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Leading horses confirmed in Galway Hurdle.
The Willie Mullins trained anti post favourite for tomorrow's Guinness Galway Hurdle - Deutschland - has just made the cut, and is now a confirmed member of tomorrow's twenty runner field. With Paul Nicholls withdrawing Sporazine, the weights are now headed by Raise your Heart, while the Tom Mullins trained Fosters Cross and Dermot Weld's Vital Plot are amongst the fancied horses still left in the running.
Meanwhile, Paul Nolan is delighted with the fitness of both of his runners See U Bob and Cuan Na Grai, and the trainer believes both of his horses are likely to figure in the finishing stages of tomorrow's blue-ribbon Hurdle at the Galway Festival.
Ballyholland clear winner of Guinness Galway Plate.
Washington Lad led the field to the last jump in today's Guinness Galway Plate, but it was soon obvious he was only there on sufference, as Andrew Macnamara gave trainer Colin McBratney's Ballyholland his head after the jump, and he scampered away to land the Festival highlight by eight lengths from the late finishing Knock On The Head, with Washington Lad having to settle for third position ahead of the one paced Another Copper Coast in fourth.
The Paul Nicholls trained 11/2 favourite Roby de Cimbre was very disappointing, and never looked capable of repeating the victory achieved by the Nicholls Walsh combination in last year's running of this high profile race.
Rip Van Winkle claims top miler crown.
As predicted by Aidan O'Brien and Johnnie Murtagh, Rip Van Winkle proved far too good for his rivals in the BGC Sussex Stakes. Even when pace maker Malibu Bay dropped out early and left Rip Van Winkle in front at the three furlong pole, there was no danger the three year old would be caught.
As the runners hit the two furlong pole, Richard Hughes tried to galvanise Paco Boy, but Rip Van Winkle also extended and maintained the two length lead he had established on his older rival, and that is the way the front two passed the finishing line, with Ghanaati having to settle for third place.
Based on today's Group 1 evidence, it certainly seems Rip Van Winkle has improved markedly since his early season efforts, and if he continues to progress, the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes and the Breeders Cup seem distinct opportunities for the three year old to frank his position as top miler. However, to confirm that position in the minds of the public, he may have to face Sea The Stars once more before the end of the season.
Ghanaati entered for Sun Chariot.
Despite only finishing third in today's Sussex Stakes, connections of Ghanaati were not too disappointed with her performance, especially as they rate Rip Van Winkle and Paco Boy as exceptional milers.
Anticipating their filly will continue to improve during the season, connections also confirmed Ghanaati is amongst the thirty nine fillies entered for the Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket on 03 October. If Ghanaati takes up this engagement, she is currently due to take on Goldakova, who is also amongst the entries for this year's Sun Chariot.
Xtension shows good turn of foot.
Albeit today's Veuve Clicqout Vintage Stakes at Goodwood turned into a slowly run affair with a sprint close home, it has to be said the Clive Cox trained Xtension showed a clean pair of heels to his rivals over the final furlong of today's seven furlong juvenile Group 2.
The remainder of the field crossed the line in a heap, with Mata Keranjang claiming second place from Epsom winner Corporal Maddox who finished in third.
Xtension's victory today pays a massive compliment to Canford Cliffs, the latter having demoted Xtension to a distant on-looker in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Sweetheart wins battle with Tyrrells Wood.
After Swordsman had made the early pace in today's long distance Goodwood Stakes, the race turned into a battle between Sweetheart and Tyrrells Wood over the final five furlongs. Both have the stamina of hurdlers, and even when Sweetheart got the advantage at the two furlong pole, Tyrrells Wood kept on battling, but having to give eighteen pounds to the eventual winner proved the decisive factor in today's two mile five furlong marathon.
Favourite Swingkeel ran on for a distant third, with Woolfall Treasure also running on late in the race for fourth position.
The sound performance by Tyrrells Wood in today's contest at Goodwood certainly franks the form of the Queen Alexandra Stakes at Royal Ascot, and that is good news for the connections of veteran Caracciola, who is due to compete in the Goodwood Cup providing ground conditions do not deteriorate.
Acrostic remains favourite in final twenty two.
Luca Cumani's Acrostic is amongst the remaining twenty two entries for Friday's Totesport Mile at Goodwood. But at the 48 hour decleration stage, some fancied horses have been withdrawn, including; Mirrored, Bunbury Cup victor Plum Pudding, Axiom - who runs today, and Godolphin's Spring of Fame.
Wigham reports business as usual.
Thanks to prompt action by the fire-brigade, Michael Wigham reports the Tuesday evening fire at his Newmarket Hamilton Road stables was quickly brought under control, and although eight horses had to be evacuated from their accommodation, the trainer reports it is 'business as usual' after the frightening incident.
Ballydoyle very bullish about Rip Van Winkle. (see above for outcome)
After a hoof problem seemed to have scuppered Rip Van Winkle's chances of racing in this afternoon's Group 1 Sussex Stakes, the news from Aidan O'Brien this morning was more upbeat, and it is thought the three year old will take his chance this afternoon.
Bearing in mind Rip Van Winkle is yet to win this season, the vibes out of Ballydoyle prior to the injury scare indicated the colt was in great shape ahead of today's BGC Sussex Stakes. Both trainer Aidan O'Brien and number one stable jockey Johnnie Murtagh claim he has come on considerably since his second in the Coral Eclipse Stakes, and the two men have put on record their belief Rip Van Winkle will be the horse to beat if he takes his place in this afternoon's Glorious Goodwood centre-ppiece.
Going good to start with.
As it stands, the going for this afternoon's racing at Goodwood is described as 'good'. However, heavy showers could materialise at any time this afternoon, so punters will be hoping the change does not come until after this afternoon's meeting has been completed.
Sheikh buys Arcarno from syndicate.
Sheikh Hamdan al Maktoum is reported to have purchased July Stakes winning juvenile Arcarno from the syndicate who have raced the two year old son of Oasis Dream in the colours of the late Robert Sangster during the current flat season.
It is understood the Sheikh is to leave Arcarno in the yard of Brian Meehan for the time being, with a final decision on his three year old berth being made at the end of the year.
Dunguib disqualified and Fenton fined.
Having confirmed the presence of a banned substance in the blood of Dunguib when he landed the Paddy Power Champion NH Flat Race at the Punchestown Festival the Irish Turf Club have disqualified Dunguib, and fined trainer Philip Fenton 3,000 euros. Although the substance discovered was not a stimulent, and had been administered in error to Dunguib by a member of Fenton's staff, the trainer was found liable for incorrect supervision of his staff, which in itself forms a breach of Irish racing rules.
TTuesday news highlights from Galway.
Father and son team Tom and Danny Mullins combined to win the Galway Mile with 6/1 joint favourite Rock and Roll Kid. Having obtained a great start from the unfavoured number three draw, Danny Mullins always travelled up with the pace, and his mount showed a good turn of foot in the final furlong to secure victory by two lenghts.
Aidan O'Brien seems to have another very useful filly in the form of Devoted To You, and she was never in danger in the Fillies Maiden, going on to score by nine lengths.
Former Paul Nicholls inmate Natal returned to form for new trainer James Lambe when winning the Cara Diammonds Steeplechase. A winner of over a quarter of a million pounds when with the Nicholls yard, Natal had seemed to lose his way last year, but if the move to James Lambe has reinvigorated his desire for racing, he could be a very smart acquisition for this small Irish yard.
Dermot Weld showed he is determined to score his twenty fourth top trainer award at the Galway Festival, for his three winners on Tuesday already moved his total for the first two days on to five.
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