Timeform Features 
/ Timeform / 30 May 2011 / Leave a Comment 
The Cheka fends off Regal Parade in the Timeform Jury Stakes at Haydock
"The Cheka finally won his first Group race, when landing the Timeform Jury Stakes from Regal Parade."
It was quiet on the homefront this weekend, with the Group 3 Timeform Jury Stakes the highlight at Haydock on Saturday, but there was also quality action at Leopardstown on Sunday. Timeform look back....
The main attention this weekend was turned towards Leopardstown on Sunday for the Saval Beg Stakes, which saw Aidan O'Brien's three-time Group 1 winner Fame and Glory warm up for a tilt at the Ascot Gold Cup. The odds-on shot got the job done, but only narrowly, which has seemingly cast doubt into people's minds over his stamina for the marathon trip at Ascot. Last year's Gold Cup hero Rite of Passage finished third behind Fame And Glory on his return, for which his trainer Dermot Weld has stated publically that he expected him to improve from, and punters believe that was a more encouraging effort, making him the [3.95] favourite at the Royal meeting.
Juvenile Group 1 winner Zoffany ran a creditable second on his belated return on Sunday, going down by just over a length to Bewitched in the Group 3 Ballycorus Stakes. Both were shortened in the Golden Jubilee market, with Charles O'Brien hinting that the winner may take her chance - she currently trades at [21.0].
The previous day at Haydock, The Cheka finally won his first Group race, when landing the Timeform Jury Stakes from Regal Parade. Trainer Eve Johnson Houghton said the gelding may miss Royal Ascot and focus on the Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville over his favoured seven-furlongs.
Michael Bell's Activate completed the hat-trick when winning opening two-mile contest at Haydock, and is now the [7.0] favourite for the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle next month. Later on the card Ferdoos took the mile and a half listed race for fillies. Roger Varian is not aiming for Group 1s just yet, as he has targeted a return to Haydock for the Lancashire Oaks as her next target.
On the same card, Shumoos was a very impressive debutant winner for Brian Meehan, showing a sharp turn of foot to win by four and a half lengths. She does not have Royal Ascot entries at the moment, but has been installed as favourite for the Queen Mary.
Over at Beverley, Gabriel remained unbeaten as he just got up to win the Brian Yeardley Trophy. The Coventry at Royal Ascot looks his likely target, where he is a [15.0] chance.
Richard Fahey also took the big three-year-old sprint at Newmarket with the well-backed Majestic Myles, who hung on gamely. His next target is a similar event at York.
Timeform Handicapper David Johnson reflects on the pick of the action over the last seven days.......
It's a relatively low-key week of racing until Friday, which is Oaks day at Epsom, but it's Saturday that will really capture the imagination of the public, with the prospect of a Royal Derby winner.......
In a Royal wedding year, will the crowds at Epsom be cheering home a Derby winner owned by the reigning monarch? Timeform run the rule over the main contenders for the Blue Riband on June 4......
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