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Tipperary meeting now subject to Saturday inspection.

After an initial inspection today, it was decided the track at Tipperary is currently unraceable due to waterlogging. So a second inspection to ascertain as to whether Sunday's meeting including two Listed races can go ahead will now be held at 2.00 pm on Saturday afternoon.

Even if the meeting is allowed to go ahead, it has already been decided the safety limit for the three 5 furlong races will be 10 entrants, and for the two 12 furlong races it will be 14 entrants.

Coral defiant over British credentials!

While William Hill and Ladbrokes have decided to move their on-line sports book to Gibraltar, Coral have this afternoon issued a defiant statement confirming they intend to remain entirely British. This means in due course Coral will become the largest contributor to the Horseracing Levy scheme, with their on-line and telephone services remaining based in Great Britain.

As an extra incentive for punters to join the Coral on-line sports book, the firm are to introduce a choice between their money back scheme, or punters can take their new best price guaranteed option.

Ladbrokes confirm offshore move.

Ladbrokes have today confirmed they are to join William Hill in moving their on-line sports book operation to an offshore destination. Like most of the British based 'major players' in the bookmaking industry, Ladbrokes wish to minimise their tax liability during hard economic times, and the move, which is due to take place before the end of this year, means the firm will only pay 2% tax instead of the current 15% on Gross Profits, and of course, they will also be non-liable for the 10% donation to the British Horseracing Levy.

With both Ladbrokes and William Hill moving their on-line sports book operations to offshore destinations, it means the current Levy scheme is in tatters, and British horse racing now needs 'leaders' if a disaster in prize money funding is to be avoided.

Long Lashes to face nine rivals.

At today's 48 hour decleration stage, it seems Godolphin's July acquisition Long Lashes will face nine rivals in Saturday's Sweet Solera Stakes. Main opposition in a somewhat disappointing entry would seem to come from Princess Margaret Stakes fourth Jira, and the Barry Hills trained Sent from Heaven.

Head to give Goldikova quick return.

Having shown her well-being with two back to back Group 1 successes in the Falmouth Stakes and Prix de Rothschild in just four weeks, Chantilly based trainer Freddie Head has confirmed he plans to give Goldikova another quick outing in the Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville on Sunday week.

The handler has also confirmed the main target is a repeat victory in the Breeders Cup Turf Mile back at Santa Anita in November, but he thinks his four year old super-filly is so well at present, he sees no reason why she should not take in the Deauville race as part of her preparation for her American trip.

Haydock ride denies Frankie Shergar Cup berth.

With Frankie Dettori today confirmed as the rider of Godolphin's Campanologist in Saturday's Rose of Lancaster Stakes at Haydock Park, it determines he will not be available to ride for the European team in the Shergar Cup at Ascot.

Oxx discusses future for Sea The Stars.

In an interview with the Daily Mail, John Oxx has scottched any rumours owners Christopher Tsui and his mother Ling are considering selling Sea The Stars.

Indicating the treble Group 1 winner has three remaining targets for this year, Oxx has also suggested , if poor weather causes the going for the Juddmonte International, Champion Stakes and Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe to come up on the soft side of good, then it is unlikely Sea The Stars will line-up in these targeted races, and Oxx further suggested, in these unusual circumstances, there is a chance the world's current leading horse could be brought back for a four year old career in 2010.

Cima works ahead of Arlington run.

Luca Cumani's Brigadier Gerard Stakes winner Cima de Triomphe put in a good looking gallop over the seven furlong turf course at Arlington Park in Chicago on Wednesday morning, and connections are confident the four year old is in good order ahead of Saturday's Arlington Million.

Deauville sprint attracts foreign raiders.

British and Irish entrants account for over half the declared field of 17 for Sunday's six furlong Group 1 Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville. British raiders - Asset, Kings Apostle, Lesson In Humility, Sayif, Serious Attitude and Tariq, could be joined by Irish trainer Jim Bolger's pair of Intense Focus and Vocalised.

The main contenders from french stables appear to come from members of the Head family, with Freddie Head entering last year's top french juvenile Naaqoos, while Criquette Head-Maarek is represented by the experienced African Rose.

Delegator on course for Celebration Mile.

Delegator seems to have got over his move from Brian Meehan to Godolphin's yard in Newmarket, and he was reported to have put in a good piece of work on the Limekilns gallop yesterday. If all goes according to plan, the 2,000 Guineas and St James's Palace Stakes runner-up will have his first run for his new connections in the Group 2 Celebration Mile at Goodwood later this month.

Black Bear dash for Murtagh.

Jockey Johnnie Murtagh faces a transatlantic dash this weekend, for he is due to ride Black Bear Island for new owner R D Hubbard in Saturday's Secretariat Stakes at Arlington Park in Chicago, and then he faces a race against time to get back to Shannon airport in time to ride for Aidan O'Brien at Tipperary on Sunday afternoon.

At least Murtagh will not have to concern himself with Black Bear island after Saturday's race, as the Dante Stakes winner is staying in the United States, where he will race for his new owner for the remainder of the current season.

Topping turns his attack to the British Government.

Having previously vented his spleen on the 'rabble who run racing', William Hill chief executive Ralph Topping took aim at the British Government for their inability to be even handed in their dealings with the gambling industry. Topping indicated, half the reason William Hill had decided to take their on-line gambling operations to Gibraltar was down to the governments 15% Gross Profits Tax imposed on registered bookmakers, while unregistered and unlicensed betting exchanges seemed to slip under the radar when it came to government taxation policy.

Whether there is any merit in Topping's point of view or not, the overall situation was further inflamed when the chief executives of both the BHA and the Racehorse Owners Association yesterday attacked Topping's views as being 'ridiculous'.

At Racingsight we say - If someone does not take a lead in bringing all the parties together to sort this 'mess' out, we predict the only long term loser of the current situation will be horseracing in Britain.

Musselburgh hold Soul night.

For race-goers who like their Soul music, they may like to know, tomorrow evening's fixture at Musselburgh will have the accompaniment of an 8 piece soul band, and the entertainment will continue right up till 9.30 pm.

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