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Gosden colt runs away with Cocked Hat.
The phenomenal form of the John Gosden stable continued this afternoon when Alwaary burst through a gap at the furlong pole, and ran on strongly to land today's Listed Cocked Hat Stakes at Goodwood by a comfortable three and a half lengths.
Beauchamp Xerxes ran on stoutly for second position, with favorite Sight Unseen just hanging on to third place from the Queen's Free Agent, the latter having his first race since last year's Chesham Stakes victory.
By winning today's one mile three furlong contest in such style, Alwaary paid an indirect compliment to the Aidan O'Brien trained Age of Aquarius, who relegated Alwaary to fourth place in the recent Lingfield Derby Trial.
After today's race John Gosden suggested Alwaary would forego the Investec Epsom Derby in favour of a run in the King Edward VI Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Clonmel and Tipperary to inspect.
Although both courses are currently just about raceable, Clonmel and Tipperary are to hold 8.30 am precautionary inspections tomorrow morning. The going for Thursday's evening fixture at Clonmel is described as heavy, while the course for Friday's mixed meeting at Tipperary is soft to heavy, with some particularly heavy patches, the latter sections being the main cause of concern.
Bastiman believes Borderlescot can reverse placings.
Borderlescot's trainer Robin Bastiman believes his old campaigner can reverse placings with Henry Candy's Amour Propre in Saturday's Temple Stakes at Haydock Park. When the two recently clashed at Newmarket, Amour Propre was just over two and a half lengths in front of the 2008 Nunthorpe Stakes winner, and despite obtaining an extra two pound pull this coming Saturday, Bastiman is confident Amour Propre can be beaten.
"My lad was not totally fit at Newmarket, and the firm going suited Henry's youngster. I know Amour Propre won on good to soft going at Ascot last year, but good to soft on Ascot's straight course, and good to soft on Haydock's straight course are two entirely different things".
"Borderlescot will be fully fit on Saturday, and I know he can cope with any going. On balance, I fancy our chances of turning the tables".
Tartan Bearer ruled out of Tattersalls Gold Cup.
As expected, Tartan Bearer has been withdrawn from Sunday's Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh. Connections had indicated from the start of the week, if ground conditions did not improve they would not risk last year's Derby runner up, and with even more rain likely before the weekend, an early decision based on ground conditions has ruled out any chance of the four year old's participation.
Moore to ride Lahaleeb.
With Darryl Holland sidelined as a result of suspension, Mick Channon has managed to secure the recognised talents of Ryan Moore to accompany Lahaleebb in Sunday's Irish 1,000 Guineas. The handler is pleased with the current soft going at the Curragh, and with ground conditions in her favour, the trainer is expecting a big run from his Fred Darling Stakes winner.
Connections hoping the Coronation Cup will provide.
In an unexpected move, connections of Yorkshire Cup victor, Ask, have decided to aim for the Coronation Cup at Epsom to provide their six year old with his first ever Group 1 success. Ask is amongst eighteen entrants who have stood their ground at the latest decleration stage for the mile and a half contest. Rivals include' the first three home in the disappointing Ormonde Stakes at Chester; Buccelatti, Scintillo and Frozen Fire, but the main challenge may come from last year's Oaks heroinne Look Here, perennial Group 1 runner up Youmzain, along with three challengers from Germany, and one from France.
Although winning a middle distance Group 1 certainly provides status, it has to be said, the way Ask won the Yorkshire Cup on soft ground, his best chance of a Group 1 success could still be in one of this summer's Gold Cup races over two miles.
Sligo fixture becomes latest casualty.
Rain has once more caused the cancellation of an Irish racing fixture. This evening's seven race card at Sligo had to be called off after a morning inspection confirmed sections of the track were unraceable. As this represents the second cancellation at Sligo in the last three weeks, it will be interesting to see if Horse Racing Ireland allow the course to stage an alternative fixture when the weather improves.
Overdose will miss Royal Ascot.
As we suggested in last week's news article, Hungarian sprint superstar Overdose is taking longer than originally thought to heel from the absis on his foot, and this means he will not be fit in time to compete at Royal Ascot, where he was the anti post favourite for both the Golden Jubilee and Kings Stand Stakes.
Connections are still hoping the 'Budapest Bullet' will be fit in time for the July Cup at Newmarket, but even this plan is uncertain at present.
Donativum to start campaign at Newmarket.
Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf victor Donativum will make his Godolphin debut in this Saturday's Listed King Charles Stakes at Newmarket. It is understood plans for the rest of the season are still fluid, and will almost certainly depend on his level of performance in this weekend's race.
BHA to investigate irregular betting patterns.
The BHA are to investigate irregular betting patterns surrounding the running of the David Evans trained Trinlestoun at Wolverhampton on 23 February 2009. Paul Doe, who rode Trinlestoun, is already being investigated under the rules relating to 'Failing to obtain the best possible finishing position in the race', and this additional investigation will form part of a larger disciplinary enquiry.
Guest to revert Serious Attitude to sprinting.
In an apparent about face, trainer Rae Guest has admitted it was a mistake to try and turn Serious Attitude into a 'miler'. In an interview with At The Races, the handler admitted, despite finishing seventh, his filly did not stay the trip in the 1,000 Guineas, and future plans will centre around six furlong pattern races.
Ffoslas have big plans.
On 18 June Ffoslas racecourse will open their doors for an inaugural evening flat race meeting, and this will signal the return of horseracing to South West Wales for the first time since the demise of Tenby racecourse in the nineteen thirties.
However, Ffoslas are already making big plans for 2010, including the re-introduction of a Welsh Champion Hurdle to be held during January, and a three day summer festival meeting, planned for August 2010.
With Paul Nicholls already complimenting the quality of the national hunt courses at Ffoslas, and adding, "I will have no doubts about sending my best horses to the track", it has to be said, if the people of Wales embrace the new racecourse with the same ardour as the training fraternity, Ffoslas is assured of a bright future, and plenty of high quality racing.
Weight for age deal could be close.
The BHA handicappers and the Irish Turf Club handicap committee are understood to be holding further discussions to iron out differences in interpretation of the weight for age systems which operate in both countries. This area has been a major 'bone of contention' between the differing representative committee's of the two countries for many years, but it is understood discussions are making good progress, and both sides are hopeful of a positive outcome.
Sizing Europe has good debut.
Former smart hurdler Sizing Europe was an emphatic four and a half length winner of his two and a half mile Beginners Chase at Punchestown yesterday evening. The manner of his victory was very pleasing for trainer Henry de Bromhead, for the seven year old former Irish Champion Hurdler never came off the bridle, and jumped swiftly and cleanly for partner Dennis O'Regan.
Several bookmaking firms were obviously impressed with the debut, for Sizing Europe has immediately been entered into the betting for the 2010 Arkle Trophy at around sixteen to one.
Bulmers become partners with Leopardstown for music evenings.
The Bulmers Group has joined forces with the Dublin based Leopardstown racecourse to offer six race and music evenings during the upcoming summer months. Concerts featuring groups such as; Bjorn Again, Aslan, and The Sawdoctors, will entertain race-goers after the completion of competitive evening race meetings.
A range of tickets and options are available to interested race-goers, and full details can be found on the Leopardstown racecourse website.
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