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Murtagh chooses Age of Aquarius.

Johnnie Murtagh has decided to ride at Doncaster on Saturday instead of the Curragh, and the natural conclusion is he fancies the chances of Age of Aquarius in the St Leger.

Vale of York swoops late for Goodwood Listed success.

At the back of the pack during the early exchanges in today's Listed Peter Willetts Stardom Stakes at Goodwood, Godolphin's Vale of York responded to the urgings of jockey Ahmed Ajtebi, and flew past his rivals in the final furlong of today's contest, scoring by half a length from the front running Mata Keranjang, while Frankie Dettori also made late progress on the other Godolphin entry Atlantis Star to grab third place.

Listowel Festival now in jeopardy.

Today's early inspection of the Listowel racecourse ahead of Sunday's first day of the seven day Listowel Festival has found the current course to be unraceable due to waterlogging. Listowel racecourse executive are now hoping the forecast drying weather materializes ahead of a second inspection by Turf Club officials on Thursday.

Godolphin supplement Poet's Voice into National Stakes.

In a suprise move this morning, Sheikh Mohammed's Godolphin organisation have withdrawn Acomb Stakes third Poet's Voice from the list of declerations for Doncaster's Champagne Stakes, and instead, they have paid the supplement to enter the juvenile into the ladbrokes.com Vincent O'Brien National Stakes at the Curragh.

It is useless to speculate on such moves, but one wonders if the shrewd judges at Godolphin believe the potentially slower ground at the Curragh may better suit Poet's Voice rather than the expected fast going at Doncaster.

Charlton seeking double victory at Curragh.

The Roger Charlton trained Clowance was last seen on a racecourse when she finished fourth behind Look Here in the 2008 Epsom Oaks, but a series of setbacks have kept her off the track ever since, and although she is amongst the eleven entries for this week's DFS sponsored Park Hill Stakes, with the ground at Doncaster expected to be fast, connections have indicated she will almost certainly opt for the softer ground predicted for the Irish Field St Leger at the Curragh on Saturday.

Charlton is also certain to select Sunday's Solonaway Stakes at the Curragh over a Doncaster race for progressive three year old Border Patrol, for the three time winner is another stable star who prefers cut underfoot, and he was given a mid season break specifically to bring him back for the softer ground offered by the autumn months.

However, Sunday's Group 3 contest will test Border Patrol's mettle, as he will probably have to face Aidan O'Brien's very progressive Poet, the latter seeking a four timer in Sunday's race. While Rayeni and Lahaleeb also like cut, and both have Classic form to back up their credentials as the potential winner of Sunday's competitive renewal of the Solonaway Stakes.

Markab could attempt major double.

Great St Wilfred Handicap winner Markab could attempt to land two top class handicap sprints in successive weekends. Henry Candy's charge is currently installed as 5/1 favourite for this Saturday's Portland Handicap at Doncaster, and connections have indicated if he came through this weekend with no ill affects, he could well attempt to land the Ayr Gold Cup the following weekend.

Winston keeps Cheveton ride in Portland.

Robert Winston seemed to forge an immediate winning partnership with four year old Cheveton when landing the Be Friendly Handicap Sprint at Haydock Park last Saturday, and as the victory gave Richard Price's charge the four pound hike in the handicap he needed to qualify for this weekend's Portland Handicap at Doncaster, connections have decided to retain Winston's services on their double seeking entrant.

Park Hill five day decleration already minus one.

Although Clowance is amongst the eleven entries for this week's DFS sponsored Park Hill Stakes, connections have today indicated a preference for softer going at the Curragh, (see above), and the Park Hill may be a contest between the other ten entrants.

British interest revolves around Cassique Lady, Princess Tailor, Sevenna, Victoria Montoya, The Miniver Rose, and the lightly raced Starfala.

The Willie Mullins trained Ebor winner Sesenta heads a trio of mares from Ireland, which also includes Galtres Stakes victor Tanoura for John Oxx, and Perfect Truth from Aidan O'Brien's Ballydoyle yard.

Although Shemima is the sole representative from France, it is understood her connections are very keen on her chances in this week's Group 2 contest for fillies.

Lyons considering seven furlong option for Love Lockdown.

Ger Lyons is delighted with the way Love Lockdown has come out of his victory in Saturday's Group 3 Sirenia Stakes at Kempton Park. But the Irish trainer is now scratching his head as to where he can give his juvenile a suitable next outing, for Love Lockdown was not entered in any of the major seven furlong contests towards the end of the season, and his trainer now thinks that would be the next obvious move. Discussing the situation, Lyons said,

"I'm positive he will now get seven furlongs, but he was not entered in any of the early closing seven furlong pattern races. There is a Listed race at Dundalk towards the end of the season, but he would have to carry a penalty, so we will have to see."

Doncaster water as Curragh hope to dry out.

With the going at Doncaster currently regarded as fast ground, it is understood watering will take place today ahead of tomorrow's first day of the four day St Leger Meeting.

Meanwhile, at the Curragh, course officials are hopeful drier weather predicted for the end of the week will help to dry out the existing soft ground, and thereby provide good racing conditions for the Irish St Leger Meeting.

Murtagh undecided on riding venue.

Aidan O'Brien does not yet know which of his horses will be ridden by Ballydoyle number one jockey Johnnie Murtagh during the upcoming important racing weekend. Murtagh has the choice of riding Age of Aquarius and Viscount Nelson in the Doncaster St Leger and Champagne Stakes respectively, or he could ride either Alfred Nobel or Cape Blanco in the National Stakes at the Curragh, and according to O'Brien, his premier jockey is currently undecided as to which option to choose.

If anti post punters provide any clues to Murtagh's final decision, it was interesting to note with race sponsers Ladbrokes, Age of Aquarius yesterday joined long term anti post favourite Kite Wood as the joint 5/2 market leader for Saturday's final Classic.

Uncertain future for disappointing Moulin duo.

There is still no simple explanation as to why last Sunday's Prix du Moulin favourite Elusive Wave reared up in the stalss and virtually refused to race, but it is understood it has given connections a major quondrey, for they are now considering whether to retire her to stud, or to allow the filly to remain with trainer Jean-Claude Rouget for a four year old campaign in 2010.

In relation to the one time world leading racehorse who could only finish fifth on Sunday, Godolphin training mastermind Saeed bin Suroor has indicated he has no idea why Gladiatorus has failed to reproduce in his three european outings the same scintillating display he showed in the Dubai Duty Free earlier in the year, but Bin Suroordid indicate plans for Gladiatorus's future are now on hold.

Racing Welfare launches appeal.

Racing Welfare, the leading provider of relief in the British Horseracing Industry, is launching an appeal to raise funds which can be used to provide financial support to all those affected by the suspected arson attack on the apprentice jockeys accommodation in Norton over the weekend.

For more details, or to find out how you can help, please telephone: 01638 560 763.

Noel Murless target for Manifest.

Having decided Manifest is too inexperienced to take part in this weekend's Doncaster St Leger, in conjunction with trainer Henry Cecil, connections have decided the lightly raced three year old's next target will be the Listed Noel Murless Stakes at Newmarket on 01 October.

A winner of his last race by an impressive nineteen lengths, Manifest is held in high regard by his owner Prince Khalid Abdullah, but it would seem he is a horse who will require slow development if he is to realise his true potential, and he may be at his best as a four year old.

Fleet Street makes remarkable recovery.

Following a serious injury suffered during this year's Aintree Grand National, connections of the Nicky Henderson trained Fleet Street decided to retire their horse from racing. But as was the nature of this enigmatic steeplechaser, he has made fools of the veterinarians, and as his injury has now completely healed, the suprising decision has been made to return him to training with Nicky Henderson, where he will be prepared ahead of an expected winter campaign back over timber.

Rachel Alexandra unlikely to race again this season.

When creating history by becoming the first filly to win the Grade 1 Woodward Stakes at Saratoga this last weekend, wonder filly Rachel Alexandra seems to have made her last appearance for the current season.

Connections have decided they do not want their three year old winner of nine consecutive races to face the older unbeaten filly Zenyatta in this year's Breeders Cup Fillies and Mares Race. So with no other American based opportunities available to Rachel Alexandra, and also because she has had a long hard season, connections have decided to give her a well deserved rest before she returns to action in 2010 as a four year old.

BHA seeking to create Independant Arbitration Panel.

At present, disputes between firms and organisations involved in the British Racing Industry have to be dealt with through the Civil Courts, and the only people this suits are the lawyers.

In an attempt to circumvent this established formal process, the British Horseracing Authority have proposed the establishment of an Independant Arbitration Panel, who would try to resolve disputes outside of the formal legal system. As to whether this body would have the authority to make final and binding decisions is still a matter of discussion, but if it helps to reduce the tensions which exist within sectors of the current racing industry, then at Racingsight, we feel it could be a positive step.

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