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Killarney meeting re-scheduled for next week.

The Killarney race meeting lost to waterlogging on Thursday 20 August, has been re-arranged to take place at Killarney racecourse on Wednesday 26 August. All original entries stand, and all other details are available from the racecourse office.

Sligo to inspect.

With an adverse weather forecast suggesting more rain may fall on Sligo racecourse over the weekend, officials at the course have decided to call a precautionary inspection on Monday morning to assess if Tuesday's planned card can go ahead.

Borderlescot defends his Nunthorpe title.

That grand sprint campaigner Borderlescot scorched through in the centre of the Knavesmire to snatch his second successive win in the Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes. An absolute treasure to the small yard of Robin Bastiman, Borderlescot has been the most consistant sprinter in training for nearly three years, and no one can deny connections this second success in one of the most competitive sprint races in the British racing calendar.

The field had been led by spear heads on both sides of the course, with Tax Free and Amour Propre on the far side, and another great old campaigner Benbaun on the standside rail. Eventually, the far side runners faltered, and for half a furlong it looked as if Benbaun would land the biggest prize of his career, but Neil Callan got Borderlescot into full cry at the furlong pole, and he stormed through to land the spoils.

Benbaun stayed on strongly for second position, and two year old Radio Head, who had been left at the start of the race, did all his best work in the latter stages, and made good late ground to take third position.

Businessman win anything but business like.

Mark Johnston's juvenile Businessman must have a huge engine, for he may have covered seven furlongs in the six furlong Racing Post Convivial Maiden at York as he weaved from one side of the track to the other. Despite his wayward motions, he was hardly headed as he took the race by a length.

If this well bred son of Acclaimation can be trained to head in a straight line, he could be a very useful sort, with the potential to pick up a Listed or Group race before the end of the current flat season.

Dead-heat in City of York Stakes.

With Royal Confidence leading at the furlong pole of this ultra competitive seven furlong contest, the capable but enigmatic Dream Eater charged through in the centre of the course to snatch the lead close home, but on the rail, second favourite Confront also made his move, and both flashed past the line in unison.

After a long delay, the judge also decided he could not split the front two, and the crowd could then enjoy the unusual situation of a ded-heat for first place, with Royal Confidence staying on for third position.

Palavacini returns to form in Strensall Stakes.

John Dunlop's Palavacini was a good winner of a Listed race at Newmarket over ten furlongs in May, but then he was a little disappointing on his last outing. Back on good to firm going in the Group 3 Strensall Stakes at York this afternoon, he got the better of a battle to the line with the front running Dream Lodge, but if Palavacini had managed to stay straight in the final furlong, his winning margin would have been significantly bigger, and if fitted with blinkers or a vizor for his next outing, he may well be a potential Group 2 winner.

A furlong from home, Sir Michael Stoute's Perfect Stride seemed to be in with a big chance, but he failed to go on over today's nine furlong trip, and had to settle for third place.

Akmal gets best of tough battle.

Today's first race on the York card -the Melrose Stakes - turned into a last two furlong dour battle between course and distance winner Akmal and Mark Johnston's Alanbrook, with the former just fighting back in the final half furlong to land the spoils in the mile and three quarter marathon for three year olds.

Despite going up in the weights for his win at York in July, Akmal showed he is a progressive sort who could eventually make up into a potential long distance Cup winner over the next couple of years.

Killarney goes ahead as Ballinrobe is cancelled.

Although Thursday's meeting had to be cancelled due to waterlogging, an early morning inspection at Killarney has confirmed this evening's card can go ahead as planned.

However, the ever present summer rain in Ireland has caused another casualty, for an inspection at Ballinrobe this morning has found the course to be waterlogged, and Sunday's scheduled national hunt card has consequently been abandoned.

Harbinger subject to more tests.

The well supported 13/8 pre race favourite Harbinger finished a twenty seven length tailed off last in Tuesday's Great Voltigeur Stakes, and connections still do not have the answer to this poor performance. Although Ryan Moore has indicated Harbinger may have hurt himself on the starting stalls, connections are taking the precaution of conducting a barrage of blood tests and a thorough scoping of the three year old over the coming weekend.

Speaking on behalf of owners Highclere Racing, Harry Herbert confirmed the test during an interview today, he also said,

"Harbinger may race again before the end of the season, but we will see what, if anything, the test tell us before we make any definite decisions."

Sariska found to be 'inseason'.

Without wishing to make too many excuses for Sariska's failure to land this week's Darley Yorkshire Oaks, trainer Michael Bell has revealed the three year old dual Oaks winner was found to be 'in season' following the race, and this certainly could explain the lack of her usual racing sparkle. But as the trainer admitted,

"Whether this factor had anything to do with her below par performance will only become apparent the next time she runs."

Juvenile show-down likely at Deauville!

At today's 48 hour decleration stage, the top rated two year olds in Britain and Ireland are on a collision course to face each other in this Sunday's Prix Morny at Deauville.

Brian Meehan's July Stakes winner Arcarno has been confirmed as an entrant, as has very impressive Coventry Stakes victor Canford Cliffs, and these top two British juveniles seem likely to clash with Aidan O'Brien's Phoenix Stakes winner Alfred Nobel in Sunday's Group 1 contest.

It seems almost impossible to look beyond these three main combatants, but it would appear to be almost certain the winner of Sunday's race will be installed as the firm favourite for the 2010 running of the Stan James sponsered Newmarket 2,000 Guineas.

In an interview this morning, Richard Hannon junior did not fill Canford Cliff supporters with confidence when he stated,

"Canford Cliffs will have to improve on his Coventry Stakes victory to defeat his rivals in the Prix Morny, but he has been off the track for two months, and may need the race."

Fallon cut in betting.

As a result of the York stewards yesterday suspending Ryan Moore from riding between 03 and 10 September, speculation has been growing today that Kieran Fallon, who is due to return to race riding on 04 September, may pick up some of Moore's intended rides for Sir Michael Stoute.

Moore could not have been suspended at a more inappropriate time, as he was due to ride at the Tattersalls Millions Champion Stakes Meeting at the Curragh, plus in the major races on the first two days of the Doncaster St LLeger Meeting, and his absence means Sir Michael Stoute does require a top line jockey for his big race entries.

Boylesports obviously believe Fallon may be in line for some of Moore's intended rides, for this morning they have cut Fallon from 12/1 to 4/1 to ride a Group 1 winner before the end of the season.

Butler has Marathon plan for Dansant.

Last seen finishing fifth behind St Leger favourite Kite Wood in the Geoffrey Freer Stakes at Newbury, Gerard Butler's Dansant has now been supplemented for the Irish Field St Leger on 05 September at the Curragh.

Butler confesses these runs are part of a long term strategy to get Dansant prepared for an attempt at the Breeders Cup Marathon at Santa Anita on 07 November. Speaking today, the handler added,

"We were not too disappointed with his fifth in the Geoffrey Freer, as the firmish going did not suit him, But the going at the Curragh should be more to his liking.

He already has experience of Santa Anita after finishing sixth behind multiple Grade 1 winner Einstein in the Santa Anita Handicap back in March, so if we can put everything together in November, we are hopeful of a good run in the Breeders Cup Marathon."

Lady to have Cheveley Park date.

Brian Meehan confirms Lady of the Desert has come out of Thursday's victory in the Jaguar Cars Lowther Stakes with no ill effects, and following discussions with connections, he is now laying out a campaign which will culminate with Lady of the Desert competing in the Group 1 Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket towards the end of the current flat season.

Central House retired to the paddocks.

Trainer Dessie Hughes has announced twelve year old Central House is to be retired to the paddocks. A winner of two Grade 1 and five Grade 2 races during a seven year national hunt career, Central House has been a grand servant to connections over the years, but during the last national hunt season, he lacked his former sparkle, and so the decision has been reached to send him into a well earned retirement.

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