Untitled Document

To ensure the best price on the latest Nokia phones and Blackberry's go straight to the manufacturer.

Eleven remain in QE II Stakes.

Sussex Stakes winner Rip Van Winkle and St James's Palace Stakes victor Mastercraftsman head five runners from Aidan O'brien's Ballydoyle operation who stand their ground at today's five day decleration stage for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot. While Poet, Windsor Palace and Set Sail would appear to be the Ballydoyle pace makers in Saturday's race.

Godolphin believe Delegator has shown in his Celebration Mile win that he now has the beating of Rip Van Winkle, and based on the form of the Godolphin horses of late, hardly anyone would argue they have a very good chance in Saturday's contest.

Leading owner Hamden al Maktoum has left Prix du Moulin winner Aqlaam and 1,000 Guineas victor Ghanaati amongst the five day declerations, but it is more likely the William Haggas trained Aqlaam will line up on Saturday.

John Gosden is represented by Lockinge Stakes winner Virtual, with the field currently being made up by the Khalid Abdullah pair of Famous Name and Zacinto.

>>>>>> follow on story -

Our spies tell us Mastercraftsman and Virtual are not likely to line up on Saturday, while Ghanaati is extremely doubtful at present.

Godolphin supplement pair for Royal Lodge.

Sheikh Mohammed's Godolphin organisation have supplemented Frozen Power and Vale of York into the twenty one runners declared today for Saturday's Royal Lodge Stakes at Ascot, and with Aidan O'Brien running six including the extremely well regarded St Nicholas Abbey, while John Gosden has the unbeaten and progressive Azmeel, then the race looks like it will be a major pointer to next year's Colts Classics.

Anti post punters hoping Sun will rise sufficiently.

With handler David Simcock having confirmed Darley Sun will take his chance in the Cesarewitch, the anti post punters who have supported the three year old into favouritism for the second leg of the Autumn Double now have to suffer an agonising wait to see if he gets into the list of actual runners. Despite finishing only a neck behind Askar Tau in the Group 2 Doncaster Cup, Darley Sun is rated off his old mark of 94 and not his new mark of 106 for the Cesarewitch. This means he currently needs seventeen horses to withdrawbefore he can actually line up in the race.

Of course, if he does get into the reckoning, he must be considered to be the handicap 'good thing' in this year's running of the two and a quarter mile handicap.

Osana moved to O'Grady for chasing campaign.

Although David Pipe had trained Osana to record a runner up spot in the 2008 Champion Hurdle, the Thomas Barr owned gelding failed to score a victory in his two outings last season, and was quite frankly disappointing in the 2009 Champion Hurdle.

In the hope of reviving the fortunes of his horse, Barr has now given Osana to Edward O'Grady in Ireland, and the handler is expected to train Osana for a novice chasing campaign during the upcoming season.

Look Here to miss Arc weekend.

Ralph Beckett has decided Look Here will not be ready to compete in either the Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe or Prix de L'Opera at Longchamp on Arc weekend, so the handler is now trying to find a race later in the season for the 2008 Oakes winner to get her head in front for the first time this season.

"The Pride Stakes, the Champion Stakes or a race in Canada are all possibilities, but we will just have to see how she is at the time of each race, and just as importantly, we will have to take into consideration the state of the ground, for after her disappointing show on soft ground in Ireland, we will not expose her to similar going again."

Elliot aiming Backstage at Grand National.

Gordon Elliot was very pleased with Backstage's successes in the Perth Gold Cup and a valuable handicap at Ffoslas, and the handler is now conscious that he wants to protect his charge's handicap mark ahead of next April's Aintree Grand National,

"I think he has every chance of winning the Grand National if he does not have too much weight to shoulder, so I intend to limit him to a couple of hurdle races over the winter. If all goes well with his preparation he will be there on Grand National Saturday."

Ascot disappointed at BBC decision.

The Ascot racecourse executive are reportedly disappointed the BBC have decided not to provide indirect coverage of Sunday's QE II Meeting under the red button on digital television remotes. Having provided this facility when covering racing at Longchamp, it seems fair to ask which country the Corporation serve.

Beacon Lodge likely to by-pass Ascot.

If this week's weather forecast proves to be correct, Ascot are expecting to have good to firm ground for this coming weekend's running of the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, and if this proves to be the case, Clive Cox has indicated his Celebration Mile fourth placed Beacon Lodge will probably by-pass the QE II infavour of a run at Longchamp the following weekend, where the four year old will almost certainly obtain preferred softer ground conditions.

>>>>>> follow on story -

As stated above Beacon Lodge has been left out of the QE II line up.

Godolphin hopeful better ground will suit Long Lashes.

Last seen foundering in the Curragh mud, Godolphin are said to be very hopeful Long Lashes will return to winning ways when she competes in this Saturday's Group 1 Meon Valley Stud Fillies Mile at Ascot.

Purchased out of Jessica Harrington's stable in Ireland, Long Lashes was a satisfactory winner of her first race for her new Godolphin stable, but found the heavy ground at the Curragh too much when disappointing behind Termagant on her last outing in August.

Connections are hopeful the return to forecast better ground will suit their filly, and trainer Saeed bin Suroor has confirmed she is in fine condition ahead of this weekend's contest.

Barney may be too high to make York date.

Trainer Michael Dods is hoping to pick up more prize money by giving Ayr Gold Cup runner up Barney Mcgrew an outing in the Coral Sprint Trophy at York, but that particular handicap is for horses rated zero to 105, and prior to Saturday's run at Ayr Barney Mcgrew was rated 103, so if the handicapper raises the sprinter's handicap mark beyond 105, Dods will have to decide whether to go for a Listed race before the end of the current flat season, or give his charge a rest before returning to action in Dubai in January 2010.

Aintree target for Mighty Man.

Having nursed Mighty Man back from a career ending injury, handler Henry Daly has confirmed his charge will take a full part in this year's long distance hurdling campaign, but his main objective will not be the Cheltenham World Hurdle, for having shown his preference for Aintree in the past, the nine year old will be given a programme which better prepares him for a run in the John Smiths Liverpool Hurdle in April of next year.

New shoes required before Amour Propre can go out again.

Henry Candy has confirmed plans for his talented three year old sprinter Amour Propre are on hold until he has been fitted with a special set of racing shoes. The ultra fast youngster came back from his fifth position in the Nunthorpe Stakes at York with bruised feet, and the trainer has admitted this is not the first time this problem has arisen. After taking advise, Candy has now ordered a special set of shoes, and only when the effectiveness of the new footwear has been assessed on the training gallops can plans be made for Amour Propre's future engagements.

Ayr to investigate apparent low draw bias.

Having witnessed the majority of sprint races during their three day meeting being won by low drawn horses, Ayr racecourse executive are to consider the cross section condition of their straight course, and if any significant factors are identified, they will consider ways of rectifying any bias they discover.

Smullen in treble form at Ballinrobe.

After several cancellations due to waterlogging, Pat Smullen must have been very pleased Ballinrobe's September fixture has got the go-ahead, for on the first day of the re-arranged two day meeting, he picked up a treble of winning rides.

Smullen passed the post in first place on Carefree Smile and Right of Passage for Dermot Weld before scoring on Mutadarek for Joanna Morgan. Right of Passage was a major player in Bumper Races during the 2008 2009 national hunt season, and his two and a half length victory in handicap company yesterday has almost certainly set him up for a first run in novice hurdling company during the next month.

Sanders picks up two day ban.

Seb Sanders may have got Braveheart Move home to land yesterday's Buttonhook Handicap at Hamilton Park, but the stewards considered he had used his whip too frequently, and as a result of his actions, he has earned himself a two day ban.

Celebrate your winnings, or commiserate with others with great wines & champagne’s:

Teco Wine

==================================

Archives: