Galway Plate today

Galway stages its third day of the Festival Meeting today, this time with an afternoon start. The race everybody wants to win is the Galway Plate at 18.30 CET, a handicap chase over 2 3/4 miles with 20 runners. Carlingford Lough, the ante-post favourite is at the moment the first reserve and not certain to run. The short list includes Terminal (Willie Mullins/ Ruby Walsh) and Romanesco (Gordon Elliott/ Davy Russell), but with the ground expected to be very soft, we will take a chance on veteran Tranquil Sea (Edward O´Grady/ Andrew McNamara), who is very well handicapped on his old form and will relish these conditions. We hope the stable is in good form, as we also like O´Grady´s Tugboat (Barry Geraghty) in the handicap hurdle at 17.10.
Tony Martin has been the trainer to follow so far at this meeting, and he can take the opening maiden hurdle at 16.00 with Blackmail (Ruby Walsh), but Dermot Weld can hit back with Alkali (Jane Mangan) at 17.45 and Lucky Kitten at 19.40 and Jayed Jidan (both Pat Smullern) at 20.10.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Enchanted Forest - Blackmail - Minella Reception
2. Race: Lady Of Glencoe - Courtncatcher - Six Stone Ned
3. Race: Shanpallas - Blackwell Synergy - Usuel Smurfer
4. Race: Union Dues - Beyond Berlin - Alkali
5. Race: Terminal - Majestic Concorde - Romanesco
6. Race: Moonbi Creek - Daigreen - The Alarm Clock
7. Race: Lucky Kitten - Luna Forest - Indian Icon
8. Race: Passagere - Velocity Of Sound - Sweet Refusal

Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood

The Group One Sussex Stakes over a mile at 16.05 CET is the feature race on the second day of Glorious Goodwood and usually the best race of the whole meeting. It is being billed again as the Duel on the Downs, with Dawn Approach (Jim Bolger/ Kevin Manning) and Toronado (Richard Hannon/ Richard Hughes) meeting for the third time. The former won the 2000 Guineas with Toronado below form, and there was only an Inch or two between them when he won again at Royal Ascot. Toronado was arguably unlucky that day, but Dawn Approach was also hampered, so it is by no means certain that Toronado would have won with a clear run. In any case this race in our eyes is not a "duel" as Declaration of War (Aidan and Joseph O´Brien) is also bang there with a chance. The way he won the Queen Anne was eye-catching, although he probably would not want any more rain. Both Bolger and O´Brien are running pacemakers here, so a strong pace is assured, and although Toronado is obviously very smart, we ex pect an Irish victory, most likely Dawn Approach.
The Group Two Vintage Stakes for 2yo´s over 7 furlongs at 16.40 is another good race and the Hannon/ Hughes team have another chance with Toormore, who won his only race in good style. However this is a much tougher event and we prefer Parbold (Richard Fahey/ Paul Hanagan) whose Royal Ascot second is clearly the best form in the race. Charlie Appleby had his first winner for Godolphin yesterday and his Outstrip (Michael Barzalona) could also come into the reckoning.
The third Group race on the Card is the Gordon Stakes for 3yo´s over 1 1/2 miles at 15.30, often an informative Trial for the St. Leger. That race is apparently the target for Excess Knowledge (John Gosden/ William Buick), and the Monsun colt, moving up in trip here, can win on his way to Doncaster. The Godolphin pair of Cap O´Rushes (Barzalona) and Secret Number (Silvestre de Sousa) look the main dangers.
Most of the jockeys will be moving on to Sandown´s evening Meeting, where the mile handicap for 3yo´s at 20.30 has attracted a good field for the money. We expect Frankel´s half-brother Morpheus (Lady Cecil/ Tom Queally) to complete a hat-trick here at the main expense of the Queen´s Sea Shanty (Hannon/ Hughes).

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Broxbourne - Lieutenant Miller - Beyond Conceit
2. Race: Excess Knowledge - Elkaayed - Cap O`rushes
3. Race: Toronado - Dawn Approach - Declaration Of War
4. Race: Parbold - Toormore - Outstrip
5. Race: Much Promise - Autumn Sunrise - Valonia
6. Race: Ribbons - Close At Hand - Great Timing
7. Race: Magic City - Alejandro - Tidentime

Glorious Goodwood starts today

one of the best and most pleasant race meetings of the English season starts today, Glorious Goodwood, which goes on until Saturday with a host of top class races and competitive handicaps. Unfortunately it is currently raining and the going, which was good to firm yesterday, is now good to soft in places.
Today´s main event is the Group Two Lennox Stakes over 7 furlongs at 16.05 CET. This is very much a specialist distance and we have a strong fancy for Garswood (Richard Fahey/ Ryan Moore), especially now that the rain has come. He was a good 4th in the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot after finishing only 7th in the 2,000 Guineas. which was too far for him. He is one of two 3yo´s in the field, the other being Professor (Richard Hannon/ Tom Queally), who has won his last 3 races. He is up in grade here and Hannon probably has better chances with his other two runners Libranno (Pat Cosgrave) and especially Producer (Richard Hughes), also a distance specialist and also a CD winner, a big advantage here. Aljamaaheer (Roger Varian/ Paul Hanagan) is the class act here, having won Ascot´s Summer Mile last time, but his 4 lbs penalty makes life difficult in this grade. Fencing (John Gosden/ William Buick), from a stable now hitting top firm, is a definite danger while the question mark in the race is Caspar Netscher (David Simcock/ Shane Kelly), winner of last year´s German 2000 Guineas. He was retired to stud but proved infertile and is now back in training. At his best he would have a chance, but we would ratjher wait and see.
The Molecomb Stakes for 2yo´s over 5 furlongs at 15.30 is the other group race today and some very sdüpeedy types are entered. Supplicant (Richard Fahey/ Ryan Moore) and Reroute (Ed Walker/ William Buick) both ran well enough at Royal Ascot to suggest that they can figure here and we expect one of them to be returned the winner. Anticipated (Hannon/ Hughes) was not far behind Supplicant at the Royal meeting and is an obvious alternative.
The handicapsd are as always very difficult indeed. In the opening 10 furlongs race at 14.55 we like the top weights Labarinto (Sir Michael Stoute/ Moore) and Nabucco (Gosden/ Buick), though neither is well drawn. Mark Johnston alwayd does well at this Meeting and has said that German-bred Oriental Fox (Joe Fanning) is his best chance of the week; the ex-Swiss runner was only caught on the line in the Northumberland Plate last time and can go one better here. Johnston and Fanning also have prospects with Desert Revolution at 17.50, although it is quite an ask to expect him to win a race of this standard on only his third career start. Possibly the unpronounceable Bancnuanaheirann (Mike Appleby /Tom Queally), an unlucky runner-up in this last year, can give the commentator a headache and score this time.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Fast Or Free - Nabucco - Clon Brulee
2. Race: Supplicant - Anticipated - Reroute
3. Race: Aljamaaheer - Fencing - Producer
4. Race: Oriental Fox - Silver Lime - Duke Of Clarence
5. Race: Sacha Park - Mystique Rider - Brazos
6. Race: Desert Revolution - Captain Cat - Democretes
7. Race: Lost In Paris - Jedward - Lady Gibraltar

Galway starts today

The Galway Festival starts today and goes on all week. This western Ireland fixture is unique in its mix of flat races and N.H. events, high and low company, with a tremendous craic and for many people it is the highlight of the whole year. One of those people is Dermot Weld; the Curragh trainer always sends a huge team to the Ballybrit racecourse and has been leading trainer at the meeting for longer than anyone can remember.

This of course no secret and his runners often start at a shorter price than they logícally should, but the safest way to win at the meeting is simply to back all his runners blind. You may not make a level stakes profit, but you will certainly have plenty of winners. Prize-money at Galoways is good, so plenty of other top trainers will be there - e.g. Aidan O´Brien in the flat races, Willie Mullins over jumps, - but this week at least Dermot Weld will overtrump them all. Our selections therefore are all trained by Dermot Weld: Diplomat (Ruby Walsh) over hurdles at 18.10 CET - likely to be a very skinny price - Mustakeer (Pat Smullen) in the 2yo maiden at 19.10, Notable Graduate (Jane Mangan) in the amateur riders race at 19.45, Peace Accord (Smullen) at 20.15, Pay Day Kitten (Connor King) at 20.45 and Marty´s Mark (Robbie McNamara) in the concluding bumper at 21.15.

The four U.K. meetings today are all at a very low level. The "best" race is the mile handicap at 17.30 at Ayr, where the going will be very soft after lots of rain over the weekend. Le Chat d´Or (Michael Dods/ Paul Mulrennan) goes well on this ground and is our selection.

Galway - betting forecast:
1. Race: Diplomat - King Of The Picts - Green Dragon
2. Race: Raydari - Hurricane Ridge - Aladdins Cave
3. Race: Mustajeeb - Friendship - Sniper
4. Race: Redera - Domination - Call Me Bubbles
5. Race: Target Acquired - Peace Accord - Doc Holliday
6. Race: Pay Day Kitten - Great Explorer - Dark Crusader
7. Race: Wicklow Brave - Marty`s Magic - Egyptian Warrior

listed race at Pontefract

main race in the U.K. today is the listed Pomfret Stakes over a mile at 17.05 CET at Pontefract. Most of the 8 runners have form at this level, while Aesop´s Fables (Saeed bin Suroor/ Kieren Fallon) actually won a Group One last year, the Prix Jean Prat when trained by Andre Fabre. It seems rather ironic that Gabrial (Richard Fahey/ Robert Winston) has a penalty for winning a listed race at Doncaster in April, while Aesop´s Fables has none for his Group One victory, but those are the race conditions, and with the Godolphin operation if full swing, we make their runner a confident selection. Storm >King (Jane Chapple-Hyam/ Pat Cosgrave) and Arsaadi (William Haggas/ Liam Jomnes) could run into the places.
Ascot stages the third day of its July meeting, but the card cannot be compared to the high class racing we had yesterday and handicaps take centre stage. We fancy Scatter Dice at 16.05 and Love Marmalade at 17.15, both trained by Mark Johnston and ridden by Joe Fanning, the improved Grand Denial (Clive Cox/ Steve Drowne) at 16.40, and Long Awaited (David Barron/ Shane Kelly) at 18.20, but these are all very tricky races.
There is also a low evel card at Carlisle but, rather strangely, no racing at all today in Ireland


Betting forecast:
1. Race: Northern Water - Back Lane - Captain Midnight
2. Race: Madrasa - Gosforth Park - Bavarian Nordic
3. Race: Barren Brook - Tuscan Fun - Muharrer
4. Race: Aesop`s Fables - Gabrial - Trade Commissioner
5. Race: Al Khan - Colonel Mak - Capo Rosso
6. Race: Inaad - Bordah - Be My Rock
7. Race: Sir Geoffrey - Beauty Pageant - Majestic Manannan

rest of today´s racing

the other big race today is the Group Two York Stakes over 10 furlongs at 15.55 CET. Mukhadram (Wolliam Haggas/ Paul Hanagan) is the obvious favourite here; he was a very unlucky third in the Eclipse and would almost certainly have finished second but for being badly hampered. None of his opponents can boast form of this standard and it is signifcant that Hanagan goes to York to ride him rather than to Ascot.
There is also another group race at Ascot - the Princess Margaret Stakes for 2yo fillies at 15.05. This 6 furlongs event is for fillies just below the very top, and we think Queen Catrine (Charlie Hills/ Olivier Peslier) and Wind Fire (David Brown/ Jamie Spencer), both third in good company last time, fit the bill; as the latter has so far raced only 5 furlongs, we give slight preference to the former, who is proven at the trip.
The handicaps, especially at Ascot, look extremely difficult. Our 3 against the field at 15.40 are Cape Peron (Henry Candy/ Dane O´neill), Tarikhi (Saeed bin Surooir/ Mickael Barzalona) and Machete Mark (Ger Lyons/ Gary Carroll), and in a huge field at 16.15, Es Que Love (Mark Johnston/ Peslier), Redvers (Ed Vaiughan/ Richard Hughes) and Excellent Guest (George Margarson/ Dane O´Neill). The effect of the draw is always a problem here, although yesterday it seemed that low numbers had the advantage; this can however change, especially it is rains, as is forecast.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Our Obsession - Velvety - Nemushka
2. Race: Smarty Socks - Dark Castle - Al Khan
3. Race: Grandeur - The Apache - Wigmore Hall
4. Race: Khubala - Tropics - Baccarat
5. Race: Hot Streak - Pensax Lad - Kickboxer
6. Race: Dr Irv - Flashman - Moidore
7. Race: Innocently - Baytown Kestrel - Hello Beautiful

King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot

the King George, a Group One event over 1 1/2 miles at 16.50 this afternoon at Ascot, is the biggest race of the English summer, although, to be honest, it has lost a bit of its glamour. Last year Danedream won it for Germany, and it is certainly possible that Novellist (Andreas Wöhler/ Johnny Murtagh) can follow up. His GP de Saint-Cloud victory was certainly impressive, but obviously Cirrus des Aigles (Corinne Barande-Barbe/ Christophe Soumillon), who always needs his first race of the season, will put up a much better performance´this time. On ratings he is by far the best horse in the field, but one has to worry if he is as good at the age of 7 and after all his problems, as he was last year. especially over this trip. Mark Johnston is in red-hiot form and his Universal (Joe Fanning), much improved this season, cannot be left out; his problems is that he a front-runner, and so is Ektihaam (Roger Varian/ Dane O´Neill) so there is danger they will cut each others´ throats. Ektihaam slipped up here last time when in a clear lead, but his previous form looks smart. Very Nice Name (A de Mieulle /Olivier Peslier) is difficult to assess; the best horse in Qatar, he won all their top races before running third in the Sheema Classic. Long gone are the days when this was an automatic port of call for the Derby winner (Miller Reef, Nijinsky etc!), but the two 3yo´s in the field certainly deserve their place in this line-up. Sir Michael Stoute has an excellent record here and would not have supplemented Hillstar (Ryan Moore), easy Royal Ascot winner in a lower grade, without good reason. While Jim Bolger runs Irish Derby winner (Kevin Manning), who seems to thrive on tough races. This is a tricky race, with question marks over all contestants, but if Cirrus de Aigles is in top form he should win; however he is no value at the likely price, and Novellist each-way is a sporting alternative.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Wind Fire - Queen Catrine - Fig Roll
2. Race: Cape Peron - Tarikhi - Intrigo
3. Race: Ashaadd - Queensberry Rules - Lightning Cloud
4. Race: Cirrus des Aigles - Novellist - Trading Leather
5. Race: Graphic - Apollo D`Negro - Ocean Tempest
6. Race: Emirates Flyer - Washaar - Safety Check
7. Race: Big Thunder - Glenard - Rosaceous

listed races at Ascot and York

8 meetings again today, but some decent racing, especially at Ascot and York, both of whom stage some top races tomorrow. Both courses have a listed race for fillies on the card, and these events are usually easy to fill with everybody on the lookout for black type. So we have 10 runners at 16.45 CET at Ascot, where they go over a mile, and 7 over a quarter of a mile further at 20.30 at York. Richard fahjey has clearly targeted the latter race for Ladys First (Tony Hamilton), runner-up the last twice including an excellent performance at Royal Ascot, but she faces strong opposition from Albasharah (Saeed bin Suroor/ Silvestre de Sousa), whose close third in the Lancashire Oaks is the best form on offer here. With the Godolphin horses all running well at present, Albasharah has to be the selection.
Royal Ascot form is also well represented at Ascot, with the much-improved Annecdote (Johnny Portman/ Richard Kingscote) winning the Sandringham Handicap by a neck from Auction (Ed Dunlop/ Paul Hanagan) with Light Up My Life (Richard Hannon/ Richard Hughes) seventh of 26; as she is now 9 lbs better off, there should be little in it this time. Ultrasonic (Sir Michael Stoute/ Ryan Moore) is the likely favourite and an obvious danger, but it is possible that she might prefer easier going, and we expect another Godolphin victory here; Saeed bin Suroor has 3 runners, and on jockey bookings Falls of Lara (Mickael Barzalona) should be the one. The 2 mile handicap here at 16.10 is another good race and all 6 runners are in with a chance. Mysterious Man (Andrew Balding/ David Probert) and Homeric (Ed Dunlop/ Moore) were 5th and 7th in the Ascot Stakes at the Royal meeting and could fight out the finish this time.
The most interesting event at the other 6 meetings is the conditions race over 1 mile 5 furlongs at 21.50 at Down Royal. Some useful horses entered here, including the Aga Khan´s Dabadiyan (Mike Halford/ Declan McDonogh), who is regarded as a St. Leger prospect. If that is the case he should win, but the very lightly-raced Royal Irish Hussar (Aidan and Joseoh O´Brien) who made all to easily win a maiden at Killarney only 9 days ago - landing some big bets in the process- is an obvious threat.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Psychometry - Heartstrings - Likelihood
2. Race: Banaadeer - Mr Matthews - Stormy Paradise
3. Race: Mawaqeet - Mysterious Man - Broxbourne
4. Race: Ultrasonic - Zibelina - Auction
5. Race: Sennockian Star - Viewpoint - Vasily
6. Race: Gabbiano - Gladiatrix - Langley Vale

group races in Ireland this evening

there are 8 meetings in Britain and Ireland today, but pride of place goes clearly to the evening card at Leopardstown, which features two Group Three races. Aidan O´Brien, needless to say, has good prospects in both and we certainly expect Mars, ridden by his son Joseph, to win the Meld Stakes over 9 furlongs at 20.20 CET. Always rumoured to be one of his best, Mars won his only start last year, and this year has run respectably- although without getting close to winning - in the 2000 Guineas, Derby, St. James´s Palace Stakes and Eclipse, 4 of the toughest races of the season. After those runs, this evening´s race will seem like a walk in the park. Scintillula (Jim Bolger/ Kevin Manning), a close 4th in the Irish Oaks last Saturday, looks the main threat, although Dermot Weld´s 5yo mare Along Came Casey (Pat Smullen), easily the best of the older runners, should also go well. O´Brien has 2 of the 7 runners in the Tyros Stakes for 2yo´s over 7 furlongs at 19.15, with Joseph on Sir John Hawkins, who ran well in the Coventry and July Stakes and is dropping in grade slightly here. However we just prefer Exogenesis (Ger Lyons/ Gary Carroll), an impressive winner over this CD 3 weeks ago.
Easily the best race in the U.K. is the listed event for 2yo fillies over 7 furlongs at 16.05 at Sandown, which looks very tricky, with most of the runners moving upo in grade after easily winning their maiden. Godolphin´s two runners look dangerous, especially Majeyda (Micjael Barzalona), while Qawaasem (Charlie Hills/ Paul Hanagan) and Ligeia (Richard Hannon/ Richard Hughes) mjust also be considered. If she is at a huge price we might have a small place bet on Clive Brittain´s Ifrika (Ryan Moore) from a stable that loves tilting at windmills -and sometimes with success.
The rest of the British racing today is dominated by very small fields, which we would rather leave alone. At least there are some "normal" fields this evening at Doncaster, where the fillies handicap at 20.50 looks wide open. Elle Woods (Michael Dods/ Paul Mulrennan) is going for a quick hat-trick, but she does not look so well handicapped now,while Shesastar (David Barron/ Silvestre de Sousa) won this last year from a higher rating and Hidden Belief (Ralph Beckett/ Jim Crowley) is moving into handicaps after a very easy maiden win; we shall take an each-way chance on top-weight Dutch Rose (David O´Meara/ Danny Tudhope), who has been running without much success in better company.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Tahaany - Upper Silesian - Supernatural
2. Race: Sir John Hawkins - Exogenesis - Expedition
3. Race: Zelie Martin - Glen Ginnie - Conversational
4. Race: Along Came Casey - La Collina - Sweet Lightning
5. Race: Neophilia - Castle Guest - Pim Street
6. Race: Heirloom - Zafarqand - Leah Claire
7. Race: Feile Na Mban - Palace Of Winds - Army Ranger

listed race this evening

six meetings today with more small fields and most of the racing at a low level, but there is a decent card this evening in Ireland at Naas, with a listed race over 6 furlongs for filles and mares at 20.25 CET the main feature. On all known form this should concern only the 3yo´s Snow Queen (Aidan and Joseph O´Brien) and Boston Rocker (Eddie Lynam/ Declan McDonogh). The latter has only won once, her maiden more than a year ago, but has been placed 7 times in 9 starts since, mainly in good company, but we prefer the O´Brien filly, who has made no show in her last 3 races, but was 5th in the 1,000 Guineas, and a repetition of that form should be good enough. The O´Brien´s can also take the mile conditions race half an hour later with Fortify, who never runs a bad race, while Swift Action (John Oxx/ McDonogh) should be another winning favourite in the 6 furlongs maiden at 19.50.
The 5 British cards are much less exciting, even Sandown´s evening meeting looks below par, although we expect that Pearl Spectre (Andrew Balding/ Jamie Spencer) can take the 2yo maiden here at 19.55.
The 5 furlongs handicap at 17.00 is the best race this afternoon at Catterick. CD specialist Lost in Paris (Tim Easterby/ David Allan) won this last year and has an obvious chance of scoring again, but we just prefer the more lightly-raced Angelito (Ed McMahon/ Franny Norton), who looked a bit unlucky last time at Windsor.
The most interesting races on the all-weather at Lingfield are the two divisions of the 1 1/2 mile maiden at 16.10 and 16.40. They are not good betting races with plenty of unexposed and debutant runners from top stables, but should certainly be watched for future reference. If forced to have a bet, we would go each-way for the 4yo Fragonard (Lady cecil/ Tom Queally) in the second division. This well-bred colt missed all of 2012 but still looks a good prospect.
Over jumps at Worcester, we see one of our favourites horses in action in the novice hurdle at 17.20. This is the ex-Schiergen-trained Lyssio (Jim Best/ Conor Shoemark), who won a similar race at Newton Abbot 9 days ago by 21 lengths. However this is a tougher race, with Portofino Wasp (Jonjo O´Neill/ Maurice Lineham) and Rosie Probert (Nicky Henderson/ Tony McCoy) both looking dangerous and also getting weight. However he fares here, we expect McCoy - who had winners at two tracks yesterday- to have another good day and win on Royal Trooper at 16.50 and Another Hero an hour later.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Sign From Heaven - Hurryupharriet - Amygdala
2. Race: Ucanchoose - Catwilldo - South Ring
3. Race: Live Dangerously - Swift Action - Cottrell
4. Race: Snow Queen - Boston Rocker - Hanky Panky
5. Race: Fortify - Hot Bed - Starbright
6. Race: High Hill Beauty - Roja Dove - Orion`s Might
7. Race: Mordanmijobsworth - One True Love - He`S Got Rhythm

5 poor meetings today

A typical Tuesday with low class racing and again some small fields, though not quite as bad as yesterday. There are thunderstorms about, so be prepared for going changes - and possibly more non-runners. Dianne Sayer had a winner yesterday and we fancy a couple of her runners at Musselburgh this afternoon. Talk of Saafend is usually amateur-ridden but today has Paul Hanagan in the saddle in the mile and a half handicap at 16.30 CET, so he could well put up a better performance this time. He is a CD winner and is well-handicapped on his old form, and so is German-bred Solis (Neil Farley) in the 2 mile handicap at 17.30. He has never actually won on the flat, but has been in good form over jumps recently (2 wins this year) and the opposition here looks pretty weak.

Two interesting German-breds run in the mile and a half handicap at 20.35 at Ffos Las this evening. Langham (Tim Vaughan/ David Probert), bred by Ittlingen, and Cabuchon, (David Evans/ Adam KIrby) bred by Schlenderhan. The latter is out of Group One winner Catella, and ran 4 times on the all-weather in the winter of 2010-11 and has not been seen since. It is imposible to say whether he has any ability, but he does not need to have much to beat this lot.

There is jumping this afternoon at Southwell and Bangor this evening. It is all poor stuff, but it is interesting that AP McCoy rides at both meetings; his best chances in our view are Cockney Trucker at 16.45, Cut the Cards an hour later, and if he makes it in time to the North Wales track, Kettlewell at 19.15 and Twirling Magnet at 20.45.

There is also an all-hurdles card at Ballinrobe in Ireland. One does not expect a maiden hurdle for 6yo´s and older in July to be a good race, but there is in fact quite a strong field at 18.55, with runners from some of top stables. Our choice here is Bob Le Beau (Jessica Harrington/ Robbie Power). He was a listed winner on the flat, and although he flopped last time, his trainer still thinks that he can make the grade over jumps.

Ffos Las - betting forecast:
1. Race: Golden Spear - Zafraaj - Bob Masnicken
2. Race: My Own Way Home - Abated - Jubilant Queen
3. Race: Golden Jubilee - Stag Hill - Greyemkay
4. Race: Langley - I`m Harry - Gaelic Ice
5. Race: Filatore - Mutual Regard - Taglietelle
6. Race: Imperial Spirit - Foie Gras - Senora Lobo
7. Race: Catflap - Lager Time - Ingleby Star

tiny fields everywhere

With the hot weather continuing and the ground getting firmer everywhere, there are some tiny fields today, especially at Ayr, with only 25 runners in the first 6 races. The final 6 furlongs handicap at 18.15 CET is the only race with a normal-sized field and could go to Saxonette (Linda Perratt/ Peter McDonald). There is jumping at Cartmel this afternoon, with 5 and 4 runners in the main events, handicap chases at 17.30 and 18.00; our choices here are the bottom weights Papa Caruso (Sue Smith/ Jonathan England) and Sergeant Pink (Dianne Sayer/ Lucvy Alexander) respectively.

This evening we have racing at Windsor - with Ryan Moore and Richard Hughes looking likely to ride most of the winners, as is normal here, and also at Beverley; here we expect to see Tim Easterby´s improving 3yo Relight My Fire (David Allan) follow up his recent easy CD victory under a huge weight at 20.30. In Ireland there is a mixed meeting at Ballinrobe, with 4 flat races followed by 3 over hurdles. The two maiden hurdles at 20.40 and an hour later can go to Definite Row (Gordon Elliott/ Davy Condon) and King William (DM Kelly/ JL Cullen). The former makes his hurdling debut after showing good form in bumpers, while the latter ran an excellent race at Sligo only a week ago.

Betting forecast for Windsor:
1. Race: Djinni - Bewitchment - Ajig
2. Race: Regal Silk - Hassle - Ingot Of Gold
3. Race: Malih - Stiff Upper Lip - Heezararity
4. Race: Realize - Exotic Isle - Red Explorer
5. Race: Orbison - Poor Duke - Emulating
6. Race: Bantam - Nickels And Dimes - Shalwa

Sunday in Berlin

This column is now off to Hoppegarten for the `Grosser Preis von Berlin` - in which we expect Meandre to beat Temida - and will be back on Monday.

Irish Oaks at the Curragh

As is often the case on a Saturday there is lots of good racing all over the place today- too much in our view - but there is no doubt about the top event of the day - the Group One Darley Irish Oaks at 19.15 CET at the Curragh. This has attracted a good field, hardly surprising in view of itsprestige and prize-money, and strangely enough this is a race which is rarely won by an Irish runner.

Five of the 8 runners are trained in Ireland, but we expect this trend to continue in view of the strong British and French challenge. Chicquita (Alain de Royer-Dupré/ Johnny Murtagh) and this filly must be respected after her second place in the Prix de Diane, especially as her trainer does not waste time on foreign journeys without good reason. However we prefer the two British fillies and expect them to take the first two places: Talent (Ralph Beckett/ Jim Crowley), a most impressive winner of the Oaks at Epsom, and Riposte (Lady Cecil/ Tom Queally), whose Royal Ascot victory was an emotional occasion, coming just a few days after Sir Henry´s death. She is clearly improving, but in our view, needs to improve further to beat Talent, our confident selection. Aidan O´Brien saddles 3 of the Irish runners with his son Joseph partnering Just Pretending, but she was more than two lengths behind Riposte at Ascot and we see no reason why she should now reverse that form. The O´Brie ns are of course strongly represented on the undercard as well and have good chances in the two Group Three races - with easy Naas winner Oklahoma CIty in the 2yo race at 17.40 and with ex-American Darwin in the 7 furlongs race an hour later. However we shall go against both of them - with Jallotta (Mick Channon/ Martin Harley), whose English form looks very strong, in the former event, and Gordon Lord Byron (Tom Hogan/ Wayne Lordan) in the latter; he is running over his ideal distance and his fourth place in the Diamond Jubilee over 6 furlongs reads very well.

Diamond Jubilee form is also represented by Krypton Factor (Fawzi Nass/ Luke Morris) in the Group Three at 16.15 at Newbury and he should be too strong for Hamza (Kevin Ryan/ Neil Callan). The most valuable race here is the Weatherbys Super Sprint for 2yo´s over 5 furlongs at 16.50´with well over 200,000 GBP in prize-money. With 24 runners spread across the course, this is in our view not a good race to bet on, especially with Richard Fahey (5 runners), Kevin Ryan (4) and Richard Hannon (4) all mob-handed.

Better opportunities for betting can possibly found at Market Rasen, which stages the best summer jumping of the year. There could be two German-bred winners here as Local Hero (Steve Gollings/ Paul Bohan) must have a chance of repeating last year´s victory under top-weight in the listed handicap hurdle at 15.55, while Engai (David Bridgwater/ Tom Scudamore) can follow up his recent win in the novice hurdle at 17.05.

Betting forecast for Curragh:
1. Race: Kerkeni - Spring Focus - Carla Bianca
2. Race: One True Love - Pearl Of Africa - Angela`s Dream
3. Race: Jallota - Oklahoma City - Home School
4. Race: Eastern Rules - Rain God - Man Of Erin
5. Race: Gordon Lord Byron - Darwin - Leitir Mor
6. Race: Riposte - Talent - Alive Alive Oh
7. Race: Belle De Crecy - Valbucca - Treasure The Ridge
8. Race: Rebel Force - Orator - Al Destoor

listed races today

plenty of racing today, but the continuing hot spell and resultant firm ground mean that there are once more some very small fields (and probably some non-runners as well). The listed race for 2yo´s over 6 furlongs at 16.25 CET, with only 5 runners, is the main event at Newbury and Thunder Strike (Richard Hannon/ Richard Hughes) has clearly the best form here, having won his first 3 starts and then running fourth in the Coventry. However William Haggas´ filly Survived (Martin Harley) also ran well at Royal Ascot - sixth in the Queen Mary- and looks a big danger in receipt of 8 lbs. Haggas can also win the handicap for 3yo fillies at 25.50 with the same owner´s Rock Choir (Seb Sanders).
There are also small fields at Haydock, but 11 turn out for the 5 furlongs handicap at 15,50, which should lie between Red Baron (Eric Alston/ Neil Farley) and Six Wives (Scott Dixon/ Tom Queally).
At Nottingham the main event is a 10 furlongs handicap at 17.10 with 7 runners. We don´t like betting favourites in handicaps, but Trader Jack (Roger Charlton/ James Doyle) was a close fourth in a much hotter race at Sandown last time, and if he can repeat that form, should win here.
The best racing this evening comes from Scotland, wher Hamilton stage one of their best cards of the year, featuring the listed Glasgow Stakes for 3yo´s over 1 mile 3 furlongs at 21.15.Unfortunately there are only 5 runners, 3 of them trained by Mark Johnston, and his Maputo (Joe Fanning), who has won 4 races this year and was particularly impressive last time at Nottingham, will go off at odds-on and should win easily. The valuable 6 furlongs handicap 20.45 looks wide open, but we would like to give old Johannes (Richard Fahey/ George Chaloner) another chance; he is on a long losing run but has come down a lot in the weights.
The only jumps racing today comes from Ireland, where the Midlands Grand National at 21.30 at Kilbeggan is the big betting race. Tom Horn (Noel Meade/ Mark Walsh) was an easy winner of a beginners chase over this CD 3 weeks ago, and although this is a much tougher race, can go close to scoring again on a track which he likes.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Jersey Royal - Ghaawy - Muwaary
2. Race: Autumn Sunrise - Terhaab - Amazing Maria
3. Race: Rock Choir - Wall Of Sound - Invincible Cara
4. Race: Survived - Thunder Strike - Cool Bahamian
5. Race: Swendab - Storm Lightning - Crimson Queen
6. Race: Gabrial The Great - Ruscello - Lord Ofthe Shadows
7. Race: Curly Come Home - Shirataki - Whitby Jet

better racing in Ireland

the two Irish meetings today look much more interesting. Killarney stages the fourth and final day of its meeting this afternoon, with 3 flat races, 3 over hurdles (all over the same distance of 2 miles 1 furlong) and a bumper. The novice hurdle at 16.55 CET deserves vlose attention, as it has been won by some smart performers in the past. It would appear to lie between Shamar (Willie Mullins/ Ruby Walsh) and Sizing Platinum (Henry de Bromhead/ Andrew Lynch), The former, an ex-French runner bred by the Aga Khan, ran disaapointingly last autumn for his new connections on soft ground, but was much better when winning on better going at Cork in May and remains a big hope for the champion trainer. However Sizing Platinum was most impressive when turning his first race, at Clonmel in May, into a procession and might have the edge today. The "Sizing" team owned by Alan and Ann Potts have become a major player in Irish N.H. racing and also have good prospects at 17.25 with Solution, 17.55 with Machine and at 18.25 with Scorpion.
The flat racing at Killarney is not much, but it is on a different level this evening at Leopardstown with a high class card which will probably be dominated as usual by Aidan O´Brien and Dermot Weld. The main event is a Group Three for 2yo fillies at 20.00, in which O´Brien runs Wonderfilly, with his son Joseph in the saddle, and Perhaps (Seamus Heffernan); they are half-sisters to Mars and Battle of Marengo respectively and also have good form, although Wonderfully at Royal Ascot finished well behind Heart Focus (Jim Bolger/ Kevin Manning). That one has already run 6 times since early May, so we just prefer the two unbeaten filles Avenue Gabriel (Peter Deegan/ Chris Hayes) and Simple Love (Weld/ Pat Smullen), who both won their maidens with the minmum of fuss. Dermot Weld has won the listed race over 1 3/4 miles at 20.35 for the past five years and now saddles the 6yo mare Unaccompanied (Smullen), last seen running up to Hurricane Fly over hurdles here at Christmas. Weld is brilliant with these dual-purpose horses and she can win from the O´Briens´ El Salvador - who possibly needs softer ground -. and Royal Diamond (Johnny Murtagh), who as the winner of last year´s Irish St. Leger is top-rated but also penalised. The opening 2yo maiden over a mile át 19.00 has only 3 runners but could be very informative with O´Brien and Weld both saddling very well-bred newcomers. The former´s Geoffrey Chaucer, a half-brother to top class Shamardal, is definitely one to watch.

Betting forecast at Leopardstown:
1. Race: Geoffrey Chaucer - Tarfasha - Stirabout
2. Race: Il Palazzo - Late Rosebud - Mischief N Mayhem
3. Race: Heart Focus - Wonderfully - Perhaps
4. Race: Royal Diamond - El Salvador - Unaccompanied
5. Race: At Boolavogue - Campestral Scene - Little Arrows
6. Race: Bunairgead - Fortify - Ottoman Empire
7. Race: Greek Canyon - Legal Lyric - Target Acquired

Telescope at Leicester

with the heatwave continuing and firm ground almost everywhere, there are tiny fields at today´s 5 British meetings. Normal each way betting is practically impossible, with numerous races with 5, 4 or even 3 runners and punting opportunities very limited.
Easily the best race of the day in the U.K. is the conditions race for 3yo´s over 10 furlongs at 16.10 CET at Leicester. which sees the seasonal debut of Telescope (Sir Michael Stoute/ Ryan Moore). The Galileo colt was an impressive winner of a decent Newmarket maiden last September, following which he was made ante-post favourite for the Derby. However as a result of various setbacks, he has not been seen out since, though reportedly in very good form.
He has only two opponents today, but even so this race is far from a formality as they are both potentially very useful. Centurius (Marco Botti/ Dane O´Neill) is already proven at listed level, even though he ran badly at Royal Ascot last time, while Godolphin´s Mulakim (Saeed bin Suroor/ Silvestre de Sousa) made a winning debut at Haydock just 13 days ago and could be anything. Even so, if Telescope is as good as he is cracked up to be , then he ought to win this en route to better things.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Autumn Tide - Touch The Clouds - Denby Dale
2. Race: The Dandy Yank - Kodafine - Sleepy Joe
3. Race: Mulakim - Centurius - Mulakim
4. Race: Ghasabah - Laughing Rock - Oasis Spirit
5. Race: Thouwra - Bushel - Entrenched
6. Race: Iceman George - Reset City - Fleeting Fashion
7. Race: Strong Man - Verus Delicia - Errigal Lad

6 meetings today

Plenty of racing today, but again mainly at a very low level. At Lingfield the first four races are on turf and the last four on the all-weather. Rather strangely, the two best races are both 2 mile handicaps on turf, with 6 runners each at 16.00 CET and 16.30. The latter race is a higher grade event and Ian Williams saddles 2 of the runners, including yesterday´s winner Body Language, although we don´t really believe he will turn out again.

In any case, we prefer his óther runner Teak (James Doyle), who, like many of these, has been hurdling.In the earlier race, Hi Note (Sheena West/ H Poulton), who was heavily backed when winning a similar race over this CD by 10 lengths a week ago, should be able to follow up under a 6 lbs penalty. Miss Tiger Lily (Harry Dunlop/ Luke Morris), the sole 3yo in the field, could be a danger in receipt of 19 lbs. The two divisions of the maiden race for 2yo fillies at 17.00 and 17.30 should be watched for future clues, with runners from some of the top stables - Godolphin, Stoute, Gosden, Haggas etc, but are not for punting today.

At Catterick there are also only 6 runners in the main event, a 5 furlongs handicap for 3yo´s at 17.10. Lexington Place (David O´Meara/ David Bergin) has shown tremendous improvement since being switched to this stable and has won his last 3 races, all over this distance on good to firm, and the last two with this claimer aboard. He can win again, but bottom weight Lady Poppy (George Moore/ Declan Cannon), closely related to Overdose, could be a danger.

Sandown´s evening card is feeble by the standards of this track, but the well-bred Pleasure Bent (Luca Cumani/ Kieren Fallon) is an interesting runner in the 3yo handicap at 21.15. He has won both his starts this season and still looks reasonably handicapped; he could well run up a sequence.

Another one who could complete a hat-trick is Thunder Sheikh (Fergal O´Brien/ Paddy Brennan) in the novice hurdle at 15.50 at Uttoxeter. Aidan Coleman rode a winner on the flat recently, but is back over jumps today and we think he can win the 3 mile novices handicap chase here at 16.50 on Tim Vaughan´s Pure Anticipation. There is also N.H. racing this evening at Worcester, where ex-Peter Schiergen Crazy (David Bridgwater/ Tom Scudamore) makes her British debut in the mares maiden hurdle at 20.25; she was quite useful on the flat and if she jumps well, must hold sound claims in this company.

In Ireland, the Killarney meeting goes into its third day with another mixed card. The beginners chase at 19.40 is the most interesting race with several promising performers lining up. Steps to Freedom (Jessica Harrington/ Robbie Power), listed class on the flat, is a good prospect, but the one to beat is probably The Real Article (Edward O´Grady/ Barry Geraghty), who was easily the best of these over hurdles and has shown talent over fences as well. O´Grady also saddles German-bred Catch Me (Mark Walsh) in the handicap hurdle at 21.20; he has been out of form, but has come down a huge amount in the weights and if he shows even a glimpse of his old ability, must go close here.

Lingfield - betting forecast:
1. Race: Response - Familliarity - Qareenah
2. Race: Kastini - Sugar Coated - Uncle Bernie
3. Race: Hi Note - Miss Tiger Lily - Cape Alex
4. Race: Aquilonius - Teak - First Avenue
5. Race: Hoku - Along Again - Cockney Belle
6. Race: Dorothy B - Spiritual Flame - Lady Tiana
7. Race: Encapsulated - Triple Aitch - My Sweet Lord
8. Race: Khelac - Princess Willow - Salient

5 more poor meetings today

Today´s cards are even worse than yesterday´s, and with small fields and firm ground everywhere, it is hard to find good betting opportunities. With the Mark Johnston stable now in top form, we think that he could win both the class 4 handicaps at Beverley, with Tartan Jura over 2 miles at 16.00 CET and Dame Nellie Melba over the extended mile half an hour later; Joe Fanning rides them both.

The former made all to win a similar race at Catterick last time and can score again with only 4 lbs more, but the latter is more interesting: Kirsten Rausing´s filly is well-bred - she is a half-sister to Dallmayr winner Lady Jane Digby- but in her 3 outings so far has failed to reach the first 4; however she showed definite promise when 5th of 12 on her 2013 debut 11 days ago and could well be much better than her current rating.

Bath is one of the few British tracks without a watering system, and racing there on a rock-hard surface is best left alone today. The going will also be on the firm side at Yarmouth this evening and we think that Piazza San Sietro (Zoe Davidson/ Simon Pearce) must have a decent each-.way chance in the 6 furlongs at 20.20. He loves the ground and usually runs well here; his latest Ascot flop on Friday is best ignored and he should run much better this time.

John Gosden´s filly Pomology (William Buick) is likely to start a very hot favourite in the 3yo handicap at Kempton at 21.30; she won in good style on her debut at Windsor a month ago and could be better than a handicapper, but at the likely odds she is no great value this evening. We would prefer to take a chance on Master Ming (Brian Meehan/ Kieren Fallon), who shares top weight with her and who seems reasonably weighted.

Killarney´s meeting continues in Ireland with another mixed card - 3 races on the flat, 3 over jumps and a bumper. The winning run of trainer Aidam O´Brien and his jockey son Joseph can continue with Il Palazzo at 18.40 and Rain God half an hour later. German-bred Novarov has a solid each-way chance in the novice chase at 20.40.

Beverley - betting forecast:
1. Race: Jamboree Girl - Lilo Lil - Bajan Rebel
2. Race: Ingenti - You`Relikemefrank - Chester Deelyte
3. Race: Nashville - Tartan Jura - Mojolika
4. Race: Dame Nellie Melba - Kalk Bay - Gold Show
5. Race: Rocket Ronnie - Bold And Free - Lexi`s Dancer
6. Race: Relight My Fire - Just The Tonic - Blue Maisey
7. Race: Meglio Ancora - Hernando Torres - Spanish Plume
8. Race: Sir Geoffrey - Niceonemyson - John Coffey

5 poor meetings today

There is rarely decent racing on a Monday and today is no exception. The "best" race of the day is the mile handicap at Ayr at 18.00 CET, which looks very tricky, with all 8 runners holding a chance. Sennockian Star (Mark Johnston/ Joe Fanning) is the likely favourite; he is a typical tough Johnston runner who has already won 3 races in 2013 and been in the frame all other starts.

The two top-weights are obvious dangers - Able Master (David O´Meara/ Danny Tudhope), a real summer horse who won over this CD a week ago, and Suits me (David Barron/ Philipp Makin). However all these 3 look well exposed and not especially well handicapped; we therefore go for last year´s winner, the consistent Dubai Dynamo (Riuth Carr/ James Sullivan)- and the same trainer and jockey are responsible for our longshot of the day, old man Beckermet in the 6 furlongs handicap at 16.00. His days of running in group races are long gone, but he is surely capable of running well in a class 5 handicap off a lenient rating.

The best thing of the day is Lyssio (Jim Best/ Tony McCoy) in the opening race at 15.15 at Newton Abbot, but he will be at a very short price. This ex-German listed horse has already shown talent over hurdles, and both his elder brothers have good form in this sphere, while his younger brother won the German Derby a week ago! With Peter Bowen in great form, he also like his Tiermore (Jamie Moore) in the handicap chase here at 16.15. He is up in class here, but must have good prospects off bottom weight.

There is also quite a decent chase on Killarney´s mixed card this evening in Ireland. Tranquil Sea (Edward O´Grady/ Barry Geraghty) is clearly the class act in his 2 miles 1 furlong event at 20.40, but he has a huge weight and we just wonder if he can give 30 lbs to German-bred Prince of Fire (Charlie Swan/ David Casey).

Ayr - betting forecast:
1. Race: Broadcaster - Ticking Katie - Malraaj
2. Race: Circuitous - Lupin Pooter - Diamondhead
3. Race: Strong Man - Dhhamaan - Foolbythepool
4. Race: Menelik - Twenty One Choice - Our Boy Jack
5. Race: Paramour - True Pleasure - Jebel Tara
6. Race: Sennockian Star - Ginger Jack - Able Master
7. Race: Viva Colonia - Grand Diamond - Kingarrick

Ridiculous fixture list

After yesterday´s excellent flat racing at 6 tracks in the U.K., including 3 of the best cards of the year, it is astonishing to see no flat racing scheduled at all for today. Instead we have jumping at three tracks, plus another N.H. fixture in Ireland. Whatever idiot thought this up deserves a medal for absurdity. The only flat racing takes place at the Irish track Fairyhouse, but it is a poor card by Sunday standards- the only black type race being the listed event over 6 furlongs at 16.35 CET. The ex-Australian Sea Siren (Aidan and Joseph O´Brien) is clear top-rated here. On his European debut he ran 8th of 16, beaten 6 lengths, to Lethal Force and Society Rock at Royal Ascot, form which looks even better after they took the first two places again in yesterday´s July Cup. He has to concede weight all round here, but as long as he does not "bounce", looks a near certainty if he can repeat that form.

We do not find summer jumping very inspiring, and certainly not today´s cards on firm ground. Nicky Henderson has a good strike rate with the few jumpers he saddles at this time of year, and Anquetta (Sam Waley-Cohen) must have a chance at 16.50 at Stratford; however we prefer the lightly-weighted Dineur (Peter Bowen/ Donal Devereux), whose stable is in great form. There are only 6 runners here, as there are in the preceding handicap hurdle at 16.20. This still looks quite competitive and we just prefer the bottom-weight Rime Avec Gentil (Bernard Llewellyn/ Robert Williams), who meets Castlemorris King on much better terms than when they last met. German-bred Sadler´s Star (Michael Blake/ Nick Scholfield) is on a,long losing run, but has come down significantly in the weights and must have an each-way chance here at 17.50. The same goes for Moon Melody (Mike Sowersby/ Eddie Lineham) in the staying handicap hurdle at 15.40 at Southwell. Otherwise AP McCoy should clean up here, and so should Irish trainer Gordon Elliott at Perth.

Fairyhouse - betting forecast:
1. Race: Colour Blue - Pillow - Too Many Diamonds
2. Race: Heuston - Tafkeer - Kiss The Stars
3. Race: Sea Siren - Boston Rocker - Russian Soul
4. Race: Via Ballycroy - Toccata Blue - Legal Lyric
5. Race: Manhattan Swing - Daymooma - Majestic Jasmine
6. Race: Elusive Express - Windsor Pride - Gabh Mo Leithsceal
7. Race: Kingdom - Hisaabaat - Solo Performer

Rest of Newmarket

The main supporting event is the Group Two Superlative Stakes for 2yo´s over 7 furlongs at 15.40 CET. Most of these are running for the first time over this trip, and with five unbeaten juveniles in the field it is quite a puzzle for punters. Good Old Boy Lukey (Richard Fahey/ Ryan Moore) is the only one to have won twice, but this opposition looks much stronger, and we prefer fellow Yorkshireman Somewhat (Mark Johnston/ Johnny Murtagh), slightly disappointing at Royal Ascot, but the stable is in much better form now. Washaar (Richard Hannon/ Dane O´Neill) looks a big danger. The Bunbury Cup, a 7 furlongs handicap with 20 runners at 16.15, is the big betting race here. Obviously it is wide open and our 3 against the field are Irish challenger Burn the Boats (Ger Lyons/ Gary Carroll), Brae Hill (Fahey/ Christophe Soumillon) and Dance and Dance (Ed Vaughan/ Ryan Moore). We also take 3 against the field in the opening mile handicap for 3yo´s - Jammy Guest (George Margarson/ Tom Queally), Muharrib (Saeed bin Suroor/ Mickael Barzalona) and Defendant (Sir Michael Stoute/ Ryan Moore).

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Makafeh - Prince`s Trust - Aussie Reigns
2. Race: Good Old Boy Lukey - Somewhat - Outstrip
3. Race: Belgian Bill - Field Of Dream - Burn The Boats
4. Race: Shea Shea - Society Rock - Lethal Force
5. Race: Emirates Flyer - Sacha Park - Green Door
6. Race: Dutch Courage - Malachim Mist - Al Baz
7. Race: Havana Cooler - Pether`s Moon - Cousin Khee

July Cup at Newmarket

A huge amount of top class racing today - far too much in our opinion- but no doubt at all about the top event - the Group One July Cup over six furlongs at 16.50 CET at Newmarket. This is a fascinating race with a really strong field, including 3 fancied runners from Ireland, one each from South Africa and Australia and one from the Middle East. Many of them ran in the two big sprints at Royal Ascot last month and the King´s Stand Stakes and the Diamond Jubilee give us some valuable clues to today´s race. The former event, over 5 furlongs, was won by Sole Power (Eddie Lynam/ Johnny Murtagh), who came with his customary late surge to catch Shea Shea (Mike de Kock/ Christophe Soumillon) close home, with the Australian hope Shamexpress (Danny O´Brien/ Mickael Barzalona) disappointing in ninth. Lethal Force (Clive Cox/ Adam Kirby) made almost all the running to win the Diamond Jubilee, over today´s distance, from Society Rock (James Fanshawe/ Kieren Fallon), who finished fast after his usual slow start, with Krypton Factor (Fawzi Nass/ Luke Morris) third, Slade Power (Eddie Lynam/ Wayne Lordan) seventh - he has won since in Ireland - and Havelock and Zanetto further back.

One of the questions to be asked is whether Shea Shea and Sole Power, undoubtedly two of the best 5 furlong horses in the world- will last out this sixth furlong, especially as Newmarket is quite a tough course. The firm going will clearly be a help, but we are not quite convinced and would rather go for the distance specialists. Then there is Society Rock, who started favourite for this race last year, but could only finish third on desperate ground. He beat Lethal Force earlier in the season by a head at York, biut Clive Cox´s grey seems to have improved since. However he very much got the run of the race at Ascot and it is not easy to lead all the way here. As long as he does not blow the start again, we suspect that Society Rock will beat his rival this time.

The other big question mark concerns Gale Force Ten (Aidan O´Brien/ Ryan Moore), who won the Jersey at Royal Ascot; that form has been boosted since, but this is a much better race. Before that he was runner-up in the Irish 2,000 and a close 4th in the French equivalent. He is down in trip and wearing blinkers for the first time now; Aidan O´Brien has won the race with similar types twice before and this one is obviously a huge danger, even though he has a few pounds to find on ratings. There are several possible scenarios here and at least half a dozen possible winners. We expect to see another finish dominated by Lethal Force and Society Rock - and shall take a chance on the latter in the hope that he gets off to a level start- but obviously Gale Force Ten can beat them all and establish himself as a new force on the international sprinting scene.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Makafeh - Prince`s Trust - Aussie Reigns
2. Race: Good Old Boy Lukey - Somewhat - Outstrip
3. Race: Belgian Bill - Field Of Dream - Burn The Boats
4. Race: Shea Shea - Society Rock - Lethal Force
5. Race: Emirates Flyer - Sacha Park - Green Door
6. Race: Dutch Courage - Malachim Mist - Al Baz
7. Race: Havana Cooler - Pether`s Moon - Cousin Khee

Newmarket July Festival: day two

There are only 4 runners in the main event at Newmarket today, the Group One Falmouth Stakes for fillies and mares over a mile at 15.40 CET, but it is still a fascinating affair. Sky Lantern (Richard Hannon/ Richard Hughes) is the obvious favourite after winning the1,000 Guineas (over the Rowley Mile here) and the Coronation Stakes at Royal Áscot; she was especially impressive when winning the latter race, but this is her first race against the older generation and in our view she is not a good bet at the likely odds-on. French hope Giofra (Alain de Royer-Dupré/ Christophe Soumillon) and Elusive Kate (John Gosden/ William Buick) finished first and second in this last year and will not be easily brushed aside. The weather - and going- were terrible last year, but both should be at home on this much faster ground. Elusive Kate was also runner-up in the Sun Chariot here and finished fourth in the Queen Anne on her only start in 2013, but we just prefer the French runner, owned b y our old friend Jürgen Winter. Purr Along (William Muir/ Frankie Dettori) is guaranteed prize-money of 10 grand just to finish; she is quite useful but not normally up to this grade and fourth place is what she can expect, as she was 10 lengths behind Sky Lantern at Ascot.

The other group race on the card is the Cherry Hinton Stakes - now renamed the Duchess of Cambridge- for 2yo fillies over 6 furlongs at 15.10. Rizeena (Clive Brittain/ James Doyle) has won her last 3 races and was also spectacular in the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot. She steps up a furlong now but that should be no problem and it will be a surprise if she gets beat today - Bye Bye Birdie (Aidan O´Brien/ Ryan Moore), winner of a group three at the Curragh last time, looks the only danger.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Indignant - Nardin - Dream Wild
2. Race: Rizeena - Bye Bye Birdie - Fig Roll
3. Race: Elusive Kate - Giofra - Purr Along
4. Race: Heaven`s Guest - Moviesta - Equity Risk
5. Race: True Story - Edge - Good Value
6. Race: Vermont - Lions Park - Urban Dance
7. Race: Henry The Aviator - Bassara - Fils Anges

Newmarket July Festival: day one

Newmarket´s July Festival, one of the best meetings of the summer, starts today with a high class card, beginning with 3 Group races. The Group Three Bahrain Trophy for 3yo´s over 1 mile 5 furlongs, which opens the card at 14.40 CET, is an important St. Leger trial and we shall probably see several of these runners at Doncaster in 2 months time. Some of them ran at Royal Ascot, with Feel Like Dancing (John Gosden/ William Buick) doing best when runner-up in the Queen´s Vase; this shorter trip should be no problem. Dare to Achieve (William Haggas/ Richard Hughes) is moving up sharply in grade after a very easy maiden win, but is highly regarded and the most likely danger.

The Group Two July Stakes for 2yo´s over 6 furlongs at 15.10 is the main event of the day, and with 10 of the 11 runners having already won - and the other placed twice on both starts- it looks open and most of them are very lightly raced and open to great improvement. The best form is the third place in the Coventry Stakes of Sir John Hawkins (Aidan O´Brien/ Ryan Moore), and with trainer and jockey in top form, he will almost certainly start favourite. However the two unbeaten colts Canyari (Richard Fahey/ Jimmy Fortune) and Figure of Speech (Saeed bin Suroor/ Mickael Barzalona) both created a very positive Impression when winning their maidens and cannot be ruled out .

Half an hour later the Princess of Wales´s Stakes over 1 1/2 miles is also a Group two and looks wide open, with all the 7 runners rated almost equal. Universal (Mark Johnston/ Joe Fanning), third in the Hardwicke at Royal Ascot after winning three times, is an obvious possibility, while Grandeur (Jeremy Noseda/ Buick) and the German-bred mare Wild Coco (Lady Cecil/ Tom Queally) both make their seasonal debut after ending 2012 with a good win. However the one we like best is Godolphin´s Cavalryman (Saeed bin Suroor/ Silvestre de Sousa), who has been running over longer distances but is equally effective over this trip and will love the fast going.

The 10 furlongs handicap for 3yo´s at 15.15 is the big betting race of the day, and our choice here is Soviet Rock (Andrew Balding/ Thomas Brown) from a stable that usually does well at this meeting, while the 5 furlongs handicap at 18.00 can go to Fratellino (Alan McCabe/ Barzalona), who has not run siunce a busy winter campaign on the all-weather but is well handicapped on turf. Best thing of the day is Montiridge (Richard Hannon/ Richard Hughes), who needs only reproduce the form of his Jersey Stakes second to take the listed mile race at 17.25, and the same team also have a good chance in the preceding 2yo fillies maiden with Oriel. Expensive yearling purchase Amnesia (Haggas/ Graham Lee) makes her debut here .... but we´ve forgotten what we wanted to say....

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Dare To Achieve - Feel Like Dancing - Havana Beat
2. Race: Sir John Hawkins - Canyari - Figure Of Speech
3. Race: Universal - Cavalryman - Danadana
4. Race: Matrooh - Tarikhi - Space Ship
5. Race: Oriel - Grevillea - Qawaasem
6. Race: Ashdan - Alhebayeb - Race And Status
7. Race: Avon Breeze - Doctor Parkes - Fratellino

6 poor meetings today

Newmarket´s July Meeting starts tomorrow, but today´s 6 cards are all very low level. Yarmouth´s class 3 handicap over 7 furlongs at 17.10 CET is the "best" race of the day. There are only 6 runners, but it looks very trappy. Ismail Mohammed trains two of them, including top-weight Admiralty (Harry Bentley), who has won his last 3 races - but all on the all-weather and always with long intervals in between. He could win again, but we are sceptical. Poisson d´Or (Rae Guest/ Ted Durcan) won over this CD last time, but had little to beat, while the only 3yo in the field, Skytrain (Mark Johnston/ Silvestre de Sousa) has won 4 races already this year but is nevertheless rather inconsistent. Our selection is Azrael (Alan McCabe/ Adam Kirby), who ran really well last Saturday at Leicester and is a dual CD winner.

Mark Johnston probably has better chances of scoring at Catterick, where he has 2 runners in the 2 mile handicap at 16.50. Both of them, top-weight Red Orator (Joe Fanning) and Bounty Seeker (Liam Jones), are front-runners so we must hope they don´t cut each others´ throats. Alexandar (Jim Goldie/ Graham Lee) and Dr Irv (Philip Kirby/ Declan Cannon) are the two most likely to take advantage, but we prefer Red Orator, who has been running in better races and can win despite his huge weight. The all-weather cards at Lingfield and Kempton are very undistinguished, although in fact the first 4 races at Lingfield are run on turf, including the fillies handicap at 16.00. The interesting one here is Candoluminescence from the in-form team of Roger Charlton and James Doyle and owned by the Queen. She has not shown much so far, but is up in distance here and could well outclass these modest opponents.

At Kempton our old friend Dvinsky (Roger Ingram/ Philip Prince) reappears in ther apprentice handicap at 19.20. The 12yo is running for the 230th (and possibly last) time and has 19 wins and 68 places in his record. he runs his best races over this CD and we hope he finishes in the money again. In Ireland, Aidan and Joseph O´Brien could well clean up at the evening meeting at Naas. where they have fancied runners in 6 of the 7 races. Rain God has top weight in the 3yo handicap at 20.30; she won last time with O´Brien´s young daughter Anastasia aboard and can now follow up under her brother. The only jumping is at Worcester, where German-bred Engai (David Bridgwater/ Tom Scudamore) can finally get his head in front in the maiden hurdle at 22.10 after repeatedly finishing second. On the Bridge (Jeremy Scott/ Nick Scholfield) can boast a rather better record; since last August he was won 7 of his 9 starts and finished twice runner-up. He has gone up 44 lbs in the ratings but can still score again in the handicap chase at 19.40.

Naas - betting forecast:
1. Race: Taanif - Oklahoma City - Bonjour Bob
2. Race: Minorette - Touch Of Snow - Invisible Flash
3. Race: Penny Serenade - South Ring - Boughtforasong
4. Race: General Brook - Rain God - Connacht Council
5. Race: Violet Hour - Pastiches - Sherzam
6. Race: Waver - Truly Genius - Rockabilly Riot
7. Race: Levanto - The Vatican - Morning With Ivan

Listed race at Pontefract

easily the best racing today comes from Pontefract, where the listed Pipalong Stakes for older fillies and mares over a mile at 17.00 CET is the main event. With owners and breeders looking for black type, this has a strong field of 10 runners, 3 of which ran in the Group Three Princess Elzabeth Stakes at Epsom´ s Derby meeting. Gifted Girl (Paul Cole/ an/Tom Queally) ran really well there to be runner-up, with Ladys First (Richard Fahey/ Paul Hanagan) a close third and Ultrasonic (Sir Michael Stoute/ Ryan Moore) not far away in third. In theory Gifted Girl should come out on top again, but Ladys First has since run an excellent race at Royal Ascot to be second to the smart Duntle, while Stoute/ Moore runners can never be discounted at this level. Hippy Hippy Shake (Luca Cumani/ Kieren Fallon) also has a chance, while for those looking for a real longshot, we recommend Semayyel (Clive Brittain/ Brett Doyle), who won a listed race on firm ground at odds of 125/1 last year.

Another one we like here at a good price is Lady Poppy (George Moore/ Peter McDonald) in the 5 furlongs handicap for 3yo´s at 16.30. She is bred to be very fast and is closely related to Overdose and after a couple of sub-par performances has dropped to a very favourable weight.

The all-weather cards at Wolverhampton this afternoon and Southwell this evening are very poor -all races at class 5 and 6 Level- and in our opinion are best left along.

The jumping cards at Uttoxeter and Roscommon this evening are more interesting. At the former track we expect the 6yo mare Emerald Glade (Jim Best/ Tony McCoy) to defy a 20 lbs hike in the weights and win her third race in 15 days at 19.15. Once these mares start improving, there is no knowing how far they can go. A German-bred to watch here is Isobar (Dpnald McCain/ Nick Slatter) in the conditional jockeys novice hurdle half an hour later; he is by Monsun out of a Mondrian mare and makes his debut here.

There are also a couple of German-breds in the 3 mile handicap hurdle at 19.55 at the Irish track, but with 19 runners this looks too tricky. The novice hurdle at 18.55 looks more interesting; the Aga Khan-bred Shamar (Willie Mullins/ Ruby Walsh) had quite decent flat form in France and could be another star for the top team in Irish jumps racing.

yesterday: No Loose Change won 12-1!

Listed race this evening in Ireland

the best race today is the Irish listed race over 1 1/2 miles at 21.10 CET at Roscommon, with 5 3y´s taking on 4 older horses. The best of the older horses are El Salvador (Aidan and Joseph O´Brien), sixth in the Ascot Gold Cup last time, Il Fenomeno (Noel Meade/ Eric McNamara), a decent hurdler who has not run on ther flat for ages, as well as the very consistent Missunited (Mervyn Winters/ Seamus Heffernan), who has also been in good form over jumps. However there are question marks with all of them over this distance on fast ground, and we prefer the very lightly-raced 3yo Qewy (John Oxx/ Declan McDonough), up sharply in grade here after an easy maiden win at Navan. Oxx won the race last year with a 3yo and we think that he can double up.

In the U.K. racing is mainly at a low level and the ground, firming up all over in the current hot spell,means that there are some small fields as well as the likelihood of non-runners.

The best betting race is the 3 1/4 mile handicap chase at 16.45 at Newton Abbot; plenty of chances here but we go with the top-weight No Loose Change (Paul Nicholls/ Harry Derham). Nicholls can also take the beginners chase at 15.45 with Escudero (Nick Scholfield), who has not run for 2 years but was a promising young hurdler in 2011. Potentially the best runner here is Another Hero (Jonjo O´Neill/ Tony McCoy), who has won two bumpers in good style and now makes his hurdling debut at 15.15.

Today´s flat racing in Britain is unexciting, but we hope that two top-weights can score- Normal Equilibrium (Robert Cowell) in the 5 furlongs handicap at Ayr at 18.00 and Line of Reason (Paul Midgeley/ Kieten Fallon) over 6 furlongs at Ripon at 21.20 this evening. At Windsor, Wet Coast Dream (Roy Brotherton/ Mark Coumbe) can take the 5 furlongs handicap at 20.30; he won the race last year and looks well handicapped.

Away for 3 days

This column is away for the weekend and will be back on Monday.

Go, Pastorius, go! (Sandown, Eclipse Stakes, Saturday, 16,50 CET)

6 meetings today

There is plenty of racing today, but some small fields, especially at the evening Irish meeting at Leopardstown. Aidan and Joseph O´Brien should have their usual winner with Perhaps, in the 2yo fillies maiden at 19.45 CET; the half-sister to this season´s leading 3yo Battle of Marengo made a pleasing debut and looks a good thing this evening. However we don not fancy the O´Brien runner in other 2yo race at 1915, and expect this to go to Intensified (Jim Bolger/ Kevin Manning), runner-up on all 3 starts so far but never beaten by much.

There are some quite competitive handicaps at Haydock this afternoon, and Ruth Carr can land both divisions of the 6 furlongs event at 16.50 with Mutaaakir (Peter McDonald) at 16.50 and Head Space (James Sullivan) half an hour later. The best race is the 1 3/4 miles handicap for 3yo´s at 17.50. Debdebdeb (Andrew Balding/ Martin Dwyer) was awarded the race in the stewards room at Newbury last time, but is up 6 lbs and this looks tougher. Lion Beacon (Amanda Perrett/ Pat Dobbs) is clearly well suited by this trip on fast ground and has won his last 2 races in good style, but we just prefer Argent Knight (Willie Jarvis/ Tom Eaves), who now meets him on better terms. Eaves can go on to land a double on Bryan Smart´s Dubai Hills at 18.50.

Perth´s Scottish N.H. meeting continues this afternoon. Gordon Elliott won 3 races here yesterday and has more good chances, notably Crookstown at 16.00 and Definite Row at 18.30, both partnered by Tony McCoy. The N. Irish brothers Stuart and Steven Crawford also do well on their raids on the British mainland and should also have some runners in the money.

Group race in Ireland this evening

Easily the best race today is the Irish Group Three Brownstown Stakes for fillies over 7 furlongs at 20.,00 CET this evening at Fairyhouse. 4 3yo´s take on the older generation here, 2 trained by Aidan O´Brien and 2 by David Wachman, but although they are all well-bred, they have none of them has really shone so far, and we expect an older horse to win. Fiesolana (W McCreery/ Billie Lee) is in good form and has won her last two races, but we do not believe that she can concede weight to Dermot Weld´s 5yo Along Came Casey (Pat Smullen), an easy winner of a listed race last time and who looks to have scope for further improvement.

The flat racing in the U.K. - Catterick this afternoon, and Chepstow and Kempton (a.w.) this evening, does not look very exciting, and the two jumps cards this afternoon are of more interest. German-bred Solis (Dianne Sayer/ Henry Brooke) is one of our favourites and runs in the 3 mile handicap hurdle at 16.40 at Perth. He stays well and is very consistent; he has been put up 15 lbs for winning twice recently but still looks competitive here. The same trainer and jockey also have German-bred Cool Baranca in the 2 mile handicap hurdle at 18.10, and this CD winner also has a chance, especially if there is any more rain.

At Worcester, the 2 1/ 2mile handicap hurdle at 18.20 looks very open. Top-weight One Lucky Lady (Nicky Henderson/ Nico de Bloinville) was fourth over this CD last time; the opposition does not look so strong this time so he should definitely be placed. However the obvíous one to beat is On The Bridge (Jeremy Scott/ Nick Scholfield), who has won 6 of his last 8 races and finished runner-up the other twice; he has a 7 lbs penalty for winning here over further last week, but will probably go up by much more when he is reassessed by the handicapper.

Fairyhouse - betting forecast:
1. Race: Hidden Oasis - Simple Love - Tarabiyn
2. Race: Caesaria - Lightnin Hopkins - Zalty
3. Race: Along Came Casey - Lily`S Angel - Fiesolana
4. Race: Three Bells - Silldora - Whatyoumaycallit
5. Race: Abu Nayef - Angels Guard Thee - Spirit Of Concorde
6. Race: Sceilg - Rockabilly Riot - Capitol Hill
7. Race: Magnolia Ridge - Sinour - Great Explorer

5 more poor meetings today

Another low level Tuesday with some small fields, especially in the more interesting events, such as the 3yo maiden over 10 furlongs. Only 5 runners here, but two are Godolphins, and the other 3 trained by John Gosden, William Haggas and Andrew Balding - quite a high-powered group for this track. Debütant Apparently (Saeed bin Suroor/ Mickael Barzalona) is very well bred and may be able to win at the first time of asking.

Godolphin should also take the conditions race at 17.00 at Hamilton; Quick Wit (Saeed bin Suroor/ Silvestre de Sousa) is listed class and has a stone in hand of his 3 opponents on official ratings here. There are also some more well-bred runners on view at the Irish evening meeting at Gowran Park, notably in the 2yo maiden at 19.50: two colts by Galileo - Indian Maharaja (Aidan and Joseph O´Brien) and Urban Moon (Johnny Murtagh/ Niall McCullough) make their debut here and could well dominate the small field. The O´Brien´ s also have One True Love running in the opening 7 furlongs maiden at 18.50, but must be getting fed up with this filly, who is having her 6th start in 5 weeks ("!); she might finally get her head in front today, but we would not bet much on it.

Another unreliable character is Azure Fly (Charlie Longsdon/ Noel Fehily), who runs in the second division of the maiden hurdle at 19.10 at Stratford. He has thrown away a winning chance in both his hurdles races to date by swerving violently; he may be back on his best behaviour this evening on a track where he has won two bumpers. The novice chase here at 21.10 is interesting; Prospect Wells (Paul Nicholls/ Daryl Jacob) was a top hurdler and has already shown talent over fences -. but at a lower level. However there are some decent opponents here and we are not sure about the 8yo on this good-to-firm going - his half-sister Solemia won the Arc last year on heavy ground and he probably needs some cut as well.

4 poor meetings today

As so often, Monday´s cards are very low grade. There are also some small fields, and races with normal each-way betting are in a minority. The best racing comes from Pontefract, where a class 3 handicap for fillies over 6 furlongs at 17.00 CET is the day´s top race. Midnight Dynamo (Jim Goldie/ Graham Lee) is the lijkely favourite here, after scoring at Ayr 9 days ago, but for us the most likely winner is top-weight Misplaced Fortune (Nigel Tinkler/ Jason Hart); this 8yo has been running without much success in better company, but she has a good record over this CD, and won a similar race here off the same mark last September.

Frankie Dettori, who has just signed a contract as jockey to Joann al Thani, is at Wolverhampton, where he has a chance in the 1 1/2 miles handicap for 3yo´s at 17.45 on the lightly-raced Bantam (Ed Dunlop), but our preference here is Alwilda (Sir Mark Prescott/ Luke Morris), who is moving up to a trip which should certainly suit, as her dam Albanova won 3 Group Ones in Germany over this distance.

Richard Hughes is usually the jockey to follow at Windsor´s evening meetings and has several good chances today. We feel that he can win on Richard Hannon´s Priska at 17.00 and Hughie Morrison´s Realize an hour later, but he could play second fiddle to Ryan Moore at 20.30 and 22.00.

This evening´s card at Ffos Las is particularly poor, but oldtimer Schelm (Ronnie Leary /Shane Kelly) is an interesting runner in the 2 mile handicap at 20.15; this ex-German horse, now trained in Ireland, has some useful N.H, form to his credit, but runs here on the flat off a very low rating.

Pontefract - betting forecast:
1. Race: City Ground - Tenhoo - Tapis Libre
2. Race: Rufford - Cool Bahamian - Fair Ranger
3. Race: Centred - Huffoof - Villa Royale
4. Race: Rivas Rhapsody - Midnight Dynamo - Fanrouge
5. Race: World Map - Astrum - Halfwaytocootehill
6. Race: Noble Deed - Nurpur - Khelman
7. Race: Dubious Escapade - Cono Zur - Lord Franklin