The Curragh, Goodwood and Bath

Both the top Irish flat track at the Curragh and Goodwood are staging their final meeting of 2010 today, with the Irish course featuring 3 listed races. The 6 furlongs event at 15.45 CET could go to U.K. raider Definightly (Roger Charlton/ Kevin Manning), who missed a good opportunity in England to go for this.The consistent Luisant is one danger; he has been placed 10 times in his last 11 starts, but has only ever won at Dundalk. If the ground is soft, then top-weight Snaefell and Jumbajukiba must also be considered. The race for 2yo fillies over a mile at^16.15 looks tricky. Hurricane Havoc (Jim Bolger/ Manning) and Rising Wind (Kevin Prendergast/ Chris Hayes) are both winners of their only start, but these were maidens on the provincial tracks and more is probably needed here. Aris (Paddy Prendergast/ Fran Berry) was 50/1 when third in good company last time, finishing well ahead of Aidan O´Brien´s two runners, so he is a hesitant choice now. The 1 1/2 mile race at 17.15 is another difficult race to solve. Top-weight She´s Our Mark (Pat Flynn/ Manning) was just touched off in a Group Three last time and is the selection, even though she is arguably better at shorter distances. Roses for the Lady (John Oxx/ Fran Berry) is a big danger, and if she can reproduce the form shown when runner-up in the Irish Oaks over this CD last year, must go close. The dark horse here is Aidan O´Brien´s Rain Forest (Johnny Murtagh), not seen out since winning two minor events in the spring. he is a 3/4 brother to Fame and Glory and could be anything.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Petronius Maximus - Vastitas - Shelley Beach
2. Race: Luisant - Definightly - Snaefell
3. Race: Aris - Hurricane Havoc - Gemstone
4. Race: Kokoro - Champion Boy - Hawk Dance
5. Race: Roses For The Lady - Harriers Call - Lady Lupus
6. Race: Big Occasion - Rock Medley - Kaladena
7. Race: Rossvoss - Dubawi Star - Giants Serapis




Richard Hughes continues his challenge for the jockeys´ championship at Goodwood and even rides in the opening race, a 2 mile handicap for N.H. jockeys. This is a bit cheeky, as Hughes is basically a flat jockey, but has also ridden over sticks (mainly for his father Dessie, himself a top jumps jockey). His mount Zelos Dictator will almost certainly start favourite, but like his main market rival Mohanad (Sheena West/ Jamie Goldstein) is repeatedly placed but rarely wins. Hughes has more conventional winning chances on Fleeting Echo , top weight in the 6 furlongs handicap at 15.35, and Compton Blue at 17.55, both trained by Richard Hannon, and on Brian Meehan´s Pearl Arch in the nursery at 16.10.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Zelos Diktator - Mohanad - Where`S Susie
2. Race: Fleeting Echo - Summerinthecity - Avertor
3. Race: Inside - Double Dealer - Colebrooke
4. Race: New Latin - Celtic Sixpence - Poppy
5. Race: Weapon Of Choice - Flodden - Iron Step
6. Race: Compton Blue - Bullet Man - Beaumont`S Party
7. Race: Shianda - Iron Condor - Dynamic Drive




The most significant feature of Bath`s fixture is that Sir Michael Stoute sends his stable jockey Ryan Moore to ride two of Dansili´s offspring for Khalid Abdullah: the well-bred debutante Hairstyle (out of Group One winner Quiff) in the maiden race for 2yo maiden fillies at 16.00, and the lightly-raced maiden Warm Memories in the 3yo handicap at 16.35.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Millyluvstobouggie - West Leake Bridge - Best Be Careful
2. Race: Hairstyle - Lady Bridget - Inimitable Romanee
3. Race: Aerodynamic - Warm Memories - Purple Gallery
4. Race: Grand Zafeen - Yurituni - Superior Edge
5. Race: Bilash - Nadinska - Brewers Boy
6. Race: Jasmeno - Potentiale - Pelham Crescent