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Markab puts a smile on many faces.

Henry Candy's Markab was one of the best backed favourites in recent times of the Great St Wilfred Handicap at Ripon, and despite some scares in the final furlong, Pat Cosgrove drove him on to land the odds, thereby putting a smile on the faces of many anti post and Saturday punters.

Always up with the pace, Markab just outstayed the front running Tamagin over the final half furlong of today's six furlong Heritage Handicap. Advanced grabbed third place on the opposite side of the track, while the Pricewise main selection Jimmy Styles had to settle for fourth position.

Balthazaars Gift swoops late to score in Hungerford.

If any of our regular readers saw our article earlier in the week, we gave you the two horses with the best form claims on today's Group 2 Hungerford Stakes at Newbury - Unfortunately, Border Patrol was a non-runner, but Balthazaars Gift lived up to his season's best, and scored decisively in the latter stages of today's seven furlong contest.

Taken along by Plum Pudding, the race favourite Evasive tried to make an effort two furlongs from home, but was very unresponsive as Frankie Dettori asked for more effort. Just when it seemed Richard Hannon's Bunbury Cup winner might hang on for victory, both Regal Parade and Balthazaars Gift came with late runs, and it was the latter who had the most in hand, running out gamely by two lengths from Regal Parade in second, and Plum Pudding staying on for third.

Kite Wood airs his Leger claims.

Taking the lead at the mile pole of today's one mile five furlong Geoffrey Freer Stakes at Newbury, Frankie Dettori gave a superb lesson in pacing a race from the front on Godolphin's Kite Would. Always keeping a minimum of a length between himself and the second placed runner, Dettori kept increasing the pace in the home straight, and two furlongs out he had all his rivals hard at it, eventually scoring by over two lengths from Halicarnassus, with stable mate Age of Reason back in third place.

This was Kite Wood's fourth win in seven outings, and today he showed he certainly has the stamina to see out next month's St Leger trip at Doncaster.

Gosden youngster very impressive in Washington Singer.

Held up at the back of the field for the majority of today's Listed Washington Singer (Usk Valley) Stakes, when given the office by partner Ryan Moore at the two furlong from home pole, the John Gosden trained youngster Azmeel swept past his rivals in the closing stages, winning by a comfortable three and a half lengths from runner-up Practitioner.

Important withdrawals at Newbury.

Hungerford Stakes second favourite Border Patrol, and Geoffrey Freer proposed runner All the Aces have today been withdrawn from their respective contests. A drying night on top of good to firm ground has made conditions unsuitable for both horses, and connections will now have to seek alternative targets later in the season.

Inclement weather could lead to Roscommon cancellation.

Twenty seven millimetres of rain fell on Roscommon racecourse over Friday night, and with more rain forecast, course officials are to hold an inspection of the course's already heavy ground ahead of Monday's scheduled meeting. The inspection will take place at 8.30 am on Sunday morning, and we will bring you an update as soon as it becomes available.

Take Over Target's half brother lands Group 2.

The Paul Murray trained Predatory pricer, a half brother to recently retired top class sprinter Take Over Target, has today landed the Group 2 Liston Stakes in Melbourne.

Unlike Take Over Target, Predatory Pricer is better at distances around a mile, and he is now being prepared for a crack at the Cox Plate later in the season.

Candy happy with Markab draw.

Henry Candy is happy with Markab's 10 draw in today's Great St Wilfred Handicap at Ripon. The trainer believes the central draw allows the favourite to choose the side were the pace is the strongest, and this gives him an ideal opportunity to score his first victory in one of this season's big Heritage Handicaps.

Bell issues ground warning over Sariska.

With the weather conditions around York not sticking to the forecast of considerable rain, trainer Michael Bell is now having to seriously consider as to whether he will allow Sariska to run in next week's Yorkshire Oaks. The Epsom and Curragh Oaks winner has shown a definite liking for cut in the ground, but conditions at the Knavesmire are currently good to firm, so the apparent 'slam dunk' of a third Group 1 success is now in major jeopardy, with the trainer confirming he will not risk his filly if ground conditions are too firm.

Doctor Fremantle joins Casual Conquest as Juddmonte absentee.

Sir Michael Stoute has now confirmed Doctor Fremantle will miss Tuesday's Juddmonte International at York, preferring instead to head for the Grand Prix de Deauville on 30 August.

Yesterday, the connections of Casual Conquest pulled the four year old out from the York Group 1 in favour of a run in the Group 2 Royal Whip on tomorrow's Curragh card, so today's withdrawal of Doctor Fremantle seems to be making the International a virtual contest between Sea The Stars and Mastercraftsman.

Overdose to miss the rest of season.

Overdose, the Hungarian sprinter affectionately known as the 'Budapest Bullet', has still not recovered from the foot injury which has kept him sidelined all season, and Yesterday his connections confirmed he would miss this year's Prix de L'Abbaye at Longchamp's October Arc meeting, and in fact, the top class sprinter will be given a complete rest until the start of the 2010 season.

Her Majesty to have first runner at Killarney.

In an interesting historic moment, Four Winds will become Her Majesty the Queen's first ever runner at Killarney when he lines up in Tuesday evening's Listed Vincent O'Brien Memorial Stakes.

We apologise for reading difficulties.

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