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Fallon strikes again in Scarborough Stakes.

Two year old Above Limits tried to lead all the way in today's Listed five furlong Scarborough Stakes on the Town Moor, and he nearly succeeded, first seeing off the challenge of top weight In-x-ile, and then Godolphin's Dandyman, but in the last half furlong he was swamped by Kieran Fallon on Strike The Deal, and eventually the youngster had to surrendered second place in the shadow of the post to Spin Cycle.

If anyone now doubts Kieran Fallon has regained his timing and race savvy, the explosive late run on Strike The Deal is a master class they should watch time and again.

Twice Over exudes class.

As one would expect from a Group 1 performer stepping down into a Class 2 Conditions race, Henry Cecil's Twice Over turned the Doncaster 3.10 pm extended mile and a quarter contest into a training run, and rewarded the many punters who had supported the 4/6 favourite.

Audacious start for Fallon in St Leger Meeting.

At one stage in today's opening race of the four day St Leger meeting at Doncaster, Kieran Fallon looked like he might not get a path through on favourite Audacity of Hope, but a switch to the outside on the Charlie McBride trained youngster proved the answer, and Fallon swept past his rivals in the final furlong, landing the Wilkinson Frenchgate Nursery by a length and a quarter from Pleasant Day, with Farmer Giles back in third.

Goldikova and Ghanaati on collision course.

At the latest decleration stage for the Kingdon of Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes, the possibility of Goldikova and Ghanaati clashing has drawn a step closer, for both fillies remain engaged in the Group 1 contest.

If Barry Hills can coax Ghanaati back to the form she showed when winning the 1,000 Guineas and Coronation Stakes, then with her weight advantages, she could give Goldikova a race to remember on 03 October, particularly as Goldikova did not show her best form when racing at Newmarket in July.

However, if Goldikova is at her imperious best, even Ghanaati at her best will find it hard to depose arguably one of the best 'milers' in recent racing history.

Kilbeggan hopeful for Friday.

Although still due to hold a precautionary inspection of the course on Friday morning, officials at Kilbeggan are today hopeful the promised drier weather will allow the course to dry out sufficiently to ensure racing can go ahead as planned on Friday.

No further competition for Hannon stars this season.

Richard Hannon has been explaining today why Coventry Stakes facile winner Canford Cliffs and Queen Anne Stakes victor Paco Boy will be rested for the remainder of this current flat season,

"Canford Cliffs came back from the Prix Morny jarred up, and although he has recovered, we feel it would be best the miss the Middle Park Stakes, and then bring him back fresh as a three year old.

With regard to Paco Boy, we considered sending him to France for the Prix la Fort, but the ground is likely to be against him, and as we intend to race him again next year, we think he has probably done enough for this season, and now deserves a rest."

Godolphin happy to take on Yeats.

Speaking on behalf of his Godolphin employers, Frankie Dettori indicated today, they were happy to take Yeats on with Schiaparelli in Saturday's Irish Field St Leger,

"He has done everything we asked this season, and his Goodwood Cup and Deauville wins put him in with every chance, particularly as he will love the soft ground at the Curragh."

Goffs Million preference for Azmeel.

The John Gosden trained Azmeel has shown a very progressive profile this season, winning his first race from a very unpromising position, and then landing the Listed Usk Valley Stud Stakes at Newbury on his second outing.

Having been acquired at a Goffs sale, he now qualifies to run in the Goffs Million Mile at the Curragh on 27 September, and trainer Gosden is leaning towards allowing the juvenile to take his chance in this competition, but if the ground at the Curragh became too soft, he could still re-route Azmeel to the Group 2 Royal Lodge Stakes.

Ascot plan for Sayif.

After being supplemented for last Saturday's Group 1 Betfred Sprint Cup at Haydock Park, Sayif did his best for connections, running on into a very satisfactory fourth place in the final furlong. This promising run has now earned him a trip to Ascot for the John Guest Diodem Stakes towards the end of this month.

Notifiable equine disease found in Ireland.

The Irish Governnment have today reported, an outbreak of equine piroplasmosis has been identified in a facility in County Meath, and as the condition represents a Notifiable Disease, the Irish Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food have immediately imposed a movement ban on the facility.

Normally carried by ticks, the disease most prevalent in the Mediterranean region causes anaemia and jaundice in horses, and is certainly something the Irish Government will not want to see gaining access to the multi million euro thoroughbred industry in Ireland.

Murtagh makes interesting decision.

Johnnie Murtagh's decision to ride Age of Aquarius in the Doncaster St Leger may have been influenced by several factors. There is no doubt his recent second position in the Grand Prix de Paris gives him a rock solid chance over the extra trip of the St Leger, and unlike long time favourite Kite Wood, Age of Aquarius likes fast going. So on balance, Age of Aquarius looks a great prospect for Classic glory, but there could have been other things which influenced Murtagh's decision:

- He could have ridden Yeats in the Irish Field St Leger, but despite Aidan O'Brien's assurances that he wants to give the Irish public a last chance to see the four time Ascot Gold Cup winner, continuing soft ground at the Curragh could well witness the outstanding stayer being withdrawn at the last minute.

- He could have ridden Alfred Nobel or Cape Blanco in the Vincent O'Brien National Stakes, but recent form is suggesting there respective Group 1 and Group 2 victories may not be as solid as first thought.

- By riding in the St Leger at Doncaster, Murtagh is also likely to ride Viscount Nelson in the Champagne Stakes, and at Racingsight, we think this particular juvenile may be the most progressive amongst the Ballydoyle battalions.

William Hill withdraw sponsership of Galway Plate.

After a four year association, bookmakers William Hill are withdrawing their sponsership of the two mile six furlong Galway Plate - the highlight of the Galway Festival.

The firm have blamed the decision on the poor economic health of Irish horseracing, and their own need to ensure the best possible return on their sponsership outlay.

Horner airlifted to hospital after pile up.

Amateur jockey Lucy Horner had to be airlifted to the James Cook Hospital in Middlesborough after suffering injuries in a five horse pile up at the first obstacle of a two mile one furlong juvenile hurdle at Tuesday's Sedgefield meeting. Horner had been riding Ravati for trainer Chris Grant when the incident occurred, and as the jockey had obvious facial injuries, the course medical staff summoned the local air ambulance, and Horner was immediately despatched for hospital treatment.

After further examination it was discovered the unlucky jockey had also suffered a dislocated shoulder, but a spokesperson for the hospital has confirmed she will make a full recovery from her injuries.

Paddy Aspell was also shaken up in the pile up which delayed racing for the remainder of the afternoon, and the course medical officer stood him down for the rest of the day.

Findlay and Bloom to split.

After just a six month relationship as joint owners, Harry Findlay and Tony Bloom have decided to split their partnership. The most notable asset, the extremely progressive sprinter High Standing, will convert to the sole ownership of Bloom, while the remainder of their horses will be sold at the end of the current flat turf season.

When asked about the reason for the split, Findlay sited Bloom's work committments, but Bloom was not prepared to provide a statement.

Kelly replaced by Kinane on Geordieland.

Jamie Osborne has confirmed ultra experienced Irish jockey Michael Kinane is to replace Shane Kelly as Geordieland's partner in this week's Group 2 Doncaster Cup.

Fallon picks up Sesenta mount.

In an interesting move, Willie Mullins has snapped up the services of Kieran Fallon to ride Ebor Handicap winner Sesenta in this week's DFS sponsered Park Hill Stakes.

Prolific sire Gone West dies in America.

Gone West, one of the most prolific suppliers of winners in recent racing history, has had to be euthanised at his Kentucky home at the age of 25. The son of Mister Prospector had suffered complications after an operation for equine colic, and attending veterinarians were left with no option as Gone West failed to respond to treatment.

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