Great Voltigeur Stakes Result: Buick makes all on Thought Worthy

Thought Worthy just held off the late challenge of favourite Main Sequence to land the Group 2 Great Voltigeur Stakes.

Thought Worthy just held off the late challenge of favourite Main Sequence to land the Group 2 Great Voltigeur Stakes...

Thought Worthy, sent off at a Betfair SP of 11.50, was given a brilliant tactical ride by Buick who set only a modest gallop in the early stages of the mile-and-a-half contest, but he quickened the pace before the home turn and caught one or two of his rivals a little flat-footed.

His advantage was eroded as they headed inside the last couple of furlongs, with favourite Main Sequence the biggest threat. But the John Gosden-trained Thought Worthy held on to claim the Group 2 prize by a neck.

Buick said: "He galloped well and stayed very well. He battled on well and stuck his head out. You have to admire a horse like this because he always tries his best."

The result has had an impact on the St. Leger market, with Thought Worthy now second favourite, behind Camelot, at 15.5n/a.

Earlier on the card, Dundonnell, sent off at a Betfair SP of 2.94, won the Group 3 Acomb Stakes. Roger Charlton's colt cruised into the lead under James Doyle after Afonso De Sousa had made the running, but, having looked likely to win easily, he showed his inexperience and allowed Steeler to get to within three-quarters of a length at the line. Afonso De Sousa finished a respectable third.

Winning jockey James Doyle said: "I was delighted with him. He's still very babyish, but he's helped me out there as the Aidan O'Brien horse (Afonso De Sousa) skipped away from us. I found myself in front too soon, but he's got a lot of gears."

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Copa America Betting: Why Uruguay are worthy favourites

Copa America / Michael Lintorn / 21 July 2011 / Leave a Comment

Oscar Tabarez's continues to prove a positive influence on his Uruguay side

"Paraguay have shown twice in Argentina and once at the World Cup that they have the nerves of steel required when it comes to shootouts, converting 12 of their 13 penalties."

It has been a tournament littered with shocks, yet with two teams left, Uruguay are firm favourites to take the trophy. Michael Lintorn looks at whether that status is justified...

Without actually performing that well, Paraguay have reached the Copa America Final undefeated. But despite proving extremely difficult to beat, with Brazil twice failing to find a way past them, they are [3.0] outsiders to be crowned champions.

The reason for that is the huge amount of faith that punters have in Uruguay, the best performing South American nation at last summer's World Cup, who are [1.49] favourites to be the last ones standing once again, and have been responsible for 79 per cent of the money traded in the market.

Uruguay tick all the boxes when it comes to potential winners. They have the superior historical record in the competition having claimed 14 titles to Paraguay's two, the last of which was earned 32 years ago.

In addition, they have been the more impressive of the two in the latest edition, albeit having only won two of their five games in normal time, which is why they are above-evens at [2.08] to triumph in 90 minutes. All five of Paraguay's matches have finished level.

That is the main concern when it comes to backing Oscar Tabarez's side to get their hands on the trophy, especially as Paraguay have shown twice in Argentina and once at the World Cup that they have the nerves of steel required when it comes to shootouts, converting 12 of their 13 penalties.

However, while Gerardo Martino's men are yet to lose, they have faced just one other country ranked among South America's seven finest by FIFA, an out-of-form Brazil. By contrast, they have ended three of their last four meetings with Uruguay empty-handed.

Diego Forlan did the damage in their last clash but Luis Suarez will be desperate to be the difference-maker this time as he bids to pull clear of eliminated joint-top goalscorer Sergio Aguero. The Liverpool forward is the [1.25] frontrunner in that market.

A post-match scrap overshadowed the action on the pitch as Paraguay earned a place in Sunday's final against Uruguay by defeating Venezuela on penalties....

Having gone one step further than they did at last summer's World Cup, Uruguay have one hand on the Copa America trophy, with Luis Suarez the favourite to be top goal-getter....

These two have reached the semi-finals against the odds - and the upsets look set to continue when they meet in the semi-final on Wednesday night, writes James Eastham....

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