Racing news and stories

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Connections of Gone To Lunch have high hopes of a return to his best form when the 10-year-old attempts to go one place better in the Coral Scottish Grand National at Ayr on Saturday.

The gelding will be equipped with headgear as connections try to rekindle his enthusiasm after three disappointing efforts since he finished fifth to Denman in the Hennessy at Newbury in November.

"I hope all goes well. We are going to give him a school (on Tuesday). He's nicely weighted on last year's performance, we just want to see him back to his best," said trainer Jeremy Scott.

"To all intents and purposes you'd say he was just as good as he was last year.

"We've had a slight muscle problem that we think we've sorted, which may have caused him to drop off or jump slowly.

"If that's sorted I don't see why he shouldn't run a great race. I could be wrong, it maybe that's he just not enjoying life in the same way that he did.

"He'll probably have a bit of headgear but I'm not quite sure what yet.

"In fairness, he's always started his races with plenty of enthusiasm but then when a mistake comes along he's dropped himself out of it a bit. We shall see."

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Music Show puts her Classic credentials on the line in the Leslie Harrison Memorial Nell Gwyn Stakes at Newmarket on Wednesday.

The daughter of Noverre is third-favourite at around 12-1 for the StanJames.com 1000 Guineas after winding up her juvenile campaign with victory in the Rockfel Stakes and is among 11 fillies declared for the Group Three contest over seven furlongs.

Trainer Mick Channon told www.mickchannon.tv: "Music Show is in good form at home. She has the ability to be a genuine contender, but I think we have to run her. It makes far more sense than working her at home and sending her on a racecourse gallop."

The West Ilsley handler continued: "The Guineas means a lot to us and Music Show has form in the book. I just hope it's our time, for Jaber (Abdullah) and everyone at West Ilsley - the Nell Gwyn is hopefully the start of an exciting period."

Henry Cecil is double-handed with Principal Role and Jacqueline Quest and expects the race to reveal where to take his two fillies.

"Jacqueline Quest has ability but I feel a race will bring her on. Principal Role also has a lot of potential and is bred to get further," the Newmarket trainer told www.henrycecil.com. "The way she handles everything this week is going to be the answer to whether she will participate in the first fillies Classic."

John Gosden relies upon Dyna Waltz in the Nell Gwyn. Sir Michael Stoute saddles Safina and Hughie Morrison is represented by Queen's Grace. Northern stables have a strong hand in Mark Johnston's Hafawa and Distinctive from Bryan Smart's yard.

Atasari, trained by Jim Bolger, is the sole Irish challenger, while Charlie McBride's Blue Maiden and the Clive Brittain-trained Srda make up the field.

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Timepiece, ante-post favourite for the Investec Oaks, makes her seasonal debut in the Blue Square Feilden Stakes at Newmarket on Wednesday.

Although the half-sister to Passage Of Time also holds an entry in the StanJames.com 1000 Guineas, trainer Henry Cecil feels the daughter of Zamindar will need further than a mile. All her three races as a two-year-old came over that trip and she ended her juvenile campaign with victory in the Listed Montrose Stakes.

"Timepiece may need further than a mile but Newmarket will tell us more. She should run well and I do not want to run her at a shorter distance first time out," Cecil told www.henrycecil.com.

A competitive field of nine has been declared for the Listed contest over nine furlongs.

They include Godolphin's Black Snowflake, Mahmoud Al Zarooni's first runner in Britain, the John Gosden-trained Prizefighting, John Dunlop's Mufarrh and Mark Johnston's Marie De Medici.

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Aidan O'Brien blamed a lack of pace for Fame And Glory's surprise reverse at the Curragh on Sunday.

Sent off the 2-5 favourite for the Alleged Stakes, last year's Irish Derby winner faded tamely into third on his reappearance. Stablemate Dixie Music was fourth.

His trainer told www.aidanobrien.ie: "Fame and Glory and Dixie Music both ran well in the Alleged Stakes. The slow pace probably did not suit either of them but we were pleased with their runs and think that they should both improve a lot."

O'Brien said on Sunday that Fame And Glory would remain under consideration for the Prix Ganay at Longchamp and the Tattersalls Gold Cup back at the Curragh.

Although O'Brien secured a double on the card, Alfred Nobel disappointed when beating only one home in the Loughbrown Stakes.

The Ballydoyle handler added: "We don't think Alfred Nobel stayed the seven furlongs in the Loughbrown Stakes and we will probably shorten him back to six furlongs for his next run."

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Greville Starkey died on Wednesday at the age of 70


John Dunlop paid tribute to Derby-winning jockey Greville Starkey, who died on Wednesday at the age of 70 after an eight-year battle with cancer.

Starkey won both the English and Irish Derbies on Shirley Heights for the Arundel trainer in 1978.

"He won the Derby and the Irish Derby for me and the Dante, all on Shirley Heights as a three-year-old," said Dunlop.

"He was a great jockey at his best. He will always be remembered by me for winning that Derby so narrowly, particularly the Curragh when he also won by a head.

"He was a fine rider. Sadly, I hadn't seen him for some years but I'd heard he hadn't been well for some time. One greatly appreciated his skills as a jockey. I am very sorry to hear the news."

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Jockey Darcy fails breath test at Limerick

MICHAEL DARCY on Monday became the second jockey to fail an alcohol test since spot checks at Irish racecourses began in 2007.

Darcy, who was booked for four horses at Limerick, was found to be almost 10 points over the riding limit of 35 micrograms of ethanol per 100 millilitres of breath when breathalysed on three separate occasions before the start of the fixture at 2.30pm.

Al Guy, doping control officer, stated: "Shortly after 2pm, Michael Darcy had shown to be positive for alcohol in a screening test. At 2.20pm two further breath tests indicated readings of 43 and 42 - both readings were over the limit of 35."

These readings were witnessed by Paddy Graffin, Turf Club stewards' secretary and they also heard evidence from Darcy, who accepted Guy's evidence.

Paul Carberry was handed a four-day ban at the Galway Festival in August 2007on the same day of his first offence, but this case has been referred to the Turf Club's referrals committee.

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Paco Boy is expected to make up for a disappointing effort in the race 12 months ago when he lines up for the totesport.com Lockinge Stakes at Newbury on Saturday.

Richard Hannon's classy performer started favourite for the Group One last May, but could only finish fourth to Virtual after having an untimely setback, but he put that behind him when winning the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot the following month.

"He did have his complications last year in the morning before the race. He wasn't quite right, he pricked his foot, and we ran him thinking we'd get away with it but we didn't," the trainer's son and assistant Richard Hannon junior told the British Horseracing Authority's BHA Xtra.

Paco Boy returns to Newbury after winning the bet365 Mile for the second year running at Sandown last month.

"He's done his routine work well since and he'll just have one piece before Saturday, but nothing too strenuous. Arguably that was the best performance he's put up in his life in the Sandown Mile.

"He got the trip better than he did last year, won it easier than he did last year and he looked probably a better horse than last year. He's in great form and we think he'll go very close."

Sir Michael Stoute is looking forward to having a good season with Zacinto, although he admits Paco Boy is likely to have the edge on race fitness at the weekend.

"He came back a little bit sore from Santa Anita. It didn't take very long to clear up," said the Newmarket trainer.

"We always had the Lockinge in mind as his starting point and the preparation has gone very smoothly. I think it's always a disadvantage when you're taking on something like Paco Boy who has already had a start this year.

"Zacinto is a horse we've always liked and he's always shown plenty of natural ability. We don't think he's reached his full potential and we're hopeful this will be a good year for him."

Aidan O'Brien has admitted to being "excited" by his Irish 2,000 Guineas hopeful Steinbeck.

An easy winner at Naas on his debut, he then ran a fine race for one so inexperienced to finish fourth in the Dewhurst and though a setback forced him to miss the Newmarket Guineas, O'Brien is hoping he can make the Irish equivalent.

The trainer said: "Steinbeck is in good order and is another who has always excited us. I hope he will be ready for the Irish Guineas, but he had a good month off."

He added: "Doing that when they are thriving at that time of the year makes it hard, but I would love to get him to the Irish Guineas with a view of going to (Royal) Ascot."

If Steinbeck makes the race he is likely to face Tommy Stack's Noll Wallop.

After winning Leopardstown's Guineas Trial, a Derby campaign was mooted but connections have now given him the go-ahead to contest the one-mile Classic at the Curragh on May 22.

"The plan is to run him in the Irish 2,000 Guineas," said Stack's son and assistant, Fozzy.

"He seems well, he's been working well. He's been working on good ground and that doesn't seem to bother him, he's probably even better on it. Fingers crossed he can get there in good shape.

"We were thinking of getting another race into him before the Guineas, but there wasn't really anything suitable for him so we just decided to leave it and go straight there.

"He's by High Chaparral and his progeny don't seem to mind fast ground and his mother is by Danehill, so it shouldn't be a problem. The horses are running well so let's hope it stays that way."


Fame And Glory is to be campaigned back at the top level after opening his account for the season in the Group Three Mooresbridge Stakes at the Curragh last week.

The 2009 Irish Derby hero could try for a Group One double in the Tattersalls Gold Cup back at the Curragh on May 23 followed by the Investec Coronation Cup at Epsom on June 4.

Trainer Aidan O'Brien said: "The plan with Fame And Glory is to go to the Tattersalls Gold Cup and then if everything is OK he could go for the Coronation Cup. He could then have a break and we might start him back in the Irish Champion and he could go for the Arc and Breeders' Cup."

He added: "That was always going to be the plan with him if his early-season campaign went right. He will deserve a break after the Coronation Cup and we have always had the autumn in mind."

O'Brien is also thinking of running Age Of Aquarius at Epsom after being encouraged by his performance when second to Harbinger in the Ormonde Stakes at Chester last week, in his first race for 10 months.

"Age Of Aquarius is a possible for the Coronation Cup. We think he's a very classy horse who will come on nicely for his run at Chester," the Ballydoyle trainer added.

"If he doesn't go to Epsom then he could go to the Hardwicke (at Royal Ascot). We have always trained him with a four-year-old campaign in mind."

O'Brien's other major older horse this season is likely to be QEII and Sussex Stakes scorer Rip Van Winkle, who is on a retrieval mission after disappointing in the Breeders' Cup Classic.

"Rip Van Winkle is well and we hope to go straight to Royal Ascot, probably for the Queen Anne," he concluded.


You'll Be Mine, as low as 12-1 for the Investec Oaks, is not guaranteed to run in the Epsom showpiece next month.

Aidan O'Brien's charge was third in the Fillies' Mile last season but disappointed on her seasonal reappearance.

"You'll Be Mine had a knock and we had to back off her. She is in good form, but she's not guaranteed to go for the Oaks," said the Ballydoyle handler, who runs Cabaret in the Musidora at York on Wednesday.

Of his other leading three-year-old fillies, O'Brien said: "Awe Inspiring won a maiden very nicely at Cork and might go to Epsom.

"There was no pace for Dance On By at Chester but I was satisfied with her.

"Remember Me is a sister to Dylan Thomas and was third in a race at Gowran. She is not guaranteed to go but she is possible."


Cape Blanco is set to take his chance in Thursday's totesport Dante Stakes despite a slight setback on Sunday.

The unbeaten son of Galileo is currently in bandages having picked up a slight nick on his heel, but Aidan O'Brien is keen to see him in action on the Knavesmire in a race he has won twice in the last five years with Septimus and Black Bear Island.

"Cape Blanco nicked the back of a heel on Sunday and is wearing bandages, but he seems fine today and the plan is to run in the Dante," said O'Brien.

"He was three from three last year and shows loads of speed, but he is lazy in the way he races.

"If you let the rein go loose then he goes to sleep during a race and it will be interesting to see what he does."


Aviate could replace Timepiece as Henry Cecil's main hope to win a ninth Investec Oaks if she maintains her unbeaten record in Wednesday's Tattersalls Musidora Stakes at York.

Both fillies are owned by Prince Khalid Abdullah but while Timepiece fluffed her lines for the second time this season at Lingfield on Saturday, Aviate was an impressive winner at Ascot a few weeks ago and could still make up into a Classic contender.

She will face seven rivals on the Knavesmire, among them Aidan O'Brien's Cabaret, an impressive winner of a Group Three at Leopardstown but last of 11 in the Prix Marcel Boussac. Sir Michael Stoute is represented by Eleanora Duse while Barry Hills runs Red Fantasy, second in the Pretty Polly Stakes.

Mark Johnston has decided to run Bikini Babe, second in the UAE Oaks on her penultimate start, rather than Pretty Polly winner Marie de Medici. Jim Bolger is sending over Gold Bubbles in an attempt to reclaim the prize he won in 2008 with Lush Lashes.

Pink Symphony will represent Paul Cole after her Newbury maiden win while Cracking Lass will run for Malton handler Richard Fahey. Among those not to be declared are May Hill winner Pollenator, Marcus Tregoning's Fatanah and Godolphin's Wedding March.

Australian sprinter Starspangledbanner is to make his northern hemisphere debut in the Duke Of York Blue Square Stakes at York on Wednesday.

The four-year-old, one of 12 declared for the Group Two sprint, left for Aidan O'Brien's Irish stable after finishing third in the Group One Newmarket Handicap at Flemington in March.

Showcasing is the only three-year-old taking on his elders and John Gosden's charge returns to the scene of his victory in the Gimcrack Stakes. Sir Michael Stoute saddles Main Aim while Anglezarke represents last year's winning stable of Richard Fahey.

Dandy Nicholls runs Cammidge Trophy victor Inxile while Barry Hills has left in Prime Defender, a winner at Haydock on Saturday, and Damien. The field is completed by Sayif, Doncaster Rover, Edge Closer, Judd Street and Mullionmileanhour.


David Marnane will decide later in the week on plans for Dandy Boy following his game victory in the Victoria Cup at Ascot on Saturday.

The lightly-raced four-year-old foiled a gamble on the Luca Cumani-trained Mabait by a neck to land the 29-runner heritage handicap.

Talk straight after the valuable seven-furlong contest was of Dandy Boy returning to the Berkshire course for the Hunt Cup over a mile at the Royal meeting. However, Marnane remarked it was too early to make any definite plans.

"He's come out of the race very well. He's as clean as a whistle. We'll keep an eye on him for the rest of the week, see how he is and make a plan then," said the County Tipperary trainer.

"We'll talk about the Hunt Cup obviously, but I'll sit down with Colm (O'Donoghue) and my brother Ed and we'll discuss the options. He's very versatile. He's a horse that has plenty of pace and natural speed.

"I was impressed with him the other day, he galloped all the way to line especially as he was on his own and it was only his eighth run. He's still a relatively big baby yet.

"We'll see what the handicapper does with him. I think he'll get a mile all right."

It was the second time Marnane had plundered a big handicap in England following Santo Padre's win in the Portland Handicap at Doncaster in September.

Marnane revealed the six-year-old suffered a slight injury when disappointing at Cork two weeks ago.

He added: "He had a lovely comeback run in Dundalk and I fancied him in Cork the other day in a Listed sprint but he pulled a muscle after about 100 yards coming out of the stalls. He's going to be fine. These things happen."


Mark Tompkins has mapped out the rest of the season for his Chester Vase winner Ted Spread - if everything goes to plan.

The Beat Hollow colt will have his next start in the Investec Derby on June 5 before being prepared for the Ladbrokes St Leger by running in the Great Voltigeur Stakes at York on August 17.

Tompkins said: "He's fine, he took it all in his stride and he's just gone back to cantering work so we are very happy with him. It was his first run of the year, he didn't know what he was doing and Chester is an interesting track so he'll have learned a tremendous amount from the whole experience."

He added: "I was pleased with him, he stays and he can only improve. He was either going to go there or the Lingfield Derby Trial and the only thing that swung it was the ground.

"I've won the Lingfield race twice before and that is my preferred route normally, but the ground was going to be pretty firm there so that is why we went to Chester.

"He's a big horse and I didn't want to jar him up.

"I think we'll go to Epsom. The boys who own him are very enthusiastic and while I'm not holding any great pretensions, I hope he'll run in the first six, especially if the ground comes up good or even softer.

"We'll then go the Voltigeur-St Leger route - that's the plan anyway. The thing is we know he stays and a lot in the Derby won't, we've just got to get him there in one piece."


Britain's bookmakers were counting the cost this evening after a huge gamble on four horses.

Three of the runners - Agapanthus, Savaronola and Somersturm - were trained by Barney Curley, while Jeu De Roseau was having his first run for Chris Grant having previously been trained by Andrew Stringer.

Agapanthus scored at Brighton and Savaronola obliged at Wolverhampton, but Somersturm failed at the latter venue. Jeu De Roseau - having his first run for 742 days - just got up at Towcester in the evening, going off at 6-4 having been available at 25-1 in the morning.

William Hill spokesman David Hood said: "There is no doubt the plotters have landed a few quid. But hats off to our trading boys who spotted these multiples very early this morning and managed the business accordingly.

"I am being told the payouts will be seven-figures, but we have only a fraction of that. After the first two horses had won this afternoon, we were getting the snowball effect from follow-up punters who wanted the last two in doubles, but it was SP only business by that time.

"When Somersturm got chinned at Wolverhampton, it took the edge off and even though the last was 25-1 this morning, at 6-4 he has done a lot less damage. 

"It is impossible to gauge what has been landed, maybe seven-figures, but I do know that it could have been a lot worse."


courtesy of ATR.

[stegs73]

Hi Guys am off to Newmarket (20 mins from me so lovely) on Sat 31st of July so any 33/1 winners would be gratefully accepted     Any whispers send em my way please. Its a stag do so could do with some beer, curry and whatever else the night brings