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| Punter's Diary by Malcolm Heyhoe |
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| Updated: 6th September 2010 - GG.com |
September's Classic Action
The sight of the sprinters in full flow for the Betfred Sprint Cup on September 4 signals the end of the Flat's summer action and the start of the autumn's climax to the 2010 season. Class is the key quality in determining the winner of Haydock's Group 1 contest and once again it comes as no surprise to find that horses who have run well in the July Cup often feature prominently in the Betfred Sprint Cup.
On the same Haydock card watch out for any John Gosden-trained runner in the Old Borough Cup, a mile and a half handicap that has been won on several occasions by progressive Newmarket horses. Domestically, Kempton also gets in on the act
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Over at Leopardstown on the same day there is likely to be a bold turn-out for the Irish Champion Stakes where Rip Van Winkle might be expected to enhance his Breeders' Cup credentials even further while on the same card James Fanshawe will be bidding to land the Group1 Matron Stakes with his evergreen filly Spacious.
On The following day September 5 there could well be a cracking renewal of the Prix Moulin in store with a rejuvenated Paco Boy likely to face stern challenge from French Classic hero Loup de Vega at Longchamp. The former would have to be the number one fancy after his fine run behind the super mare Goldikova at Royal Ascot.
September is always synonymous for racing fans with the staging of the St Leger, the world's oldest Classic that takes place on Town Moor on September 11. A large looks likely to assemble for a competitive renewal of the mile and three quarter contest and both Dandino and Arctic Cosmos, who finished second and third respectively in Goodwood's Gordon Stakes, will be looking to build on those bright efforts at Doncaster but both will find it hard to beat Rewilding, an easy winner of last month's Great Voltigeur Stakes.
Over at the Currgah on the same day the Irish St Leger takes place and Jeremy Noseda may well have the answer here in the shape of the fast-improving Sans Frontieres, who has really come good this season and after victories at Newbury and Newmarket on his last two starts he may well complete the hat-trick in a race that has been his long-term aim since the start of the season.
The Flat racing bandwagon rolls on to three fine days of racing at the Ayr Western meeting that features the Ayr Gold Cup, Europe's richest sprint handicap on September 18. This year's race will once again be a cherished target for sprint maestro Dandy Nicholls and he could well have the answer to this difficult puzzle in the guise of Victoire de Lyphar, who ran a race full of promise when runner-up in the Stewards' Cup consolation race at Glorious Goodwood in late July.
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Over at Newbury on the same day there is the traditionally informative Cambridgeshire trial in the shape of the John Smith's Stakes Handicap, a race that is essential viewing for any prospective Cambridgeshire backers. Barry Hills's Ransom Note would be a fascinating runner at Newbury and my idea of the winner if he should turn out on a card that also features the Dubai Duty Free Arc Trial and the Dubai Duty Free Cup.
On September 25 the top milers will be in action for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot and it is hard to see past the brilliant Canford Cliffs who is probably Europe's top miler and a likely odds-on shot to add this valuable prize to his tally of successes this season. He may meet arch foe Makfi and the clash between the two will be one of the races of the season.
In the Diadem Stakes on September 26 James Fanshawe may well have a potential winning ticket with Society Rock, who reserves his best efforts for Ascot and holds a sound chance hereafter his fine second in the Group 1 Golden Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot. The secret to Society Rock's chances of success rest upon running him fresh and he should go to Ascot after a decent break.
Malcolm Heyhoe writes weekly horse racing articles for GG.COM-Horse racing betting, information, news, results and free daily tips
Archive August 2010
