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St Nicholas Abbey exhibits celestial performance.

We had all been wondering if we would ever see another Sea The Stars within the next thirty years, and although it may be too early to make hard and fast prenounncements, St Nicholas Abbey went a long way this afternoon to suggesting he might be as good as Sea The Stars.

Three things suggest he might be something special:

- He showed fantastic stamina and acceleration in the final furlong of one of the best contested Racing Post Trophy's of recent years, and to be frank, he was an 'easy winner' of today's one mile Group 1 contest. Indeed, the manner of his victory suggested he is an extremely good horse, particularly if we bear in mind he defeated the previously unbeaten Elusive Pimpernel by three and three quarter lengths, while Godolphin's very highly regarded and previously unbeaten Al Zir could only finish third.

- When interviewed after the race, Aidan O'Brien could hardly contain his genuine excitementat having St Nicholas Abbey in his yard. In fact, we cannot remember Aidan O'Brien ever sounding so much like an elated man trying to keep his emotions in check.

- St Nicholas Abbey is yet another progeny of that fantastic racehorse Montjeu, but this juvenile seems to be the one who mirrors his sire's racing style and ability, and if that turns out to be true, we could all be in for another treat as St Nicholass Abbey struts his stuff amongst the 2010 Classic generation.

Scoop Six not won.

Today's Scoop Six wager was not won, and this means the Win Fund for next week will start at £136,387 - while the Bonus Fund will start at £58,451.

Fallon to ride for Sir Michael Stoute.

For the first time since he returned to race riding following his lengthy ban, Kieran Fallon is to ride for former boss Sir Michael Stoute when he partners Spanish Moon in the Breeders Cup Turf at Santa Anita on 06 November.

Fallon has already proved his ability to ride the Californian track, having partnered Gitano Hernando to success in the Group 1 Goodwood Stakes for trainer Marco Botti, and with Spanish Moon's good form in France this year, the pair could make a Group 1 winning combination at this year's Breeders Cup meeting.

Electric Feel sparks Radley Stakes suprise.

The Marco Botti trained Electric Feel turned on the power in the final furlong of today's Listed Radley Stakes at Newbury, and the filly was able to hold off the late challenges of Za Za Zoom and race favourite Pipette to score an unexpected victory in the seven furlong contest.

Laylas Hero takes the racingpostpoker.com pot.

Winning for the fourth time this season, Laylas Hero followed up on his recent wide margin York success with a much closer victory in today's Listed racingpostpoker.com Stakes at Doncaster. Driven into the lead a furlong from home by partner Eddie Aherne, the combination had to work hard to hold off the late challenges of runner up Singeur and the third placed Citrous Star.

However, the way Laylas Hero was cocking his ears at the line suggests he was keeping some back for himself, and today's win may have been a little easier than it appeared.

High Heeled spring heeled at Newbury.

In today's Group 3 St Simon Stakes, the Barry Hills trained Tastahil tried to make all in his first race in five months, and entering the straight it looked for a moment like he might achieve his objective, but as soon as stable mate High Heeled came alongside two furlongs from home, the game was up!

High Heeled suddenly looked spring heeled in the soft underfoot conditions, and her six length victory over Tastahil did not flatter her mastery of her rivals in today's conditions at the Berkshire track.

Sir Michael Stoute would have taken heart with Harbinger's third behind the Hill's runners, for the trainer said to Derek Thompson of Channel 4 before the race he thought today's conditions would not suit Harbinger, so third position in a tough Group 3 after his poor performance in the Great Voltigeur was a definite return to some type of respectable form.

Monet's Garden upsets the odds again in Old Roan Chase.

Back in 2007, Monet's Garden upset no less a horse than Kauto Star when winning Aintree's Old Roan Chase, and obviously in the mood again today, the eleven year old took control right from the start. Jumping brilliantly, Nicky Richard's charge was eye balled by the well supported Tidal Bay just before the second last, but Monet's Garden had the measure of his rival, going on to score by two and a half lengths.

Last year's winner Nowhere had to settle for third position in today's contest, but the front three all look like they will pick up more prizes as the new national hunt season unfolds.

Carnaby Street snatches Horris Hill in final strides.

Pat Smullen seemed to have done everything right when he found a route through on the rails to put Pleasant Day a length in front coming into the final furlong of today's Group 3 Horris Hill Stakes at Newbury, but Audacity of Hope, who had followed the rail route, suddenly lay down a challenge, but in the final half furlong Jimmy Fortune brought Carnaby Street with a run on the outside, and in a blanket finish, it was the Richard Hannon trained Carnaby Street who prevailed by a short head, with Pleasant Day holding off Audacity of Hope by a head for the runners up spot.

Reve de Sivola boosts Triumph form with Persian War victory.

Having finished sixth in last March's Cheltenham Triumph Hurdle, Reve de Sivola was sent off as 6/5 favourite for his step up to two and a half miles in today's Persian War Hurdle at Chepstow, but turning in to the straight, Frascati Bay seemed to have beaten off virtually all his challengers until Daryl Jacob pressed the 'go button' on Reve de Sivola, and he took over between the last two flights, going on to score by nine lengths from Frascati Bay.

Spencer misses Saturday rides.

Having suffered a minor back problem while riding out earlier this morning, as a precautionary measure, Jamie Spencer is to miss all six of his proposed rides at Newbury this afternoon.

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Richard Hughes scored on one of Spencer's intended mounts when he rode Crystal Moments to a clever victory in the 3.10 pm at Newbury.

John Smiths Grand National sponsership extended.

The Marketing Department of Scottish and Newcastle Breweries have confirmed the sponsorship of the Grand National by the John Smiths brand will be extended for another three years following the next running of the world famous race in April 2010.

The brewery also took the opportunity to announced two more initiatives. In the first, attempts will be made to boost the prize fund for the race up to one million pounds by the time of the 2013 race. In the second initiative, the Peoples Race - were ordinary people obtained the opportunity to ride in a race on Grand National Saturday - is to be dropped in favour of the People's Racehorse - where nominated horses get the opportunity to compete in a race at Aintree.

Octogenarian Cummings trains Cox Plate all the way winner.

The eighty two year-old master trainer Bart Cummings today took the plaudits for training So You Think to secure an all the way win in the Group 1 Cox Plate at Moonee Valley racecourse. Bearing in mind, today's success was only the son of High Chaparral's fifth competitive run, then to win such a high profile race is certainly a compliment to the training abilities of the octogenarian 'master'.

Apache Cat gets crowd to their feet.

Top Australian sprinter Apache Cat put in a great late run to score in the Group 2 Schweppes Stakes at Moonee Valley, and the horse's popularity was measured by the way the crowd rose to his victory.

Following the race, connections confirmed the ever popular sprinter will now head to Sha Tin for the Hong Kong Sprint in December.

Quick recovery for Changingoftheguard.

A minor operation to remove an abscess from the hoof of Changingoftheguard appears to have been a major success, and the former Aidan O'Brien charge is said to be back on course for a run in this year's Melbourne Cup.

Ground to decide seasonal debut for The Listener.

Nick Mitchell is reporting, like the rest of the runners in his yard, The Listener appears to be in much better order than last year's disappointing season which was littered with uncharacteristic falls and failures to complete. After schooling over sixteen fences earlier in the week, the handler was delighted with what he saw, and he confirmed the state of the ground at Down Royal or Haydock will determine whether The Listener starts his season in the jmwine.com Chase in Northern Ireland or the Betfair Chase on the Merseyside course.

Tote Scoop Six Reminder.

For those who missed yesterday's listing of the six races for today's Scoop Six wager, they are as follows:

Leg 1 - 2.05 pm Newbury.

Leg 2 - 2.20 pm Doncaster.

Leg 3 - 2.35 pm Newbury.

Leg 4 - 2.55 pm Doncaster.

Leg 5 - 3.10 pm Newbury.

Leg 6 - 3.45 pm Newbury.

Today's pools start with £70,030 in the Win Fund and £30,012 in the Bonus Fund.

Inler ruled out through setback.

John Best has confirmed impressive Newmarket Maiden winner Inler will miss today's intended run in the Group 3 Horris Hill Stakes at Newbury due to an eleventh hour training setback.

Best odds with lots of extras join Coral bookmakers today:

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