry Cecil has a strong hand here with Chachamaidee, ridden by stable jockey Queally, while the owners´ French jockey Christophe Soumillon partners Beauty Parlour. The latter is having her first race for Cecil, having won the French 1,000 Guineas earlier in the season for Elie Lellouche. Despite her defeat in the Fremch Oaks, she is clearly very smart and can win this, although Elusive Kate (Gosden/ Buick) looks a big danger.
The Cambridgeshire, a 9 furlongs handicap at 16.40 with 35 (!) runners, is the b ihggest betting frace of the day but presents an almost impossible challenge. Luck in running and the effect of the draw are two major factors here; we think that high numbers possibly have a small advantage, but the evidence yesterday was inconclusive.
At any rate, we have chosen 4 horses all drawn above 23 and hope we are right; they are top-weight Fury (Haggas/ Murtagh), Mijhaar (Riger Varian/ Neil Callan), French raider Talk About (Mikel Delzangles/ Umberto Rispoli) and Stevie Thunder (Ian Williams/ Graham Gibbons),who was runner-up last year to Prince of Johanne (Tom Tate/ Brendan Powell), but now meets him on much better terms.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Fantastic Moon - Steeler - Al Waab
2. Race: Maureen - Rosdhu Queen - Winning Express
3. Race: Beauty Parlour - Elusive Kate - Chachamaidee
4. Race: Mukhadram - Chil The Kite - Bronze Angel
5. Race: Red Turban - Botanica - Ghanaian
6. Race: Cape Classic - Gold City - Johnny Castle
7. Race: Marshgate Lane - Brockwell - Trader Jack

Newmarket Cambridgeshire Meeting: day two

A very high class card at Newmarket today, headed by the Group One Shadwell Fillies Mile for 2yo fillies at 15.55 CET. Certify (Mahmood al Zarooni/ Mikael Barzalona) and Ollie Olga (Mick Channon/ Martin Harley) are both unbeaten in 3 starts and stand out here. Godolphin have a good record in this race and their filly, a narrow winner of the May Hill Stakes at Doncaster last time, possibly has the edge.

Winsili (John Gosden/ William Buick) is probably next best; she has a lot to find on the form book, but the stable is in great form with 3 winners here yesterday. Gosden and Buick probably have a better chance in the Group Two Joel Stakes over a mile at 15.20, but this is a very open race. She is a Royal Ascot winner and ran well in Chicago last time, but it will be tough against the colts. Most Improved (Brian Meehan/ Kieren Fallon) lived up to his name by winning the St. James´s Palace Stakes, but is saddled with a Group One penalty, which does not make life easy, and in addition ran badly last time. We prefer the tough 8yo Premio Loco (Chris Wall/ George Baker), back to his best at Goodwood last time, and the consistent Side Glance (Andrew Balding/ Jimmy Fortune), who never runs a bad race and was a distant third to Frankel at Royal Ascot.

Thge third group brace on thre cafrd is the Oh So Sharp Stakes for 2yo fillies, this time over 7 furlongs at 14.15. This could be another Godolphin win with Power of Light (Al Zarooni/ Barzalona), who won her only start in good style a fortnight ago at Newcastle. This is a big step up, but the opposition does not look overwhelming; Annie´ s Fortune (Alan Jarvis/ Michael Murphy), 4th to Ollie Olga at Goodwood, could be the best of them.

The listed race over a mile at 14.45 is also restricted to fillies and has a very strong field.No fewer than 6 of the 12 runners ran in a Sandown Group Three at the beginning of the month. Dank (Sir Michael Stoute/ Richard Hughes) ran on well to win that race by a neck from Lady´s First (Richard Fahey/ Paul Hanagan), with Irish History (al Zarooni/ Barzalona) 6th, Falls of Lora (al Zarooni/ Frankie Dettori) 8th, Moone´s my Name (Ralph Beckett/ Jim Crowley) 10th and Princess of Orange (Rae Guest/ Seb Sanders) 13th of 16 runners. Dank has a 3 lbs penalty npw and is by no means certain to confirm the form, while Falls of Lora had a terrible run and should certainly be much closer now. Of the others Chigun (Sir Henry Cecil/ Tom Queally) won a good handicap at Ascot easily, but our selection is the very consistent Thistle Bird (Roger Charlton/ James Doyle), who has won 3 listed races this season and was runner-up to Premio Loco (runs in the Group Two 35 minutes later) on her only other start in 2012.

The final black type event is the listed race over 1 1/2 miles at 17.00, and this could be another Godolphin benefit as Retrieve (Dettori) and Songcraft (Silvestre de Sousa), both trained by Saeed bin Suroor, have the best prospects here. Harris Tweed (William Haggas/ Richard Hughes) and Arctic Cosmos (Gosden/ Buick) would both have a chance on their best form, but they have not showed that for quite a while.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Waterway Run - Power Of Light - Califante
2. Race: Thistle Bird - Dank - Chigun
3. Race: Most Improved - Joviality - Side Glance
4. Race: Certify - Ollie Olga - Winsili
5. Race: Stamford - King`s Request - Seek Again
6. Race: Retrieve - Songcraft - Harris Tweed
7. Race: Oxford Charley - Jo`Burg - Henry Allingham
8. Race: Exning Halt - Odin - The Tiger

Newmarket Cambridgeshire Meeting: day one

Newmarket´s first big meeting of the autumn starts today on the Rowley course, and although the card is better tomorrow and even better on Saturday, today´s racing is also of interest, with the Group Three Somerville Tattersall Stakes for 2yo´ s over 7 furlongs at 16.40 CET the main event. Richard Hannon has his juveniles in great form and can take this with Havana Gold (Richard Hughes), who has won 3 of his 4 starts and was unlucky on the other, when his saddle slipped at Deauville. Hannon also saddles Glean (Pat Dobbs), but Havana Gold is readily preferred, and the main danger could come from Irish raider Canary Row (Patrick Prendergast/ William Buick), who has run some good races, notably when twice runner-up to Dawn Approach, probably the best 2yo seen out in Eiurope this year.

There are also two listed races on thecard, and there could well be a royal victory in the 1 1/2 miles event for fillies and mares at 16.10, as both the Queen´s runners Set to Music (Michael Bell/ Jamie Spencer) and Sequence (Sir Michael Stoute/ Richard Hughes) have good prospects. French hope Jehannedarc (Alain de Royer-Dupre/ Antoine Hamelin) could be a threat of his rider times things right (not always the case, as we saw at Cologne on Sunday), and on a line through Wild Coco, there is little between her and Gallipot (John Gosden/ Buick).

The other listed race is over 2 miles at 17.15 and Saeed bin Suroor saddles 3 runners here - Darley Sun (Mikael Barzalona), who won the Cesarewitch here in 2009, but has only run twice in the last 2 years, top-weight Cavalryman (Frankie Dettori) and Lost in the Moment (Silvestre de Sousa). Cavaltryman is very consistentz and despite top weoght he is ouir selection. Aaim to Prosper (Brian Meehan/ Kieren Fallon) has also won the Ces, back in 2010, but has not won since, and is just held on July form by Chiberta King (Andrew Balding/ Jimmy Fortune), when they finished 2-3 behind Cavalryman.

The handicaps are always tricky at these meetings, but it is interesting that two of last year´s winners turn out again, Boogie Shoes (Roger Varian/ Neil Callan) at 17.50 and La Fortunata (Eve Johnson Houghton/ Charles Bishop) and we would not be at all surprised to see them run well again.

listed race at Goodwood

Today´s Redcar meeting has been abandoned after all the rain, but there is still some good racing today, notably at Goodwood, where there is a listed race over 10 furlongs at 16.40 CET. Ektihaam (Roger Varian/ Paul Hanagan), one of two 3yo´s in the line-up of 6, is the likely favourite here; he last ran in the French Derby, a very rough race in which he was well beaten, but his second place in the Dante before that is good form.

Of the older horses, we like Pisco Sour (Saeed bin Suroor/ Frankie Dettori) and Questioning (John Gosden/ William Buick) best. Voodoo Prince (Ed Dunlop/ Kieren Fallon) has a great pedigree, being by Kingmambo out of Ouija Board, but we are not sure that he is up to this class. We do however like his younger half-brother by Monsun, Aegaeus (Dunlop/ Dettori) in the second division of the 3yo handicap at 16.10; he ran 3 times without showing much in the spring, but now reappears with a very favourable rating. The first division at 15.35 can go to Ed´s father John Dunlop, who saddles Man of Plenty (Dane O´Neill). Dunlop, due to retire at the end of the season, always does well at this track, and so does Amanda Perrett, and we cannot resist a little each-way bet on her Classic Vintage (Tom Queally) in the 1 1/2 mile handicap at 17.15; his recent form is awful, but he runs his best races here.

Many of the jockeys riding here will also be in action at this evening´s Kempton meeting, where we hope that Kieren Fallon can land a double for Mark Johnston with Henry Clay at 19.20 and The Bells of Peover two hours later.

There is jumps racing today at Perth in Scotland and Downpatrick in N.Ireland. The card at Perth ends with two decent handicap over 3 miles - a chase at 17.30 and over hurdles at 18.05. Both look very tricky, but we go for the likely improver Blazin White Face (Lucinda Russell/ Peter Buchanan) in the former, despite the fact that she has never yet run beyond 2 1/2 miles, and in the latter the German-bred Soprano (Jim Goldie/ Henry Brooke), who is fit from the flat. At Downpatrick, Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh can continue their good run with Zadarska in the maiden hurdle at 17.35.

Folkestone goes ahead with Beverley and Newton Abbot

Folkestone has passed its inspection and racing goes ahead, woth plenty of non-runners. There is also flat racing at Beverley today and jumps racing at Newton Abbot, all at a pretty low level. At Beverley the main event is a conditions race over 5 furlongs at 16.40 CET. Only 6 runners, but 3 of them have been competing in top sprints: Free Zone (Bryan Smart/ Tom Eaves), Tax Free (David and Adrian Nicholls) and Es Que Love (Mark Johnston/ Kieren Fallon). Free Zone has arguably the best form but has to concede a lot of weight, while Tax Free is now 10 and not as fast as he used to be, so we will go for the Johnston 3yo, who was last in a Group One last time out but faces a much simpler task today.

There are also small fields in ther main events at Newton Abbot. Paul Nicholls is very selective with his runners at this time of year and we expect him and his stable jockey Daryl Jacob to win them both, with Merrion Square over 2 miles at 15.50 and MInella Stars over 3 1/4 miles at 16.50. The latter has been placed 9 times running after winning on his N.H. debut, so is obviously vulnerable to a finisher with speed, but we think he should be able to cope with these opponents, the best of whom is Come What Augustus (R Woollacott/ Paddy Brennan), winner over this CD 3 weeks ago. There is no racing in Ireland today, probably a good job in view of the weather there.

Folkestone - betting forecast:
1. Race: Whiskey Junction - Strategic Action - Green Mountain
2. Race: Colourist - Michael`s Song - Secretori
3. Race: Gull Rock - Enthrall - Black Douglas
4. Race: Centrifugal - Schoolmaster - Myboyalfie
5. Race: Dark And Dangerous - Authentication - Dazzling Begum
6. Race: Thecornishcowboy - High Five Prince - Flamborough Breeze
7. Race: Elsie Bay - Chatterati - Princess Willow
8. Race: Ruban - Beggar`s Banquet - Amen

Inspection at Folkestone

The bad weather continues and there will be an inspection later at Folkestone. Should racing go ahead, the going will, be much softer then originally expected, so there will be quite a few non-runners. The card is very low level, so it is interesting to see Richard Hannon and Richard Hughes having runners here, including North Star Boy in the main event, a handicap over the straight 7 furlongs at 16.30 CET. However he has been totally out of form so far this year and we prefer Centrifugal (Mark Johnston/ Franny Norton), who has already won twice this month, including over this CD. Those races were on firm, but as a son of Pivotal he should also be able to handle this much softer going.

Valuable sales race at Fairyhouse

Easily the most valuable race of the day is the sales race for 2yo´s over 7 furlongs at 18.05 CET at Fairyhouse. The Irish track is better known for its jumps fixtures and this is its best flat race of the year. David Wachman, who sent out the winner of yesterday´ s big race in Ireland, now saddles two runners: Three Sea Captains (Wayne Lordan) and the filly Royal Empress (Willie Lee). They met a month asho at the Curragh, when the former won and the latter was only fourth, but that was over 5 furlongs and over this trip the placings could well be reversed. Thunder Mountain (Dermot Weld/ Pat Smullen) has some useful form, stays well and is our selection, although British raider Tipping Over (Hugo Palmer/ Chris Hayes), third in the Kronimus-Rennen at Baden-Baden, also has a squeak.

There is also jumping in Ireland at Ballinrobe, where the most interesting event is the beginners chase at 18.45. Several promising types are entered here, including Mickelson (Noel Meade/ Paul Carberry), who had already shown ability over fences, However both Plan A (Gordon Elliott/ Mark Walsh) and the 4yo Argocat (Tom Taaffe/ Andrew McNamara) were better hurdlers and make their chasing debut here. Plan A was 4th in the Galway Hurdle, which is good form, but we prefer Argocat, who was also decent on the flat and as the only 4yo in the field, gets lots of weight.

There has been a lot of rain at Leicester and the going has changed, resulting in several non-runners. 5 of the runners in the 5 furlongs handicap at 17.00 have altready been taken out, but it is still a tricky race. With Kevin Ryan´s string in good form, we like Lexi´s Hero (Jamie Spencer), even though his form this season has been poor; however he has come down a lot in the weights and would be a good thing on his old form.

The best race at Kempton is the 3yo handicap over 1 1/2 miles at 17.50. The Queen´s Galleon (Sir Michael Stoute/ Richard Hughes) has top-weight here, but we are a bit worried about the stable form. The very lightly-raced Dedication (Roger Charlton/ James Doyle) and Tiger Cliff (Sir Henry Cecil/ Tom Queally) both won maiden races over 11 furlongs on this course last time out, and must be considered, but we will take an each-way chance on Nordic Quest (Ger Butler/ Neil Callan). He is out of the German mare Nordtänzerin and already has decent handicap form to his credit.

Group race in Ireland

The best race in Britain and Ireland today is the Group Three event for fillies over 9 furlongs at 16.45 CET at Gowran Park. All the top Irish trainers are represented - O´Brien, Weld, Bolger, Wachman - but we think that the 3 Britsh runners might come out on top. Andromeda Galaxy (Sir Henry Cecil/ Tom Queally), having his run for this trainer, and Beatrice Aurore (John Dunlop/ Johnny Murtagh), owned by ABBA star Benny Andersson, are the only 4y´s in the field, but both must have good prospects. John Dunlop recently announced his retirement and since then his horses have been running out of their skin. The third British runner Momentary (Michael Bell/ Joseph O´Brien) is owned by tjhe Queen, but on form is the third choice. Best of the Irish is probably the very consistent Caponata (Dermot Weld/ Pat Smullen). Goiwran stages a mixed card, with the first 3 races over hurdles and all with large fields; Blazing Tempo (Willie Mullins/ Ruby Walsh), from a team already in top form, c an take the mares hurdle at 16.15.

Hamilton stages the only flat racing in the U.K. and after all the rain in Scotland, the going will be very testing. William Buick is rarely seen at this track but looks the jockey to follow. He has one ride for his boss John Gosden, Gregorian in the conditions race at 16.20, who looks unbeatable but will also start at an unbackable price. Buick has also picked up 3 more rides, all of them with good chances; James Fanshawe´ s Catwalk in the fillies handicap at 17.20 is probably the best of them.

The going will be on the firm side at the two British jumps meetings. At Uttexeter the handicap chase over 2 miles 5 furlongs at 16.40 looks very open; our two main fancies are top-weight Peachy Moment (Nicky Richards/ Brian Harding) and Pigeon Island (Nigel and Sam Twiston-Davies), who has been dropped in the ratings after some poorish efforts on soft ground.

The handicap hurdle at 17.00 at Plumpton is another tricky race, with most of the runners in good form. Our tentative suggestion is Taste the Wine (Bernard Llewellyn/ Robert Williams), who has been running consistently both over hurdles and on the flat.

Ayr Gold Cup

There is some good racing at Newbury and Newmarket today, but the main action is at Ayr with the Ayr Gold Cup, and the two consolation races, as the big betting races of the day. However we shall start with the Group Three race for 2yo fillies at 15.50 CET. Royal Rascal (Tim Easterby/ David Allan) and City Girl (Ralph Beckett/ Jim Crowley) were third and fourth in the Lowther Stakes, which is the best form on offer, and we expect the former to confirm the fom. This is not a great race and it would be no surprise to see Mary´s daughter (Richard Fahey/ Tony Hamilton), who has little chance on ratings after winning a modest handicap last time, run in to the money.

The Doonside Cup at 17.40 is a listed race over 10 furlongs and we strongly fancy Arrigo (Ibrahim Al Malki/ Seb Sanders), who won the Union-Rennen for Schlenderhan last year. He has only run twice since being sold to his present connections, but showed definite promise a fortnight ago when 5th in a Group Three at Kempton, and we think that this trip on heavy ground could be ideal for the Shirocco colt. Opera Gal (Andrew Balding/ Crowley) ran a good race at Baden-Baden last time and could follow him home.

Now to the 6 furlong handicaps: the Ayr Gold Cup at 16.30 is always one of the hottest races of the year, and the consolation races, the Bronze Cup at 14.45 and the Silver Cup at 15.20 are no easier. Even with a couple of non-runners there are well over 20 runners in each race, and one could easily nominate a dozen without finding a single placed horse. The heavy ground and the uncertainty regarding the draw are further complications. Historically high numbers have an advantage, but yesterday´s results left mixed messages on this score. The trainers to watch our for are Kevin Ryan, David Nicholls and Richard Fahey, but they all have several runners so it is hard to make a choice.

The winner of the Ayr Gold Cup will need to be have group race ability, and the obvious starting points are the two top weights, Maarek, trained in Ireland by David Nagle and ridden by claimer Mark Enright -more usually seen over jumps- and The Cheka (Eve Johnson Houghton/ George Baker), runner-up on heavy ground in the July Cup. Maarek has had a fantastic season, winning five times, including on heavy, and only last week won a Group Three at the Curragh. He also won a Group Three on heavy ground at Newcastle at the end of June., beating Boastful (Elaine Burke/ Michael Metcalfe) and Regal Parade (Milton Bradley/ Dale Swift) into the places witjh Our Jonathan (Ryan/ Crowley) well behind. Our Jonathan and Regal Parade are both previous winners of the Gold Cup, but it is Boastful who now looks best handicapped of this group. The locals will be rooting for Hawkeyethenoo (Jim Goldie/ Graham Lee), but there has been no Scottish-trained winner of Scotland´s most famous race for 37 years and we do not expect that to change now. Almost anything can happen here, but Maarek and The Cheka look the most reliable runners, despite their high weight, while Boastful is the best longshot for us.

Our 3 against the field in the Bronze Cup are Jack Dexter (Goldie/ Lee) -the likely favourite- and two Fahey runners Coolminx (Laura Barry) and Baldemar (Barry McHugh), but CD specialist Cheveton (RJ Price/ Tagdh O´Shdea) also deserves a mention. And in the Silver Cup our 3 are Kaldoun Kingdom (Fahey/ George Chaloner), Fast Shot (Easterby/ Allan) and Ancient Cross (Mick Easterby/ Freddie Tylicki).

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Jack Dexter - Cheveton - Bonnie Charlie
2. Race: Highland Colori - Amadeus Wolfe Tone - Kaldoun Kingdom
3. Race: Royal Rascal - City Girl - Melody Of Love
4. Race: Our Jonathan - Maarek - Hawkeyethenoo
5. Race: Pearl Castle - Bonnie Lesley - Dusky Queen
6. Race: Opera Gal - Arrigo - Circumvent
7. Race: White Frost - Alejandro - Common Touch
8. Race: Getabuzz - Albert Bridge - Stock Hill Fair

Listed races at Ayr and Newbury

Some quite decent races today with listed events at both Ayr and Newbury. The Scottish race is for 2yo´s over 5 furlongs at 15.20 CET and, as the British runners appear to be nothing special, we expect the two Irish raiders to come out on top- Boston Rocker (Eddie Lynam/ Shane Foley) and Zoola (Andrew Heffernan/ Robert Winston) with slight preference for the former. There are 2 ex-Germans running in the 2 mile handicap at 17.35.

Bolivia (Lucy Wadham/ Joe Fanning) and Los Nadis (Jim Goldie/ Neil Farley). Los Nadis, also a multiple winner over jumps, is one of our favourite horses, but we are not sure how he will like the heavy ground and on this occasion prefer Bolivia, a daughter of Monsun, who was group-placed at 3 in Germany. The 5 furlongs handicap at 17.00 is best watched for clues as to how the draw will affect tomorrow´s big sprints, but we cannot resist having a little bet on Come On Dave (David and Adrian Nicholls), who is much improved and is still well handicapped with bottom weight here.

At Newbury the going is good to firm and the listed race over 7 furlongs at 17.50 looks very open. Producer (Richard Hannon/ Richard Hughes) is penalised for winning a Group Three at Goodwood last time; Zumbi (Sir Michael Stoute/ James Doyle) was a close third and is now 3 lbs better off, but with Hannon/ Hughes team in top form we still prefer their runner. Scarf (Saeed bin Suroor/ Frankie Dettori) , an ex-Australian horse whose only British win came over this CD, is a danger, as are the multiple winners Van Ellis (Mark Johnston/ Kieren Fallon) and I´m So Glad (Mick Channon/ Martin Harley), but our selection is Edinburgh Knight (Paul d´Arcy/ Paul Hanagan), who has been running without much luck in top races and can score in this lower grade. Otherwise the 4 races for 2yo´s should be carefully watched here, as they have frequently produced subsequent big winners. This applies particularly to the conditions race over a mile at 16.40, won in the past by such stars as Shergar an d Rainbow Quest. Wentworth (Hannon/ Hughes) may not reach such heights, but he is regarded as one of the top juveniles in his powerful stable and can win today.

Green light for Ayr

good news from Scotland - today´s Ayr meeting goes ahead, although the going will be heavy. There will be quite a few non-runners so punters are advised to check before placing their bets. There should be no problems with tomorrow´s card, featuring the Ayr Gold Cup, Scotland´s richest flat race. The weather continues to be bad in Ireland and the ground at Listowel will be desperate, but there is so far no indication that racing could be abandoned.

4 meetings left

The loss of Ayr has of course reduced today´s possibilities and any loss of the next two days would be a disaster for Scottish racing, as this is their top flat meeting of the year. We are left with relatively harmless cards at Yarmouth and Pontefract, evening racing on the all-weather at Kempton and the fourth day of the Listowel Harvest Festival in Ireland. Top event at Yarmouth is the 1 3/4 mile handicap at 17.20 CET, in which we expect the 3yo´s to hold the whip hand. MOntaser (David Simcock/ Franny Nortopn) and Mawaqeet (Sir Michael Stoute/ Paul Hanagan) are lightly-raced types that look capable of further improvement, while Modernism (Mark Johnstpon/ Jieren Fallon, a Monsun colt, looks dangerous off bottom weoght. However on form the winner should be Repeater (Sir Mark Prescott/ Chris Catlin); he has only ever won twice, most recently a year ago, but has been in the first 4 on 11 if his 12 career starts, and last week was a close fourth in the Doncaster Cup. He has been raised a stone for that performance but races off his old mark today; this does not always work out in practice, but in theory he should therefore be a good thing. Prescott and Catlin also have a chance of doubling up with Between Us in the following race, a fillies handicap over 1 mile 3 furlongs, but this looks very tricky.

At Pontefract we hope that Misplaced Fortune (Nigel Tinkler/ Dale Swift) can repeat his 2011 victory in the 6 furlongs handicap at 17.00. He is up in the weoigjhts, but ran a good race at Doncaster last week. The two bottom-weights Love Island (Richard Whitaker/ Paul Quinn) and Meandmyshadow (AD Brown/ Robert Winston) look the main dangers.
Frankie Dettori is riding at Kempton this evening, where he has 3 mounts for Saeed bin Suroor: the debutant Ehtedaam in the maiden race at 19.40 Masteroftherolls in a conditions race at 21.10 and Almaas in the 3yo handicap at 21.40; Godolphin have a tremendous strike rate here and we would not be surprised to see all three run well. Otherwise we will be interested to see how one-time Schlenderhan classic hope Tusculum (Barney Curley/ Daragh O´Donoghoe) runs in the 2 mile handicap at 20.40; he is on an amazingly low mark but has not run for over 3 years.

Another horse hoping to repeat his 2011 win is Princeton Plains who has top weight in the main event at Listowel, a 2 mile handicap hurdle at 17.35. Eddie Harty´s 6yo is the choice of Tony McCoy from 3 runners owned by JP McManus and must have good prospects; bottom weight Dara Tango (Tony Martin/ Ruby Walsh) could be the main danger. Walsh should in any case win the beginners chase half an hour earlier on Willie Mullins` Back in Focus.

three listed races today

much more interesting racing today compared to the past two days- although there are still some small fields and the ground in the U.K. is still on the firm side. There are listed races at Yarmouth and Sandown, and also at Listowel, which also features the big betting race of the day, the Kerry National.
The Yarmouth race at 16.15 CET is a ten furlongs event for fillies and mares and was won last year by Principal Role, who was owned by Khalid Abdullah, trained by Sir Henry Cecil and ridden by Tom Queally. This trio should score again as their Timepiece stands out on form and on ratings. She was not beaten far when fourth to Snow Fairy last time at Deauville and before that was an excellent runner-up in the Nassau Stakes - that is solid Group One form which none of the other runners can claim. Clinical (Sir Mark Prescott/ Luke Morris) has good listed form but must give weight away, while Sweetnessandlight (Jason Ward/ Ted Durcan) is much improved this season. Hamdan al Maktoum has 3 runners, and jockey bookings suggest that Jiwen (Roger Varian/ Tagdh O´Shea) is the best of them, but they will all need to show amazing improvement if they are to trouble Timepiece.
The Sandown race is over a mile at 17.00 and looks very tricky, even with only 5 runners. Hamdan´s main jockey Paul Hanagan is here to partner Sir Michael Stoute´s Tazahum, who is narrowly top-rated. However he is no certainty, and Set the Trend (David O´Meara/ Daniel Tudhope) Fulbright (Mark Johnston/ Silvestre de Sousa) and Gabrial (Richard Fahey/ Richard Hughes) are all smart handicappers who could also make their mark in this grade.
At Listowel the listed race is over 1 1/2 miles at 15.55. The two lightly-raced 3yo´s Chamonix (Aidan and Joseph O´Brien) and Tandem (Dermot Weld/ Pat Smullen) should dominate here, with preference for the former, who looks very promising.
The Kerry National, a valuable 3 mile handicap chase at 17.05 has 18 runners and is of course wide open. Our selection is oldtimer Ponmeoath (Emmet McNamara/ David Casey), who won the race oin 2007 and 2008, has run respectably in it every year since and is now on a very reasonable weight.

Betting forecas at Yarmoutht:
1. Race: Lord Of The Garter - Living Desert - Lionheart
2. Race: Links Drive Lady - Miss Polly Plum - Palmette
3. Race: Timepiece - Emirates Queen - Sweetnessandlight
4. Race: Initiator - Colour Guard - Anjaz
5. Race: Shena`s Dream - Alraased - Dannios
6. Race: Stone Of Folca - My Propeller - Whaileyy
7. Race: Arch Villain - Awesome Pearl - Petaluma

4 meetings today

4 more low level meetings today, and there are some small fields at Folkestone and Yarmouth which are not at all punter-friendly. Only 7 run in the main event at Yarmouth, a handicap for 3yo´s over an extended 1 mile 3 furlongs at 18.00 CET. Willie Wag Tail (Ed Walker/ George Baker) is the favourite here after running well in hotter races at Goodwood and York, but we prefer Expert Fighter (Saeed bin Suroor/ Frankie Dettori); he finished well behind Willie Wag Tail at York, but is now 5 lbs better off and the Godolphin stables can do no wrong at present. One we really like at Yarmouth is the ex-German Toughness Danon (Brendan Powell/ David Kenny) in the 1 3/4 miles handicap at 18.30.

He finished third in the German Derby 3 years ago, and although he has been mainly disappointing since, including some very poor efforts over hurdles, he is so well handicapped now that he must have a good chance in this company; he was noted running on well from an unpromising position on his last two starts, and the extra distance today should be in his favour.

At Folkestone, there could be another Godolphin winner with the lightly-raced Future Security (bin Suroor/ Silvestre de Sousa) in the 1 1/2 miles handicap at 17.50. This is however quite a tricky race, and Luca Cumani´ s Infinite Hope (Kirsty Milczarek), another lightly-raced 3yo, looks dangerous, while Enery (Mark Johnston/ Franny Norton) is much more exposed, having already run 15 times, but he has won 4 races including his last two, and the stable continues in great form.

The fields are bigger at Thirsk and winners just as hard to find. German-bred Fieldgunner Kirkup (David Barron/ Graham Gibbons) was a CD winner 19 days ago and can possibly defy a 3 lbs rise in the weights at 16.40. There are 2 more German-breds in the following 1 1/2 mile handicap, top-weight Noble Alan (Nicky Richards/ Paddy Aspell) and Full Speed (PA Kirby/ Matt O´Connell); we prefer the former, who rarely runs on the flat but is a decent hurdler, while 10yo Maneki Neko (Edwin Tuer/ Tony Hamilton) is a possible danger; he has only run once in the past 16 months, but has a good record over this CD.

In Ireland, the Listowel Harvest Festival goes into its third day with another mixed card: 4 flat races followed by 3 over jumps. The most valuable race is the 2 miles handicap hurdle at 17.35 with 18 runners. The interesting one is Train of Thought (Dermot Weld/ DG Lavery), winner of his only hurdle race so far, a novice event at the Galway Festival. Given his trainer´s record, he could easily outclass this field, but on the face of it he is not well handicapped for that win in a much lower grade. Weld can in any case take the opening 2yo maiden at 15.35 with Johnny Lynch (Pat Smullen).

4 meetings today

3 very poor meetings in the UK today, while in Ireland the Listowel Harvest Festival continues. At Brighton Tropical Song (John Gosden/ William Buick) should certainly win the 2yo maiden at 15.20, biut will probably be at an impossible price. Gosden has an amazing 42% strike rate here. From the betting point of view the 1 1/2 mile handicap at 17.20 is more interesting and Blue Dune (Mark Johnston/ Neil Callan), stepping up in trip, could be the answer here. Sommersturm (Barney Curley/ Tom Queally) is the unknown factor here. He has finished last on both his 2012 flat starts, but that does not mean much with this trainer, and he has now dropped to a very low rating; remember he finished 4th in the Union-Rennen - that was 5 years ago, but if he is right, he must have a chance in this company.

At Musselburgh, Richard Fahey must have a decent chance of taking the 5 furlongs handicap for 2yo´s at 17.10; both his runners Bispham Green (Shane B. Kelly) and Done Dreaming (Tony Hamilton) could be involved in the finish. Lady Poppy (George Moore/ Peter Mcdonald), from the family of Overdose, could be the main danger. A handicap over the same trip for older horses at 18.10 could go to Koolgreycat (Neil Wilson/ Freddie Tylicki). Tylicki (5 winners on Saturday!) rode this one to victory over CD in May and is now back in the saddle.

The card at Wolverhampton is even worse than the turf racing in Britain today. We shall venture a tiny each-way bet on German-bred Gwilym (Tony Newcombe/ Chris Catlin) in the 6 furlongs handicap at 17.30. His recent efforts have all been terrible, but he has dropped to a ´very low rating and usually runs his best races at this track.

The racing is better at Listowel, where there are 3 flat races, 3 over jumps and a bumper. The best race is the novice chase over 2 1/2 miles at 17.05; only 4 runners, but all pretty useful. Pride of the Arctic (Peter Fahey/ Adrian Leigh) has won his last two races in good style, but must give 7 lbs away, which looks difficult. Carlito Brigante (Gordon Elliott/ Davy Russell) was a very smart hurdler and won the Coral Cup at Cheltenham last year. Sweet My Lord (Willier Mullins/ Ruby Walsh) was not quite as good over sticks, but won his first chase well and is probably better suited by the likely heavy ground, so he is the selection. Mullins and Walsh can follow up in the next race with Chiltern Hills, though this looks trickier.

Bath, Ffos Las and Listowel

Following yesterday´s dramatic events, today´s racing in the U.K. and Ireland is very low key. Bath and Ffos Las offer mainly low-level handicaps, although the best bet at Bath is probably Jubilee Diamond (Richard Hannon/ Pat Dobbs) in the maiden race for 2yo fillies at 16.10 CET; she is clearly not one of the stars in this huge stable, but the form of her two second places (she had no chance in top company at Royal Ascot in between) should be good enough for her to win here. Also at Bath, we think that Iguacu (RJ Price/ Daniel Huscott) can follow up his recent CD win in the 10 furlongs handicap atn hour later, where he has the two Bernard Llewellyn runners to beat.

RJ Price could also be among the winners at Ffos Las, as Cheveton (Tagdh O´Shea) has dropped to a very attractive weight in the 5 furlongs handicap at 17.30; he has been out of form so far this season, but won the Ayr Silver Cup a year ago and is now 8 lbs lower. Cheveton is a mere youngster at 8, but a real veteran, and one of our favourite horses, runs in the much lower level 5 furlongs handicap an hour later: 12yo Cape Royal (Milton Bradley/ Chris Catlin), running his 181st race. He too has come down in the weights and we cannot resist a small each-way bet.

There are some huge fields in Ireland, where the week-long Kerry Harvest Festival meeting starts at Listowel. Main interest here is centred not on a horse, but on a jockey - Ruby Walsh, who returns from a long injury break wotzjh ztwo rides for Willie Mullins. Rattan should certainly win the 2 mile hurdle race at 15,50; he has been racing in much better company and is clear top-rated here. His other mount Connaught Manor at 16.20 also has a chance, but there are 18 runners here and it looks quite open.

Our main advice however is to watch the Arc trials at Longchamp, which may not be attractive for betting purposes, but should deliver some idea about what we can expect in 3 weeks time (see next story).

Ffos Las - betting forecast:
1. Race: Jillnextdoor - Polish Crown - Greenery
2. Race: Frosted Off - Sarahmanda - Angels Calling
3. Race: Clean Blow - Secret Sign - Vincentti
4. Race: Selfara - Minalisa - Ashpan Sam
5. Race: Pearl Blue - Kyleakin Lass - Cheveton
6. Race: Brown Volcano - Gaelic Wizard - My Time
7. Race: Lizzy`s Dream - Drinmoy Lad - Spic `N Span

Arc trials at Longchamp

There is an excellent card at Longchamp today, with the Arc trials - 3 weeks before the real thing- and the Group One Prix du Moulin taking centre stage. The Moulin unfortunately only has 4 runners, after Aidan O´Brien withdrew Excelebration (and all his other possible runners here), but is still a fascinating race in which we hope to see Farhh (Saeed bin Suroor/ Frankie Dettori), twice runner-up to Frankel and out of a German mare, succeed at the main expense of Moonlight Cloud (Freddie Head/ Thierry Jarnet), very unlucky last time at Deauville, where she finished just in front of German 2,000 Guineas winner Caspar Netscher (Alan McCabe/ Shane Kelly). The Aga Khan´s 3yo filly Sarkiyla (Alain de Royer-Dupre/ Christophe Lemaire) gets a lot of weight and as the winner of 4 of her 5 races should not be underestimated, even though this is quite a step-up in grade.

The Aga Khan is also hopeful of winning the Prix Vermeille for fillies and mares over 1 1/2 miles at 16.10, in which he has 3 runners; Shareta, runner-up in the Arc last year, should be the best of them. She probably want fast ground, while last year´s winner Galikova, a sister to the great Goldikova and one of 3 Wertheimer runners, would prefer cut in the ground. Heavy ground put paid to Princess Highway´s (Dermot Weld/ Pat Smullen) chances in the Irish Oaks, but she looked very smart at Royal Ascot and is a real threat, while German hopes are pinned to Salomina (Peter Schiergen/ Andrasch Starke), unbeaten in 4 races including the German Oaks. She meets much tougher opposition here, but we expect her to run well.

The two real Arc trials are the Foy for older horses at 14.30 and the Niel for 3yo´s at 15.40, both with small fields as usual. The Niel has been the best Arc trial this century, biut there is a strong suspicion that the 2012 crop is not much good. Saonaois (JP Gauvin/ Antoine Hamelin) won the French Derby, but we think that was a fluke, and prefer Last Train (André Fabre/ Maxime Guyon) and Bayrir (Royer-Dupré/ Lemaire) from the two most powerful yards in France.

The Foy sees the European debut of the top Japanese performer Orfevre (´Yasutoshi Ikee/ Chistophe Soumillon) - he is our early Arc selection, so we hope he runs well! He has Meandre (Fabre/ Guyon) to beat, but the improved Fiorente (Sir Michael Stoute/ Kieren Fallon), a son of Monsun, is also dangerous. We also hope to see Flamingo Fantasy (Sascha Smrczek/ Olivier Peslier) run well in the Prix Gladiateur over 3000 metres at 17.20, while Peslier can also win the opening Prix du Petit Couvert on Robert Cowell´s Monsieur Joe.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Inxile - Stepper Point - Monsieur Joe
2. Race: Al Tair - Ghalib - Tm Fred Texas
3. Race: Orfevre - Meandre - Orfevre
4. Race: Shamalgan - Bungur - Best Of Order
5. Race: Saonois - Last Train - Bayrir
6. Race: Galikova - Shareta - Yellow And Green
7. Race: Moonlight Cloud - Farhh - Moonlight Cloud
8. Race: Lone Ranger - Ivory Land - Kasbah Bliss
9. Race: Zaubertanzerin - Kiora - Saint Louet

Irish St. Leger at the Curragh

Obviously it is ridiculous to have the British and Irish St. Legers run the same day, but there´s nothing we can do about it. The Irish version will be run at 19.05 at the Curragh, and one big difference is that it is open to older horses, who have dominated in recent years. The only two 3yo´s in the field of 9 are owned by the Aga Khan - Hartani (John Oxx/ Christophe Lemaire) and Massiyn (Mike Halford/ Shane Foley).

They are both in good form, but we cannot quite see them beating the tough older horses. Three trainers try for the St. Leger double - Aidan O´Brien with Fame and Glory (Jamie Spencer), John Gosden with Aiken (Jimmy Fortune) and Tommy Carmody with Royal Diamond (Niall McCullagh). Fame and Glory is the best of these and would win it on his best form - he won the Irish Derby here in 2009 and took the Gold Cup last year, but he seems a bit inconsistent these days and was well beaten in this race last year and again at Royal Ascot last time. Aiken was fourth in the Hardwicke last time and had won his 6 previous races; however there must be a doubt about his staying this distance, over which he has never run before. We prefer the other Brtish runner Brown Panther (Tom Dascombe/ Richard Kingscote), runner-up at Doncaster last year, and like Hartani a son of Shirocco. Owner Michael Owen is unlikely to be present - he makes his debut for Stoke City today - but we think that Brown Pan ther can win this, especially if the ground stays on the soft side.

The other big race at the Curragh is the Group One National Stakes for 2yo´s over 7 furlongs at 19.40. Aidan O´Brien saddles 3 here and son Joseph will be flying over from Doncaster to partner Cristoforo Colombo, who fell here last time. However the one to beat is clearly Dwan Approach (Jim Bolger/ Kevin Manning), unbeaten in 4 starts and sold in the meantime to Sheikh Mohammed. Ayaar (Mick Channon/ Martin Harley) is an interesting runner, as he won nicely at Baden-Baden last time, but is facing much tougher opposition now. However he could run into a place.

Doncaster St.Leger

The St. Leger is the oldest classic in the world of horse racing and dates back to 1776, its reputation has been up and down over the years, but the race has received a massive boost this year by the participation of 2,000 Guineas and Derby winner Camelot (Aidan and Joseph O´Brien). The unbeaten son of Montjeu will attempt at 16.40 CET to become the first triple crown winner since the great Nijinsky in 1970, who was also trained at Ballydoyle by Aidan´s predecessor Vincent O´Brien (no relation). The previous triple crown winner was Bahram in 1935, so history is not on his side. It must be said however that very few horses in recent years have even attempted to win all three classics.

The question of course is: will he win?
In his favour are the fact that he has by far the best form in the race and that he is highly regarded by his extremely capable trainer, who has already won the four British classics already decided in 2012 and is thus going for an unprecedented clean sweep. He would not be going for it unless he thought that Camelot could succeed. Two factors are against him: one is the fact that the form of his previous wins has not worked out at all well, and that on the whole the 3yo´s this season seem well below par; Camelot is the best of a bad bunch. More important perhaps is the extra distance - two and a half furlongs more than he has ever run before. There is no certainty that he will get the extra trip, even the O´Brien´s do not know. However there is the old turf adage that they will always get the trip once, and his class should pull him through. However he is up against horses already proven over the trip and bred like stayers. We don´t think the fact that he is ridden by the tr ainer´s son Joseph is a problem; Joseph has his critics but has nothing wrong so far on Camelot and seems to get on extremely well with him.

So the next question must be: is he a good bet?
To this we must answer NO. Even though he is the likeliest winner, the very short odds on offer (around 5-2 on) make no appeal whatever in view of the problems he has to face, in particular the extra distance. With 9 runners and a long odds-on favourite, this race is ideal for each-way betting.The 3 runners which make most appeal here are Main Sequence (David Lanigan/ Ted Durcan), and John Gosden´s pair Michelangelo (Frankie Dettori) and Thought Worthy (William Buick). The stable jockey must have thought long and hard before deciding to partner Thought Worthy, a brother to the stable´s 2007 winner Locarno. He won the main trial, the Great Voltigeur, by a neck from Main Sequence and Encke (Mahmood al Zarooni/ Mikael Barzalona) with Thomas Chippendale (Sir Henry Cecil/ Tom Queally) fifth. That race was run at a false pace and in our view the form is not certain to stand up. Jockeys have made the wrong call many times before and we think that this has happened here; we prefer Mi chelangelo of the Gosden runners, who was third at Goodwood last time on a track that did not suit him; he has a pacemaker now, Dartford (Rab Havlin) to ensure a decent pace. Others to consider are the improving handicappers Guarantee (William Haggas/ Phillip Makin) and Ursa Major (Tommy Carmody/ Johnny Murtagh), the horse that reputedly cost Murtagh his job as the Aga Khan´s jockey in Ireland. However they must both show further improvement to figure in this company.

Main Sequence was runner-up at 5 lengths to Camelot at Epsom, has twice been unlucky since, and we think he is still the most likely place horse in the field, with Michelangelo second best. We will be betting against him, but we still expect Camelot to win, which would be a great result not only for his brave connections but also for all of racing.

Doncaster St.Leger meeting: day three

The standard of racing at the St. Leger meeting steps up a gear today with 3 Group Two races, headed by the Doncaster Cup over 2 1/4 miles at 15.20 CET. The two races to bear in mind here are the Ascot Gold Cup, won by Colour Vision (Saeed bin Suroor/ Silvestre de Sousa) with Saddlers Rock (John Oxx/ Johnny Murtagh) a close third and Askar Tau (Marcus Tregoning/ George Baker) fifth, and the Goodwood Cup with Saddlers Rock, Askar Tau and Colour Vision taking the first 3 places. Obviously there is not a great deal between them, and we expect the finish to lie between Colour Vision- who is penalised 4 lb s for his Ascot success, as he was at Goodwood - and Saddlers Rock, who also won this race last year, but ran badly last time at York behind Times Up and High Jinks. That could not have been his real form however and it may be wiser to ignore it. We would like to see Times Up do well, after his trainer John Dunlop yesterday announced his retirement after a long and distinguished career, and also Askat Tau (out of an Acatenango mare) and also of course Colour Vision (out of a Monsun mare), but at these weights Saddlers Rock appeals as the most likely winner.

The May Hill Stakes over a mile for 2yo fillies at 15.55 has some smart performers entered, the best of whom could be the two unbeaten fillies Certify (Mahmood al Zarooni/ Mikael Barzalona) and Ollie Olga (Mick Channon/ Martin Harley). Both won from Sky Lantern last time out, and the latter was a Group One winner in Ireland last Sunday, so the form looks strong and there is probably little between them.

The card opens with the Flying Childers Stakes for 2yo´s over 5 furlongs and features some of the fastest juveniles around. Sir Prancealot (Richard Hannon/ Murtagh) repreesents a stable whose 2yo´sd are flying and as he has run well in top company, he is our selection, although Hoyam (Michael Bell/ Jamie Spencer), another very consistent performer, could run him close.

The handicaps are as usual at these big meetings, very tough. However Sir Graham Wade (Mark Johnston/ Kieren Fallon), who ran into all sorts of difficulties last week at Haydock and still won, may be able to defy a 6 lbs penalty in the 1 3/4 miles handicap at 14.50, where Nanton (Jim Goldie/ Graham Lee), who won the race in 2009, was beaten a head last year, and is now very well handicapped, looks the main danger. Over 6 1/2 furlongs at 17.05 the two we like best are the lightly-weighted 3yo´s Duke of Firenze (Sir Michael Stoute/ Fallon) and Galician (Johnston/ Mirco Demuro)

Doncaster St.Leger meeting: day two

It´s Ladies Day at Doncaster with 3 races restricted to fillies. The most important is the Group Two Park Hill Stakes over 1 3/4 miles at 15.55 CET, the fillies´ St. Leger. After the death of top German stallion Monsun earlier this weelk, it would be especially fitting if one of his daughters were to win here, and it seems more than likely with Estimate (Paul Hanagan) and Monshalk (Franny Norton), both trained by Sir Michael Stoute, to represent him, as well as Kailani (Mahmood al Zarooni/ Mikael Barzalona), while the likely favourite Wild Coco (Sir Henry Cecil/ Tom Queally) is by his son Shirocco. Wild Coco, still owned by breeder Gestüt Röttgen, came back from almost a year off to win a similar race at Goodwood in good style, with Estimate, owned by the Queen, only third, but the latter appeared not to handle the track and we would not be surprised to see her reverse that form today. However the one that really interests us is Kailani, who has not been seen since running b adly at Royal Ascot and before that in the Oaks. She looked very useful when winning her first two races and is out of the German mare Kazzia, that won the 1,000 Guineas and Oaks for Godolphin. Best of the rest could be Ambivalent (Riger Varian/ Neil Callan), a listed winner last time out, but now stepping up in class and distance.

Al Zarooni and Barzalona also have chances in the Group Three Sceptre Stakes over 7 fillies at 14.50; she won the UAE 1,000 Guineas at the Meydan meeting, but was well beaten on her only start since; however if anywhere near her Meydan form, she can win this. There is a huge field and the best of the others could be Irish raider Coolnagree (Willie McCreery/ Declan McDonogh) and Sentaril (William Haggas/ Johnny Murtagh), who flopped last time but whose second in the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot is good form. The most valuable race on the card is the sales race for 2yo´s over 6 1/2 furlongs at 15.20. These races have their own rules, but Parliament Square (Aidan and Joseph O´Brien) is clearly the class act here, having run third in the Prix Morny. He has however a huge weight, and bottom-weight The Gold Cheongsam (Jeremy Noseda/ Franny Norton) is obviously a threat in receipt of 18 lbs, while the unbeaten Flyman (Richard Fahey/ Paul Hanagan) is also well fancied.

The other meetings today are of no great importance, but the Irish fixture at Laytown is a great spectacle, with the races run on the beach. Several leading trainers have runners here, but it is not normally worthwhile having a bet in view of the vagaries of the weather.

Doncaster St.Leger meeting starts today

The four day Doncaster St. Leger meetings starts today with a relatively low-key card. Main event is the listed Scarboroough Stakes over 5 furlongs at 16.05 CET, which has an extremely strong field for a listed race, including several Group One performers. This could well go to Ireland as Sole Power (Eddie Lynam/ Johnny Murtagh) is deservedly favourite after a string of good efforts in top sprints.

He won the Nunthorpe in 2010, was just touched off in the Abbaye last year and is clearly one of the best 5 furlongs horses in Eiurope. His problem is that he has to be brought with a very late run, so he rarely wins but is almost always placed. Another Irish runner Nocturnal Affair (David Marnane/ Neil Callan) looks the main danger . he won the Portland Handicap here last year and there is little between him and Sole Power on the form book. Kingsgate Natove (Ropberet Cowell/ Richard Hughes) would also be in there with a great chance if back to the form he showed some years ago for Sir Michael Stoute and Jim Best, including his Golden Jubilee and Nunthorpe victories. However he has not run for a year and is better watched for now. Sole Power prefers firm ground, and it looks as if he will get it; in the unlikely event of heavy rain (not forecast) then Confessional (Tim Easterby/ Paul Mulrennan) would also have a chance.

The other race of interest is the mile event at 16.40, a classified stakes for horses rated up to 70; most of them are rated exactly that, which means that it will depend on the jockeys, and that is really the case here. For this is the Leger Legends race, a charity race for ex-jockeys and it has attracted a star line-up. The two biggest names are Julie Krone, the world´s most successful female jockey ever with over 3700 wins to her name and the winner here last year, who partners Richard Fahey´s Siunnyside Tom, and Mick Kinane, who partners Chris Dwyer´s Patriotic. Also taking part are Derby-winning jockeys like John Reid and Willie Ryan, and ex-champion Kevin Darley. It will all depend on the riders´ fitness, but Krone and Kinane, though no spring chickens, are very ambitious and still have the burning desire to win, so we expect one of them to score.

Another interesting race is the conditions event over 10 furlongs at 17.10, which features the 2011 winner Cai Shen (Richard Hannon/ Richard Hughes). However we cannot see him beating Beatern Up (William Haggas/ Murtagh), who looked very smart last year but has not run since flopping in the Coronation Cup, and the once-raced Swedish Sailor (Mahmood al Zarooni/ Mikael Barzalona); the Monsun colt was an easy winner of a Yarmouth maiden last October from subsequent group winnerr Noble Mission, but has not been seen since.

4 meetings today

Nothing very exciting at today´s 4 meetings - two on the flat and two over jumps. The best race at Leicester is the 5 furlongs conditions race at 16.20 CET, in which temple Mreads (Ed Mcmahon/ Richard Mullen) is top-rated as a result of his smart form as a 2yo in 2010. However he has only run once since, and we prefer Amour Propre (Henry Candy/ Dane O´Neill), who had no chance in top sprints at Royal Ascot and Glorious Goodwood, but must have great prospects in this much lower grade. Improving handicapper Ballista (Tom Dascombe/ Richard Kingscote) could be the main danger.

At Redcar the handicap over the straight mile at 17.00 looks wide open with 14 runners. It is best to stick with course form here and top-weight Kiwi Bay (Michael Dods/ Tom Eaves), Jo´Burg (David O´Meara/ Danny Tudhope) and Aquarian Spirit (Richard Fahey/ Freddie Tylicki) are all CD winners. Aquarian Spirit could be dangerous now dropped in the weights, but Kiwi Bay holds them both; he was runner-up in this race last year and has won the straight mile final twice, in fact he has 5 course wins to his credit and can make it 6 today.

They go over jumps at orcester and Galway. At the former track the German-bred Sulpius (Bob Buckler/ CJ Davies) might be interesting in the opening handicap chase for conditional jockeys at 15.10. From one of Schlenderhan´s best families, he has shown next to nothing so far, but off a very low rating could run well at a big price in this modest event. There are also some interesting newcomers in the maiden hurdle at 17.10, but Porgy (Brian Ellison/ Danny Cook) has already shown talent over sticks and must be the one to beat; Ellison and Cook can follow up half an hour later in the 3yo hurdle with Fine Kingdom, who was virtually useless on the flat but ran well on his hurdling debut.
At the Irish track, Willie Mullins can land a double woth Zuzka in the novice hurdle at 18.05 and Laganbank in the novice chase an hour later, both partnered by Paul Townend. Laganbank fell last time and was earlier beaten by Bailey Green (Mouse Morris/ David Casey), now going for his fifth successive win, but meets him on better terms today.
Zuzka was beaten at odds-on last time, bit still looks a decent prospect.

listed race at Galway

once again the best race today is run in Ireland - the listed race over 1 1/2 miles at 19.05 CET at Galway. Midnight Music (Dermot Weld/ Pat Smullen) is the only 4yo in the field and was a winner here over 2 miles at the Festival in late July. However that was a handicap and we cannot imagine he is good enough to defeat Aidan O´Brien´s two three-year-.old runners Chamonix (Joseph O´Brien) and the filly Demurely (Seamus Heffernan) both by Galileo. Demurely has been racng in good company and hs the higher rating, but Chamonix was so impressie when winning a maiden last time by 12 lerngths that we think he is well up to isted class and can win here. O´Brien can also take the 2yo maiden at 17.05 where he again has two runners Eye of the Storm, with his son Joseph, and Kingdom (Heffernan). Both are very well-bred debutants and are well entered in the autumn´s big juvenile events.
In the U.K. there is flat racing at Bath and Newcastle and N.H. racing at Newton Abbot, all at a very low level. Saeed bin Suroor is in good form now and can land a Newcastle double with Blue Tiger (Paul Hanagan) at 15.30 and Ajuba (Rab Havlin) an hour later; in thelatter event he faces strong opposition from another in-form trainer William Haggas, who runs Sigurwana (Liam Jones). Haggas also sends just one runner to Bath, Pearl War (Harry Bentley) at 15.20, and she can take this poor fillies handicap. At Bath there is also a 2yo handicap over 10 furlongs, a very long trip for juveniles; Stiff Upper Lip (Richard Hannon/ Richard Hughes - another team in top form) and Heliconia (Sir Mark Prescott/ Luke Morris) both look as if they can stay this distance and one of them will probably win.
The best race at Newton Abbot is the handicap chase at 16.10; Enfant de Lune (David Pipe/ Tom Scudamore) ran an excellent race over this CD in much better company 8 days ago, and although the ground is much faster today, should win if he can repeat that performance. Pipe also saddles 3 runners in the handicap hurdle an hour later; German-bred Home Run (Conor O´farrell), a close relation to Hurricane Run, is the interesting one despite his very mixed form. Another German-bred who should run well here is Adelar (Venetia Williams/ Aidan Coleman) in the novice hurdle at 15.10.; he was an easy CD winner last time and can score egain.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Eye Of The Storm - Kingdom - Mourani
2. Race: Daigreen - Fit The Cove - Cairdiuil
3. Race: Cocktail Hour - Nurpur - Wholelotofrosie
4. Race: Arbitrageur - Consonance - Jappeli
5. Race: Chamonix - Demurely - Midnight Music
6. Race: Forest Minx - Quench The Flame - Wrekin Rock
7. Race: Faanan Aldaar - Three Kingdoms - Hasten

York and Fontwell

The going will be on the firm side at both U.K.meetings today.York stages an above-average card for a Sunday, wih the listed Garrowby Stakes over 6 furlongs at 15.55 CET the main feature. Lady Rothschild is having a tremendous season as an owner and her 3yo filly Mince (Roger Charlton/ James Doyle) looks the answer here. She has won 5 of her 10 starts and looks very progressive; the obvious danger in Inile (David Nicholls/ Daragh O´Donohoe), who is the top-rated runner. Nicholls has not had a great season, but his horses are running much better now, and Inxile, although a winner on heavy going in Ireland recently, goes well on fast ground.

The handicaps here look very tricky with huge fields, but William Haggas and Paul Hanagan have obvious chances of winning the 10 furlongs race at 16.30 with Jawhar and the 6 furlongs event at 17.35 with Heeraat, both owned by Hamdan al Maktoum. There is however little value in their prices and for those who prefer better odds, we recommend Jonny Lesters Hair (Tim Easterby/ Ted Durcan) and Gabriel´s Lad (Denis Coakley/ Kieren Fallon) respectively.

The card at Fontwell is less exciting, but we like course specialist Orion Star (Seamus Mullins/ Daryl Jacob) in the staying chase at 1815; he won this race last year, and although his two runs this year have been very poor, he is back to the same rating now and back to his favourite track on his preferred going. We always like to follow German-breds over jumps and Sadlers Star (Michael Blake/ Tom Cannon) must have as chance in the 2 3/4 miles handicap chase at 16.05; he is a CD winner and also goes best on the firm.

More top class action in Ireland

After yesterday´s excellent card from Leopardstown, headed by the briliant victory of Snow Fairy in the Irish Champion Stakes, there is more top class racing in Ireland today, this time at the Curragh. Main feature is the Group One Moyglare Stud Stakes for 2yo fillies at 17.25 CET, which looks very open with 13 runners, two of them trained in England - Orpha (Mick Channon/ William Buick), easy winner of a Ffos Las maiden and taking a huge leap in class here, and the more experienced Sky Lantern (Richard Hannon/ Richard Hughes), first or second on her four starts so far. Aidan O´Brien hads dominated this rasce in recent seasons and now dsaddlres two runners, Snow Queen, a nastrrowe CD winner last time with son Joseph in the saddle, and Magical Dream (Seamus Heffernan), but neither really looks up to Group One standard. The likely favourite is the unbeaten SendmylovetoRose (Andy Oliver/ Colm O´Donoghue), who won a Newmarket Grup Two over 6 furlongs last time, but the two runner s owned by the Aga Khan and trained by John Oxx look very dangerous; Harasiya (Pat Smullen) could be the better of them, and despite a narrow defeat over this CD last time by My Special J´s (Pat Shanahan/ Johnny Murtagh), she is the selection.

The wonderful Famous Name /Dermot Weld/ Pat Smullen) runs in the Group Three Solonaway Stakes over a mile at 16.20. The winner of 19 of his 29 starts, he is one of the most consistent horses in training, and although the ground may be faster than he likes and the distance shorter than his best,. we expect him to score his 20th win today. The 3yo Declaration of War (Aidan and Joseph O´Brien), easy winner of both his starts last ysar for Jean-Claude Rouget, is having his first race for the O´Brien´s and has been off the track for nearly a year, but could be a serious threat.
The Group Two Blandford Stakes for fillies and mares over 10 furlongs at 16.50 is another very open race. The 3yo´s look dangerous here, but we hope to see Nahrain (Roger Varian/ Neil Callan) get back on the winning trail here. Winner of the Prix de l´Opera last October, she has been well beaten on both her 2012 starts in very hot company, but is reported back to her best now.

The fourth group race here is the Round Tower Stakes over 6 furlongs for 2yo´s at 15.45. This is another open race, but Coolmore have a strong hand with Cougar Ridge (Dasvid Wachman/ Willie Lee) and George Vancouver( Aidan and Joseph O´Brien). The latter was runner-up in the Prix Morny, form which should suffice here.

Betfred Sprint Cup at Haydock

Big race in the U.K. today is the Group One Betfred Sprint Cup over 6 furlongs at 16.25 CET. Two non-runners, Confessional and Soul, who both need softer ground, but 13 left in and on all known form either Bated Breath (Roger Charlton/ James Doyle) or the Australian mare Ortensia (Paul Messara/ William Buick) should win. Bated Breath is a course specialist and was very unlucky not to win this last year, when he was just touched off by Dream Ahead. Everything looks perfect for him today, but he did finish behind Ortensia in the Nunthorpe at York over five furlongs, however she was better suited by that distance, although she stays 6 as well. She is very classy and has struck up an excellent relationship with Buick, who also won on her at Goodwood.

One big problem is that Bated Breath is drawn 1 and Ortensia 15, so everything will depend on the run of the race. If the big two fail to win, Strong Suit (Richard Hannon/ Richard Hughes) is next best; he will love the fast ground but things might happen too quickly for him here as he is arguably best at 7 furlongs or further. French challenger Wizz Kid (Robert Collet/ Gerald Mossé) is another possible, but she has never run on ground as fast as this. Society Rock (James Fanshawe/ Kieren Fallon), who won the Golden Jubilee on soft ground last year and who finished third on heavy ground in the July Cup last time, is the only other conceivable winner in our opinion, but would probably prefer better going, It´s a tricky one but we just prefer Bated Breath.

However Wizz Kid fares, we still expect Mossé to go home with a winner, as we think that David Nicholls´ Tax Free can follow up his recent York win by taking the 5 furlongs handicap at 15.15. As for Hannon and Hughes, threy can take the opener with Havana Gold, who was very unlucky last time at Deauville, when his saddle slipped when he was looking the likely winner, while Charlton and Doyle can win the listed mile race at 15.50 with Thistle Bird.

Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown

This is one of the most important days of the year in Irish racing and the Champion Stakes at 18.45 CET has attracted a small but strong field, including two British runners, Nathaniel (John Gosden/ William Buick) and Snow Fairy (Ed Dunlop/ Frankie Dettori). Nathaniel has been favourite for this race ever since betting began, but we are not convinced; Gosden has said all along that the Arc is the main target, and we think that 10 furlongs on fast ground is too short for him. For Snow Fairy however iot is perfect, and she was beaten only half a length in this last year. She came back after a break due to injury with a great performance at Deauville last time, but the bounce factor could be a problem. We therefore expect an Irish winner, which could be either St. Nicholas Abbey (Aidan and Joseph O´Brien) or Born to Sea (John Oxx/ Johnny Murttagh). O´Brien always targets this race and has won it already 7 times this century..He also saddles Daddy Long Legs (Seamie Heffernan) as pacemaker, a pretty good horse himself if in top form, and conditions seem ideal for St. Nicholas Abbey - fast ground, a fast pace and a left-handed track.

We think he will take all the beating. although Born to Sea at the likely odds is an interesting alternative. This half-brother to Sea the Stars (won this in 2009) and champion sire Galileo out of Arc winner Urban Sea has a fantastic pedigree; he has so far failed to live up to it, but he is now racing on fast ground for the first time and we think that this is what he needs. The Matron Stakes for fillies over a mile at 17.40 is the other Group One race on the card, and last year´s winner Emulous (Dermot Weld/ Pat Smullen) will attempt to repeat that victory. She finished behind Chachamaidee (Sir Henry Cecil/ Toim Queally) at Royal Ascot but could reverse that form here. However Aidan O´Brien has another strong hand with 3 runners, the pick of which is undoubetdly Maybe, ridden by his son Joseph. She looked a champion last year when winning all her 5 starts, but has failed to score so far this season; she did however finish third in the 1,000 Guineas, 5th in the Oaks, which w as too far, and 5th in the Falmouth on bad ground. Conditions look right for her today and she is our selection.

The O´Brien´s can also take the listed race for 2yo´s at 17.10 with Battle of Marengo, while the Weld/ Smullen team can score twice with Big Break (an own sister to Famous Name) in the opening 2yo fillies maiden at 16.40, and Speaking of Which in the Group Three ten furlongs race at 18.10.

Crazy Saturday!

The obsession of leading racecourses to stage all their best races on a Saturday reaches new heights of absurdity today, when there are Group One races at Haydock and at Leopardstown, as well as strong cards at Ascot and Kempton. This also puts pressure on the top jockeys, but William Buick and Frankie Dettori seem to have solved that problem by taking a helicopter after Haydock´s Sprint Cup (in which Frankie´s Soul is a non-runner) to fly to Leopardstown. The weather is fine and warm all over Western Europe and the going is firming up everywhere. This could be particularly significant at Leopardstown, as many of the runners will not have experienced these conditions following the wettest ever summer there.

5 poor meetings today

For a Friday, today´s cards are very weak, with low level handicaps dominating. 7 out of 8 races at both Haydock and Brighton and 6 out of 8 at Chepstow are handicaps. Easily the best races are at Haydock, although winners are hard to find. Willbeme (Neil `Bycroft/ Adam Beschizza) may be able to complete a hat-trick in the first division of the 6 furlongs handicap at 16.35 CET, he won nicely over CD last time and although this is a better race, he can score again. The second division at 17.10 can go to Piddle´s Power (Ed Mcmahon/ Neil Farley), who can reverse Nottingham form with Jade (Ollie Pears/ Le Topliss) on slightly better terms with a good claimer aboard. The 10 furlongs handicap at 17.45 looks difficult, but we expect the 3y´s to come out on top; Prussian (Mark Johnston/ Franny Norton) is the likely favourite after his strong performance at Sandown last Saturday, but we prefer Angel Gabrial (Ian Williams/ Graham Lee), who has bottom weight now that the two below him h ave dropped out, and won well at Newmarket last time. Strangely enough there are no 3yo´s in the 7 furlongs handicap half an hour later; this looks wide open but we hope nicely-named Mr. David (Jamie Osborne/ Leonna Mayor), runner-up on the all-weather last week, can take this.

The racing at Brighton and Chepstow is of a very low standard. After we did well with German-breds yesterday, we suggest The Lemonpie (Brendan Powell senior and junior) in the 1 1/2 mile handicap at 19.05 at the Welsh track. The Next Desert gelding was a moderate handicapper in Germany and has raced exclusively over jumps since being sold to the U.K. However he is much improved over hurdles this year and can win from a very low rating here; main danger is Korngold (John Dunlop/ Chris Catlin), owned by Benny Andersson of ABBA fame, whose only win came over this CD but is generally very unreliable.

Kempton this evening is also pretty awful, but there is some half-decent jumping from Kilbeggan in Ireland, where Willie Mullins might land a double with Blazing Tempo at 18.10, ridden by nephew Emmet, and Shakervilz, ridden by son Paddy, at 19.10; however both will probably start at very cramped odds.

listed race at Salisbury

the best card today is at Salisbury where the main feature is a listed race for 2yo fillies over 6 furlongs at 16.15 CET. This is quite an open affair with experienced fillies up against newcomers such as Tantshi (Roger Varian/ Neil Callan) and Winning Express (Ed Mcmahon Franny Norton), both winners of their only start and now moving up in grade, while Jadanna (James Given/ Graham Lee) is the highest rated filly, having won twice earlier in the year and then racing in top company - such as her third in the Cherry Hinton. Impressive Leicester winner El Manati (James Tate/ Martin Dwyer) and Supernova Heights (Brian Meehan/ Frankie Dettori), beaten a head by Tantshi, also come into the reckoning in a race which should be watched but not necessarily bet on. The same goes for the two divisions of the 7 furlongs maiden race for 2yo fillies earlier on the card, which some very well-bred debutantes running, e.g. Godolphin´s Intiba (Saeed bin Suroor/ Dettori) and the Queen´s Sweet as Honey (Richard Hannon/ Richard Hughes) in the first division at 15.10. From the betting point of view the 7 furlongs handicap for fillies at 16.45 is more interesting. There is little between Elusive Flame (David Elsworth/ William Buick) and Alice´s Dancer (William Muir/ William Carson) on Newmarket running, but the Queen could well take this with Free Verse (Hannon/ William Twiston-Davies), fourth in a better race at Ascot last time.
The Queen could also have a winner at Haydock, where her Galleon (Sir Michael Stoute/ Robert Winston) is the likely favourite for the 1 1/2 mile handicap at 17.40. However this is a very tricky race with several possibilities. One of them is ex-German Waldvogel (out of the smart Wurftaube) (Nicky Richards/ Paul Mulrennan), who was one of the better German 3yo´s in 2007 and has now dropped to a very favourable mark after some rather poor performances. The 7 furlongs conditions race here at 16.35 is another decent race and our fancy is Ptolemaic (Brian Smart/ Tom Eaves), who has been running respectably in much better company, e.g. his seventh place to Camelot in the 2,000 Guineas.
There is N.H. racing this afternoon at Sedgefield where Jason Maguire looks the jockey to follow. He can win the first two races on Indepub at 15.20 and Brady at 15.50 for his boss Donald McCain, and has some good rides for other trainers as well, including the German-bred Snooker for Rose Dobbin at 18.30. Another German-bred with a small each-way chance is Moon Melody (Mike Sowersby/ Samantha Drake) in the staying handicap chase at 18.00.
There is also a late afternoon mixed meeting in Ireland at Clonmel (four flat races followed by four over hurdles) and evening racing on the all-weather at Kempton. A German-bred that might run well at Clonmel is Beliar (E Doyle/ MJ Ferris) in the handicap hurdle at 19.50, while at Kempton we like the chances of Godolphin´s Inthar in the 3yo handicap at 21.10, Dettori´s only ride at this meeting.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Cap O`rushes - Glean - Da Do Run Run
2. Race: Lanansaak - Intiba - Rainbow Beauty
3. Race: Edge Of Glory - Astonishing - Miss Marjurie
4. Race: Tantshi - Rayaheen - Winning Express
5. Race: Baheeja - My Sharona - Elusive Flame
6. Race: Chiberta King - Songcraft - Lily In Pink
7. Race: Harlestone Wood - Maori Dancer - Multilateral
8. Race: Perfect Mission - Catchanova - Daffydowndilly

Listed race at Salisbury

The best card today is at Salisbury where the main feature is a listed race for 2yo fillies over 6 furlongs at 16.15 CET. This is quite an open affair with experienced fillies up against newcomers such as Tantshi (Roger Varian/ Neil Callan) and Winning Express (Ed Mcmahon Franny Norton), both winners of their only start and now moving up in grade, while Jadanna (James Given/ Graham Lee) is the highest rated filly, having won twice earlier in the year and then racing in top company - such as her third in the Cherry Hinton. Impressive Leicester winner El Manati (James Tate/ Martin Dwyer) and Supernova Heights (Brian Meehan/ Frankie Dettori), beaten a head by Tantshi, also come into the reckoning in a race which should be watched but not necessarily bet on. The same goes for the two divisions of the 7 furlongs maiden race for 2yo fillies earlier on the card, which some very well-bred debutantes running, e.g. Godolphin´s Intiba (Saeed bin Suroor/ Dettori) and the Queen´s Sweet as Honey (Richard Hannon/ Richard Hughes) in the first division at 15.10. From the betting point of view the 7 furlongs handicap for fillies at 16.45 is more interesting. There is little between Elusive Flame (David Elsworth/ William Buick) and Alice´s Dancer (William Muir/ William Carson) on Newmarket running, but the Queen could well take this with Free Verse (Hannon/ William Twiston-Davies), fourth in a better race at Ascot last time.

The Queen could also have a winner at Haydock, where her Galleon (Sir Michael Stoute/ Robert Winston) is the likely favourite for the 1 1/2 mile handicap at 17.40. However this is a very tricky race with several possibilities. One of them is ex-German Waldvogel (out of the smart Wurftaube) (Nicky Richards/ Paul Mulrennan), who was one of the better German 3yo´s in 2007 and has now dropped to a very favourable mark after some rather poor performances. The 7 furlongs conditions race here at 16.35 is another decent race and our fancy is Ptolemaic (Brian Smart/ Tom Eaves), who has been running respectably in much better company, e.g. his seventh place to Camelot in the 2,000 Guineas.

There is N.H. racing this afternoon at Sedgefield where Jason Maguire looks the jockey to follow. He can win the first two races on Indepub at 15.20 and Brady at 15.50 for his boss Donald McCain, and has some good rides for other trainers as well, including the German-bred Snooker for Rose Dobbin at 18.30. Another German-bred with a small each-way chance is Moon Melody (Mike Sowersby/ Samantha Drake) in the staying handicap chase at 18.00.

There is also a late afternoon mixed meeting in Ireland at Clonmel (four flat races followed by four over hurdles) and evening racing on the all-weather at Kempton. A German-bred that might run well at Clonmel is Beliar (E Doyle/ MJ Ferris) in the handicap hurdle at 19.50, while at Kempton we like the chances of Godolphin´s Inthar in the 3yo handicap at 21.10, Dettori´s only ride at this meeting.

5 poor meetings today

Nothing to get very excited about at today´s 5 meetings. As we saw at Baden-Baden last week, Andrew Balding has his string in fine form, and we expect his Tarara (Jimmy Fortune) to win the 3yo maiden at 15.50 CET at Bath. The sprint handicap here half an hour later looks very tricky, and trainer Milton Bradley, who always does well in these events, has entered three runners; Sole Dancer (Richard Kingscote) is in improving form and could be the best of them. The 5 furlongs handicap for 3yo´s at 16.50 has only a small field and should lie between the two top-weights, the lightly-raced Angelito (Ed Mcmahon/ Sean Levey), an easy maiden winner over this CD last time, and I See You (Peter Makin/ Jimmy Fortune) who won a similar race at Goodwood and followed up with a close second here last Saturday.

At Lingfield they race on turf this afternoon, and Godolphin could well land a double with Gold Hunter in the 2yo maiden at 16.00 and Mawhub in the 3yo handicap at 17.30, both trained by Saeed bin Suroor and partnered by Silvestre de Sousa. Gold Hunter was third on both his starts so far, back in May, and meets some decent opposition now, but the stable is now in much better form. Mawhub was a narrow winner of a Newmarket maiden over a mile 12 days ago; he also meets some decent opponents, but has been given a very reasonable mark by the handicapper.

Evening racing on turf is finished for this year, but Kempton continues to stage its Wednesday evening meetings under floodlight. Many of the jockeys riding at Lingfield make their way to Kempton afterwards and de Sousa can score another win for Godolphin with the well-bred debutant Spokeswoman in the maiden race for 2yo fillies at 21.00. The best betting race here is the mile handicap for 3yo´s at 20.30, in which almost any of the 12 runners could win; we will take a chance on outsider Opera Buff (Silvester Kirk/ Liam Keniry), who is very inconsistent but has dropped to a very low rating and is a half-brother to Opera Gal (runner-up in a Baden-Baden Group Three last Saturday).

There is N.H. racing at Hereford, due to close down soon, where we make Noble Media (Lucy Jones/ W Kennedy) our best bet of the day; he showed much improved form to win at Stratford last time and can keep up the good work by taking the 2 1/2 mile handicap hurdle at 17.40 under a penalty.

Racing in Ireland today is at Gowran Park with some big fields. Johnny Murtagh makes his return from injury with just one ride - Tommy Carmody´s Sherzam in the 2yo handicap at 17.35. He could well start at a very short price and a better bet could be ex-German Landero (B. Heffernan/ SH James) in the 1 1/2 mile handicap at 19.40. He has not run on the flat since winning at Halle (!) in 2010 but has won over hurdles this year. The ground is now drying out all over Ireland after the very wet summer and this should suit the gelding, who is from the same family as Lando.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Hoarding - Pira Palace - Bornean
2. Race: Alnawiyah - Thiqa - Ghanaian
3. Race: Gold Hunter - Digress - African Oil
4. Race: Sushi - Aarti - Far East
5. Race: Idyllic Star - Urban Space - Khazium
6. Race: Debating Society - Estebsaal - Mawhub
7. Race: Revered Citizen - Noble Silk - Caption

5 meetings today

The best racing at today´s 5 meetings comes from Goodwood, where the listed race for 2yo´s over 7 furlongs at 17.05 has 7 runners, 3 trained by Mick Channon and two by Richard Hannon. Richard Hughes prefers Professor of the two Hannon runners, despite his last time flop and the fact that Tamayuz Star (Pat Dobbs) won his only start, and that must be significant. However we prefer the Channon runners and especially the filly Jillnextdoor (Martin Harley), who has been runner-up 3 times and also ran well at Royal Ascopt and is now moving up in trip. The one to beat is Steeler (Mark Johnston/ Kieren Fallon) who was a maiden winner over this CD and then ran a great race to be second in a Group Three at York. The 2 mile handicap which follows at 17.40 looks very open.Top-weight Hurricane Higgins (Mark Johnston/ Neil Callan) was not beaten far when 10th in the Ebor and that is good form, while Mystery Star (Mark Tompkins/ Fallon) is very consistent and also ran well at York. The 3yo Gassin Golf (Sir Mark Prescott/ Luke Morris) could be dangerous off a light weight now upped in trip, while Woolfall Treasure (Gary Moore/ George Baker) was runner-up in the Shergar Cup over this distance. However we go for German-bred Rumh (Saeed bin Suroor/ Mikael Barzalona), who is not the most consistent but is very well treated on his best form.

The cards at Leicester and Musselburgh are poor in comparison, although it could come as no surprise to see Mark Johnston score at these meetings as well. A the former track he runs Crown Counsel (Neil Callan) under top weight in the mile handfovcap at 17.50; he has not won for 15 months but has come down in the ratings and is dropping in grade here. He ran well last time at York and should be able to give weight to this lot. In Scotland Johnston´ s Chatterati (Joe Fanning) runs off a very low rating in the 1 1/2 miles handicap at 17.25. He is clearly no star, but again should be able to deal wih this feeble opposition.

There is also racing in Ireland -on the flat at Killarney and over hurdles at Downpatrick. The most interesting race at the former track is the 2 yo maiden that opens the card at 14.45, with two well-bred Coolmore runners Hall of Mirrors (Aidan and Joseph O´Brien) and debutant Orator (David Wachman/ Wayne Lordan). Hall of Mirrors has already shown decent form and is ther selection, although the Weld and Bolger runners could also be dangerous. The O´Brien´s can also take the mile maiden for older fillies half an hour later with Purple. Over sticks we think that Bobbina (Brian Hamiltón/ Andrew McNamara) may be able to beat the likely favourite Chiltern Hills (Willie and Emmet Mullins) in the mares maiden hurdle at 19.00, although the Mullins family can take the following race with Zadarska.

Goodwood - betting forecast:
1. Race: Uriah Heep - Afraah - Claude Monet
2. Race: Heading North - Great Timing - Liber Nauticus
3. Race: Normal Equilibrium - Tobacco Road - Sejalaat
4. Race: Steeler - Professor - Jillnextdoor
5. Race: Gassin Golf - Mystery Star - Woolfall Treasure
6. Race: Picture Dealer - Apollo D`Negro - Bravo Echo
7. Race: Jabhaat - Beautiful Story - Solace
8. Race: Taroum - Swift Blade - Rowan Ridge