German-trained runners have been mainly out of luck in France the past few days, but this could change today, when there are several German hopes running at Maisons-Laffitte. In the opening tierce´handicap over 2000 metres at 13.50, Werner Baltromei´s Naxon (Dominique Boeuf) must have a chance, while Ravenel (Ralf Rohne/ Ioritz Mendizibal) runs in the mile race for 3yo fillies at 15.20. Captain Camelot (Dr. Bolte/ Olivier Peslier), Thanatos (Peter Schiergen/ Andrasch Starke) and Daveron (Andreas Trybuhl/ William Mongil) all run in the 2100 metres conditions race at 16.30, and Trybuhl also has Grazilla (Christophe Lemaire) engaged under top weight in the handicap at 17.30, while Far Lord (Bolte/ Stephane Pasquier) runs in the 2600 metres race at 17.00, where ex-German Emporio is one of his opponents. With the Schiergen stable in great form, we fancy Thanatos is the best chance of a German winner today.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
U.K. racing today
The 5 meetings in the U.K. today, Folkestone, Redcar and Hereford (N.H.) this afternoon, and Huntingdon (N.H.) and Yarmouth this evening, offer very little in the way of quality racing and there are some very small fields as well. Annabelles Charm (Luca Cumani/ Dane O´Neill) has already run well at the track this year and can make her fitness advantage tell over seasonal debutants Special Reserve and Constant Cheers in the 10 furlongs handicap at 18.05 CET at Folkestone, while at Redcar we fancy Rising Kheleyf (Alan Swinbank/ Peter Mcdonald) to get the better of hat-trick-seeking Cornish Castle in the 3yo mile handicap at 16.40. However two recent winners who can follow up here despite top weight are Jaconet (David Barron/ Phillip Makin) in the 5 furlongs handicap at 17.15 and Topolski (Mark Johnston/ Royston Ffrench) in th 3yo 10 furlongs handicap at 18.20. Yarmouht usually offers miserable prize-money, but the track benefits from its proximity to Newmarket and there are ru nners from some of the top stables there this evening.
It could be significant that Frankie Dettori goes there for just one ride, Godolphin´s Mutheeb in the conditions race over 7 furlongs at 19.00. Mutheeb cost $ 825,000 as a yearling and won his only start last year, but will need to be sharp to win against this evening´s opposition. On the jumping front, Venetia Williams is usually the trainer to follow at her local track Hereford; she saddles just two runners today, Kahsabelle (Liam Treadwell) in the mares novice hurdle at 15.20 and Naxox (Walter Biddick) in the 2 mile handicap chase at 17.05. At Huntingdon, German-bred L´Homme de Nuit (Gary and Jamie Moore) has a chance in the novice hurdle at 19.20, but being by Samum, possibly needs more cut in the ground.
Punchestown: day three
After more rain, the going will be testing on the third day of the big Irish N.H. meeting at Punchestown. Main fatitr today is the Grade One 3 mile hurdle at 18.30 CET, where stamina will definitely be an issue. Likely favourite Fiveforthree (Willie Mullins/ Ruby Walsh) has never run over this far before, which could be a disadvantage, though trainer and jockey remain in almost unbeatable form. The same goes for Brave Inca (Colm Murphy/ Tony McCoy), while the 3 British hopes, best of whom are probably Duc de Regnieres (Nicky Henderson/ Barry Geraghty) and German-bred Fair Along (Philip Hobbs/ Rhys Flint) are at least proven over the trip.
The Grade One novice chase over 2 miles at 19.50 should go to "Arkle" winner Forpadydeplasterer (Tom Cooper/ Geraghty) if he can run up to his Cheltneham form. Paul Nicholls runs Tatenen, very disappointing lately and now partnered for the first time by McCoy, while Walsh prefers to ride Willie Mullins´ Deutschland. The other big feature is the La Touche Cup at 17.55, a cross country over 4 1/4 miles which has been dominated in recent years by Enda Bolger. he runs 3 now, all in the JP McManus colours, of whom Garde Champetre (Nona Carberry) is clearly the best. However he has a huge weight, and it is not clear that he can give away so much weight to Silver Birch (Gordon Elliott/ Robbie Power), winner of the 2008 Grand National, and A New Story (Michael Hourigan/ Andrew McNamara), third in the Irish version where Garde Champtere was pulled up.
Betting forecast:
1. Race: Ainama - Jessies Dream - Uimhiraceathair
2. Race: Valain - Reisk Superman - Freds Benefit
3. Race: Garde Champetre - Silver Birch - A New Story
4. Race: Fiveforthree - Powerstation - Fair Along
5. Race: Candy Girl - Aggie`S Lad - Sonnium
6. Race: Forpadydeplasterer - Tatenen - Deutschland
7. Race: Quel Esprit - Katmai - Skorcher
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