WATCH HORSE RACE EXCLUSIVELY

Posted by sports | Posted in | Posted on 6:10 AM

 All aboard the Dunboyne Express:
There are only two weeks between the Abu Dhabi Irish 2000 Guineas at the Curragh and the Investec Derby at Epsom, but that hasn't stopped horses running well in both races in the past.
The most recent example is Jim Bolger's New Approach who was second to Henrythenavigator before winning the Derby in 2008.
The English 2000 Guineas is often cited as a very good Derby trial, and although the Irish Guineas lies later in the calendar, there is no reason why it should be less of a pointer.
The reason it doesn't have as strong a record is merely the timing; not many trainers are prepared to step a horse up half a mile in trip just 14 days after running in a Group One over a mile.
However that isn't something which seems to be concerning Kevin Prendergast, and as a result his DUNBOYNE EXPRESS looks like a great bit of value at 66/1 with Stan James for Epsom glory.
In April, Prendergast said: "The Derby would be on the agenda, depending on how he progresses in the Irish 2,000 Guineas - if he runs a good race at the Curragh, the Investec Derby would have to be considered."
At the time of writing he is a general 7/2 second favourite for Saturday's race at the Curragh and if he wins there (with favourite Dubawi Gold surely too short after a hard race at Newmarket, it must be fairly likely), then his price could easily crumble, putting us backers in a great position.

IMPROVEMENT IS MUST TO CHASE

Posted by sports | Posted in | Posted on 6:05 AM

No surprise that from a class perspective, all eyes were on the Dante Stakes, and paddock inspection told us plenty with Carlton House rating a clear best beforehand. He appeared to have strengthened up well over the winter and his coat was in immaculate condition.
Backers of SEVILLE should not be too dispirited. The Ballydoyle runner was relatively dull in his coat in comparison and was quiet in the prelims. The market was anything other than that so it wouldn't be a surprise to see him gain revenge if the pair meet at Epsom.
In the Musidora Stakes, JOVIALITY probably wasn't the pick of the paddock as she still seemed a little immature in her attitude. She will have learnt plenty from her tussle with Barefoot Lady and heads to France with solid claims.
Amazing Beauty is impressively built but she was edgy in the preliminaries and her track performance reflected this accordingly.
MIDDAY looked healthy though carried plenty of condition ahead of the Middleton Stakes. This could explain why having been offered up at even money or thereabouts in the morning - odds of 6/4 and 13/8 were freely available on course for some time.
Henry Cecil's mare should come on for this effort and is difficult to oppose in this division. Myplacelater looked in good order and will be a more realistic proposition in lesser grade and on a slower surface.

CHANNON HORSES GETTING GOOD ORDER

Posted by sports | Posted in | Posted on 6:01 AM


Mick Channon plans to run stalwart HALICARNASSUS at Goodwood this week and the seven-year-old appeared to be as sprightly as ever warming-up on the Winter Ground all-weather.
Channon, whose horses are in particularly good form, has Halicarnassus in line for either a Class Two handicap or a Listed event on Saturday, although he also has FANDITHA in that.
Halicarnassus, a previous winner of the Derby trial at the West Sussex track, has been given a chance by the assessor and should not be written off.
Fanditha has done well since joining Channon from another yard and this one worked especially well at the weekend to suggest a big run is in the offing if he turns up at Goodwood.
LEITZU is a name to conjure with for a handicap assignment given that her fitness is 100% following a spell hurdling, in which the mare regularly caught the judge's eye.
She has developed into a useful dual-purpose performer for her trainer.
OSGOOD works as though he has improved for a winter on his back. He has developed physically and looked in grand form coming up the strip with two others.
He should be out in a mile-and-a-quarter handicap this week.
Channon's smart GATEPOST has come out of his York win well, and looks the one to beat in the Coventry Stakes at this early stage.
ROOKNRASBRYRIPPLE turns out at Kempton tomorrow and showed good speed in a sharp spin the other day.
VIEIRA DA SILVA should improve on previous efforts and is another that should run before the end of the week.


WARNE ESCAPED FROM BAN WITH $50000

Posted by sports | Posted in | Posted on 5:49 AM

MUMBAI: Rajasthan Royals captain Shane Warne on Wednesday escaped a ban but was fined $50,000 for his public spat with RCA secretary Sanjay Dixit, thus clearing the decks for the Australian spin legend's swansong IPL appearance on Friday.

The IPL's disciplinary commission, which had summoned both Warne and Dixit for a hearing on Tuesday, decided to let off Warne with only a fine after considering that the Australian cricketer had already apologised for his outburst.

Warne was fined for breach of playing contract and warned of a harsher punishment in case he repeated such an offence.

"The commission has decided to impose a fine of $50,000 upon Warne," a statement from the IPL's disciplinary procedure commission said.

"The commission is conscious of the duty of all parties involved in the Indian Premier League, to uphold the image and reputation of the game of cricket, the BCCI and the League at all relevant times. Any action which is a breach of this duty is to be treated with all necessary severity.

"It regards the public criticism of Dixit as being a serious breach by Warne of his IPL playing contract. However, at the same time, the commission also recognises that Warne has apologised to Dixit, and that the incident occurred just after the Match," the statement said.

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