Paul Nicholls: The views on my five runners at Ascot and Wetherby today

15:15 Wetherby - Silviniaco Conti

"This won’t be easy as he has a 10lb penalty today, and I’m sure others in here have targeted this race more and will be fitter than us, but he is a three-time Grade 1 and King George winner and theclass horse of the race and hopefully that will see him through."

It's a busy Saturday for Paul Nicholls with runners at no less than four meetings, and here the Betfair Ambassador talks exclusively about his five chances at Ascot and Wetherby...

13:30 Wetherby - Solar Impulse

Rounded off last season with a good win at Chepstow and I was pleased with his chasing debut at Newton Abbot. Okay, he was beaten at odds-on in a three-runner race, but the outing would have done him the world of good in terms of fitness and experience. That would have been the first time that he had jumped a fence on grass. So while a mark of 135 is plenty high enough on the bare form of that second, I'd hope that he can progress and be competitive here.

13:45 Ascot - Keltus

Proved himself a decent juvenile hurdler last season but hopefully he will develop into a better chaser, and I was certainly encouraged by his second to Court Minstrel on his debut at Newton Abbot, where he jumped nicely. The winner is clearly a smart horse, following up at Cheltenham next time, and I think a mark of 131 is fair. And the step up in trip will suit him, too, as will the ground. Has a good chance.

14:20 Ascot - Ulck Du Lin

Has won over course and distance but that was in heavy ground and I think that he may just struggle today on this faster ground over this trip. But at least he came down the weights last season and has Sean taking 7lb off - and he had his palate cauterised in the summer, too - so you never know.  

15:15 Wetherby - Silviniaco Conti

He is fit enough to do himself justice and he tends to go pretty well when fresh anyway, as he showed when winning this race two years ago. But, with bigger prizes ahead, he will obviously be better for the run and last year showed us that we want to be going into the Betfair Chase with an outing under our belt.

This won't be easy as he has a 10lb penalty today, and I'm sure others in here have targeted this race more and will be fitter than us, but he is a three-time Grade 1 and King George winner and the class horse of the race and hopefully that will see him through.

Even though he clearly enjoyed a very successful time of it, his runs at the back-end puzzled me a bit, and we did find that he was suffering from ulcers when we scoped him after Aintree. But, regardless, he is the one they have to worry about here. I suspect we will see a much fitter Taquin Du Seuil than we saw at Newton Abbot and he could the one for us to beat, though two or three in here will probably be fancying their chances against us first time up.

15:35 Asco - Black Thunder

Needed the run pretty badly on his reappearance at Newton Abbot and will strip a lot fitter today. But in my opinion I still feel that he is handicapped up to the hilt, and ideally he wouldn't want the ground to dry up too much more. You clearly can't write him off, as he is a very smart chaser on his day. but I suspect that he may need to come down in the weights and softer ground to be seen to better effect. Maybe in something like the Hennessy, but we will see.

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Victoria Cup: Lightning set to strike at Ascot

"The fact that Lightning Cloud has had a run this time, as opposed to 12 months ago, could be key as that Thirsk outing ought to have sharpened him up both physically and mentally..."

Timeform's Matt Gardner looks ahead to this weekend's Victoria Cup, which takes place over seven furlongs at Ascot on Saturday...

The Victoria Cup is one of THE competitive handicaps of the Flat season. Often, even on a mundane day of racing, a race will be referred to as being competitive but affairs such as the Victoria Cup, the Wokingham, the Stewards Cup and the Royal Hunt Cup take the ferocity of competition to a whole new level. Little betters the sight of 28 horses taking flight down the track, sometimes as one mass and others as several scattered battalions, in hope of becoming the latest "Saturday horse", the one that connections have managed to keep just ahead of its mark in the hope of landing one of these valuable prizes. 

Levitate (Lincoln), Haaf A Sixpence (Spring Cup) and Norse Blues (Thirsk Hunt Cup) have tasted success in the three cavalry charges that have taken place so far this term, with just one of them seeking to add this contest to their role of honour. 

Haaf A Sixpence had something of a tune up for his tilt at Newbury's Spring Cup when finishing third in the Spring Mile at Doncaster (had he landed that race I would have accredited him with an additional half a point in terms of big handicaps won this season, it's only a consolation race after all), and he went on to produce his best effort yet in beating Guest Of Honour by a length. He remains relative novices in terms of races run having taken to the track on just nine occasions and what is noticeable from a quick glance at his record is his strike-rate, with him landing the spoils four times. The handicapper has hit him with a rise of 5 lb, taking his BHA mark to 90, which might just be enough to seem him make the cut and seems unlikely to prevent him putting up a bold show. Ante-post word of warning: Haaf A Sixpence is also entered at Chester on Friday.  

The aforementioned Guest Of Honour is certainly worthy of revisiting as the panache with which he travelled through the Spring Cup suggested that he could well have one of these handicaps in his locker. The four-year-old has done nothing but improve throughout his seven-race career, taking his form to a new level in first-time cheekpieces and on just his second race on turf as he chased home Haaf A Sixpence, but what most caught the eye was how stylishly he went about his business, adding weight to the impression that he is yet to reach his limit. Ante-post word of warning number two: Guest Of Honour is entered in the same race at Chester. 

The next on our hit list quite simply has to be the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Enrol, a lightly-raced four-year-old filly who is closely related to the useful sprinter Enact. Enrol took a couple of outings to get her act together but, having landed a Lingfield maiden, she has demonstrated no signs of looking back in two starts since, scoring impressively at both Wolverhampton and Doncaster. Enrol has also been raised to a mark of 90, some 8 lb higher than for her most recent success, but with the Stoute yard firing on all cylinders at present and the suspicion being that Enrol will prove herself at an even higher level at some stage, she has to be firmly on any punters' radar. Ante-post word of warning number three: there isn't one really, although she does need a few to come out in order to gain a place in the field.

David O'Meara is rapidly making a name for himself in the training ranks, particularly with horses he acquires from other yards and abroad, and Two For Two has the hallmarks of being yet another excellent addition to his stable. The five-year-old, formerly trained in France by Nicolas Clement, finished second on debut for O'Meara after six months off the track but he has improved upon that form since, readily landing a good-quality handicap at Ripon last month. He was fancied to supplement that success with further glory in the Thirsk Hunt Cup but could only finish second, although things hardly went his way as, having been drawn wide, he was hampered before halfway which cost him vital ground before he stayed on in eye-catching fashion. This race comes fairly soon on the back of that but if that proves not to be a stumbling block he looks certain to be in the firing line. 

A final one to mention in detail is Lightening Cloud, who has previous in this race having finished fifth 12 months ago. The five-year-old progressed right through 2011, hitting the mark on five occasions, and he kicked off in 2012 with the anticipation that yet more success would be forthcoming. His effort in this race was a good one, leading his group in the centre of the track but never able to get on terms with those who raced on the far-side, and he was sent off favourite for the Wokingham on his next outing. He was below form there, and on his next couple of starts, but he bounced back on his final outing of last year and displayed plenty of encouragement on his reappearance at Thirsk last month. 

The fact that Lightning Cloud has had a run this time, as opposed to 12 months ago, could be key as that Thirsk outing ought to have sharpened him up both physically and mentally. The impression is that he is capable of scoring off a mark of 95, the same mark he contested this race off last year, and at the current prices he make plenty of appeal. 

It is possible to make a case for far too many to mention them all by name but a couple worthy of a few words are Cape Classic and Tartiflette. The former arguably has work to do if he is to defy a mark of 97 but he demonstrated his well-being on his seasonal bow at Haydock and strikes as the type that is ideally suited to being held-up off a strong pace. 

Tartiflette actually won that Haydock affair on her own reappearance, posting a career-best effort to score from a 5 lb higher mark than when entering the winners' enclosure at Doncaster at the end of last term. A further 5 lb rise doesn't seem excessive and she is lightly-raced enough to think that she could do better still. 

On balance it is difficult to recommend wading into one in a race of this ilk, particularly with the final field yet to be determined, but at the ante-post stage the most appealing bet is Lightning Cloud. The five-year-old ran well in this race last year without having had a preparatory outing so, with a trip to Thirsk under his belt, he seems certain to put up a bold bid in an attempt to become the latest winner of one of 2013's big handicaps.  

Recommendation:
Back Lightning Cloud in the Victoria Cup

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Royal Ascot News: Snow Fairy not ruled out

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, 128 by Timeform, 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.

The trainer said: "She's just starting to do two canters (per day) and I'm very happy with how she's progressing.

"I'm very pleased with her, hopefully she keeps going the way she is and we'll see what happens.

"There's an outside chance (she'll make Royal Ascot). She just has the one entry there, in the Prince Of Wales's Stakes, and I'm not ruling it in or out.

"We'll just see how she progresses over the next few weeks."

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Ascot Placepot: Sunday April 7

"Greywell Boy has impressed with his jumping since being switched to fences and there is every chance that he could land the hat-trick this afternoon..."

Timeform's Matt Gardner tackles the Ascot Placepot on Sunday...

14:15 - A non-runner has reduced this field to 15, leaving us with just the three places to aim at, so although it is slightly uninventive we are going to start by including the Nicky Henderson-trained Courtesy Call, who was useful on the Flat for Mark Johnston and, having been pitched in at the deep end on his hurdling debut, ought to find this slightly easier. It also worth sticking in Warden Hill, who may not come into his own until he is tried over even further but remains open to further improvement and has a little bit of experience to call upon. 

14:50 - Emma Lavelle gained her first winner of 2013 at Aintree yesterday but that isn't enough to persuade us to side with Well Regarded here, so instead we will take Molotof. The six-year-old was out of his depth in the Jewson on his latest start but this represents a much easier assignment and he looks the one to beat. 

15:25 - Although I harbour slight concerns over how some of Donald McCain's horses have been running lately you cannot escape the fact that Aazif, who was fairly useful on the flat, begins life in handicaps over timber on an attractive mark. He remains with plenty of potential in this sphere for all that he has failed to win in two attempts, but he could rectify that statistic now. Sky Khan also makes his handicap debut here and he could go well with cheekpieces in place for the first time, so he makes plenty of appeal as a bit of back up. 

16:00 - Greywell Boy has impressed with his jumping since being switched to fences and there is every chance that he could land the hat-trick this afternoon, particularly when bearing in mind that he is open to further progress. The one caveat with regards to his chances is that there looks to be plenty of pace on, so we may be wise to include Jackies Solitaire, who is pretty versatile tactically, in the hope that she can pick up the pieces were the pace to collapse late on. 

16:40 - Hold On Julio is certainly on a fair mark if his jumping holds up bet he is a risky selection, so we will instead side with Fruity O'Rooney and Mr Gardner (no relation). The first mentioned is an admirably genuine and consistent performer who really deserves to get his head in front again whilst Mr Gardner has shaped well on his two starts since a lengthy absence and looks one to keep an eye on. 

17:10 - Although there is a relatively big field for the final leg we are going to bank upon the Paul Nicholls-trained Sin Bin, who seems sure to be suited this step up in trip and is a leading player on his handicap bow. 

Selections: 
14:15 - 15, 16
14:50 - 2
15:25 - 7, 11
16:00 - 7, 10
16:40 - 3, 6
17:10 - 14
= 16 lines

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Timeform Daily: Long Distance Cup, Saturday, Ascot 13:45

"Opinion Poll firmly established as one of the top stayers around, splitting Fame And Glory and Colour Vision in 2011 renewal..."

It's probably not giving much away to say that Frankel and Excelebration are our selections in the Champion and QEII, so we instead look at the first race at Ascot on Champions Day, the Group 3 Long Distance Cup...

Aiken completed six-timer when making all in tactical Group 2 at Chantilly in June. Lost little in defeat in Hardwicke Stakes and Irish St Leger, but this no easier and stamina to prove. Ground fine.

Askar Tau is a quirky sort but smart on his day, as he showed when length second to Saddler's Rock in the Goodwood Cup in August. Even a repeat of that still leaves him short in this company.

Colour Vision was not seen to best effect when behind Opinion Poll in this last year, and reversed the form with that rival in the Ascot Gold Cup. Just respectable efforts in 3 outings since. Cheekpieces reached for.

Electrolyser had the run of things when winning listed event at Nottingham in April, and his limitations have been exposed every time he's tackled Group company, behind 3 of these in the Goodwood Cup.

Fame And Glory proved himself the best stayer around in 2011, culminating with a ready success in this contest. Unable to attain same heights this year after reappearance success, so must bounce back.

Ile De Re has been a real success story for this yard, landing ultra-competitive Chester Cup and Northumberland Plate earlier this year. Well worth try at this level, and firmly at home under these conditions.

Opinion Poll firmly established as one of the top stayers around, splitting Fame And Glory and Colour Vision in 2011 renewal. Runner-up behind latter rival in Ascot Gold Cup but goes well fresh and ground fine.

Rite of Passage is a smart hurdler whose finest hour came when landing the Gold Cup at the Royal meeting here in 2010. Has been restricted to just one outing since and questions to answer after such an absence.

Saddler's Rock has developed into a high-class stayer, landing Doncaster Cup last autumn and the Goodwood Cup in August. Right there with principals on best form, but disappointing last 3 outings.

Timeform 1-2-3
1. Opinion Poll
2. Ile De Re
3. Fame And Glory

Timeform Verdict: With 2011 winner Fame And Glory not arriving here in the same form this time around, Opinion Poll makes plenty of appeal in his bid to go one better this year with soft ground no inconvenience. If conditions turn very testing, Ile de Re could exceed many peoples' expectations.

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Ascot

Daily Racing Info / Editor / 01 April 2012 / Leave a Comment

Racecourse Ascot
First Race Time 2.20pm
Going Good (watered)
Other Information Dry overnight. Fine day forecast.

Racecourse Doncaster First Race Time 1.35pm Going Good Other Information Dry overnight. Dry day forecast with sunny spells and temperatures up to 13 degrees....

All the latest movers from Betfair's racing markets....

All the early price movements from Betfair's racing markets....

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Weekend Review: Riverside takes to Ascot stage

Weekend Preview/Review / Timeform / 20 February 2012 / Leave a Comment

Riverside Theatre winning the Betfair Ascot Chase.

"Riverside Theatre demonstrated that he retains all of his ability, jumping and travelling fluently..."

Timeform look back at a weekend featuring a winning return for Riverside Theatre in the Betfair Ascot Chase, a double for Donald McCain on the Ascot card and a battling victory for Giles Cross in Haydock's Grand National Trial...

Twelve months on from his last racecourse appearance, Riverside Theatre made a most impressive return to action to land back-to-back runnings of the Betfair Ascot Chase. A stress fracture of the pelvis enforced a year on the sidelines but Riverside Theatre demonstrated that he retains all of his ability, jumping and travelling fluently before being kept up to his work as the improving Medermit stuck on well.

Riverside Theatre, rated 171 by Timeform, will head to the Ryanair at the Cheltenham Festival with the strongest claims on form and, whilst his sole visit to Cheltenham resulted in a somewhat disappointing fifth in the Arkle in 2010, that effort can be put down to inexperience (just his third start over fences) and he would look the one to beat in the season's renewal, making his current price of [7.2] look incredibly tempting.

Another to enhance his Cheltenham claims was the Alan King-trained Invictus, who landed the Grade 2 Reynoldstown Novices' Chase. Having disappointed in the Dipper Novices' Chase at Cheltenham on his previous start, Invictus took the step up in trip in his stride to win readily.

Jumping much more fluently than at Cheltenham, Invictus quickened well to beat Bobs Worth by three lengths. However, he is essentially a speedier type than the runner-up and would not be sure to confirm the placings in the RSA on 3 lb worse terms. Invictus can currently be backed at [13.0] for the RSA, whilst Bobs Worth is available at [6.8]. A more suitable race for the winner could well be the Jewson, for which he is presently trading at [21.0].

Massini's Maguire, making just his ninth appearance over fences in a three-and-a-half-year timespan, showed himself still capable of smart form when beating Tullamore Dew by a head in the staying chase at Ascot. He may take some time to get over the exertions of Saturday's attritional contest, though he managed to highlight his Grand National claims.

Of more interest for that race, however, and currently available to back at [32.0] is the third-placed Cappa Bleu, who also filled that position in the Welsh National. The suspicion is that he may have been trained with Aintree in mind, so this was a promising effort on the whole.

Also on the Ascot card, Cholmondeley trainer Donald McCain landed a Saturday double with Super Duty and Bourne.

Super Duty is most certainly one to bear in mind for novice chasing next year, sure to be suited by further than two and a half miles in time, whilst Bourne, owned by the Timeform Betfair Racing Club, produced a very useful effort on his handicap debut with the promise of more to come given the likely strength of the form.

Moving North to Haydock, where the admirably tough and consistent Giles Cross won the Grand National Trial. Having finished as the runner-up in the Welsh National for the second consecutive year, Giles Cross was gaining his fifth career success under rules. The ten-year-old seemingly thrives on stamina sapping races of this ilk, and currently be backed at [29.0] for the Grand National, although prevailing ground conditions would likely be a factor in his participation.

Other winners of note on Haydock's card were Restless Harry, who seemed to bounce back after an unsuccessful stint novice chasing and two creditable and typically determined efforts behind Big Buck's, the Lucinda Russell-trained Brindisi Breeze (notched a fourth victory over hurdles and is available at [12.0] for the Albert Bartlett) and British debutant Une Artisite, previously trained in France, who stayed on well to deny High Samana after making a mistake at the final flight.

2010 Champion Hurdle winner Binocular very much thrust himself back into the 2012 reckoning, showing all of his old dash in winning Wincanton's Kingwell Hurdle. Currently trading at [8.8], Timeform rate him as the leading British-trained hope for the Champion Hurdle, with only the minor obstacle that is Hurricane Fly ([1.98]) to overcome.

The review of this weekend would not be complete without mentioning the terrific Black Caviar, who equalled her best Timeform rating of 135 when winning the Lightning Stakes. For more on her nineteenth consecutive victory, read Gary Crispe's review "Black Caviar equals career-best Timeform rating".

There was also some informative racing across the Irish Sea this weekend, at Gowran on Saturday and Navan on Sunday, with the likes of Rubi Light, Zaidpour and Mourad all advertising their Festival claims.
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Timeform ratings were in fine form at the weekend. Click HERE to see the top rated roll call, or click HERE to get race cards & ratings for today's meetings.

Timeform preview an excellent weekend of racing, featuring action from Ascot, Haydock and Wincanton on Saturday, and Navan on Sunday......

Red Mills Chase day is one of the feature meetings of the season at Gowran and this Saturday's card promises to be informative with several Cheltenham contenders likely to be having their final prep run before the festival....

Timeform look back at a weekend featuring National Hunt racing from Musselburgh on Saturday, as well as mixed action on the all-weather, and some notable international results......

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Timeform Daily: Betfair Ascot Chase, Saturday, Ascot 15:00

Race of the Day / Timeform / 17 February 2012 / Leave a Comment

Betfair sponsor the Ascot Chase

"...it could be worth chancing the bigger-priced Little Josh, whose form with Weird Al/Long Run, in combination with his eye-catching reappearance run last time, suggests he's well worth his place in this line-up."

Timeform take a look at the runners for the Grade 1 feature at Ascot on Saturday, run over two miles and five furlongs...

Gauvain was a wide-margin winner at Cheltenham on return, and at his best to defeat Somersby in Peterborough Chase. Faller when beaten here latest (17f) but second in this last year and place claims if at best.

I'msingingtheblues ended losing run in 17f here in November. Solid efforts since, with career best when going down narrowly to Tatenen in C&D handicap last time. Should run his race but likely to come up a bit short.

Kauto Stone iss a high-class French chaser who followed impressive win at Down Royal (2½m) last month with clear second to Sizing Europe in Tingle Creek Chase. Likely more at home at this trip and leading contender.

Little Josh won his first 2 starts last season, and that form reads well now. Pleasing return from a year off when a strong-travelling sixth in Argento Chase (25f) so of interest now back in trip.

Medermit was one of last season's leading novice chasers. Landed Haldon Gold Cup on return before jumping let him down in Grade 2 here (19f). Arrives on back of career best effort at Cheltenham and respected.

Riverside Theatre was a progressive chaser who found only Long Run too good in the King George last season. Not seen since impressive winner of this last year but has gone well fresh and the one to beat on that form.

Tatanen landed the last 2 renewals of the valuable C&D handicap on the Victor Chandler Chase card, but not weighted to confirm recent form with Imsingingtheblues, and big career best needed to figure.

The Sawyer is a sure-footed front runner who goes well here. A while since he last won, and generally regressive profile suggests he won't be doing so in this grade.

Timeform 1-2-3:
1. Little Josh
2. Riverside Theatre
3. Kauto Stone

Timeform View: Riverside Theatre and Kauto Stone are the obvious ones, but both return from absences and connections could have Cheltenham in mind. Given that, it could be worth chancing the bigger-priced Little Josh, whose form with Weird Al/Long Run, in combination with his eye-catching reappearance run last time, suggests he's well worth his place in this line-up.

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Timeform's Horses to Follow Extra Ascot Chase issue is out now and features no less than six big-race previews and an interview with Alan King.

Timeform run the rule over an extremely competitive Betfair Handicap Hurdle, a race sure to provide plenty of future winners......

Timeform bring you a runner-by-runner guide to the Group 2 Balanchine Stakes at Meydan, run over nine furlongs on turf......

After three placed efforts, Master of Hounds bids to win his first race on Emirati soil in the Group 2 Al Fahidi Fort at Meydan, run over a mile on turf......

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Weekend Preview: Betfair Ascot Chase the Saturday feature

Weekend Preview/Review / Timeform / 17 February 2012 / Leave a Comment

Ascot stages some excellent racing on Saturday.

"Riverside Theatre was last seen when winning the corresponding race last year, beating Gauvain in authoritative style..."

Timeform preview an excellent weekend of racing, featuring action from Ascot, Haydock and Wincanton on Saturday, and Navan on Sunday...

The opening mention has to go to Black Caviar, who will be seeking a 19th straight win in the Group 1 Lightning Stakes at Flemington on Saturday morning, the race due off at 05:10 GMT. For more on the contest, read Timeform's preview: "New challenge awaits Black Caviar".

Ascot's feature race, the Grade 1 Betfair Ascot Chase staged over two miles and five furlongs, is a fascinating contest with a number of Cheltenham hopefuls in the line-up. Kauto Stone, a half-brother to the outstanding Kauto Star, will make just his third start for Paul Nicholls having previously been trained in France and will be seeking a second win. His success in a Grade 2 at Down Royal was impressive and the drop to two miles in his following race was unlikely to be ideal.

However, on Timeform weight-adjusted ratings he has 9 lb to find with the returning Riverside Theatre and 3 lb with the Alan King-trained Medermit. The former was last seen when winning the corresponding race last year, beating Gauvain in authoritative style, although his fitness will have to be taken on trust. Medermit, runner-up in the December Gold Cup on his most recent appearance, is likely to be the strongest challenger to Riverside Theatre.

The Nicky Henderson-trained Bobs Worth is the headline entry in the Reynoldstown Chase, Grade 2 a novices' event over three miles. The seven-year-old, rated 153p over fences by Timeform, won the Albert Bartlett at last season's Cheltenham Festival before embarking on a chasing career which has, so far, resulted in a narrow victory over Cue Card at Newbury and a creditable third to Grands Crus at Kempton.

Bobs Worth is likely to have improved for that experience and is a strong candidate, although Silviniaco Conti, who finished a place in front of him at Kempton, is also in the line-up. Invictus, another Alan King runner, adds further intrigue as he steps to the distance for the first time.

Ascot's 14:25 appears to be a fairly open 13-runner handicap, with the Paul Nicholls-trained The Minack, successful on his last visit to the track, heading the weights. Pearlysteps, Cappa Bleu, Exmoor Ranger and Tullamore Dew would be others to consider.

Haydock's feature event is the Grand National Trial, in which the Welsh National first and second (Le Beau Bai and Giles Cross) are currently tied at the head of the market. Aintree hopeful Neptune Collonges will carry top-weight, ensuring the likes of Sona Sasta, Rey Nacarado and King Fontaine run from out of the handicap.

Moving on to Wincanton, where the Grade 2 Kingwell Hurdle is the stand out race, boasting a line-up that includes Binocular, Celestial Halo and the returning Starluck. Binocular comes out 4 lb clear on Timeform weight-adjusted ratings, with the other two tied, giving hope of a fairly tight-knit affair.

Ireland plays host to some interesting races over the weekend, at Gowran on Saturday and Navan on Sunday. To find out more about the Irish action, read Timeform's preview "Rubi Light to return in Red Mills".

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Timeform's Horses to Follow Extra Ascot Chase issue is out now and features no less than six big-race previews and an interview with Alan King.

Red Mills Chase day is one of the feature meetings of the season at Gowran and this Saturday's card promises to be informative with several Cheltenham contenders likely to be having their final prep run before the festival....

Timeform look back at a weekend featuring National Hunt racing from Musselburgh on Saturday, as well as mixed action on the all-weather, and some notable international results......

The adverse weather conditions have scuppered a fantastic days racing at Newbury, but the racing world will plough ahead with Musselburgh and a trio of all-weather tracks staging cards on Saturday, and Exeter, Hereford and Southwell all looking to race on Sunday......

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VC Chase Result: Somersby lands Ascot Grade 1

News / Timeform / 21 January 2012 / Leave a Comment

Somersby won the VC Chase at Ascot.

"We've had him since he was three and he very rarely lets us down - he deserves that win so much..."

Somersby (BSP of [5.8]) finally gained the big victory his consistent efforts deserved when wearing down Finian's Rainbow in the 25th Anniversary of the VC Chase at Ascot...

Narrowly denied in the race 12 months ago, Henrietta Knight's stable star again looked booked for the runner-up spot when Finian's Rainbow jumped clear at the last fence.

However, the first-time cheek pieces appeared to work their magic for Somersby as Dominic Elsworth's mount found plenty for pressure to win by a length and a quarter.

The novice Al Ferof was a creditable third.

Elsworth said: "I'm delighted for the horse.

"He's been a bit of a bridesmaid, but he's done it nicely.

"I always knew he was going to stay on towards the end."

Barry Geraghty looked confident entering the straight and had yet to ask Finian's Rainbow a serious question.

But Somersby showed a tenacity perhaps not previously witnessed to provide Knight with a route back into the big time - and Elsworth with his first Grade 1 success.

Knight, whose husband, Terry Biddlecombe, is recovering from a stroke, added: "He ran such a good race in it last year.

"He loves this place and I thought it was worth another go.

"I think the cheek pieces sharpened him up, his jumping was very slick today.

"I think it was just one of those days when everything went right.

"It's a wonderful feeling as I've got Terry with me here today, too."

Knight added: "We've had him since he was three and he very rarely lets us down - he deserves that win so much.

"That (Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival) is probably the target, but he's also entered in the Queen Mother."

Elsworth added: "Everything went in my favour. They did quicken away from me a bit going to the second last, but I knew he would stay.

"He jumped extremely well. Days like this make it all worthwhile when you are getting up at the crack of dawn every morning."

Owner Michael Buckley said of runner-up Finian's Rainbow: "It was a very good effort, but I just think he's looking, and working, more like a staying horse.

"If he does run in the Champion Chase it will be the last time he runs over two miles."

Nicholls said of Al Ferof: "I'm absolutely delighted.

"Ruby Walsh came back and said, 'You can't buy that experience'.

"It should have put him right for Cheltenham, where he'll definitely run in the Arkle."

Looking towards Cheltenham, Somersby is available at [11.5] for the Ryanair and [18.0] for the Champion Chase.

Finian's Rainbow can be backed at [7.4] for the Champion Chase, whilst Al Ferof is currently trading as the [7.2] third favourite for the Arkle.

Betting.Betfair columnist Donald McCain fired in a quartet of winners at Haydock on Saturday......

Spirit Son's participation in the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival is in serious doubt after suffering another setback......

Paul Nolan's Noble Prince continues his Cheltenham Festival preparations in the Normans Grove Chase at Fairyhouse on Sunday......

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VC Chase Betting: Al Ferof to master Ascot rivals

Ante-post / Matt Gardner / 18 January 2012 / Leave a Comment

Al Ferof has looked an exciting prospect in his two chase starts to date.

"Paul Nicholls would not be pitching Al Ferof in at such a level if he was not up to it."

The VC Chase at Ascot on Saturday could easily prove an informative contest with regards to the Champion Chase at Cheltenham but, lest we forget, this race is a Grade 1 in its own right and it is shaping up to be a fascinating affair...

Take a look through the list of winners of the VC Chase, and name after name leaps off the page at you: Desert Orchid in 1989, Viking Flagship in 1994 and the talented-but-fragile Call Equiname in 1999. Any of Saturday's line-up would jump at the chance to put their own names alongside that first-rate group, let alone more recent winners Well Chief, the ill-fated Twist Magic and the fantastic Master Minded.

This year's renewal does have something of a bizarre element to it, however, as a case can be made for all of the principals that they may be better over further, either now or in due course; that is something that will need to be factored in to the quest to find the most likely winner.

A good starting point looks to be the Nicky Henderson-trained Finian's Rainbow, who made his seasonal reappearance a winning one in the Grade 2 Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton at the end of December. A bad mistake at the fourth last that day was the main contributory factor to him just scrambling home, rather than any rustiness, and but for that blunder he could well have recorded a ready success.

At the time, the impression was that two miles was his trip, and the fact that he responded terrifically for pressure was just a latent turn of foot. However, an entry in the Gold Cup could suggest that his trainer feels he needs further than two miles, now that his free-going tendencies are seemingly in check, and that would call into question his prospects for both this race and the Champion Chase.

There is almost certainly more to come from the nine-year-old, as suggested by his Timeform weight-adjusted rating of 176p and that he is still fairly unexposed, but that improvement may only come into fruition when stepped up in trip. That slight doubt, combined with the concern that his seasonal reappearance was most definitely belated, gives enough evidence to believe that he is worth taking on, especially at his current price of [2.96].

Another that can realistically be taken on with the distance in mind is the Philip Hobbs-trained Wishfull Thinking, and that is not because he ran a fairly decent July Cup trial in the Tingle Creek last month! The nine year-old's best performances have all come over 20/21f, and while his three-quarter length second to Finian's Rainbow in the Desert Orchid Chase last time demonstrated that at least the lion's share of his ability remains intact, it also highlighted that he will likely prove best when stepped back up in trip.

Somersby is a fairly difficult horse to weigh up, and is seemingly at the stage in his career where he needs to be turning the ability he clearly possesses into race wins. Admittedly he is largely holding his form, with a second in the Amlin Chase and the Peterborough Chase and a fourth in the King George alongside a success in a minor event at Kempton to show for his efforts this season, surely making him the most consistent enigma in training! His defeat to Master Minded in the Amlin can be excused, as he is not as good as that rival, as can his first crack at three miles in the King George.

What cannot be as readily excused, however, is his failure to win the Peterborough Chase despite having by far the best chance on form. He did not convince entirely with his attitude that day, notwithstanding the fact that he was not seen to the best advantage as a result of the tactics employed. He had looked in need of the step up to three miles but did not shape nearly as well as expected at Kempton on Boxing Day, and will need the dramatic drop in trip to spark somewhat of a restoration to how he performed in the corresponding contest last year (short-head second to Master Minded).

That said, at the prices he is tempting, currently trading at [7.2], and he is Timeform-top rated, with a couple of pounds in hand over Finian's Rainbow. However, it is up for debate as to whether he can get his head in front of a slightly younger and more inexperienced rival, who could well develop into one of the best chasers around.

That rival is Al Ferof who, after just two starts over fences has achieved a Timeform weight-adjusted rating of 169p. The Paul Nicholls-trained seven year-old produced a very smart performance when winning the Supreme Novices' at Cheltenham last year and has taken extremely well to chasing, landing novices at Cheltenham (Grade 2) and Sandown (Grade 1). His jumping, on his most recent start in particular, looked assured and although he only beat For Non Stop by a neck, he was almost certainly idling after leaping to the front earlier than suits and was always doing enough to hold the runner-up, himself looking a bright prospect.

Yes, he does not have as much chasing experience as his rivals, but Finian's Rainbow is, after all, just the one race out of novice company and Paul Nicholls would not be pitching Al Ferof in at such a level if he was not up to it. The signs from his two most recent runs would suggest that he is.

Of the others, Gauvain would have the best chance, but it would be disappointing if none of the aforementioned quartet were to beat him, Forpadydeplasterer is not the force he once was, for all that he has been running respectably in Ireland, whilst the in-form Oiseau de Nuit and the David Pipe-trained I'm So Lucky are unlikely to be good enough and would be of more interest in a lesser event.

An intriguing contest then in which, at the prices, Somersby makes plenty of appeal and Finian's Rainbow does not. Arguably, the latter is the most likely winner but the price currently available does not strike as being particularly good value when considering the niggling doubts regards his trainers' opinion of his optimum distance and the belatedness of his reappearance. On the other hand the [7.2] available about Somersby is very tempting indeed, but he is difficult to recommend as a win selection. His last three successes, spanning from November 2009 to the present, have all been achieved in fields of five runners or less, and whilst his price is enticing it is preferable to side with the exciting Al Ferof. Paul Nicholls' grey looks a chasing star in the making, and he could well be up to taking the Grade 1 VC Chase on his way to the Cheltenham Festival.

Recommendation

Back Al Ferof @ [4.0] in the VC Chase at Ascot

While the Lanzarote Hurdle at Kempton forms the second prong of a quality double-header this weekend, the Classic Chase at Warwick is sure to prove as popular with punters as it is with Timeform's Adam Brookes......

Gold Cup winner Long Run will be back to defend the King George VI Chase crown which he wrested from four-time winner Kauto Star last season, but Timeform's Paul McIvor reckons the value lies elsewhere......

Olofi may be out of Saturday's two mile Ladbroke Hurdle at Ascot with a dirty scope but that still leaves a large field of closely-matched handicappers for Timeform's Adam Brookes to sift through......

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Weekend Preview: Ascot the venue for exciting Shergar Cup

Timeform Features / Timeform / 05 August 2011 / Leave a Comment

Ascot: The venue for the Shergar Cup on Saturday

"The pick of team Ireland’s rides arguably comes in the 14:30 with Richard Hughes himself aboard the progressive three-year-old, Ithoughtitwasover in the Shergar Cup Classic..."

Timeform give an overview of the best racing in Britain and Ireland this weekend including the Shergar Cup, run at Ascot this Saturday, and the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes, the feature contest on Sunday's card at the Curragh in Ireland...

The Shergar Cup is the highlight in Britain this weekend with six handicap contests on an action-packed afternoon at Ascot with a range of races spanning from 5f to 2m in order to determine who is victorious amongst Britain, Ireland, Europe and Rest of the World. The Irish team has a strong look about it once again this season and will be looking for a third successive victory, captained by Richard Hughes and containing Fran Berry and Colm O'Donoghue.

The pick of team Ireland's rides arguably comes in the 14:30, with Richard Hughes himself aboard the progressive three-year-old, Ithoughtitwasover in the Shergar Cup Classic. Other notable entries include Firebeam in the Shergar Cup Sprint, the very last race on the card (15:35), and this William Haggas-trained colt will be looking to make it three wins in a row under British Champion Paul Hanagan.

Elsewhere in Britain on Saturday afternoon there is Flat racing at Haydock, Newmarket and Redcar.

Of the three meetings, Haydock arguably possesses the strongest card with the Group 3 Rose of Lancaster Stakes the highlight during an interesting afternoon's racing. Lining up for this contest are Godolphin pair Simon De Montfort and Sajhaa, along with last season's Craven Stakes winner and subsequent 2000 Guineas fifth, Elusive Pimpernel, for what looks a fascinating renewal.

There is also Group 3 action from Newmarket on Saturday afternoon as the Group 3 Sweet Solera Stakes takes centre-stage on their card. Godolphin are also double-handed in this contest with Desert Gazelle and Discourse representing the Boys in Blue. Discourse defeated stablemate and subsequent Cherry Hinton winner Gamilati by the narrowest of margins in a Newmarket maiden on her debut and has an excellent chance of gaining another course success.

Saturday's Flat racing is completed by evening meetings at Ayr and Lingfield, whilst over in Ireland there is action over jumps at Kilbeggan, where John Kiely's Sweeps Hill will be looking to make his handicap debut a successful experience in a competitive chase.

Flat racing continues in Britain on Sunday afternoon with action on the level coming from Leicester and Windsor, two meetings dominated by handicap contests.

However it is over in Ireland where most excitement will be generated on Sunday with a very strong card at the Curragh with no fewer than four Group races. The Phoenix Stakes is the highlight and is notably the first 2-y-o race of Group 1 status this season, and this year's renewal looks particularly strong with two challengers from Britain up against the usual Aidan O'Brien runners. Frederick Engels and Lilbourne Lad make the trip over representing David Brown and Richard Hannon respectively and have very solid form but, despite this, Power from the Ballydoyle yard is likely to start warm favourite and is unbeaten in three starts.

Elsewhere on the card, Banimpire will be looking to follow up her Royal Ascot win in the Group 2 Royal Whip Stakes with Irish Derby fifth Dunboyne Express also competing.

Ballydoyle hold a strong hand in the other Group 2 race of the afternoon with Chesham Stakes winner Maybe looking to maintain her unbeaten sequence in the Debutante Stakes. Finally, Deacon Blues will be looking to make it two from two in Group 3 company, the James Fanshawe four-year-old currently heading entries for the Phoenix Sprint Stakes.

Five days of Glorious Goodwood as well as some top-class foreign action kept our handicappers very busy this week. David Johnson highlights the latest movers and shakers....

This year's Ebor Festival at York runs from Wednesday August 17 to Saturday August 20. Timeform take you through the highlights of the four days on the Knavesmire......

Join the Timeform Betfair Racing Club before our horse Ruby Night runs in the 14:50 at Newcastle this afternoon and if he gets beat you will get your membership refunded in full. Read on to find out more......

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Betting Briefing: Ascot stages exciting Shergar Cup meeting

Timeform Features / Timeform / 30 July 2011 / Leave a Comment

Ascot is host for one of the most enjoyable meetings in racing this Saturday.

"The highlight of the week on Saturday with the Shergar Cup set to be staged at Ascot where Great Britain, Ireland, Europe and the Rest of the World will be competing to land the winning prizes..."

Timeform look ahead to next week's racing, with the highlight taking place next Saturday as Ascot stages the Shergar Cup meeting...

Sunday July 31
The Queensferry Stakes at Chester and the Chalice Stakes at Newbury take the fore on Sunday afternoon in Britain with a National Hunt meeting also coming from Market Rasen. Over in Ireland the Galway Festival draws to a close with an eight-race mixed-card and there is a Flat meeting at Cork.

Monday August 1
Ripon is the venue for afternoon Flat racing whilst Windsor and Carlisle both stage evening meetings. Newton Abbot is the host on Monday afternoon for the only Jumps fixture of the day in this country whilst over in Ireland there is National Hunt racing at Cork and action on the level at Naas.

Tuesday August 2
Bath and Catterick stage afternoon Flat racing while Ffos Las and Southwell are on during the evening. There is action over Jumps in Ireland with a single meeting taking place at Roscommon.

Wednesday August 3
There are six Flat meetings in total on Wednesday with afternoon action at Brighton, Newcastle and Pontefract. Evening meetings at Kempton and Yarmouth complete the schedule in this country while Sligo hosts a Flat meeting in Ireland.

Thursday August 4
A busy Thursday program and action on the level is set to continue this side of the Irish Sea with Brighton, Haydock and Yarmouth the three venues for afternoon racing followed by further Flat racing coming from Chepstow, Folkestone and Sandown during the evening. Over in Ireland there are two meetings as Leopardstown stages the Group 3 Ballyroan Stakes over a flat mile and a half and Sligo hosts a National Hunt Card.

Friday August 5
Flat racing on Friday comes from Brighton and Lingfield during the afternoon whilst Haydock and Newmarket stage evening meetings. Worcester hosts the the only Jumps card of the afternoon with Tipperary staging two Listed Flat contests in Ireland during the evening, including the Abergwaun Stakes.

Saturday August 6
The highlight of the week on Saturday, with the Shergar Cup set to be staged at Ascot where Great Britain, Ireland, Europe and the Rest of the World will be competing to land the winning prizes. Richard Hughes will be captaining the Irish team once again as they seek to land yet another victory in the competition but the race for the Silver Saddle may prove the most fascinating contest on an action-packed afternoon.

Flat racing continues elsewhere at Haydock, Newmarket and Redcar during the afternoon with the Group 3 Sweet Solera Stakes at HQ and the Group 3 Rose of Lancaster Stakes at Haydock. Ayr and Lingfield complete the week's racing with evening meetings on the level and in addition to this Kilbeggan also hosts a National Hunt meeting over in Ireland.

The traditional cavalry charge over Goodwood's sharp six furlongs looks as tough to fathom as ever, but Simon Rowlands reckons there are two you must have on your side......

Wondermare Goldikova returns to the racecourse this Sunday for the first time since her defeat to Canford Cliffs at Royal Ascot and is set to face seven rivals when she attempts to land the Group 1 Prix Rothschild at Deauville for a fourth time......

Timeform give an overview of the weekend's best racing with the notable highlight being the Group 1 Nassau Stakes on the final day of Glorious Goodwood......

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Horse Racing Betting: Ascot Live Blog

Events / Geoffrey Riddle / 23 July 2011 / Leave a Comment

St Nicholas Abbey will do his very best to get the better of the very well-backed Worforce

An all-star cast goes head-to-head in the Betfair-sponsored King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at 16:30. But there's plenty of other racing before that and Geoffrey Riddle is the man to talk you through it all.

Feel free to comment in the box below, or get in touch with our man on theriddleratbetfair@gmail.com. You can follow him on Twitter at @louchepunter

Wrap:
Well folks, that's it for the day. Nathaniel's victory makes him the first three-year-old to win the King George since Alamashar in 2003. His success acts as a springboard for a tilt at the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp in October, where he will meet Pour Moi.

John Gosden will have to persuade Lady Rothschild, the owner, to take her winner's cheque of £603k and carve it up as Nathaniel will have to be supplemented for Paris as the entry stage to the race was missed.

Nathaniel's win will be forever associated with Rewilding's death, but hand in hand with that is that William Buick, the winning jockey, rode for his homeland of Norway, who suffered that tragic bombing on Friday. Sometimes, the racing action seems to be just a sideshow to this game.

See you next time.

5.40pm result:
1: Aiken
2: Masaraat
3: Mulaqen

5.35pm:
Audacious, the Queen's horse, was rearing badly in the pre-parade ring ten minutes ago. He was on his hind legs on several occasions and looked extremely edgy. He seems to have quietened down now, but I'd give him a wide berth if you were contemplating backing the mount of Ryan Moore.

5.25pm:
Frankie Dettori is reportedly okay after his fall on Rewilding, apologies for the misleading info earlier. Ahmed Ajtebi has taken the ride on Godolphin's Parlour Games in the last and confirmed as much. "He is fine," he said. "No problems. This is just a precaution. He will be riding at Goodwood next week.

In other news, Nathaniel is now 7-1 for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, which is shaping up now to be a magnificent cap to a sensational season.

Nathaniel is second favourite after justifying the £75,000 supplementary entry that his owners were required to stump up to get him in the King George.

He is priced the same as Workforce, Meadre and Safafina, all of whom are behind 3-1 favourite Pour Moi.

William Buick, the rider of Nathaniel, thinks that is an accurate reflection of his colt's chances at this stage.

"I think we can beat anything other than this year's Derby winner," he said.

4.30pm result - King George
1: Nathaniel
2: Workforce
Frankie Dettori was injured after Rewilding suffered a serious injury in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

Rewilding was just coming to challenge St Nicholas Abbey as the field entered the straight when he broke down, throwing the Italian to the turf.

The horse shattered a cannon bone, and was caught by John Gosden, who was watching the race by the stands' side rail.

The colt was put down after suffering no pain, according to Gosden.

"These things happen," said the winning trainer. "I've seen it happen on stud farms, in paddocks, when horses are loose in the wild. He shattered a cannon bone but I must emphasise he felt no pain at all.

"Nature anithesises horses who suffer this sort of injury. We fed him a bit of grass and then the vet looked after him superbly."

4.07pm:
Timeform's Simon Rowlands points out that although the King George is short on numbers, it certainly isn't short on quality.

I've already pointed out that a proven Group 1 winner is acting as pacemaker today, but Rowlands goes further.

He highlights that you have to go back eight years since there were more horses in the King George rated by Timeform over 128.

4.05pm:
It might be worth having a look at the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe market now. Last year, after Harbinger's crushing victory Sir Michael Stoute's horse was priced up at Evens for the Arc by Hills. He never made it to France.

Connections of Godolphin insist that Rewilding will look to contest the British Champions Series final back here in the autumn. Given his defeat of So You Think over 10f at the Royal Meeting dipped almost two seconds under standard time on good ground he has every right to contest that race.

Aidan O'Brien has So You Think also for the Arc, also, so St Nicholas Abbey may not even travel to Paris.

Therefore, it may be worth considering taking a position in the ante-post market on Workforce. I tried it with Reliable Man prior to the Grand Prix de Paris, but as he bombed I'm in a shocking position now. I'm sure some of you guys can do a lot better.

3.50pm result - International
1: Bronze Prince
2: The Confessor
3: Noble Citizen
4: Pravda Street
5: Atlantic Sport

3.40pm:
For what it is worth, Our Jonathan, Imperial Guest and Noble Citizen looked the pick of the paddock.

3.15pm result:
1: Rave
2: Albaasil
3: Aerial Acclaim
John Gosden's Russian Revival was the last favourite to oblige in the International, and that was in 1999. That he was 9-1 joint favourite, having finished second in what was then the Cork and Orrery Stakes at Royal Ascot just shows how competitive this contest can be. What price would Monsieur Chevalier be in this?

Hawkeyethenoo is the [8.8] jolly at the moment. I've laid him.

3.15pm:
Big handicap experience is essential if you are going to win the International. If you look at the winners down the years, all of them prepped in big fields.
Below is record of International winners in the big handicaps before their victories.

Royal Hunt Cup:
Tillerman was 5th, Atavus was 4th and New Seeker won it at York in 2005. Dabbers Ridge was 12th.
Bunbury Cup:
Tillerman was 11th, Atavus won it while Court Masterpiece, a subsequent Group 1 winner was second. Al Muheer scarcely deserves a mention, having finished 18th.
Buckingham Palace Stakes:
Third Set was third, Laa Rayb fifth, Al Muheer was second.
Victoria Cup:
New Seeker was 9th in 2005 while Laa Rayb unseated Robert Winston.

3.10pm:
There has been a sustained run on the Godolphin runner, My Freedom. Frankie Dettori's mount was matched at as big as [7.6], and now trades at [4.9].

3pm:
It is probably fair to say that connections of Albaasil are a little deflated, at the moment. Shiekh Hamdan's racing manager, Angus Gold, paid a monstrous 320,000gns for the son of Dansili so picking up £12,450 for winning at Newmarket last time aint going to pay the cheques. Still, the Sheikh can probably afford the training fees at Freemason Lodge, but the situation does illustrate how much potential Albaasil once harboured.

He did the job very well at Newmarket, and could be a lot better if Richard Hills could teach him to settle better.

"Albaasil´s an improving horse and the key is switching him off as he can be keen early. We haven´t discussed plans as he only won his maiden last month," Gold said.

He looks a Group horse in the making, much like Sri Putra, who won this handicap off an official rating of 105 in two years ago. Albaasil is only on 98, so if he's to justify his lofty price tag he'll have to take this.

"He ran once as a two-year-old last year and fell apart afterwards," Gold added. "He was small when we bought him but he has more scope now."

2.40pm result: Prince Margaret Stakes
1: Angels Will Fall
2: Regal Realm
3: Miss Lahar
Angels Will Fall was in interesting runner indeed there, wasn't she?
Jimmy Fortune made a late challenge on Regal Realm, who looked to be going the best when compared to her six rivals. Jeremy Noseda's charge was backed down to [1.75] in-running but Robert Winston pulled out more in the closing stages and looked to win with a bit in hand.

The Princess Margaret has been won by some very classy fillies in the past decade, including Russian Rhythm, who won four subsequent Group 1 races, including the 1,000 Guineas and the Lockinge, while Lady Of The Desert has become a sprinter of note.

2.25pm:
Angels Will Fall is in interesting runner, having had only one start. It was, however, at Windsor, which is increasingly proving to be crucial a breeding ground for juveniles who succeed at Ascot.

Scarlet Runner won at Windsor before winning this race in 2006 at 5-1, and in the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot five of the last 11 winners of that race had prepped by the river Thames.

2.20pm:
Aidan O'Brien has just taken his son, Joseph out to walk the course, according to the Guardian's Chris Cook.

It's a hell of a responsibility for an 18-year-old man, the ride on St Nicholas Abbey. Still, Lester Piggott was 15 when he rode Zucchero into second place in the inaugural King George in 1951, so O'Brien junior has a strong precedent.

2.15pm:
With a fine second to Gamilati in the Cherry Hinton at the July Meeting, Russelliana attained a level of form that would have won four out of the last ten Princess Margarets.

In terms of what she has achieved when compared to her other six rivals she is head and shoulders (withers?) above the opposition.

Even though Regal Realm managed to push Gamilati to within a head on her only start, that race was back in May and it was therefore a completely different Gamilati, raw and weak, to the one that scored at Newmarket.

It is easy to see why Russelliana is trading as the [2.18] favourite, especially when you consider her trainer, Sir Michael Stoute has won this race twice from only two entrants in the past decade.

2.05pm result - Winkfield Stakes:
1: Talwar
2: Trumpet Major
3: Pearl Charm
1: Telwar
2: Trumpet Major
3: Pearl Charm
A thrilling battle between Talwar and Trumpet Major, who was discarded by Richard Hughes in favour of Pearl Charm.
Jimmy Fortune just outdid Ryan Moore, who was matched at [1.31] in the final furlong. I'm surprised it wasn't lower as Moore looked to come with a solid challenge. Still, the layers got it right in-running.

1.55pm
Comical looks the pick of the paddock. A large, power-packed colt by Dubai Destination, he probably needs further than today's 7f already. His father acted on soft, as did his mother, a Sadler's Wells mare. Mark Johnston's colt should act on today's going.

Comical couldn't handle Red Duke when the pair met at Redcar last month. He looked a little one-paced and his conqueror went on to win the Group 2 Superlative Stakes at Newmarket's July meeting.

Still, his form looks slightly shy of Pearl Charm's and Talwar's. Jeremy Noseda's colt made eye-catching progress on his second start when winning his maiden at Sandown, a race that has produced Zacinto, Scintillo and Mister Monet in the past decade.

1.40pm:
Pearl Charm posted a decent rating when beating ten others in a Doncaster maiden in June. The race has not worked out too well with only one subsequent winner, but there was seven lengths back to the third that day.

Owned by the Qatari gang behind Qipco, the sponsors of the British Champions Series, it is no surprise to see that the favourite is one of the most expensive purchases in the race.

Pearl Charm was sold at Keeneland auction in 2010 for €155,000, which is around €107k. Talwar went for €140,000 at Tattersalls.

1.30pm result:
1: Captain Ramius
2: Lightening Cloud
3: Don't Call Me
4: Den's Gift
The winner came straight down the middle there, with jockey Hayley Moore gravitating from stall 5 on the far side to win on her own. The horse was well-fancied.

It probably doesn't tell us much ahead of the International, as the second, Lightening Cloud emerged from stall 17 and was amongst the favourites.

1.21pm:
If Ryan Moore does not win the King George on Workforce today, no accusations can be levelled at him that he hasn't been professional in his preparation. The Dubai Racing channel presenter has just snapped the former champion jockey walking the course:

1.05pm:
The King George betting market is a magnificent illustration of how markets, whether financial or wagering, operate.

If you look at any ratings service, all of them point to St Nicholas Abbey being the third best horse in the race.

Timeform rate Workforce at 140, Rewilding on 139 and 2009's big thing on 135. Purely on this year's performances, St Nicholas Abbey lags behind the front two also, and in the list of the top performers in 2011 he lies in 12th place.

Workforce's duel with So You Think at Sandown in the Eclipse was the best middle-distance turf effort in the world in 2011, with Rewilding's victory in the Prince Of Wales's Stakes now rated sixth in the world.

When doubts emerged earlier this week about the participation of Workforce, St Nicholas Abbey was mistakenly driven down to Evens in some places. Now all the information is known the Ballydoyle challenger has finally reached his true price on Betfair. He has drifted all the way out to [4.9] in the outright market and touched [2.5] in the place market. Is there any value left in the race at all?

12.35pm:
In big handicaps I always like to back one horse from each side of the course and trainer George Margarson is in that position, with Imperial Guest and Excellent Guest drawn on opposite sides of the track in the 3.50pm.

Imperial Guest is drawn on the stands side in stall 21, and Margarson believes that is where the race will develop.

"They're both in good nick and I'm quite pleased because one is drawn one side, and one is drawn the other," said the jovial trainer.

"I think there are pace horses on both sides but having looked at the race, I can see it opening up on the stands side, which would lend itself well to Imperial Guest.

"I think he won this race last year on the far side, so of the two I would probably just favour him.

"It is hard to know with the draw but if they were both drawn in the same place, I'd favour Imperial Guest to beat Excellent Guest."

The stats would seem to favour Margarson's choice, also. Six of the last seven winners of the International carried an official rating of 97 over the finishing line. For all you stats punters out there, that's the top seven in the field down to Imperial Guest.

12.25pm:
I should point out that today is in fact the 34th anniversary of the Minstrel's victory in the King George. All of you out there who consider Grundy v Bustino the best clash on turf should also consider Lester Piggott's steal of the Ascot showpiece. Piggott nicked it from Pat Eddery just before the line. That Long Fellow, eh? What a card.

12.05pm:
For those of you who love a Royal, and let's face it, after Wills and Kate's recent nuptials there are a few of you, Prince Harry will be on hand today to hand out the trophies to the winner today.

Midday:
The main market movers at Ascot on Betfair today are below.
Striking Spirit is an interesting one in the International. The Oasis Dream gelding was transferred out of Dandy Nicholls' yard to Tim Easterby at the beginning of this season before his run at Musselburgh, when he finished 15th of 16.

The six-year-old subsequently finished third to Manassas at Royal Ascot and was the first home of those drawn on the far side. Seb Sanders negotiated a path into the centre of the track that day and the next one to past the post from that group was Our Jonathan, who finished 8th as the 5-1 favourite.

Sanders rode a silly race next time on the July course when abandoning his draw beside eventual winner Brae Hill. If it all goes to plan today, and the money on Betfair suggests it should, he is certainly in with a big chance.

13:30
Lightning Cloud 4.1 out to 7.0
14:05
Talwar 3.7 out to 5.9
14:40
Russelliana 2.36 in to 2.1
15:50
Striking Spirit 17.0 in to 12.0
The Confessor 16.0 in to 12.0
Noble Citizen 21.0 in to 14.0
17:40
Parlour Games 6.8 in to 5.4
Masaraat 4.8 out to 8.0
Mulaqen 9.4 in to 7.8

11.55am:
There is a host of information available on the site, with Timeform pouring over the runners and riders in the two big races. Read about the International here and the King George, here.

I've been circling Manassas in the International, with the intention of perhaps backing the Buckingham Palace Stakes winner but there is not a lot to go on, betting wise, as only £2,300 has been matched on Brian Meehan's runner.
If you want to know the ins and outs of the Irishman's string today click here, as well as Michael Bell's click here.

Finally, Graham Cunningham knows a thing or two, and although he reckons Workforce is the one to be on in the King George, he has given punters a leg up with their Scoop6 selections by going off-piste at York here.

11.45am:
A hearty welcome to you all from the middle leg of the three-day Betfair weekend. The optimism built up since I arrived this morning has been dashed. I came up the famous Ascot hill from the railway station under blue skies, but it has now clouded over. Ominous. Still, if anything can brighten up your racing day it is the feast of action tom come from here in Berkshire.

The International Stakes is the betting feature, but for sheer class the King George is going to be tough to beat. There have been those this week who have tried to crab Ascot's great race, but when you've got an Arlington Million winner, which is a Group 1 if anyone needs reminding, priced at [130.0] on Betfair then you know we've got a classy contest to come.

Timeform go through the 24 runners for this ultra-competitive seven-furlong handicap, the first leg of the Betfair Summer Double......

Three of the best older horses in Europe and a rapidly improving three-year-old square off for the Betfair King George on Saturday. Racing UK analyst Graham Cunningham was happy to oppose Workforce in 2010 but is confident last year's Derby and Arc hero can make amends this time around....

It's a small, select field for the Betfair sponsored King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Group 1) at Ascot on Saturday. David Stewart tries to pick the winner by eliminating runners based on the statistical evidence of the formbook....

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Timeform Daily: King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Saturday, Ascot 16:30

Race of the Day / Timeform / 21 July 2011 / Leave a Comment

Workforce: Worth backing to atone for his defeat in last year's King George

"Workforce was disappointing in this last year but has done absolutely nothing wrong since and, given the chance to tackle a mile and a half again, could have just too much for both Rewilding and St Nicholas Abbey."

Timeform run the rule over the Betfair-sponsored King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes...

Debussy improved again last year for John Gosden, the highlight being his victory in the Arlington Million. He has been below form for his new yard this season and is running here in order to guarantee a good pace for Rewilding.

Rewilding's defeat of So You Think over a mile and a quarter in the Prince of Wales's Stakes here last month confirmed he's a top-class colt and the step back up to a mile and a half can only be in his favour. He acts on soft ground and has the form to run Workforce close.

St Nicholas Abbey looked a potential star when winning the Racing Post Trophy as a two-year-old and is finally starting to show that spark again, winning the Ormonde Stakes and the Coronation Cup, in the latter beating Midday despite not getting the run of the race. He may well have more to offer.

Workforce won the Derby and Arc in 2010 and did well to make a winning reappearance in the Brigadier Gerard at Sandown. He ran another fine race when second in the Eclipse over the same course and distance and this return to a mile and a half is a big plus.

Nathaniel has had just five races in his career and is still progress, finishing second to the Irish Derby winner Treasure Beach in the Chester Vase before winning the King Edward VII Stakes over this course and distance. He is effective on soft ground and could well have more to give.

Timeform 1-2-3:
1. Workforce
2. Rewilding
3. St Nicholas Abbey

Timeform View: A trio of proven top-class middle-distance colts take each other on and there's perhaps another lurking in the shape of Nathaniel. Workforce was disappointing in this last year but has done absolutely nothing wrong since and, given the chance to tackle a mile and a half again, could have just too much for both Rewilding and St Nicholas Abbey.

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Timeform run the rule over the listed Star Stakes......

Timeform go through the runners for this competitive handicap......

Timeform run the rule over this sprint handicap......

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Betfair Weekend at Ascot: International Handicap wide open

Tipping / Stephen Molyneux / 19 July 2011 / Leave a Comment

Who will you back backing in the big handicap at Ascot on Saturday?

"everything points to Western Aristocrat being hugely competitive despite his lofty rating..."

The International Handicap, the first leg of the Betfair Summer Double, looks as competitive as ever. Timeform's Stephen Molyneux has a look at some of the leading candidates, and reckons there are three to keep on side...

It's a slightly odd move to see a horse perform with such credit in a Group race then drop to a handicap, particularly a lightly-raced sort like Western Aristocrat, but that's exactly what he'll be doing should he line up in the International on Saturday.

It's unlike Jeremy Noseda to throw his charges in at the deep end, Western Aristocrat tackling the Jersey on the back of a win at Haydock off a mark of 88, but he was fully justified in doing so and arguably shaped best of the rest in finishing third behind Strong Suit, set plenty to do yet beaten little under a length. He is now fully 20 lb higher than when successful at Haydock on his second start, officially rated 108, but the runner-up that day Rhythm of Light subsequently won the Sandringham handicap at Royal Ascot (off a mark of 94) and everything points to Western Aristocrat being hugely competitive despite his lofty rating, particularly with the promise of more to come.

Timeform top-rated will be Excellent Guest, who has run two fine races to finish runner-up in similar events on his last two outings. He seemed beaten on merit in the Buckingham Palace at the Royal meeting but that wasn't the case in the Bunbury Cup at Newmarket more recently, comfortably on top of the remainder yet no match for Brae Hill who went solo against the near rail. Brae Hill was surely at an advantage in doing so, subsequent events in the July Cup going some way to proving as much, and it will be a little surprising if that one can confirm the form over Imperial Guest despite carrying just a 3 lb penalty.

Hawkeyethenoo carries top weight having already landed one of these big handicaps this season, his victory coming in the Victoria Cup over this very course and distance. That was his first start over 7f for a good while, but his fast-finishes over shorter always suggested he would prove just as good at the trip. An 8 lb rise needn't rule him out of things, but the fact that he was forced to miss Royal Ascot with a minor injury is a concern as he'll need to be right at the top of his game if he is to concede the weight, particularly if the ground became testing.

One horse who won't mind any significant easing in the ground is Striking Spirit, who ran a massive race under such conditions in the Buckingham Palace. He fared comfortably best of those in the low stalls at Ascot and it was the draw which again scuppered his chance in the Bunbury Cup last time. Striking Spirit is easily forgiven that Newmarket run and is worth another chance, looking overpriced at around the [23.0] mark.

Last year's 1-2, Castles In The Air and Noble Citizen, are both likely to line up once more. Castles In The Air finds himself below the mark off which he scored off 12 months ago yet simply doesn't seem in the same sort of form. There is always a chance he has been lined up for this but a leap of faith is clearly needed. Noble Citizen is in much better heart having won a handicap at the track last time, but that was a messy race and he invariably finds a couple too good in these heritage handicaps.

One who could run a big race at an attractive price is Pravda Street, one of several this year to benefit from a switch to Brian Ellison. He won his first two starts for the handler with the minimum of fuss and was having his third start in little over two weeks when beaten at Carlisle last time, whilst the trip was probably also further than suits him ideally. Pravda Street is a powerful traveller who should appreciate the likely strong pace and he shouldn't go unbacked at odds of around [40.0].

Recommendations
Back Western Aristocrat @ [6.6]
Back Pravda Street @ [40.0]
Back Striking Spirit @ [23.0]

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You'd be forgiven for thinking that there's only one race taking place at Goodwood next week such has been the build-up to the Sussex Stakes. Timeform's Keith Melrose puts forward his view....

Three win selections for this evening's meeting at Ballinrobe......

Timeform run the rule over this sprint handicap......

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Betfair Weekend: Rewilding and Workforce set for Ascot showdown

Ante-post / Alex Steedman / 19 July 2011 / Leave a Comment

Will there be more Ascot joy for Rewilding (right) on Saturday?

"Workforce and Rewilding will tussle all the way up the famous Ascot straight... "

Alex Steedman assesses the field and weighs up the key protagonists in the build up to Saturday's big Betfair-sponsored race at Ascot...

It is a thankless task, improving upon near perfection, but that is what this weekend's Betfair King George contenders attempt as they chase the Ghost of Harbinger.

The betting suggests that St Nicholas Abbey [2.82] is the most likely budding superstar in this field and his reputation as well as a recent return to form suggests as much. Those who wonder at Aiden O'Brien's genius must have marvelled at the transformation of 'SNA' from apparent equine shell at the Curragh in April to the zestful colt who strutted at Chester then Epsom. Make no mistake he is back and, as Primal Scream sang, moving on up too.

Unbeaten as a juvenile in three races culminating in an eye-popping display at Doncaster in the Racing Post Trophy, SNA was considered to have disappointed despite finishing sixth in the 2000 Guineas last season. Injury robbed us of his presence thereafter until that subdued Curragh return. But he was swashbuckling in the Ormonde at Chester's May meeting and then delivered a performance of substance when despatching Midday despite not handling the contours of Epsom. The son of Montjeu has only been beaten twice and you just don't know where the end of his rainbow lies.

Midday is on standby for round two but she simply does not look quite good enough and that is plan B anyway with recent rains seeming to pave the way for connections' main dart Workforce [3.5]. You wonder how deep do burn the scars from last year as he raced wide, keen and eventually miles behind stablemate Harbinger. It could be that Ascot, with its relatively short, turning straight doesn't play to his strengths but that is conjecture and one duff run should not be held against Workforce. He was ridden to effect at Sandown but over a mile-and-a-half he remains a serious talent and if Ascot is not in any way a bogey for him, he is a major player and, it should be stressed, still improving.

Last year's Derby winner gave this year's talking horse So You Think a real scare in a knee-buckling renewal of the Eclipse last time. That brings us neatly to Rewilding [4.4] who narrowly overcame the Aussie sensation in a pulsating Prince of Wales' Stakes at Royal Ascot. Rewilding's performance somehow seemed to get lost in the furore over Frankie's whip ban as well as the debate and debrief over So You Think but for me he is an emerging star.

Last season we got a taste of what Rewilding might one day be with that placed effort behind Workforce at Epsom and though he didn't fire in the Leger, the Godolphin colt took off on home soil at the Carnival in March. Rewilding's Sheema classic success was the platform for that Royal Ascot coming out party and I think this is a horse to turn back the clock for Goldolphin. Remember in their first decade as an operation they set the racing agenda with International Group 1 regulars like Halling, Swain and Daylami. Both the latter named were winners of the King George and I think Rewilding resembles them in nature.

A feature of the Godolphin older middle distance horses of the past was their innate toughness and willingness to compete; Rewilding looked the part in those departments at Ascot and I really believe in this guy. In truth he may lack that sharp change of gear which shapes the real superstars but we don't know that for sure yet and he is getting better. Like Workforce, the step back up to a mile-and-a-half will see him at his best.

The emerging dark horse and an unexpected bonus if he does indeed turn up is Royal Ascot winner Nathaniel [9.2]. His success at the track back in June was one of the most memorable moments of the week where he established himself as a worthy Leger favourite on the back of it. If you see him sweating in the paddock beforehand don't worry, that is his way and a continued family trait. Nathaniel doesn't look quite good enough yet and three-year-olds haven't won this since 2003 but he is improving fast and he definitely looks to have Group 1 potential. My hunch is that connections are eyeing the Arc rather than the Leger so my advice would be to take a small position at big prices for Longchamp in the expectation of a decent run here.

And this year's renewal looks more than decent if not a rival to last year's spectacular. My feeling is that Workforce and Rewilding will tussle all the way up the famous Ascot straight and I'm hoping that Rewilding can prove himself the old school star I believe he is ready to become. The ghosts are watching.

Recommended Bet
Rewilding 1pt win (0-10) @ [4.1]

The International Handicap, the first leg of the Betfair Summer Double, looks as competitive as ever. Timeform's Stephen Molyneux has a look at some of the leading candidates, and reckons there are three to keep on side......

You'd be forgiven for thinking that there's only one race taking place at Goodwood next week such has been the build-up to the Sussex Stakes. Timeform's Keith Melrose puts forward his view....

St Nicholas Abbey heads the market for the Betfair sponsored King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot on July 23, but the value lies elsewhere. Timeform's Mark Powell-Bevan explains why he'll be betting against the favourite......

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King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes: Rewilding to be crowned King at Ascot

Tipping / Mark Powell-Bevan / 17 July 2011 / Leave a Comment

Rewilding (in Godolphin Blue) beats So You Think in the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Ascot

"Rewilding has already defeated the horse who is probably the [Ballydoyle] stable’s no 1 and shouldn’t be a bigger price than St Nicholas Abbey, having 4 lb to spare over the market leader according to Timeform ratings."

St Nicholas Abbey heads the market for the Betfair sponsored King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot on July 23, but the value lies elsewhere. Timeform's Mark Powell-Bevan explains why he'll be betting against the favourite...

It's easy to see why St Nicholas Abbey is currently trading as favourite, recently backed into as short as [2.18], as this year he has justified the high regard in which he's always been held by the Ballydoyle hype machine. Injuries stopped him making up into the 3-y-o that everyone expected after an exception juvenile campaign which saw him crowned the best in Europe, but this year he has again showed himself the real deal.

Things didn't look good when SNA flopped on his reappearance at the Curragh, his first run since the Guineas, but he's got himself firmly back on track on his last two starts in running away with the Ormonde at Chester (won by nine lengths) and beating Midday in the Coronation Cup at Epsom.

However, there's always something fishy about wide-margin winners at Chester and, for a long way, he looked inferior to Midday in the Coronation Cup, with Henry Cecil's filly rather throwing the race away by idling as she got to the front, and at cramped odds St Nicholas Abbey just has to be taken on in the King George.

It's still possible that Workforce will line up at Ascot. Sir Michael Stoute's Derby and Arc winner has been matched at a high of [21.0] but is now available to back at [7.4], suggesting there is still a chance that Stoute will run him, although his owner Khalid Abdulla has a ready-made replacement in the aforementioned Midday ([18.0]), who admittedly wasn't at her best last time when runner-up in the Pretty Polly at the Curragh last time, failing to travel or find as she can behind Misty For Me. However, Midday's record at the top level is excellent and it would be no surprise to see her bounce back.

Workforce was defeated by So You Think in the Eclipse at Sandown last time but came out of the race with his reputation and standing enhanced if anything, probably finding a mile and a quarter on fast ground sharp enough for him. Stoute has already stated that a repeat win in the Arc is the main aim for Workforce, who flopped behind Harbinger in the King George last year, but unless the ground is really firm, which is apparently the main concern, then Workforce could still take his place-if he disappoints then connections can use the ready-made excuse that he was 'Ascotted' again and move on to Longchamp.

However, whilst it's tempting to take the [7.4] available on Workforce, in the knowledge that he'll be much less than half the price if he makes the final line-up, there is too much risk involved in that particular ante-post bet (second guessing Sir Michael Stoute isn't easy) and it's probably better to wait until he's a confirmed runner to take the plunge, with the likelihood being that he'll shorten again before the off.

The trainers of St Nicholas Abbey and Workforce, Aidan O'Brien and Sir Michael Stoute, have won each of the last four King Georges between them, but it wasn't so long ago that Godolphin used to farm the race.

Saeed bin Suroor has been successful with such star names as Swain (twice), Daylami and, most recently, Doyen (in 2004), but this time it is Mahmood Al Zarooni who gets the chance to land the Ascot showpiece for the Godolphin outfit with stable flag-bearer Rewilding.

Rewilding has done little wrong since joining his current handler, a flop when favourite for the Leger the only real blemish on his record. Since then, Rewilding has shown himself one of the best middle-distance horses around, winning the Dubai Sheema Classic in March before showing his versatility trip-wise in dropping down to a mile and a quarter to beat So You Think in the Prince of Wales' Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Whilst tactics (and Dettori's whip) played their part at Ascot, with Rewilding seeming to benefit from being waited with longer than So You Think in a strongly-run race, the neck victory proved two things. One - that he handles Ascot (a notoriously difficult track). Two - that his form entitles him to be favourite for the King George.

The news that Nathaniel ([12.0]) will miss the Grand Prix de Paris adds another dimension to the King George, as it's a distinct possibility (he needs to be supplemented at a cost of £75,000) that he will now turn up back over the course and distance of his imperious King Edward VII success. The way Nathaniel won that day suggested he is a middle-distance Group 1 winner in the making, but he'll be taking on a whole different calibre of horse in the King George (acknowledging he lost out only to subsequent Irish Derby winner Treasure Beach on his previous outing in the Vase at Chester) and still has to prove himself.

It's typical of a race of this nature that the Ballydoyle horse is automatically made favourite, but Rewilding has already defeated the horse who is probably the stable's no 1 and shouldn't be a bigger price than St Nicholas Abbey, having 4 lb to spare over the market leader according to Timeform ratings.

There's a feeling that Rewilding is best kept fresh, which is the only slight concern, but five weeks should be long enough for him to have got over his Royal Ascot exertions, and he has to be the selection at [3.7].

Recommendation

Back Rewilding @ [3.7] in the King George at Ascot

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The only Flat meeting in Britain today is at Redcar, and it is the venue for today's placepot......

Two selections on the Flat at the Curragh and one over the jumps at Tipperary......

Adam Brookes kept his dignity intact to provide an early wages day yesterday as his nap Deacon Blues quickened clear in Newbury's Group 3 Shadwell Stakes. Sunday's action is a bit more low-key, but that shouldn't stop you from getting stuck into these three selections....

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