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No respite for punters in major Galway races.
There have already been suprises galore in this week's major races at Galway, and the trend continued this afternoon in the Guinness Galway Hurdle, with 20/1 shot Bahrain Storm beating 15/8 favourite Deutschland in the closing stages.
The victory was certainly no fluke, as the Pat Flynn trained Bahrain Storm travelled well throughout, and under a confident ride from Stephen Gray he cleared away from his rivals after the second last, going on to win by six lengths from the Willie Mullins trained Deutschland. Lucky Wish and Northern Alliance completed the placings amongst the twenty runner field.
While the week has been great for the bookmakers, at this rate, the punters will be returning home early for a long lie down in a darkened room.
Dwyer receives thirteen day ban under totting up rules.
Having admitted a charge of Careless Riding aboard Great Yarmouth winner Butch and Sundance on 21 July, jockey Martin Dwyer was referred to the BHA Disciplinary Panel as he had accrued 24 days of suspensions for Careless Riding within a twelve month period.
At today's hearing in London, Dwyer was given a totting up suspension of sixteen days - three days of which are deferred until 07 October. The actual thirteen day ban he has received will run from 07 August until 19 August inclusive.
Cecil's Sevenna lands Moet Hennessy Fillies Stakes.
Just after seeing a major Frankie Dettori victory in the previous race, the Goodwood crowd were treated to a Henry Cecil win in the following Group 3 Moet Hennessy Fillies Stakes.
Newmarket winner Victoria Montoya took ove the lead at the four furlong pole, and she kept galloping all the way to the line, but at the two furlong marker the Tom Queally ridden Sevenna took the lead, and from that point on, she proved too tough for her rivals over the final two furlongs of todays mile and three quarters contest.
Cassique Lady tried hard in the final furlong to overhaul the leader, but she had to settle for the runner-up spot, with Victoria Montoya staying on well for third position.
Schiaparelli hangs on to give Frankie Goodwood Cup success.
As expected, Tungsten Strike set the early pace in the Group 2 Goodwood Cup, but without hearing his feet rattle on his preferred firm ground, he faded as the field entered the home straight, and Frankie Dettori had to go to the front on race favourite Schiaparelli probably much sooner than he would have liked. Coming across to the stand side rail, the German import kept galloping, but at the three furlong pole Ryan Moore moved up on Mourilyan, and outsider The Betchworth Kid started a run in the centre of the course.
At one stage it looked like Mourilyan had the measure of the leader, but Frankie Dettori then asked his horse for more effort, and Schiaparelli responded sufficiently to hang on to the lead right to the finishing line.
Mourilyan ran on stoutly for second place, while The Betchworth Kid put in his best ever performance to secure third place from the proven long distance stayer Caracciola.
It may not have been the best renewal of the Goodwood Cup, but it did not stop Frankie from enjoying his victory with his usual enthusiastic demonstration in the winners enclosure.
Kingsgate impresses - but draw could be vital!
It appears Sir Michael Stoute has worked the proverbial oracle on Kingsgate Native, for only forty days after a lack lustre performance on his return to racing from failed stud duties, the four year old stormed away with today's Group 3 Audi Stakes (formerly the King George Stakes).
Heading the near side group and extending his stride at the furlong pole, Kingsgate Native showed the kind of form which won him the Nunthorpe Stakes as a two year old, and that particular Group 1 must now be firmly back on his agenda during August.
With Total Gallery finishing second and Inxile third, the horses drawn 2-1-3 occupied the first three places, and this must be very significant with regard to Saturday's running of the Stewards Cup.
The redoubtable Borderlescot headed the group on the far side and finished fourth just ahead of Dandyman, but even if he had been drawn low, on today's form it is unlikely Robin Bastiman's charge would have beaten Kingsgate Native.
Johnston notches up his third winner.
Having had two winners on the first day of Glorious Goodwood, trainer Mark Johnston drew a blank on Wednesday's card, but it did not take long for him to strike again, as his Roman Republic battled hard to snatch victory in the first race on Thursday's card- the 3 Year Old Class 2 Heritage Handicap.
Given a strong ride by Neil Callan, the Doncaster winner obviously appreciated the effect of the heavy showers which had fallen during the early part of the day, and after going on, showed plenty of stamina to secure victory over the last two furlongs of today's ten furlong trip.
Sopranist and Mirrored had both battled well, but in today's conditions they did not have enough to overhaul the winner over the last quarter mile, while River Captain's usual late run could only secure him fourth place on this occasion.
Morgan has hopes for her two raiders.
County Meath trainer Joanna Morgan is sending two of her leading prospects to tomorrow's meeting at Goodwood, and she is hopeful the pair can return to Ireland with some silver wear.
Moran Gra was due to run in last weekend's Group 1 Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh, but as he does not act on soft ground, connections had to find an alternative target, and tomorrow's Richmond Stakes is the chosen objective. His fourth in the Coventry Stakes behind Canford Cliffs was given a major boost by Xtension's easy win in yesterday's Vintage Stakes, but the trainer is not sure Goodwood will suit her runner,
"Goodwood offers an easy six furlong course, and I think he would prefer a stiff six furlong test, but as we few options at the moment, we will have to take our chances in the Richmond Stakes."
Discussing San Sicharia's chances in Friday's Oaktree Stakes, Morgan said,
"We think she was keeping plenty back when finishing sixth in the Falmouth Stakes, so we are fitting cheek pieces for her run tomorrow, and we hope this will encourage her to give her best. If she does, I have no doubt she will be there or thereabouts."
Knot In Wood heads Stewards Cup weights.
Richard Fahey's Knot In Wood has a penalty for his recent York win, and consequently heads the weights for Saturday's Stewards Cup. But bearing in mind he was certainly up to landing the Group 3 Chipchase Stakes at Newcastle earlier in the season, then the top weight burden does not rule him out of the reckoning for this weekend's ultra competitive sprint on the last day of Glorious Goodwood.
However, apart from the usual half dozen runners from David Nicholls, Knot In Wood will have to overcome hat-trick seeking Biniou, along with Markab and Genki, both of whom have already put in good runs in big handicaps, and must be respected in this kind of a race.
High Heeled run dependant on rain.
Although included in today's ten final declerations for Saturday's Group 1 Nassau Stakes, the connections of High Heeled have confirmed the three year old recent York Listed race winner will only run if there is some rain to ease the Goodwood going over the next forty eight hours.
Owners move J J the Jetplane to Richard Hannon.
Due to what is described as, 'a difference of personalities, the South African owners of J J the Jetplane have decided to move their horse to the British yard of Richard Hannon from his former base with Mike de Kock in South Africa.
Although the owners are citing a personal breakdown as the reason for the change, the poor run in Tuesday's Betfair Cup at Goodwood cannot have helped the matter. But on a positive note, it does mean a quality sprinter will be more in evidence on the european circuit over the next couple of years.
Cox confirms Ebor plans.
During an interview yesterday, trainer Clive Cox confirmed, due to training hold-ups, the well fancied Electrolyser will miss this year's Ebor Handicap at York in favour of an autumn campaign.
However, Cox did assure anti post punters the progressive Red Merlin is on course to line-up in the mile and three quarter handicap centre-piece of York's August meeting.
Frankie to miss Shergar Cup.
Due to his committment to ride Gladiatorus for Godolphin in the Arlington Million, Frankie Dettori will be in Chicago during the weekend of Ascot's Shergar Cup, and this means the popular Italian jockey will not be on hand to entertain the Ascot crowds in his own inimitable way.
Burke's staff are obtaining guidance.
A spokesperson for Racing Welfare has confirmed the stable staff of banned trainer Karl Burke are already receiving guidance on possible re-employment with other stables in the British racing industry. But with the general economy still in a slump, the spokesperson did confirm there could be no guarantees all of Burke's staff will obtain alternative employment.
Nottingham passes inspection.
Despite heavy evening and overnight rain, Nottingham racecourse has passed an early morning inspection, and today's racing goes ahead as planned, albeit on very soft ground.
Nicholls reports on his stars.
In an interview yesterday, Paul Nicholls confirmed his superstar steeplechaser Kauto Star is already back in light training, and the Master of Ditcheat is concentrating on getting his dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winner fit in time for the jnwine.com Chase at Down Royal in early November.
According to Nicholls, "Denman has had his best summer break ever, and now looks fantastic!"
"If Kauto goes to Down Royal, then Denman will probably tackle the Hennessy or the Betfair Gold Cup, but we believe he is at his best in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, and that will be his major target for the coming season."
Nicholls confirmed Masterminded is a difficult horse to train, but the initial plan is to tackle all the major two mile events, including; the Paddy Power meeting at Cheltenham, the Tingle Creek, the Game Spirit, and the Queen Mother Champion Chase.
Speaking about his leading hurdler Celestial Halo, Nicholls said,
"He has had his best summer break since we've had him, and I am confident he will do his best, but this is going to be a very challenging season, as there are some very fine novices moving up into the senior ranks this time."
Yesterday's Galway highlights.
Colin McBratney's Ballyholland was the eight length winner of the Galway Plate, and his 16/1 price tag indicated the degree of shock his victory caused the punters, both on and off course.
Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh got off the mark for the week when short priced favourite Tawaagg ran out the five and a half length winner of the William Hill in Ireland Novice Hurdle. Mullins then doubled his score when his son Patrick rode Blackstairmountain to victory in a Maiden flat contest.
Speaking after Tawaagg's success, Mullins indicated,
"He is going the right way, and may be the sort to pick up a nice novice prize in the autumn. I intend to keep him fit, so he will probably have a run on the flat at Killarney in three weeks time."
Just when it seemed Galway's top trainer Dermot Weld was going to draw a blank on the day, his Precious Gem popped up to win the concluding williamhill.com Vegas Maiden, thereby taking Weld's tally for the first three days to six winners.
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