Racing (Horse) : General Horse Racing Thread

[denphone]

Dawn stars on Guineas list.


http://www.attheraces.info/article.a...e&sub=&day=Mon

Long-time favourite Dawn Approach tops 14 contenders confirmed for Saturday's Qipco 2000 Guineas at Newmarket.

The Jim Bolger-trained colt has dominated the betting for the mile Classic after ending his 2012 campaign unbeaten in six starts, culminating in an impressive victory over stablemate Leitir Mor in the Dewhurst Stakes.

Victory for the Dawn Approach could provide owner Godolphin with a little comfort after a torrid few days following the Mahmood Al Zarooni drugs scandal.

[denphone]

'No rush' to replace Al Zarooni.

http://www.attheraces.info/article.a...arooni&day=Mon

Godolphin are in "no rush" to appoint a new trainer at Moulton Paddocks in Newmarket after Mahmood Al Zarooni was banned for eight years.

Al Zarooni lost his licence last Thursday after admitting to administering anabolic steroids to 15 horses in his care.

The British Horseracing Authority said last week Godolphin have around 10 days to find a replacement for Al Zarooni if Moulton Paddocks is to remain active as a licensed training stable this season.

But Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford said the most pressing issue is to ensure the yard is "clean of drugs

[denphone]

Name targeting Classic glory.


http://www.attheraces.info/article.a...=&sub=&day=Tue

Mikel Delzangles feels What A Name is an "improved" horse as the French handler seeks a second Newmarket Classic in Sunday's Qipco 1000 Guineas.

A daughter of Mr Greeley, What A Name won two of her four starts as a juvenile and ran top colt Olympic Glory to within two lengths in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere at Longchamp on Arc day.

She reappeared at Maisons-Laffitte in the Prix Imprudence, easing to what was ultimately a cosy success.

Delzangles, who won the 2000 Guineas in 2010 with Makfi, said: "I am very pleased with her and she has improved since winning the Prix Imprudence. That was the perfect comeback for her as she did not have a hard race and was only 80 per cent fit.

[denphone]

Toronado support gathers momentum.


http://www.attheraces.info/article.a...=&sub=&day=Tue

At least one bookmaker believes Toronado could challenge Dawn Approach for favouritism in the Qipco 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on Saturday after the "first signs of opposition" emerged to Jim Bolger's unbeaten Classic hope.

Unbeaten in six starts during a fantastic juvenile campaign, the Godolphin-owned Dawn Approach undoubtedly sets the standard on form and bullish reports this spring have seen his price continue to contract.

[denphone]

Anabolic steroid use not widespread in UK - BHA

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/horse-racing/22351292

The British Horseracing Authority says anabolic steroid use on racehorses in the United Kingdom is not widespread.

Newmarket trainer Gerard Butler faces a BHA inquiry after admitting his horses received banned steroids.

Last week, Godolphin trainer Mahmood Al Zarooni was given an eight-year suspension for doping offences.

But the BHA insisted: "On the evidence of our robust testing programme, there is no evidence to suggest the use of steroids is widespread within Britain."

The revelations that a second Newmarket trainer had admitted giving his horses banned steroids has prompted fears of a widening scandal, but the BHA is playing those concerns down.

[denphone]

Mile to play to Snap's strengths

http://www.attheraces.info/article.a...engths&day=Tue

Sir Henry Cecil expects the step back up to a mile will be in Hot Snap's favour when she seeks to give the Warren Place trainer a seventh success in the Qipco 1000 Guineas at Newmarket on Sunday.

The daughter of Pivotal leapt to the head of the betting for the first fillies' Classic when winning the Nell Gwyn Stakes over seven furlongs in tremendous style at HQ on her reappearance. Her only previous start had come over a mile as a two-year-old, when she won a maiden at Kempton in September.

"The mile will suit her better and hopefully the experience of the Nell Gwyn will have brought her on. She is coming in her coat but will always be a very tall filly with plenty of bone (and) not over-robust," the trainer told www.sirhenrycecil.com

[denphone]

Godolphin trainer Mahmood Al Zarooni untruthful, claims BHA.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/horse-racing/22356082

Banned Godolphin trainer Mahmood Al Zarooni was "not being truthful" when he said he did not know he was breaking rules on banned substances, according to the British Horseracing Authority.

The BHA has published its reasons for banning Al Zarooni for eight years over doping offences.

Eleven horses trained by Al Zarooni tested positive for anabolic steroids. He admitted doping another four.

"He had no justifiable excuse for his behaviour," said the report

[denphone]

Garswood shoots for Guineas glory

http://www.attheraces.info/article.a...=&sub=&day=Wed

Richard Fahey feels Garswood's relaxed style of racing will give him every chance of staying a mile in the Qipco 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on Saturday.

The son of Dutch Art emerged as a live outsider for the colts' Classic when winning the Free Handicap in good style on his reappearance two weeks ago and that seven-furlong contest was the first time he had tackled a trip in excess of six furlongs.

"You are never confident (about staying) until you have a go, but he's a very relaxed horse now. We've kept him relaxed this year and he looks like he'll get it, but we'll see," the North Yorkshire handler told At The Races

[denphone]

Gordon primed for York trip.

http://www.attheraces.info/article.a...e&sub=&day=Wed

Gordon Lord Byron is set to tackle the Duke of York Stakes with trainer Tom Hogan eyeing the big summer sprint prizes.

The five-year-old won the seven-furlong Prix de la Foret last term as well as finishing a narrow second in the Sprint Cup at Haydock. He made a successful start to 2013 by winning at Dundalk in March but could finish no better than seventh in the Golden Shaheen in Dubai later that month.

Hogan reports his charge to be in top form though, and is hoping for good ground on the Knavesmire on May 15.

[denphone]

Break sidesteps Newmarket date.

http://www.attheraces.info/article.a...e&sub=&day=Wed

Big Break will miss the Qipco 1000 Guineas at Newmarket on Sunday and may wait for either the French or Irish versions.

Connections of the Dermot Weld-trained filly feel she is not quite ready to make her seasonal debut.

At this stage the Etihad Airways Irish 1,000 Guineas at the Curragh on May 26 appears a likely option, although the Group Three winner is also in the French equivalent a fortnight earlier.

"We're going to see. She just needs a little more time," said Teddy Grimthorpe, racing manager to owner Khalid Abullah.

[denphone]

Al Zarooni 'advised to appeal' ban.

http://www.attheraces.info/article.a...9;+ban&day=Wed

Suspended trainer Mahmood Al Zarooni claims he has been "advised to appeal" against the eight-year suspension he received for administering anabolic steroids to 15 horses in his care.

The former Godolphin handler, 37, was officially charged with rule breaches related to prohibited substances, duty to keep medication records, and conduct prejudicial to racing.

The trainer admitted to all of the breaches of the rules and apologised for his actions at last Thursday's hearing at the British Horseracing Authority. Although he also waived the right of legal representation during the hearing, Al Zarooni wrote on his personal Facebook page: "I have been advised to appeal the case, what are your opinions?"

[denphone]

Estimate puts down Gold Cup marker

http://www.attheraces.info/article.a...=&sub=&day=Wed

Estimate staked a good claim for the Gold Cup at the Royal meeting when making a successful seasonal debut in the Queen's colours in the Sagaro Stakes at Ascot.

The four-year-old filly, trained by Sir Michael Stoute, lifted the Queen's Vase over this two-mile trip last summer and repeated the trick in the Group Three contest.

Ryan Moore had the well-backed 2-1 favourite not too far off the pace set by French raider Tres Rock Danon before making his bid early in the straight after Sir Graham Wade had briefly taken the lead.

Caucus also came with a challenge but Estimate was too strong and she went on to beat John Gosden's charge by a length and three-quarters. Sir Graham Wade was half a length back in third.

[denphone]

Big two set for Curragh showdown

http://www.attheraces.info/article.a...e&sub=&day=Thu

Camelot and Parish Hall are set for a mouthwatering early-season clash in the High Chaparral EBF Mooresbridge Stakes at the Curragh on Monday.

Trained by Aidan O'Brien, Camelot enjoyed a superb Classic campaign, winning the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, both the English and Irish Derbys and only narrowly missing out on Triple Crown glory when runner-up in the St Leger.

The son of Montjeu was found to be suffering from colic just days after his disappointing showing in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp, but is set to return as a four-year-old in this Group Three test.

[denphone]

Kingdom leads stellar Eclipse entry

http://www.attheraces.info/article.a...=&sub=&day=Thu

Animal Kingdom, Camelot and Dawn Approach all feature among a high-class list of 60 initial entries for the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown on July 6.

The 10-furlong Group One is traditionally the first contest of the Flat season where the Classic generation get the chance to take on their elders at the very highest level, with an increased prize-money fund of £425,000 on offer this summer.

Kentucky Derby and Dubai World Cup hero Animal Kingdom, trained by American-based Englishman Graham Motion, is currently residing in Lambourn preparing for Royal Ascot.

[denphone]

Approach leads Guineas charge.

http://www.attheraces.info/article.a...=&sub=&day=Thu

Dawn Approach leads a field of 13 declared for the Qipco 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on Saturday.

The Jim Bolger-trained colt, who has been drawn in stall six, will be defending a six-race unbeaten record in the colts' Classic, having rounded off his juvenile campaign with victory in the Dewhurst in October. He will be joined by stablemate Leitir Mor, who was second in the Dewhurst.

Chief market opposition comes in the shape of Richard Hannon's Toronado, also unbeaten and most impressive in winning the Craven Stakes on his reappearance. He has been allotted stall 12. Like Bolger, Hannon has a second string to his bow in the shape of Racing Post Trophy runner-up Van Der Neer