Racing (Horse) : General Horse Racing Thread

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Richard Hannon's Sky Lantern won the 200th running of the QIPCO 1000 Guineas Stakes at Newmarket.

http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/r...nds-for-hannon

Hannon's dreams of winning yesterday's QIPCO 2000 Guineas had ended in disappointment but Sky Lantern went some way to atoning for Toronado's eclipse in claiming the glory in the first fillies' Classic.

The pace was only steady but the favourite Hot Snap, who had Sky Lantern behind when impressing in the Nell Gwyn, was in trouble fully a quarter of a mile from home.


Just The Judge was travelling well on the front end in company with Winning Express but began to flounder as Richard Hughes made relentless progress from the rear.

The three went toe to toe in the middle of the Rowley Mile course with Sky Lantern prevailing by half a length from the Charlie Hills-trained runner

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Dank edges home in thriller

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

Sir Michael Stoute's Dank may have booked her ticket to Royal Ascot after claiming a thrilling renewal of the Qatar Bloodstock Dahlia Stakes at Newmarket.

Saturday's course winner Boonga Roogeta led for the early part of the Group Three race as she chased an audacious 24-hour double, but soon gave way to Thistle Bird, who in turn was tackled by Dank and Chigun heading inside the final furlong.

Dank (4-1) and Ryan Moore looked to have won the argument as they fought it out, but Chigun came back tenaciously under Tom Queally to almost join her on the line. The judge called Dank the winner by a short head.

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Bolger warming to Dawn Derby bid

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

Jim Bolger admits it is "more than likely" his 2000 Guineas hero Dawn Approach will be allowed to take his chance in the Investec Derby at Epsom next month.

Unbeaten in six starts as a juvenile, the son of the trainer's 2008 Derby hero New Approach went one better than his father by storming clear in the season's opening Classic on the Rowley Mile.

While the Irish 2000 Guineas at the Curragh on May 25 has not been completely ruled out, Bolger feels it is more likely the Godolphin-owned colt will instead step up to a mile and a half at Epsom the following weekend.

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Hughes keeps faith in Toronado

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

Jockey Richard Hughes said Toronado "coughed a lot" following his disappointing fourth in the Qipco 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on Saturday.

Richard Hannon's three-year-old went into his Classic assignment unbeaten in four starts and off the back of a hugely impressive display in the Craven Stakes over the course and distance.

However, he was unable to put it up to Dawn Approach, who streaked clear for an emphatic victory.

The champion jockey believes there may have been an excuse for that reverse, though, and is confident Toronado will show his true colours this summer.

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Flame drawn four in Chester Cup

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

Ante-post favourite Countrywide Flame features among a maximum field of 17 runners in the StanJames.com Chester Cup on Wednesday.

John Quinn's dual-purpose performer returns to the Flat for the first time since his excellent second in the Cesarewitch at Newmarket last October, having since enjoyed a fine campaign over hurdles.

He has fared well in the crucial draw for Wednesday's two-and-a-quarter-mile test, breaking from stall four in the hands of Michael O'Connell.

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Dawn given Derby go-ahead

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

Trainer Jim Bolger has confirmed Qipco 2000 Guineas hero Dawn Approach will be aimed towards the Investec Derby at Epsom on June 1.

The unbeaten three-year-old produced a brilliant performance to win the first Classic of the season on Saturday by five lengths.

Godolphin's colt will now bid to emulate his sire, New Approach, who claimed the Derby five years ago.

Bolger said: "Dawn Approach has come out of the 2000 Guineas in excellent shape and I couldn't be more pleased with him. I am now looking forward to running him in the Investec Derby at Epsom."

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All options open to Judge

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

Just The Judge appears likely to stick at a mile for the foreseeable future following a superb run in defeat in Sunday's Qipco 1000 Guineas.

The daughter of Lawman looked likely to give fledgling trainer Charlie Hills his first taste of Classic glory when taking up the running two furlongs from home, but was mowed down late in the day by Sky Lantern.

Hills will wait to see how his stable star recovers, but the Irish 1000 Guineas at the Curragh or the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot appear more likely targets than the Investec Oaks over a mile and a half at Epsom at the end of the month.

The Lambourn handler said: "She's very good this morning. She lost little weight, she ate up and seems well and bright in herself.

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Stylish start for Camelot

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

Aidan O'Brien declared himself delighted after seeing his triple Classic winner Camelot make a perfectly satisfactory return to action in the High Chaparral EBF Mooresbridge Stakes at the Curragh.

Winner of the 2000 Guineas and the English and Irish Derbys during a spectacular three-year-old campaign, he later recovered from colic, and was sent off the red-hot 1-3 favourite to take this Group Three prize on his comeback. Jim Bolger's 2011 Dewhurst winner Parish Hall was expected to be the main danger.

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Kingsbarns 'struggling' for Epsom

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

Hopes of Aidan O'Brien's Kingsbarns making it to the Investec Derby at Epsom on June 1 appear to be receding.

The unbeaten colt went into winter quarters as favourite for the premier Classic after a smooth success in the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster, where he beat subsequent 2000 Guineas third Van Der Neer.

He suffered a setback in March and the Ballydoyle trainer has been facing a race against time, conceding "he is probably not going to make it there".

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Viztoria books Guineas ticket

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

Viztoria stamped her class with an impressive comeback victory in the Canford Cliffs EBF Athasi Stakes at the Curragh under Johnny Murtagh.

Eddie Lynam's filly turned in two smart victories during her juvenile year and was a fine second on her final start in a Group Two at Maisons-Laffitte.

Sent off an even-money favourite for her return to action and first start over seven furlongs, the three-year-old moved through the race ominously well and dispelled any stamina doubts by finishing off strongly to beat Bunairgead by a length. Ralph Beckett's British raider Moonstone Magic was third.

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World leads Vase field

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

Aidan O'Brien's Curragh maiden scorer Ruler Of The World faces four opponents in the MBNA Chester Vase on Thursday.

The Ballydoyle handler has saddled three of the last six Chester Vase winners in Soldier Of Fortune (2007), Golden Sword (2009) and Treasure Beach (2011).

This son of Galileo is a half-brother to multiple Group One winner Duke Of Marmalade and looked the part when making a winning debut in his homeland in early April.

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Marengo on trial in Derrinstown

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

Battle Of Marengo is the star name among six Aidan O'Brien-trained entries for the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial at Leopardstown on Sunday.

The master of Ballydoyle has saddled nine previous winners of this 10-furlong Group Two, including subsequent Epsom Derby heroes Galileo (2001) and High Chaparral (2002).

Battle Of Marengo is following a tried-and-tested route after he won the Ballysax Stakes on his three-year-old debut.

He is the general second favourite for Epsom's premier Classic, behind 2000 Guineas hero Dawn Approach, on June 1.

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Trainer Mahmood Al Zarooni to appeal.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/horse-racing/22431564

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Sheikh Mohammed swoops for Knox

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

Exciting colt Fort Knox has been bought by Sheikh Mohammed, according to jockey Johnny Murtagh.

Murtagh, who owns the Curragh yard of trainer Tommy Carmody, told the Irish Times the three-year-old has changed ownership, having previously raced three times in Andrew Tinkler's silks.

Fort Knox holds an entry in this weekend's French 2000 Guineas, but Murtagh said he will be trained for the Irish equivalent at the Curragh on May 25.

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Stack filly comes alive at Navan

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

Alive Alive Oh turned in a superb performance to land a big gamble in the feature Irish Stallion Farms EBF Salsabil Stakes at Navan and looks an outstanding prospect for Tommy Stack.

Sent off the 11-10 favourite for the Listed 10-furlong contest despite being up against a Group Three-winning Ballydoyle filly in Magical Dream, Alive Alive Oh was settled in fifth by Fran Berry, who kept his main market rival in his sights.

Coolibah made most of the running, but Alive Alive Oh travelled sweetly up towards the lead and when she was asked to quicken at the furlong pole, she scooted clear in hugely impressive style to beat Magical Dream by six lengths.