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Goldikova a different class to the rest.

In this afternoon's Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville, the Freddie Head trained Goldikova took a top class field apart as she plundered her third Group 1 in succession.

Although a little reluctant to enter the starting stalls, after she left the gate, the four year old filly was going so well, she took over from her pace maker at the three furlong from home pole. For a second the William Haggas Ascot Summer Mile winner Aqlaam seemed to be in contention, but when Goldikova was asked the question by partner Olivier Pesslier, she moved up another gear, bursting clear of Aqlaam who suddenly had to settle for second position - the front two finishing a long way clear of John Gosden's Virtual who ran on for third place.

It has to be said, in this kind of form, it will take a very good horse to stop Goldikova scoring in her second successive Breeders Cup later in the year.

Casual Conquest workmanlike in Royal Whip success.

Led by Red Rock Canyon through the early stages of today's ten furlong Group 2 Royal Whip Stakes at the Curragh, Dermot Weld's Casual Conquest was always going easily, and when Pat Smullen asked for some effort three furlongs out, the Tattersalls Gold Cup victor responded, easing into the lead. Luca Cumani's Curtain Call then came with a run which got him on to the quarters of Casual Conquest, but under urgings from Smullen, the four year old lengthened again, going on to score by a workmanlike length and a quarter.

Although today's success hardly qualifies as Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe winning form, Casual Conquest certainly stepped up on his disappointing run last time out in the Meld Stakes, and one would imagine Dermot Weld has still left some extra he can work on ahead of the proposed trip to Longchamp in October.

Gile Na Grein earns Moyglare Stud entry.

Jim Bolger's full sister to 1,000 Guineas runner up Cuis Ghaire - Gile Na Grein - landed the Loder EBF Fillies Stakes at the Curragh this afternoon, and immediately came into the reckoning for the Moyglare Stud Stakes later in the season.

Pressing Aidan O'Brien's Black Eyed Susan at the furlong pole, Gile Na Grein showed good application and stamina, going on to win today's contest by a length and a quarter. After the race, Bolger commented,

"Gile Na Grein does not have the explosive pace of Cuis Ghaire, but she is very useful, and she will get further in time. After today's performance, we will look to possibly run her in the Moyglare Stud."

Sea The Stars to face only four rivals.

With ground conditions entirely to his liking, Sea The Stars appears to have frightened off most of his rivals for Tuesday's Juddmonte International at York. Apart from Aidan O'Brien's trio of Mastercraftsman, Set Sail and Georgebernardshaw, John Oxx's triple Group 1 winner will only be accompanied at the start by Sir Michael Stoute's King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes runner up Tartan Bearer.

With three Ballydoyle entrants in a field of only five runners, during the actual ten furlong race, the York stewards will no doubt be keeping a close eye out for any form of team tactics which may be employed to stop Sea The Stars getting a run. But to be frank, with his high cruising speed and undoubted ability to accelerate, it would probably take a cavalry regiment to stop Sea The Stars getting a winning run.

Small but select field for Great Voltigeur.

There may only be seven horses still declared for Tuesday's Great Voltigeur Stakes at York, but it includes virtually all the major players in the anti post betting for next month's St Leger at Doncaster.

Sir Michael Stoute's recent Goodwood winner Harbinger has done absolutely nothing wrong this season, and a good win on Tuesday will certainly confirm him as the short priced favourite for next month's Doncaster Classic.

Henry Cecil's Father Time is reported to be in top form, and the trainer believes his colt has progressed markedly since his win at Royal Ascot.

Jukebox Jury seems to be recapturing his juvenile form, and his recent Haydock victory in the Rose of Lancaster Stakes may indicate he is finding top gear at just the right time for the St Leger. While Alwaary ran a cracking race when finishing fourth in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot, and his handler John Gosden has trained the winner of this race in the last two years, so he knows what is required from his representative if he is to achieve a training treble.

Godolphin have already set down a marker for the St Leger with Kite Wood's excellent performance in Saturday's Geoffrey Freer Stakes, but if Italian Derby winner Mastery can give them another success in the Great Voltigeur, they would then have a very strong hand available to land the season's final Classic.

The seven strong declared field is completed by Peter Chapple Hyams Monitor Closely and the Barry Hills trained Above Average, but on all known form, the latter two will have to plumb undiscovered depths if they are to figure in the finish of Tuesday's race.

Hughes confident about Canford Cliffs.

In an interview today, jockey Richard Hughes has expressed his absoolute faith in the ability of top rated juvenile Canford Cliffs to get the mile trip of next year's Newmarket 2,000 Guineas. During his interview, Hughes said,

"I have never ridden a horse with so many gears and so much innate ability, and I will say catagorically, he will get a mile."

Burke to start appeal against length of ban.

Confirmation has come today, Karl Burke's appeal against the length of his twelve month ban for passing insider information to disqualified owner Miles Rogers will commence in London tomorrow morning.

Barron eyeing Cambridgeshire for Sirvino.

Having already scored five successive victories, including the John Smiths Cup at York, Sirvino is being prepared for a crack at another major handicap prize before the end of the season, and trainer David Barron admitted today, the Totesport Cambridgeshire at Newmarket was amongst the races which are currently under consideration.

Roscommon given green light.

Although current ground conditions at Roscommon are described as soft to heavy, the course passed a precautionary inspection at 8.30 am this morning, and tomorrow's card is now due to go ahead as scheduled.

York water ahead of Ebor Meeting.

York Clerk of the Course William Derby has confirmed he has completed watering of the course ahead of Tuesday's first day of the four day Ebor Meeting, and the current ground condition is described as good to firm.

Coral punter lands Scoop Six Win Fund.

In yesterday's news section we pointed out how many punters had a smile on their faces after the extremely well backed Markab landed the Great St Wilfred Handicap at Ripon, but it now turns out one Coral betting shop punter had more reason than most to be smiling, for when Markab crossed the line at the head of his rivals, the punter landed yesterday's Totesport Scoop Six Win Fund of £351,263.49 and will now go forward to next Saturday with the opportunity to add the Bonus Fund of £150,541 to his or her winnings.

Hughes picks up nine days worth of bans.

Richard Hughes fell foul of the Newbury stewards on two occasions during Saturday's meeting. Initially he received a four day ban for Careless Riding when he allowed his mount Fiulin to push in on his rivals as they turned the corner into the home straight during yesterday's Group 3 Geoffrey Freer Stakes. Later he allowed his winning mount Moonline Dancer to drift across the track in the final stages of the second division of the Fillies Maiden, and the interference caused to his rivals ensured Hughes received another five day ban for Careless Riding.

The first ban will run between 29 August and 01 September, with the second ban running from 02 September to 06 September. The two bans also mean if Hughes picks up another riding ban prior to 29 August, he could face a lengthy 21 day ban under the 'totting-up procedure'.

British trained fillies dominate in Deauville Listed contest.

The Edward Creighton trained Piccadilly Filly showed promise when winning at Lingfield a fortnight ago, and in yesterday's Prix de la Vallee at Deauville, she converted that promise into a virtual all the way victory in the Listed five furlong contest. Running on strongly in the closing stages, she spearheaded a British 1-2-3, with Richard Hannon's Angel's Pursuit taking second place ahead of the Paul Cole trained Red Avalanche.

After the race, Edward Creighton confirmed Piccadilly Filly would now step up to Group company for her next outing.

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