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Naaqoos suffers defeat in Prix Djebel.
This morning's second favourite for the Newmarket 2,000 Guineas, the Freddie Head trained Naaqoos, suffered a shock defeat in this afternoon's Prix Djebel at Maisons-Laffitte.
Following such a poor performance in a race the form books said he should dominate, several bookmaking firms, including Ladbrokes, have now removed Naaqoos from the betting on the Group 1 Classic.
Connections change their minds over Masterminded target.
Having indicated yesterday Champion Chaser Masterminded would probably skip the Bet 365 Celebration Chase at Sandown on 25 April in favour of a run in the Kerrygold Champion Chase at Punchestown, it now seems connections have changed their minds, and Masterminded will now make the Sandown Grade 2 his main target, and will only be supplemented for the Punchestown race if the going at Sandown becomes soft.
Shops open today for weekend betting.
Despite the absence of racing in Britain and Ireland today, the major bookmaking firms are opening the vast majority of their shops for punters to make early selections for this weekend's bumper race programmes.
Hannon critical of luke warm start.
In an interview with today's Racing Post, former champion trainer Richard Hannon has criticised the lack of meaningful racing at the start of the current flat season. In his estimation, the luke warm Lincoln meeting at Doncaster has been followed by a handful of inferior grass cards, with 'real racing' not starting until next week's Craven fixture at Newmarket.
When compared with several Group races already run in France and Ireland, one finds it hard to contridict the veteran trainer's summing up of the start of our grass based flat season.
Red Rocks has unexpected return to Meehan yard.
Having already won the Breeders Cup Turf while with Brian Meehan, Red Rocks enhanced his reputation when defeating Curlin in last year's Man O'War Stakes. As a result of that latter victory, owner Paul Reddam removed Red Rocks from Meehan's yard, and moved him to Mark Hennig in the states.
However, in three subsequent runs, Red Rocks failed to produce a significant result for his new handler, but even so, it is a suprise to discover he has been returned to Meehan's yard as of this morning.
Naturally, Brian Meehan is delighted to have the six year old back at his stables, and he is already eyeing the Prix Gannay at Longchamp on 26 April as a potential target for his returned superstar.
Aqlaam to prepare at Leicester.
When, on only his third run, Aqlaam won last year's Group 3 Jersey Stakes by two lengths from Il Waard at Royal Ascot, he was marked out for greater things. But a training setback curtailed last year's potential earnings, so connecttions are reported to be delighted he is burning up the gallops in pre-season training.
Trainer William Haggas has earmarked the seven furlong Leicestershire Stakes at Leicester on 25 April as Aqlaam's first target for this season, and providing he comes through the race with a good result, a tilt at the Juddmonte Lockinge Stakes at Newbury on 16 May looks like his next potential move.
Oxx sweet on Beauty O'Gwaun.
John Oxx is a master at producing Classic winning fillies, and although she has so far only won her Maiden event, when he says, "she is a good looking filly who will certainly get some distance", it could be construed in the code books that the trainer fancies Beauty O'Gwaun's chances for the Epsom Oaks.
If the markets are to be believed, she definitely has a live chance for Classic glory, so her first run in the next few weeks will be well marked by a range of shrewd judges.
Dreaper leaving decision to the last minute.
Despite his reservations over the current state of the Fairyhouse going, Jim Dreaper has left Notra Pere in the Irish Grand National at today's latest decleration stage.
The handler is hoping against hope there will be sufficient rain over the next forty eight hours to soften the going sufficiently for his Welsh Grand National winner to line up for Monday's race.
Powers Gold Cup looks a lively affair.
Trafford Lad, who finished third behind subsequent high profile winners Cooldine and Forpadydeplasterer in Leopardstown's Doctor P J Moriarty Novice Chase, returns to the track for the first time in two months when he competes in Sunday's Powers Gold Cup at Fairyhouse. Bearing in mind, Dusty Sheehy's charge scoped badly the day after the above race, his claims for favouritism of Sunday's race look rock solid.
However, he has a tough field to overcome in Sunday's Grade 1 contest. Willie Mullins has four entries, including; Barker and Deutschland, both of whom enter this race on the back of two succesive wins, while Gold and Silver and Jayo are both attempting to recapture their early season form after poor runs on their last outings. Meanwhile, Noel Meade has confirmed dual Grade 1 winning hurdler Aran Concerto will have only his second run over fences in Sunday's contest, but if he converts his hurdling form to the bigger obstacles, he could be the one they all have to beat.
Three jackpots on offer from Totesport.
As stated in yesterday's news article, tomorrow's Scoop Six Bet represents the Five Hundredth Anniversary Saturday of the popular wager. Based on the current roll-over figures, tomorrow's win fund will probably reach around half a million pounds, with the following Saturday offering approximately a further quarter of a million pounds of potential Bonus Fund.
To win the first stage of the bet, you must initially decipher the form for the following races on the cards at Carlisle, Haydock and Kempton Park.
Leg 1: Kempton Park 2.05 pm.
Leg 2: Haydock Park 2.25 pm.
Leg 3: Haydock Park 2.55 pm.
Leg 4: Kempton Park 3.10 pm.
Leg 5: Carlisle 3.25 pm.
Leg 6: Kempton Park 3.45 pm.
There is also a roll-over in the Tote Drifter bet of £47,597, and that is also up for grabs on the Kempton Park 3.45 pm race.
Perks dies in home fall.
Former champion apprentice jockey Steve Perks, who had over six hundred winners during his riding career, has died at the age of only 54. It is understood he suffered a fatal fall in his home, and there are no suspicious circumstances attached to his untimely death.
Fantasia looks set for France.
Based on information coming out of the Luca Cumani yard, Fantasia could side step the Newmarket 1,000 Guineas in favour of a run in the French Guineas at Longchamp.
O'Brien setting out his Classic stall.
Aidan O'Brien has won the Newmarket 2,000 Guineas four times in the last five years, and it would seem he will have four entries trying to make it five out of six in this year's contest. Based on the latest intelligence, current favourite Mastercraftsman will be joined by Rip Van Winkle, Set Sail, and Westfalia in the one mile Group 1.
However, in the 1,000 Guineas, the Master of Ballydoyle intends to be solely represented by Breeders Cup runner up Heartshaped.
On her reappearance at Leopardstown in March, Heartshaped could only manage to finish second to Maoineach, but that race was over seven furlongs, and Aidan O'Brien believes she has come on for the run.
Black Bear Island, who has been backed for the Epsom Derby, will put his Classic aspirations on the line in this Sunday's Prix La Force at Longchamp, and if all goes well in France, this full brother to High Chaparral will probably head to York for the Dante Stakes in May.
Celebrate your winnings, or commiserate with others with fine wines & champagne’s:
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