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Mixed fortunes in draw for Ebor favourites.

Aidan O'Brien's well supported Totesport Ebor Handicap favourite Changingoftheguard has obtained a superb pre-race boost by being drawn 7 in the maximum twenty runner field. Third favourite Warringah will have to make a good start, but if he maximises his number 1 draw, he also has a great chance. Second favourite Red Merlin will have to cope with the number 15 draw, and this means he will have to use some early pace to ensure a good position along the back straight.

The one horse being ignored in this year's Ebor puzzle seems to be Declan Carroll's Hits Only Vic. A winner over course and distance last month, defeating Warringah in the process, Hits Only Vic has obtained a favourable draw in stall number 10, and if the forecast rain on Thursday materialises in time to ease the going on the Knavesmire, Hits Only Vic could be the best each way bet of the week.

Absence of Tartan leaves only four.

Tartan Bearer, the runner up in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, has this morning been found to be lame, and will now miss tomorrow's Juddmonte International at York.

This defection leaves John Oxx's triple Group 1 winning three year old Sea The Stars with just three rivals, all from Aidan O'Brien's Ballydoyle stable.

However, speculation Sea The Stars has a virtual 'walk-over' were seriously challenged this morning, when Mastercraftsman's partner Johnnie Murtagh declared his mount had come on a lot since his win in the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot, and the Irish jockey is confident Mastercraftsman can defeat Se The Stars in tomorrow's ten furlong Group 1 contest.

Radio Head takes Nunthorpe option.

As the final declerations for the Gimcrack Stakes were announced today, it became apparent Norfolk Stakes victor Radio Head will by-pass the premier two year old sprint at York in favour of a crack at his elders in Friday's Nunthorpe Stakes.

Trainer Brian Meehan is hopeful the massive weight advantages available to his juvenile in the Nunthorpe will prove decisive, enabling Radio Head to emulate the feat of current Nunthorpe favourite Kingsgate Native, who won the five furlong Group 1 when he was a two year old in 2007.

With Radio Head missing from the Gimcrack, it would seem Richard Hannon's Monsieur Chevalier has an ideal opportunity to take his winning tally for the current season to seven - providing he can see of his main challengers; Orpen Grey, who finished second in the TNT July Stakes last month, and the Alan Jarvis trained Corporal Maddox, the latter scoring in a Listed race at Epsom on Derby Day.

Fallon joins Channel 4 team for York.

Channel 4 have today confirmed former champion jockey Kieran Fallon will join Jim Mcgrath and John Francome to give paddock analysis on this week's York four day meeting.

Fallon is due to return to race riding in September after a lengthy ban, but he has been undertaking work riding for several leading trainers over the past few months, so should have a good insight into many of the horses on display this week.

Potential race-goers warned about forged tickets.

York racecourse officials are warning this week's potential race-goers not to buy race tickets from touts selling them around York, as the tickets are likely to be forged.

This is not the first time York has been targeted by touts, but Clerk of the Course William Derby has confirmed there are still badges available for all areas of the course for all four days of the Ebor Meeting. So potential race-goers should contact the ticket office rather than buy badges or tickets off dubious touts operating outside the environs of the racecourse offices.

Irish raider has class to land Acomb.

If one takes a close look at the form of the Ger Lyons trained Beat Surrender ahead of tomorrow's Acomb Stakes at York, it becomes obvious he has massive claims to land the juvenile contest. In his win at Naas earlier in the season, Beat Surrender demoted subsequent Ballydoyle dual winner Black Quartz to the runner-up spot, while the third placed Famous Warrior then went on to score an easy victory at Fairyhouse.

In an interview earlier today, the trainer stated, "Beat Surrender will go on any going, and I am not sending him to York for a day-out!"

Flying Five target for Group Therapy.

Having won the Barclays sponsered race in the Shergar Cup at Ascot the weekend before last, trainer Nick Littmoden believes there is still plenty to come from his lightly raced Group Therapy. The handler is now considering a trip to the Curragh on 30 August for the Flying Five Stakes, but he will only make his decision when he knows the state of the ground. Discussing the possible Irish raid, Littmoden said,

"Group Therapy needs good ground, so if the ground was similar to last weekend, we would probably not race. But if we have a few dry days towards the end of the month, I think we will take our chance."

Southwell fences prove to be very tough!

The portable fences at Sunday's Southwell meeting witnessed seven of the sixteen runners in the first two chases either fall or unseat the riders. As a result of their falls, Jamie Moore suffered a suspected displaced fracture of the right ankle, while Richard Johnson suffered a shoulder injury.

However, while acknowledging the fences were tough, both Tony McCoy and Graham Lee indicateed, in their opinion, the falls were mainly caused by horses of limited ability going too fast in the early stages of the races, and then coming to grief as they tired.

Graham Lee went further, saying,

"I think they are the best portable fences around. Yest they take some jumping, but they are a good test for capable horses and riders."

O'Brien pair warm up at the Curragh.

As part of their preperation for the Irish Field St Leger, following Sunday's card at the Curragh, history making four time Ascot Gold Cup winner Yeats had a spin on the racecourse with younger stable mate Age of Aquarius. Both horses looked in fine condition, and following the spin Aidan O'Brien commented,

"Yeats and Age of Aquarius are both on track for a run in the Leger, and I am very hopeful they will both do themselves credit in this year's race."

Weld eyeing Irish Champion for Casual Conquest.

Following Casual Conquest's success in yesterday's Group 2 Royal Whip Stakes at the Curragh, handler Dermot Weld is considering giving his four year old a run in the Irish Champion Stakes on 05 Septenber at Leopardstown.

Dettori picks up chance Group 2 success.

After Philip Robinson pulled a muscle in his shoulder, Frankie Dettori was snapped up by trainer Michael Jarvis to ride Sri Putra in Sunday's Prix Guillaume D'Ornano at Deauville, and the switch proved a very profitable chance ride for Dettori as he powered to victory in the Group 2 contest.

Running for the first time over ten furlongs, Dettori settled Sri Putra close to the pace set by John Gosden's Debussy. Two furlongs out, Dettori gave his mount extra rein, and the son of Oasis Dream forged clear, comfortably holding Pascal Bary's Three Bodies by three quarters of a length at the line.

Connections were delighted with the performance over yesterday's longer trip, and now convinced Sri Putra is proving to be a late season developer, they are aiming to secure a Group 1 victory before the end of the current european flat season.

Although missing out on the ride at Deauville, Philip Robinson's muscle injury is reportedly responding to treatment, and he is hopeful of accompanying the Michael Jarvis horses at this week's York four day meeting.

Famous Name likely to go to France.

Speaking after Famous Name's easy four and a half length victory over Three Rocks in Sunday's Group 3 Desmond Stakes at the Curragh, trainer Dermot Weld said,

"He is best at a mile, and today's comfortable victory has probably earned him a trip to the Prix du Moulin at Longchamp on 06 September."

Girouette on Curragh return mission.

After leading from the start of yesterday's Patrick P O'leary Memorial Stakes at the Curragh, the Tracy Collins trained Girouette just managed to hold off a determined late challenge from rival Perfect Polly. The result of the Group 3 was so close, many spectators thought Perfect Polly had got up on the line, but to handler Collins's relief, her filly held on to the win in yesterday's sprint.

In an interview after the race, Collins revealed Girouette would return to the Curragh to compete in the Group 3 sprint on Irish Field St Leger day - 12 September.

Thoroughbred Trail insight into Irish Racing.

Fáilte Ireland has joined forces with Horse Racing Ireland and a host of tourism providers in Co. Kildare to bring you a very special horse racing weekend with a difference. Horse racing enthusiasts have the opportunity to go behind the scenes at the yards of some of Ireland’s top trainers and enjoy top class racing action at the Curragh Racecourse.

The weekend will include 2 nights Bed & Breakfast, 1 Dinner, a visit to a Trainers Yard, a tour of the National Stud, and also incorporates a day at the races including lunch at the Curragh. For those wishing to add some retail therapy or sightseeing, the weekend includes an opportunity to shop at Kildare Village Outlet Shopping and/or a visit to Castletown House, Ireland’s largest and earliest Palladian style mansion.

There are two rates for the Thoroughbred Trail, €269 (e.g Rathsallagh, K-Club, etc) and €210 (Osprey, Keadeen Hotel, etc) per person sharing depending on the hotel you choose.

Your host for the weekend will be Classic-winning Trainer and Champion Amateur Jockey Frances Crowley. Commenting on her role, Frances said: - “I am delighted to have been asked to host the first of the Thoroughbred Trail weekends with Failte Ireland. It will be a fantastic opportunity to give people a behind-the-scenes look at racing in some of the top yards in the country and a real privilege to introduce them to top trainers including Dermot Weld, John Oxx, Dessie Hughes and Conor O’Dwyer. I'm really looking forward to meeting fellow racing enthusiasts and I hope I can help our guests to have the best days racing of their lives and have a weekend in Kildare that they will never forget.”

Kevin Kidney, General Manager, Failte Ireland East & Midlands believes the weekend is a great opportunity for locals and visitors to explore the world of horse racing and enjoy a weekend of top class action at the Curragh & Punchestown Racecourses.

The Curragh Weekend takes place from 11th to 13th September with racing at the “home of the classics”on Saturday 12th featuring The Irish Field St. Leger, while the Ladbrokes.com Vincent O’Brien National Stakes and Irish National Stud Blandford Stakes are also included in this 'Super Saturday' programme.

A similar weekend will be held in conjunction with the Punchestown Races on the weekend of November 13th to 15th, Winter Festival day.

For further information and booking details log on to www.discoverireland.ie/eastcoast

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