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Genes Reunited

Progressive Ave lands Listed Upavon Stakes.

A former winner of a good handicap at Salisbury, Sir Michael Stoute's progressive filly Ave scored herself some black type when landing this afternoon's Listed Upavon Stakes back at the Wiltshire track. Slip Slip streaming the front running Cape Amber, Ave quickened when asked, running on stronglly to score by a length and a quarter from Splash Down.

Kite Wood heading to Newbury.

Late this afternoon, it became apparent Kite Wood will probably miss a possible engagement in the Great Voltigeur Stakes at York in favour of a run at Newbury in Saturday's one mile five furlong Group 3 Geoffrey Freer Stakes.

Oxx thinks weather could scupper Sea The Stars entry.

John Oxx is concerned the forecast rain for the end of the week could scupper any chances of Sea The Stars lining up in Tuesday's Juddmonte International at York. Speaking today, the trainer said,

"Although Sea The Stars is fine, if the forecast is to be believed, there could be considerable rain later this week, and as I have stated repeatedly, if there is any cut in the ground at York, Sea The Stars will miss the International."

However, if rain and soft ground were to force Sea The Stars out of Tuesday's race, connections of Casual Conquest would consider racing on soft ground at York, and they could then scratch the four year old's entry in Sunday's Royal Whip Stakes at the Curragh, preferring to then go to the Juddmonte International instead.

A maximum of ten for Great Voltigeur.

Current St Leger favourite Harbinger is amongst the ten entrants at today's latest decleration stage for Tuesday's Great Voltigeur Stakes at York's Ebor Meeting. Historically, the Great Voltigeur has proved to be a good indicator of the main contenders for the Doncaster Classic, and although relatively small, Tuesday's field for the Group 2 contest is of the highest quality.

Henry Cecil's King Edward VII Stakes winner Father Time also competes in the race, and Royal Ascot partner Eddie Aherne keeps the ride for Tuesday's contest.

John Gosden has already confirmed Alwaary will not line-up in the St Leger, but connections are keen to have a run at York in preparation for other targets later in the season.

Mark Johnston believes Jukebox Jury is coming back to the kind of form which made him one of the top juveniles in 2008, and he is to have a quick return in the Great Voltigeur after defeating older horses in last Saturday's Group 3 Rose of Lancaster Stakes at Haydock Park.

Godolphin could be represented by Kite Wood and Mastery, with connections convinced the former is now developing into a potential St Leger winner - but a note of caution - Kite Wood also has an entry at Newbury on Saturday.

Although Aidan O'Brien has entered Rockhampton and Changingoftheguard, the latter is currently favourite for the Totesport Ebor, so Rockhampton is likely to be the only Ballydoyle representative on the day.

Paco Boy to swerve Goldikova clash.

Connections of Paco Boy believe he has had two hard races in winning the Queen Anne Stakes and finishing as runner-up in the Sussex Stakes. Consequently, they have taken the decision to give the four year old a rest, rather than face an in form Goldikova in this Sunday's Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville. Speaking about the decision, trainer Richard Hannon said,

"We are not questioning Paco Boy's ability to compete against Goldikova over a mile, rather we have plans for a late season campaign, and we think it is time to freshen him up. The intention would be to bring him back in October with an attempt to win back to back Prix de la Foret's at Longchamp's Arc meeting, and providing he comes through that with no problems, we may look at Hong Kong in December."

Ballydoyle have a quarter of initial Racing Post Trophy entrants.

Out of the 158 initial declarations issued today for the £200,000 Racing Post Trophy at Newmarket on 24 October, 41 come from the Ballydoyle battalions of Aidan O'Brien, with the most noticeable entrant being Phoenix Stakes winner Alfred Nobel.

Richard Hannon's team is led by Chesham Stakes winner Big Audio, while last year's winning trainer Brian Smart has ten entrants.

Godolphin seem to have some smart juveniles this year, and their eight entrants include Richmond Stakes runner-up Buzzword, and impressive Newmarket maiden winner Al Zir.

Generation battle on cards for Ballyroan Stakes.

Although there are seven entrants remaining in the line-up for tomorrow's Group 3 Ballyroan Stakes at Leopardstown, the likely main battle will be between John Oxx's Irish Derby third Mourayan, and Dermot Weld's filly Profound Beauty, the latter seeking a hat-trick of victories as she warms up for another crack at the Melbourne Cup later in the year.

A win for Mourayan would ensure he would go forward to the St Leger at Doncaster in September, and it would certainly add extra confirmation to those who have made Fame and Glory the anti post favourite for the Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe. While a win for Profound Beauty would hsuggest she might better last year's fifth position when she comes to compete in this year's Melbourne Cup.

Beauty O'Gwaun heading to America.

Despite winning a Group 3 at Naas on her first run of the current season, the John Oxx trained Beauty O'Gwaun has been frankly disappointing in her latter efforts, and connections have now decided to send her to America, where after a couple of races, she will go to stud as a brood mare.

What worldwide economic slow-down?

The world economies may be in the middle of a major slo-down, but it is not affecting the current horse yearling sales. The Saratoga two day sale in the United States has just been completed, and the value of horses sold this year is up over 45% on 2008, and has given the Saratoga Yearling August Sale its second best result of all time, with total sales topping nearly $53 million.

Foreign buyers, including Sheikh Mohammed, were responsible for over 40% of total purchases, although the top lot, a Storm Cat yearling, was purchased by American buyer John Ferguson for $2.8 million.

Flynn bullish over She's Our Mark.

For punters who like confident trainers, Pat Flynn seems absolutely certain She's Our Mark has progressed since her win in the recent Meld Stakes at Leopardstown, and the handler seems just as confident hischarge will complete a quick fire double in today's Hurry Harriet Stakes at Gowran Park.

Flynn is just as confident about the future of his double Galway winner Bahrain Storm. Having won the Galway Hurdle and Guinness Flat Race in consecutive days, Flynn believes his charge is capable of much larger flat and hurdling prizes in the coming months, and the handler is now preparing Bahrain Storm for a crack at the Cesarawitch at Newmarket, before starting a conditional hurdling campaign which could lead to the Irish and British Champion Hurdles next Spring.

Brown hopeful Doncaster Rover can step up.

Since obtaining sprinter Doncaster Rover from Stewart Parr at the beginning of the year, second year Yorkshire based trainer David Brown has developed the three year old into a very progressive type, and the trainer is hopeful the improvement he has secured in his stable star will see him win his first Group 3 when he takes part in this Sunday's Patrick O'Leary Memorial Stakes at the Curragh. Talking about Doncaster Rover, the handler said,

"I have to say he has been in great fettle since his win at Chester, and we are really looking forward to running him at the Curragh. It cannot be denied he has done well for us this season, and he is improving all of the while." The trainer added,

"He keeps stepping up, and I hope he can continue to do so. I imagine he will have just two or three more runs this season, as I am convinced he will be a 'serious horse' next year."

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