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Cape Blanco a workmanlike victor.

It has to be said, Aidan O'Brien's 1/5 favourite Cape Blanco was only a workmanlike winner of this afternoon's Futurity Stakes at Fairyhouse. Leading from start to finish, even when chased by Mister Tee in the last couple of furlongs, he never looked in danger, scoring by a length and a quarter, but he was also not impressive in today's running, and may need further and better ground to be at his best.

Dick Turpin runs away with Tattersalls Million.

Andrew Oliver's In Some Respect tried to break Richard Hannon's Dick Turpin in the closing stages of today's Tattersalss Million Sales Race at Fairyhouse, but despite his penalty for winning the Group 2 Richmond Stakes at Glorious Goodwood, Dick Turpin was far too good, accelerating past his main rival, and easing up as he scored an easy length and a half victory in today's prestigious and very lucrative sales race.

Dick Turpin has now won all of his four starts, and must be considered as a definite prospect for next year's Newmarket 2,000 Guineas, particularly as today's runner up finished thrid in the Phoenix Stakes behind the very well regarded Alfred Nobel.

Shakesperian acts the part in Solario Stakes.

Leading right from the start, the Mark Johnston trained Shakesperian did exactly what Johnston juveniles do - kept galloping all the way to the line in today's Group 2 Solario Stakes, and try as they might, his rivals had no answers to his pace and stamina.

Godolphin's Buzzword sat in behind the leader like a good thing, but he obtained no favours from the Hayley Turner ridden Prompter, who held him in a pocket until the furlong pole, but even when Buzzword did get out, he was no match for the final furlong drive of Shakesperian, and had to settle for second place as he held off the late challenge of Dubawi Phantom.

Shakesperian has obviously progressed from his third behind Silver Grecian at Newmarket's July Meeting, but both of these juveniles must now be considered as major players in next year's Classic races.

Munsef recaptures former glories.

Since acquiring seven year old Munsef three months ago, trainer Ian Williams has worked the proverbial oracle on the undoubtedly talented but enigmatic old campaigner, and after having to miss the Ebor during the week due to a bruised foot, Munsef stepped up to land today's Listed Totepool Chester Stakes over the extended mile and five furlong trip on the Rooddee.

Always travelling sweetly for partner Eddie Ahern, Munsef powered up the home straight to score from Mystery Star, and the somewhat unlucky favourite Sabotage.

Smooth Strawberry Daiquiri a crowd pleaser.

The Sir Michael Stoute trained Strawberry Daiquiri landed today's Sandown Listed Atilanta Stakes in the fashion of a solid odds on favourite. Travelling smoothly in behind the leaders, she moved out and quickened in the fashion of a very progressive filly, scoring her third Listed win in succession, and her fourth success in five outings.

Andrew Balding's Ada River put in an excellent performance to grab second position after a 322 day absence from the track, while Clive Brittain's Nashmiah put in her usual solid performance in third place.

It would seem Strawberry Daiquiri has now progressed to the position were she will probably move up to Group company for her next outing, with Doncaster's St Leger meeting as a likely provider of a suitable target.

New Scoop Six starts today.

One lucky £2 punter picked up last week's Scoop Six Win Fund and goes forward to today's competition with a chance of winning the Bonus Fund of around £150,000.

For the rest of us, we need to start with the task of picking today's six winners from the following races:

Leg 1 - 2.25 pm Chester.

Leg 2 - 2.40 pm Sandown.

Leg 3 - 2.55 pm Chester.

Leg 4 - 3.15 pm Sandown.

Leg 5 - 3.30 pm Chester.

Leg 6 - 3.50 pm Sandown.

Can Dick Turpin run away with the Million?

Well according to Richard Hannon junior, that is exactly what he is capable of doing. The Glorious Goodwood Richmond Stakes winner has to carry a five pound penalty when he competes in the Tattersalls Million Sales Race at Fairyhouse, but Hannon believes the penalty and the soft ground he will encounter will not stop him from landing the huge prize fund on offer in today's race. Speaking on Friday, Hannon junior said,

"He has proved to be the most progressive two year old in our yard, and his penalty and the soft ground will be no obstacle, and we expect him to put in a very good run at Fairyhouse."

Abdullah offers Fallon first chance to grab Group 1 victory.

It has emerged, Youmzain's owner Jaber Abdullah is to offer Kieran Fallon his first chance to land a Group 1 success just two days after he returns to race riding from his long term ban.

Fallon returns to the saddle on 04 September, and Abdullah wants the jockey to ride Youmzain in the Group 1 Grosser Preis Von Baden at Baden Baden on Sunday 06 September. The owner is said to be keen to have Fallon form an association with Mick Channon's charge, as he would like the very experienced jockey to ride Youmzain in the Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe - a race in which Youmzain has finished as runner up in the last two years.

Bell has explanation for poor Art Connoisseur run.

Michael Bell has confirmed Art Connoisseur's poor run in Friday's Nunthorpe Stakes can be explained away by the fact his four year old's saddle slipped just after the start of the Group 1 five furlong sprint. In an interview after the race, Bell said,

"He had no chance after the saddle incident, and he just had to coast through the race. We will be hoping for some better luck in the Betfred Sprint Cup at Haydock next month."

Big Audio regains the winning thread.

Richard Hannon's Big Audio had failed twice in pattern races after his win at Royal Ascot, but Richard Hughes yesterday cajoled the juvenile back to winning ways with a head victory over Dubai Miracle in the Listed Stonehenge Stakes at Salisbury.

However, in the process, Hughes once more fell foul of the stewards for Careless Riding, and having criticised the 'totting up procedure' earlier in the week, he will now have to face the BHA Disciplinary Panel over having accrued over 24 days of Careless Riding suspensions in the last twelve months, and as much as Hughes may not like the rule, it is likely he will get a long holiday for his accumulation of Careless Riding cautions.

York pleased with aggregate increase.

At around 16,500 - the crowd for yesterday's fourth day of the new four day York Ebor Meeting was the smallest of the week, but it did ensure the four day total of race-goers exceeded 80,000.

As last year's Ebor Meeting was lost to bad weather, York have had to compare this year's new four day meeting with the three day meeting in 2007, and on an aggregate basis, the attendance figures are up around 7%. Taking into account the current economic situation, course officials are delighted with these figures, and they are hopeful the new four day meeting will show significant growth once the general economy starts to grow out of recession.

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