Racing (Horse) : General Horse Racing Thread

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MARENGO WINS BERESFORD BATTLE

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...=&sub=&day=Mon

Battle Of Marengo could bid to give Aidan O'Brien a seventh triumph in the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster after his victory in the Juddmonte Beresford Stakes at the Curragh.

Ballydoyle's juvenile has an encouraging profile, having built on a debut third with victories at Gowran and Leopardstown, so it was no surprise to see him sent off a prohibitive 4-9 favourite to beat three rivals on his Group-race debut.

VIZTORIA BLITZES CURRAGH RIVALS

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...=&sub=&day=Mon

The Curragh's Anglesey Lodge Equine Hospital Blenheim Stakes was turned into a procession by the hugely impressive Viztoria.

Eddie Lynam's filly had not been seen since winning by seven and a half lengths on her introduction at Naas in July and was the 5-2 favourite stepped up in class for what looked a warm Listed race.

Johnny Murtagh was happy to let the market leader bowl along at the head of affairs and once he asked her to quicken, the response was quite taking as she pulled right away to slam Snow Queen by seven and a half lengths.

PARK GLORY FOR MAGICAL DREAM

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...=&sub=&day=Mon

Aidan and Joseph O'Brien claimed the Group Three CL Weld Park Stakes at the Curragh with Magical Dream.

Outsider Wholelotofrosie took the seven-runner field along for the majority of the race before 100-30 chance Magical Dream took over with a little over a furlong to run.

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SEA SET FOR ARC OUTING

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...=&sub=&day=Mon

Teddy Grimthorpe has confirmed Sea Moon as a likely runner in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp on Sunday.

The Sir Michael Stoute-trained four-year-old was last seen finishing fifth when sent off favourite for the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot in July, but was only beaten a little over two lengths.

He looks set to renew rivalries with Danedream and Nathaniel in France this weekend and Grimthorpe, racing manager for owner Khalid Abdullah, expects Ryan Moore to be in the saddle.

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KAUTO FUTURE STILL UNDECIDED

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...e&sub=&day=Mon

Owner Clive Smith believes a decision on the future of Kauto Star is likely to be made within the next couple of weeks.

The five-time King George winner and dual Cheltenham Gold Cup hero was pulled up with over a circuit to run in the blue riband at Prestbury Park in March, casting serious doubt over whether the 12-year-old would grace the racecourse again.

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DANEDREAM ARC BID IN LIMBO

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...e&sub=&day=Tue

Danedream's bid for back-to-back wins in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe on Sunday appears over after Cologne racecourse, where she is stabled, was dramatically placed into quarantine on Monday afternoon.

The German track has been shut down for three months after a horse tested positive for an equine infection of the blood.

All horses based at Cologne cannot leave the racecourse, including the Peter Schiergen-trained Danedream, a brilliant winner of the Longchamp feature 12 months ago.

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CHAMPION ACID TEST FOR PASTORIUS

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...e&sub=&day=Tue

Pastorius aims to secure a clash with Frankel in the Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot when he runs in the Westminster 22 Preis Der Deutschen Einheit at Hoppergarten on Wednesday.

Mario Hofer's three-year-old landed the German Derby at Hamburg in early July and tasted further Group One glory when bolting up by eight lengths in Munich later that month.

EXCITING TELESCOPE A POST POSSIBLE

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...e&sub=&day=Tue

Connections of Telescope are still considering whether to let the exciting Newmarket maiden winner shoot for Group One glory in the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster.

Unlucky not to make a winning debut at Ascot early last month, the Sir Michael Stoute-trained juvenile got off the mark at the second attempt with a most impressive performance at Headquarters on Thursday.

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NATHANIEL OUT OF ARC RECKONING

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...=&sub=&day=Tue

Nathaniel will miss the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp on Sunday after suffering a setback, confirmed James Wigan, racing manager to part-owner Lady Rothschild.

The four-year-old colt, trained by John Gosden, is out of Europe's premier middle-distance race after returning unsatisfactory blood tests when he was found to have had a temperature.

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DEWHURST DATE FOR DAWN

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...=&sub=&day=Tue

Jim Bolger confirmed Dawn Approach as on course for the Dubai Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket later this month after seeing the star juvenile work in front of the gathered media.

The youngster completed a four-timer in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot, after which Godolphin stepped in to buy a majority share while confirming he would stay in training with Bolger for at least the rest of the season.

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O'BRIEN CONSIDERING CAMELOT ARC RUN

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...rc+run&day=Tue

Camelot faces a crucial workout on Wednesday morning as trainer Aidan O'Brien insists he is looking "very strongly" at running his Classic hero in Sunday's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

The colt won the 2000 Guineas, Derby and Irish Derby earlier in the year only to have his Triple Crown bid scuppered by Godolphin's Encke in the St Leger at Doncaster last month and a crack at the Longchamp feature looked unlikely in the aftermath of that defeat, but O'Brien is now giving serious thought to the 12-furlong autumn showpiece.

BREEDERS' CUP ON ROZ RADAR

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...+radar&day=Wed

Roz could be bound for the Breeders' Cup following her fine second to Certify in the Shadwell Fillies' Mile at Newmarket.

Connections of the Harry Dunlop-trained filly are investigating the possibility of running her in the Juvenile Fillies Turf on November 2.

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DETTORI JOY AT CAMELOT CALL

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...e&sub=&day=Wed

Frankie Dettori spoke of his "honour" at being chosen to partner Camelot in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp on Sunday.

The ride on the 2000 Guineas and dual Derby winner became available as trainer Aidan O'Brien's son, Joseph, is unable to get down to the weight of 8st 11lb. Dettori has not ridden for O'Brien since winning the 2005 St Leger at Doncaster on Scorpion. The Italian will be riding in his 25th consecutive Arc, which he has won three times on Lammtarra (1995), Sakhee (2001) and Marienbard (2002).

"It's a real honour to be chosen to ride the Guineas and Derby winner in the Arc," Dettori told Racing UK.

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SOUMILLON SWEET ON ORFEVRE

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...=&sub=&day=Wed

Jockey Christophe Soumillon was delighted with Orfevre after he put the Japanese Triple Crown winner through his final serious workout before Sunday's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp.

Orfevre worked over a mile at Chantilly on the grass gallop and having taken a lead inside the final two furlongs, Soumillon let his mount quicken up and stretch out close home.

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GREAT HEAVENS ADDED TO ARC FIELD

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...=&sub=&day=Thu

John Gosden's Irish Oaks winner Great Heavens has been supplemented for the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp on Sunday.

Not sighted since her brilliant display at the Curragh in July, the Lady Rothschild-owned filly was expected to line up in the Qipco British Champions Fillies' And Mares' Stakes at Ascot on October 20, but with stable companion Nathaniel a significant withdrawal earlier in the week after suffering a setback, Rothschild and Gosden have decided to add Great Heavens to the field for Europe's premier middle-distance prize.

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UPBEAT NATHANIEL BULLETIN ISSUED

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...e&sub=&day=Fri

John Gosden reports Nathaniel to be "much brighter" this morning after the star colt was ruled out of Sunday's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe earlier this week.

The dual Group One winner was considered a major contender for top honours at Longchamp this weekend, but he was found to have a temperature on Tuesday morning and after a subsequent blood test proved unsatisfactory, connections had little option but to withdraw him from the race.

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TOP FAVOURED FOR OPERA TEST

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...e&sub=&day=Fri

John Gosden is leaning towards running Izzi Top rather than The Fugue in Sunday's Prix de l'Opera at Longchamp.

The Fugue beat her stable companion comprehensively in the Nassau Stakes at Glorious Goodwood in early August and very nearly completed a Group One double when only narrowly denied by French filly Shareta in the Yorkshire Oaks.

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SIZING MAKES CHAMPION RETURN

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...=&sub=&day=Fri

Sizing Europe will face seven rivals as he returns to action in Saturday's PWC Champion Chase at Gowran Park.

Henry de Bromhead's stable star has been one of the top chasers of recent years and his powers showed no signs of waning last season.

Having won the Irish Champion Hurdle in 2008, the switch to fences has brought about even greater riches, as the 10-year-old has won an Arkle and Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham, a Tingle Creek and numerous big races at home in Ireland.

CIRRUS TEAM PLAY DOWN CHANCES

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...=&sub=&day=Fri

Corine Barande-Barbe believes Cirrus Des Aigles will need the run when he makes his eagerly anticipated return in Saturday's Qatar Prix Dollar at Longchamp.

While the main action from Paris is on Sunday, there are plenty of quality Pattern contests to be enjoyed a day earlier, with Barande-Barbe's stable star undoubtedly taking top billing, though he has not been seen since passing the post in second in the Prix d'Ispahan in May.

He was subsequently disqualified after a prohibited substance was found in his sample, though Barande-Barbe has appealed and the case is ongoing.

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POWER RETIRED TO STUD

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...e&sub=&day=Sat

Aidan O'Brien's Irish 2000 Guineas winner Power has been retired to stand at Coolmore Stud.

After a prolific juvenile season which saw him win the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot and the National Stakes at the Curragh, he was strongly fancied for the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, but he beat just one home there.

ABBAYE CONCERNS FOR SOLE TEAM

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...e&sub=&day=Sat

Eddie Lynam fears things could have conspired against Sole Power ahead of his bid for glory in the Prix de l'Abbaye at Longchamp on Sunday.

The five-year-old has been one of the most consistent top-class sprinters in training since his 100-1 victory in the Nunthorpe Stakes at York a couple of years ago, but has found victories difficult to come by.

He gained a deserved return to the winner's enclosure when stamping his class on a Listed race at Doncaster last month, but his trainer's enthusiasm has been tempered by the soft conditions in prospect in Paris and an unfavourable high draw.

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Here are my best tips for today.

NEWMARKET 1.40 Tarikhi
NEWMARKET 2.50 Havana Gold
NEWMARKET 3.20 Prussian
NEWMARKET 3.55 Layl
NEWMARKET 4.25 Kailani
ASCOT 3.35 Jamesie
ASCOT 4.45 Valencha
ASCOT 5.20 Birdlover
LONGCHAMP 11.55 Shantaram
LONGCHAMP 1.00 Maxios