Get the facts about your family tree from Genes Reunited, and dependant on your level of interest you can obtain either our Standard or Premier package. For full details, click the link below:
Casual Conquest to face four rivals.
Following today's decleration stage, only five horses remain entered in the stanjames.com Jockey Club Cup at this weekend's Guineas Meeting at Newmarket.
The probable favourite will be Casual Conquest, who finished third in the Epsom Derby, and then second in the Irish Derby in 2008. The Dermot Weld trained four year old has not raced since last June, and connections believe he will need the run this wekend, but on the face of it, if he is going to compete at the highest level this summer, he should see off Spanish Moon, All the Aces, Bronze Cannon and Drill Sergeant in this weekend's contest.
Native versus Fly hard to call!
The much anticipated rematch between the unbeaten Hurrican Fly and Supreme Novice Hurdle winner Go Native is just a day away, but it is a hard call to anticipate who will finish in front at the end of tomorrow's Evening Herald Champion Novice Hurdle.
At Christmas, Hurrican Fly disposed of Go Native by ten lengths at Leopardstown, but Willie Mullins is concerned his long injury lay-off may leave Hurrican Fly a little ring rusty for tomorrow's race, while Noel Meade is concerned Go Native may be 'going off' at the end of a long hard season.
In an attempt to ensure the best possible run from Hurrican Fly, Mullins has decided to call on the undoubted riding talents of Ruby Walsh. But if, for varying reasons, the main protaganists fail to produce tomorrow, Lucy Wadham's progressive El Dancer could be the fly in the ointment for a native irish victory.
Masterminded to only face five rivals.
Most of the big crowd expected at tomorrow's first day of the Punchestown Festival will be there to watch Masterminded pick up the Kerrygold Champion Chase in imperious style. But the only certainty about national hunt racing is - there is no certainty as to who will win!
Yes, on form Masterminded deserves to be a long odds on favourite, and he only has five rivals to defeat, but it only takes one slip up when jumping on rain softened ground to change the whole complexion of a race. So, if Masterminded does add to his winning tally tomorrow, it will be because he and partner Ruby Walsh give genuine respect to the Punchestown fences, and do not take any of their five rivals for granted.
Cooldine to take on his peers.
After a lot of thought, Willie Mullins has decided to keep his Royal and Sun Alliance Chase winner Cooldine amongst his own generation at this week's Punchestown Festival. The trainer had given due consideration to an attempt at defeating the likes of Imperial Commander in the Guinness Gold Cup, but on reflection, Mullins has opted for tomorrow's boylesports.com Champion Novice Chase, and will delay Cooldine's clash with older horses until he has had another summer of development under his belt.
Rainbow definite but Fantasia heads to France.
Favourite Rainbow view was among the twenty fillies declared at today's five day stage for the Stan James 1,000 Guineas, but as expected, stable mate Fantasia was scratched, and now seems certain to travel to France for the French 1,000 Guineas later in May.
Ouqba supplemented for 2,000 Guineas.
European Free Handicap winner Ouqba has been supplemented by connections for this weekend's Stan James 2,000 Guineas.
No Guinness for Barber Shop.
With the going at Punchestown now looking testing, Nicky Henderson has decided to avoid giving the Queen's Barber Shop a hard race at the end of the season, consequently, he has withdrawn the seven year old from his proposed run in the Guinness Gold Cup.
Exchange moves cause Stan James to suspend market.
A major drift in the price of 1,000 Guineas favourite Rainbow view during business activity on this mornings betting exchanges has caused Stan James to suspend their market on the Classic which they sponsor.
As soon as we have any further news on this development, we will bring it to you.
>>>>>> follow on story -
Tony Calvin of Betfair has confirmed the 1,000 Guineas favourite drifted out to nine to one as a result of a large lay wager placed by a known major player, but Rainbow view has since moved back to seven to four favourite on the exchange.
Meanwhile, reports coming out of the John Gosden yard indicate the filly worked well this morning, and nothing appears to be wrong in relation to her Guineas run.
Rain should ease Delegator fears.
Although on the front page of today's Racing Post, trainer Brian Meehan states Delegator may not run in this weekend's 2,000 Guineas if the going is too firm, it is an unlikely scenario, as lots of rain is forecast for this week, and if anything, the predicted going at Newmarket could be a problem to horses who do not like cut.
Mullins to pit Quevega against Punjabi.
It seems the David Nicholson Mares Hurdle winner Quevega is showing such good form at home, Willie Mullins has decided to give her the opportunity of defeating Punjabi in the Punchestown Champion Hurdle. Despite her mares allowance, she will have to be in tip top condition, for the Cheltenham Champion Hurdler is at his best at this time of the year, as shown by his good win in this corresponding race last season.
Ganay winner heading for Royal Ascot.
Following his return to form with a win in yesterday's Group 1 Prix Ganay at Longchamp, connections of Vision D'Etat are said to be keen on winning a prize at Royal Ascot, and the Prince of Wales's Stakes is being mooted as the four year old french star's next target.
Hemmings to cut back on string.
Well known national hunt owner Trever Hemmings admitted yesterday through a spokesperson, he had been hit by the recession, but he denied his losses matched the seven hundred million indicated in yesterday's Sunday Times Rich List.
However, it seems the owner of Albertas Run has been effected by the economic recession, for he has admitted he is soon to reduce his racing string from 80 to 65 horses, as around fifteen horses are to go to the sales at the end of this current week.
In an addition to yesterday's statement, the Hemmings Spokesperson stated,
"In future Mr Hemmings wants to concentrate his racing efforts on quality rather than quantity".
Ground the key to Jumbajukiba.
With yesterday's ground in his favour, multiple Group 3 winner Jumbajukiba scored a victory over six furlongs in yesterday's Listed Navan Sprint Stakes. Immediately after the race trainer Jessica Harrington commented,
"The state of the ground is the key factor for Jumbajukiba, and the soft surface today was ideal. If the ground remains soft, we will now probably go for the Greenland Stakes over seven furlongs at the Curragh".
Devon punter waits on call from Findlay.
Devon businessman Tony Wonnacott, who was one of the three winners of Saturday's Scoop Six Win Fund, is expecting a call from big game punter Harry Findlay, who also holds one of the three winning tickets.
However, at this stage, Wonnacott is not disclosing as to whether he will co-operate with Findlay in expanding their chances of winning next weekend's Bonus Fund, and this could revolve around the tactics adopted by the third winner, who comes from Rochdale in Lancashire.
2009 Music Nights at Haydock.
Resulting from the success of their after racing Music Nights in 2008, the Haydock executive have announced two big acts to follow meetings during the upcoming summer. After racing on 20 June, the Charlatans, who are celebrating their twentieth anniversary this year, will be the headline act. While on 18 July, the world's most renowned Abba tribute act, Bjorn Again, are sure to pull in a huge crowd.
Celebrate your winnings, or commiserate with others with fine wines & champagne’s:
==================================
Archives:
News Stories prior to July 2008
Return to text based index page
