Racing (Horse) : General Horse Racing Thread

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Hills admits Rey stamina doubts

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

Charlie Hills admits he has some doubts about Reyaadah's staying ability ahead of her run in the Weatherbys Bank Cheshire Oaks at Chester.

The daughter of Tamayuz showed high-class form during her juvenile campaign and was not disgraced when sixth on her return over seven furlongs in the Nell Gwyn Stakes at Newmarket.

The three-year-old takes a significant step up in distance to a mile and three furlongs at Chester and Hills is unsure whether her stamina will last out.

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Windhoek in Dante reckoning

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

Windhoek may take in the Betfred Dante Stakes at York on Thursday week ahead of the Investec Derby.

The Mark Johnston-trained colt is unbeaten in three starts to date, the latest coming in the Qatar Racing Newmarket Stakes last Saturday, though he is not a certain runner at York as the main objective is the premier Classic at Epsom on June 1.

"He is absolutely fine. We will certainly have a look at the Dante, but the main thing is that he is aiming for the Derby," said Johnston.

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Glory remains in French Classic

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

Olympic Glory is one of 24 horses to stand their ground at the latest forfeit stage for Sunday's French 2000 Guineas at Longchamp.

Thirty colts were in the reckoning, but six have now been removed. Trading Leather is a notable absentee, but his trainer Jim Bolger still has Loch Garman and Leitir Mor in contention.

Charlie Hills has taken out Ebn Arab, the Godolphin team have removed Tawhid and Brian Meehan's Mujazif will not run.

Tommy Carmody's Fort Knox has also been scratched, as anticipated, following the news the colt would be targeted at the Irish 2,000 Guineas after being bought by Sheikh Mohammed.

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Address Unknown is Cup king

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

Address Unknown gave enthusiastic owner Dr Marwan Koukash his second victory in the StanJames.com Chester Cup.

Koukash had four in the race and Address Unknown (12-1) did the business in his first start since joining Richard Fahey.

The Malton trainer also saddled runner-up Ingleby Spirit, who was half a length adrift at the line, while Tominator (11-1) was third and joint-top weight Simenon (16-1) fourth.

Winning jockey Jamie Spencer said: "He was very brave. He did really well with Ian Williams last year and the race went very smoothly. It's good for Dr Koukash, as well."

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World aiming for Vase rule

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

Aidan O'Brien has won the MBNA Chester Vase three times in the last six years and the champion Irish trainer sends the once-raced Ruler Of World to the Roodee for the Group Three contest on Thursday.

The half-brother to multiple Group One winner Duke Of Marmalade earned quotes of around 20-1 for the Investec Derby after making a successful debut in a mile-and-a-quarter maiden at the Curragh a month ago.

He faces just four rivals including Feel Like Dancing, who made a successful racecourse bow less than three weeks ago.

"He won OK on his debut. The second (Boite) has won since, this is really a fact-finding mission to see at what class he should be aimed at," said Hugo Lascelles, racing manager to owner Lady Bamford.

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Bin Suroor takes interim role.

http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/n...medium=twitter

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2013...r-drugs-stable

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Toronado handed Ascot aim

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

Toronado is to be fitted with a tongue-tie in the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot as he aims to bounce back from a disappointing run in the Qipco 2000 Guineas.

A hugely impressive winner of the Craven Stakes at Newmarket, Richard Hannon's three-year-old was expected to challenge hot favourite Dawn Approach in the season's opening Classic last weekend, but finished well beaten in fourth.

Assistant trainer Richard Hannon jnr said: "Toronado's blood has come back fine, but we suspect that he might have suffered a displaced palate, which would explain why he hit the wall so quickly, so we will tie his tongue down next time."

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Contributer seeking Classic ticket

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

Ed Dunlop is hoping Contributer can book his place in a Derby field with a bold showing in the BetVictor.com Dee Stakes at Chester on Friday.

Sixth on his Newmarket debut before winning a Wolverhampton maiden in November, the High Chaparral colt appeared to have raised his game significantly when making a winning return to action in a conditions event at Newbury last month, and Dunlop is now keen to test his three-year-old's powers in Pattern class.

"He's won two of out of his three races, he's a horse we like and it's time to step him up in class now," said the Newmarket handler.

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O'Brien rules the world in Vase

http://www.attheraces.info/article.a...n+Vase&day=Thu

Aidan O'Brien's Ruler Of The World ran out a wide-margin winner of the MBNA Chester Vase in the hands of Ryan Moore.

The master of Ballydoyle had saddled three of the last six winners of the recognised Derby trial in Soldier Of Fortune (2007), Golden Sword (2009) and Treasure Beach (2011) and his latest candidate was a 10-11 favourite off the back of a Curragh maiden victory a month ago.

Ruler Of The World tracked the early pace set by Mister Impatience under Ryan Moore, but took over from the home turn and soon stamped his authority on the Group Three contest, lengthening quite impressively to pass the post with six lengths in hand of Mister Impatience

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Danadana swoops for Huxley spoils.

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

Kieren Fallon produced Danadana with a swooping last-to-first run to claim the Stella Artois Huxley Stakes at Chester in impressive style.

A winner of three of his five starts in handicap company last season, Luca Cumani's five-year-old was graduating to Pattern class for the first time in his career and sent off the 100-30 favourite, he appeared ill at ease in the early stages of the Group Three contest and soon found himself in last place.

He still had each of his opponents in front of him rounding the turn for home, but once pulled wide, he picked up smartly and eventually passed the post a comfortable three-quarter of a length in front of Highland Knight.

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Fairy not out of Ascot equation.

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

Ed Dunlop has revealed there is an "outside chance" Snow Fairy will be ready to return to action in the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot.

The six-time Group One-winning mare looked as good as ever when winning last September's Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown, but she was ruled out for the rest of the campaign after suffering a tendon injury.

Owner Cristina Patino admirably confirmed the six-year-old would return to training in 2013 and having pleased Dunlop since returning to his Newmarket base, he is looking forward to seeing her back on the racecourse.

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Dee day for impressive Magician

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

Magician demolished his rivals in the BetVictor.com Dee Stakes at Chester.

Aidan O'Brien's charge was a disappointing last in an Irish Group Three on his final start of 2012 but he put that performance far behind him with an authoritative display in the hands of Ryan Moore.

The 13-8 favourite was still travelling beautifully as the field turned for home, and though the well-fancied Contributer made his challenge from the back of the pack down the straight Magician, despite drifting across the track, accelerated away to win by an unextended four lengths.

Moore, who won the Chester Vase on O'Brien's Ruler Of The World on Thursday, said: "He's a very nice horse. He felt relaxed going round there and when you asked he really quickened very well. He's got plenty of pace

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Dee day for impressive Magician.

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

Magician demolished his rivals in the BetVictor.com Dee Stakes at Chester.

Aidan O'Brien's charge was a disappointing last in an Irish Group Three on his final start of 2012 but he put that performance far behind him with an authoritative display in the hands of Ryan Moore.

The 13-8 favourite was still travelling beautifully as the field turned for home, and though the well-fancied Contributer made his challenge from the back of the pack down the straight Magician, despite drifting across the track, accelerated away to win by an unextended four lengths.

Moore, who won the Chester Vase on O'Brien's Ruler Of The World on Thursday, said: "He's a very nice horse. He felt relaxed going round there and when you asked he really quickened very well. He's got plenty of pace.

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Murphy to move to France.


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

Cheltenham Festival-winning trainer Ferdy Murphy is to relocate to France from his North Yorkshire stables.

Wexford-born Murphy, 64, will sell Wynbury Stables in West Witton, with the intention of moving to a farm in Upper Normandy across the Channel. He will continue his breeding business in France, as well as buying and selling young stock.

Murphy said in a statement: "It will be an end of an era. I've had many grand times at Wynbury, but I've always wanted to train in France. If I don't do it now, it is probably something I will regret later on in life. The opportunity is too good to turn down."

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Greatwood on trial at Lingfield.

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

Greatwood will be aiming to book his Epsom ticket as he lines up in the Betfred Derby Trial Stakes at Lingfield on Saturday.

Not since High-Rise in 1998 has the winner of this Listed event gone on to Investec Derby glory, but like that colt, Greatwood is trained in Newmarket by Luca Cumani.

The Manduro colt got his campaign off to a fine start when beaten a short head by Windhoek in a richly-endowed sales race at Newmarket in April, with the winner since having struck at Listed level.

"Luca has always had a high opinion of him and I think his performance at Newmarket really showed that he's quite a striking and well-above-average colt," said Harry Herbert, racing manager for owners Highclere Thoroughbred Racing.