Hamilton Review

Cuckney Bear justified some strong support as he came with a late flourish to land the Weatherbys Bank Handicap at Hamilton.

With three 'duck eggs' to his name, the Ed McMahon-trained gelding had a dark horse look about him and this was soon mirrored in the bookmakers' trading rooms as his price collapsed from 16-1 into his starting price of 4s.


Making his handicap debut, the son of Bertolini was produced with a late run in the hands of Richard Mullen to narrow the gap on front-running Save The Bees before grabbing the prize by a short head on the line.

Part-owner John Fretwell was keen to play down the gamble and said: "This gamble business is purely theatrical. He's just not the sort of horse you would go for a gamble with. He had some problems at two and has grown up, but he's not gamble material."

Even though she opened up long odds-on for the Weatherbys Bank Maiden Stakes, there was a welter of support for Vassaria before she duly landed the spoils by three and a quarter lengths from Shomberg.

Michael Dods' winner was backed in to 1-6 after bets of £55,000 to win £10,000 and £30,000 to win £5,000. The trainer said he would step Vassaria up to seven furlongs and then again to a mile towards the end of the season.


Dandy Nicholls dominated the finish of the Scottish Racing Claiming Stakes as Saucy Brown (9-4) rallied to get up on the line and pip stablemate Sands Of Dee by a head.

The trainer's son Adrian, who rode the winner, said: "That was nice as I've been very quiet over the last couple of months. I knew the other horse doesn't do a lot when in front."

Hot favourite Circle Of Angels blew out completely in the Weatherbys Bloodstock Insurance Handicap, leaving another finish that required the evidence of the camera as Petomic (11-1) caught Just Five to prevail by a head for trainer Richard Guest and jockey Robert Lucey-Butler.


Tim Easterby's Getabuzz (100-30) was another well-backed winner when wearing down Fire Fighter to land the Racing UK Sky 432 Handicap under a strong ride from David Allan.

Newmarket...Cheka team oozing confidence

Eve Johnson Houghton expects The Cheka to take a 5lb penalty in his stride as he bids to supplement his win a month ago when he lines up for the John Sunley Memorial Criterion Stakes at Newmarket.

The five-year-old has thrived since getting his head in front for the first time in almost two years at Haydock, but that success means he has to carry the extra weight.

"He's got as 5lb penalty, but he's a big horse and I can't see any problem with that. He's been going fantastically well, Kieren (Fallon) is flying, so we're very hopeful he can go in again," said the Blewbury trainer.

"The win at Haydock did him the world of good. He's a more confident horse at home now. He's been very consistent this year and hopefully we can keep stepping up with him."

Among The Cheka's opponents is Beacon Lodge, who was beaten four lengths into fifth place at Haydock. Clive Cox's charge has since gone on to finish third to Byword at Chantilly.


The trainer said: "Beacon Lodge ran a very nice race in France last time behind Byword and we were very pleased with that performance. He has come back from France very well and, with the showers around, I am pleased he is taking his chance.

"He didn't get a clear run at Haydock the time before. He was drawn wide, dropped in and then didn't get a good run at all. We are better off at the weights with The Cheka on that performance. The Cheka was a worthy winner, but we will hopefully be better equipped now he has to carry a penalty."


Also renewing rivalry is the Haydock fourth, Inler, whose handler Brian Meehan will be trying different tactics on the four-year-old. "This stiff seven furlongs should be ideal and if the new hold-up tactics work he could be right in contention," the Manton trainer told his website.

Richard Hannon is responsible for the only two three-year-olds in the field, Libranno and Pausanias.

The trainer told his website: "Libranno ran a cracker against the older horses when finishing third in the Leisure Stakes at Windsor. We also run Pausanias, and Hughesie (Richard Hughes) has preferred this one. He had a stiff task trying to give weight away in the Heron, but he is a decent colt and you haven't seen the best of him yet."

Newcastle Plate Meeting - Day 1 Review

Local trainer Michael Smith raised the roof at a rainy Newcastle on the first day of the Northumberland Plate meeting.

Smith, who trains just down the road at Kirkheaton in Northumberland, won the feature tradersbettingexchange.co.uk Seaton Delaval Handicap with 13-2 chance Vito Volterra.

The four-year-old finished second in the Carlisle Bell just 24 hours earlier and after breaking well to claim his customary position at the head of affairs under Adrian Nicholls, he fought off Prince Of Dance and Arabian Spirit to win by a neck and three-quarters of a length.

"He's been busy. I gave him his supper at Carlisle and he ate up fine so I thought we may as well run him. He's as hard as nails. When he gets his own way in front he's very difficult to pass and he found extra today when they came at him, but I was getting a bit worried," said Smith.

"If he's in front a furlong out it takes a good one to get by him. This meeting is my Royal Ascot and the dream is to one day win the Plate."


Another trainer to taste success close to home was Brian Ellison with his old favourite John Forbes. Sent off the 9-4 market leader to follow up a recent win in an apprentice race, he swamped top-weight Rosewin to win by a length and a quarter.

"Seven years ago on Saturday he won here as a two-year-old. He's named after my dad and it's amazing he turned out so good really. I don't have many running in my colours now because I'm always trying to sell them, but I won't sell him," said Ellison.

Ellison then dead-heated in the next when Dane Cottage (7-1) was adjudged to have joined Pattern Mark (12-1) right on the line in the Ignition Festival Handicap.


Pattern Mark's jockey Paul Hanagan secured a double of his own when the heavily-supported Ted's Brother (16-1 into 4-1 in the morning) streaked clear in the CFK Fun Day 31st July Handicap.Richard Guest's three-year-old drifted back out to 7-1 at the off but the early confidence was not misplaced.

Tom Tate has a nice juvenile on his hands in the shape of Parc De Launay who remained unbeaten after the tradersbettingexchange.co.uk Novice Stakes, while Godolphin's 16-1 chance Citizen's Charter made a successful debut in the Coopers Marquees Median Auction Maiden Stakes.

Pitmans Derby Update

Overturn has been handed a much kinder draw as he bids to become the first horse for 33 years to land back-to-back victories in the John Smith's Northumberland Plate at Newcastle on Saturday.

Donald McCain's smart dual-purpose performer will be near the rail in stall two in a maximum 20-strong field, compared to being on the wide outside in 21 last year. Then, Eddie Ahern managed to steer the front-runner to the far rail to get the perfect pitch and make all the running.


Henry Brooke, a 5lb-claiming apprentice, will be in the saddle this year to compensate for Overturn having to carry top-weight of 9st 10lb, as opposed to 8st 7lb 12 months ago.

Overturn, who was a late withdrawal from the Queen Alexandra Stakes at Royal Ascot last Saturday because of soft ground, attempts to be the first horse since Tug Of War in 1977 and 1978 to win Europe's richest two-mile handicap two years' running.


Michael Bell took this prestigious Gosforth Park prize with Juniper Girl in 2007 and is doubly-represented with ante-post favourite Activate and the Queen's Tactician.

A notable absentee is Mount Athos, trained in Ireland by David Wachman, who said: "He's fine, but the ground's too soft. He might go for the Old Newton Cup."

Mount Athos's owner Dr Marwan Koukash will still have his colours carried by Icon Dream and English Summer.

Mark Johnston has taken out last week's Royal Ascot winner Fox Hunt, but the Middleham trainer still has two chances in the shape of English Summer and Nave.

Sir Mark Prescott's Tuscan Gold has been prominent in the market, but is only second reserve, with Tim Easterby's Crackentorp first reserve.

Nunthorpe Stakes Preview

A crack at the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes is "firmly on the agenda" for Prohibit after his victory in last week's King's Stand Stakes.

Robert Cowell's six-year-old features among 42 entries for the five-furlong showpiece at York on August 19 following his half-length verdict over Australian ace Star Witness.

"We have entered him in the Nunthorpe and that is firmly on the agenda," said Cowell of his Royal Ascot hero.


"If we think he is fresh and well before that, there is a Group Two at Glorious Goodwood (Audi Stakes).

"He would have to carry a penalty in that but it's possible he could go there on route to the Nunthorpe.

"He is fine. As we always do after a race, we have turned out him out and he is enjoying his break at the moment."


Other speedsters in line for the Knavesmire include past winners Sole Power, Borderlescott and Kingsgate Native, Golden Jubilee Stakes victor Society Rock as well as five two-year-olds headed by Bapak Chinta, who took the Norfolk Stakes at the Royal meeting.

Northumberland Plate

A Royal invitation for Harry Bentley in Saturday's John Smith's Northumberland Plate at Newcastle lies in the hands of the weather.

Michael Bell has booked the 5lb claimer to ride the Queen's Tactician, one of the leading contenders in Europe's richest two-mile handicap, but harbours real concerns about the potential of soft ground and is prepared to withdraw the gelding.

The trainer, who won the Plate back in 2007 with Juniper Girl, has signed up Hayley Turner to partner his other runner Activate, winner of his last three starts and for whom testing conditions would be "perfect".

Bell said of Tactician: "Unfortunately he doesn't like soft ground and we will monitor the weather over the next 48 hours and then decide whether to declare him or not. We will wait until Thursday morning before deciding.

"His pedigree says he'll handle soft ground, but he's not a horse who will do what his pedigree says and I think he'll be better on a faster surface. He is in great form and has been targeted for the race pretty much all season. It just depends what the weather does."

He added: "Given the amount of meetings, with Jamie Spencer retained, it is difficult to get another big-name jockey, so we took the view to go for the best apprentice available and we can claim 5lb over two miles. I have used Harry occasionally and watched him a lot this year. He's a very good rider."


Jim Allen, for Newcastle owners Northern Racing, reported: "The ground is just on the soft side of good. The rain has stopped, but we could get anywhere between five and 10 millimetres each day towards the Plate. We are not expecting the ground to ride too soft, but it depends on what rain we get."

Mark Johnston is still working through his possible runners, headed by last week's Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes winner Fox Hunt.

The Middleham trainer said: "English Summer will definitely run, Nave might if he gets in, but I'm not quite sure about Fox Hunt yet. He has also got entries at the Curragh and Newmarket but what with his rating, it could be appealing to go for it (the Plate). He has come out of his race really well."


David Wachman is keen for Mount Athos to run after he took fourth in the Chester Cup, and said: "We are hoping to have a good chance as the horse has been in good form. He ran well at Chester and did well to finish where he did considering he had such a poor draw."

Fanning Injury

Joe Fanning is set for a brief spell on the sidelines after suffering a foot injury at Wolverhampton on Monday.

The jockey was unseated from Berlusca in the early stages of the six-furlong maiden and while he has not suffered any serious damage, he will not be riding at Beverley this afternoon or Carlisle on Wednesday.

The northern-based rider's agent Paul Grundy said: "His foot is quite badly bruised so he is just going to take two or three days off to make sure it fully recovers."

Grundy went on: "He hasn't broken anything, which is good news, but he just doesn't want to rush back and risk making it worse. He broke a bone in his hand once and came back a little bit soon and it went again.

"It's hard to say how long he'll be out for at this stage, we'll just have to see how he recovers. Whether it's two, three, four or five days, we're not sure. He's hoping to be back for the weekend anyway."

News From Richard Faheys Yard

Richard Fahey reports Wootton Bassett to have returned home "very stiff" following his no-show at Royal Ascot last week.

The Iffraaj colt enjoyed a fantastic juvenile campaign, winning each of his five starts, but the sparkle has not been there on his two appearances this season.

He was beaten into fifth when favourite for the French 2000 Guineas and while improvement was expected ahead of the St James's Palace Stakes, he ran even more disappointingly, trailing home a well-beaten seventh of nine.

"He came back very stiff and he's on the easy list again I`m afraid," said Fahey.

"It was a disappointing run and everyone knows the horse has had one or two little issues.

"He'll only be doing light jogging for the next couple of weeks and we'll see where we are. We'll try and get him back.

"Ascot is a funny track in some ways and horses either love it or they hate it. Even when the ground is soft, horses come back home not right sometimes, so I don't know what it is.

"We'll take our time with him and try and bring him back on a bit of soft ground somewhere."


He is in no rush to make plans for Barefoot Lady after she turned in another fine performance to finish third in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot.

The three-year-old flew home to land the Nell Gwyn Stakes at Newmarket on her first start of the year and she did her connections proud when fifth in the 1000 Guineas next time out.

She was beaten just a head when tackling 10 furlongs for the first time in the Musidora Stakes and gave her all for Kieren Fallon on Friday to pick up minor honours behind the French fillies Immortal Verse and Nova Hawk.

Fahey said: "She's come out of the race grand and we're delighted with her. She's just so tough and never runs a bad race.

"She was staying on well at the end, making you think she could go back up to a mile and a quarter, but I just thought she'd got to the end of her elastic band over that trip in the Musidora at York.

"We'll just see how she is over the next couple of weeks and make some plans, but I've got nothing in mind at the moment."

"Pitmans Derby" Preview - Don`t forget your brolly!

Opportunity could come knocking for Henry Brooke this weekend as the young jockey is line for the ride on top-weight Overturn in the John Smith's Northumberland Plate at Newcastle.

Principally a jumps jockey, Brooke is attached to Donald McCain's Cheshire yard, and the trainer is keen to give him a chance on the seven-year-old.

Overturn won last year's renewal after being given what was considered a masterful front-running ride by Eddie Ahern, who tacked over from stall 21, which was considered highly disadvantageous. However, Ahern is suspended this weekend, which could give 5lb claimer Brooke the highest-profile ride of his short career on Saturday.


McCain has had to switch his sights as Overturn was declared to run in the Queen Alexandra at Royal Ascot last weekend but was taken out on the morning of the race due to soft ground.

McCain said: "Everything is on target for this weekend. It's been quite quick up there recently so the recent rain was needed, but it was very wet at Ascot and that wouldn't have suited him. We had a rough idea he'd be carrying nearly top weight anyway but with Eddie banned there's a strong possibility we could claim off him with young Henry Brooke.


"It will be good for him to ride a high-profile horse, he caught the eye a few times in the winter. I'd be more than happy for him to ride him over hurdles so I think he may as well ride him on the Flat. He could do the weight and I think it's a chance worth taking. Overturn still looks to be improving on the Flat, he won this last year off 93 and then won at Chester off 99, we know the track suits him and after last year it doesn't matter where he's drawn. He's in very good nick."

Michael Bell has two big chances with Activate and Tactician in a race he won in 2007 with Juniper Girl. Tactician is owned by the Queen, while Activate runs in the Highclere Thoroughbred Racing colours. The pair are separated by only 1lb in the weights.

Bell said: "The ground is looking like it will be good which should suit them both as neither of them want extremes. It is probably more likely to be on the slower side if the forecasts are to be believed, and that could be a concern for Tactician, we'll have to see. Both are lightly raced and potentially progressive. Activate was very impressive at Haydock and stayed very well."


Ted Spread could still run, despite being beaten a nose in a Listed race at Pontefract on Sunday, with trainer Mark Tompkins saying: "I just left him in as it was only £200 to leave him in. I'll have a word with Kieren (Fallon) and see what we think. I've also got Mystery Star in there and I'd run him if it was firm, and maybe Ted in soft. Ted is off 98 in it and he won't be off that in future.

"Having him castrated over the winter has been a big help. I think we'll have some fun with him over the next couple of years. He's got an entry in the Princess of Wales's Stakes (Newmarket) and I'll be looking abroad to France and Ireland because he's much better in soft. I won't make a decision until nearer the time."

Ponte` Review

Distant Memories could well try for more good prizes over a mile and a half after striking at the first attempt at that distance in the totepool Pontefract Castle Stakes.

The five-year-old added this Listed contest at the West Yorkshire track to a Group Three success over a mile and a quarter at Windsor, but it was a close call.

In a dramatic finish, the 5-2 favourite just held the late charge of Ted Spread by a nose to complete a double for Jamie Spencer, but only after a stewards' inquiry. Vulcanite was three-quarters of a length away in third in a finish that saw several horses come close together in the dash to the line.

Trainer Tom Tate reported: "Jamie said he got every inch of the trip. We tried him at this distance as he'd reached the top of his game over a mile and a quarter. He's a fast horse and uses a lot of fuel, so whether he'll genuinely get it (the trip), I don't know. It would open a lot of doors."

Vulcanite's jockey, Jim Crowley, was banned for three days (July 3-5) for careless riding.

My Propeller provided the first leg of a 6-1 double for Spencer when thrashing her field by 17 lengths in division two of the EBF toteplacepot Maiden Fillies' Stakes.

Peter Chapple-Hyam's two-year-old put behind her a slightly disappointing debut in spectacular fashion. The heavily-backed 11-10 favourite, owned by footballer Joey Barton, was soon well clear and Spencer could afford to ease her down in the closing stages.

The jockey said: "She won very easily and gave me a lovely feel. She won a long way, but she felt nice. At halfway I couldn't believe it and I had a good look round. They expected her to win at Newmarket but, for whatever reason, she was just very green."

Nearly A Gift (3-1 favourite) had far too much racecourse knowledge for her rivals in division one. With three runs under her belt, the Tim Easterby-trained youngster also made all to come home seven lengths clear of Goal Hanger.

"She's had the three runs and knows her job. She had vital experience which is what you need, especially on this track," said jockey David Allan.


My Arch mowed down Dazinski close home in the totesport.com Pontefract Cup and now has a target at Glorious Goodwood.

Tom Queally struck late on the Ollie Pears-trained nine-year-old (8-1) to take this stamina test by a neck at the West Yorkshire track, with another seven lengths back to Wells Lyrical in third.

Pears said: "He'll go for the Goodwood Stakes if the ground is soft enough. He'll get a penalty for the Northumberland Plate, but I don't think he'll get in. There's the race at Newmarket (in August) he won last year. The ground will dictate where we go. He's the absolute apple of my eye."

The David Barron-trained Suits Me (16-1) showed his younger rivals the way home in the totesport 0800 221 221 Handicap.

The eight-year-old quickly settled into his stride for Micky Fenton and was content to bowl along. Though the pack closed in as the race hotted up in the straight, Suits Me kept pulling out more and bravely held on by a length from the strong-finishing Our Joe Mac.

"He's happiest when he's allowed to make the running. It's best to let him get on with it," said Barron.


Stagecoach Danman (13-8 favourite) ran his rivals into the ground with a convincing win in the Try totequickpick On All totepool Bets Maiden Stakes. Silvestre de Sousa brought Mark Johnston's three-year-old six lengths clear of Star Commander.

"He suffers from an unusual from of stringhalt (a form of lameness) which has developed over time. He deserved that as he just got done on the line last time," said the trainer.

The Ian Williams-trained Princess Lexi (13-2) found a clear route on the far side in the hands of Franny Norton to claim the toteexacta Fillies' Handicap by a length from Silly Gilly.

The Alan McCabe-trained Close To The Edge (5-1) powered home along the centre of the course under Martin Harley to lift the Try totequickpick If You're Feeling Lucky Handicap.

Ascot Review - Golden Jubilee Grabbed By Society

Society Rock, last year's Golden Jubilee Stakes runner-up, went one place better at Royal Ascot to spring a 25-1 shock in the Group One sprint and initiate a big-race double for James Fanshawe.

Tuesday's King's Stand Stakes second Star Witness looked the likely winner when quickening to lead inside the last of the six furlongs, but he was unable to sustain that effort.

Society Rock was patiently ridden towards the rear of the far-side group but he finished off the race best under Pat Cosgrave to score by half a length from Monsieur Chevalier, with Star Witness third.

The winning trainer, who went on to take the Wokingham, said: "He has never raced before on the ground, but he obviously likes it. It's great for Pat as he rode a fantastic race.

"It's fantastic this horse has come good. I'm absolutely thrilled. He was slightly forgotten last year when he was second, but he was never really right afterwards. He's taken his time to fire this spring but his last two bits of work were very good."

Cosgrave added: "A lot of people have doubted this horse on his first two runs this year, but James knew this was the plan. He handled the ground well and showed what a good horse he is.

"I ended up getting the splits at the right time. All Group Ones are nice, but it's nice to get a first Royal Ascot winner on the board."


Richard Hannon's Monsieur Chevalier was 11th in the King's Stand and this effort represented a huge step forward.

Assistant trainer Richard Hannon jnr said: "That was a huge run and it gives us all the big sprints now as options. He was off a long time, but that was probably a career-best effort."

Danny O'Brien was proud of Star Witness, adding: "He's run two great races this week. He was perhaps a bit unlucky on Tuesday and today the wet ground hasn't helped him. We came here with three races on the agenda. The July Cup is the last one."

Irish Derby News

Carlton House delighted connections in a workout at Newmarket on Saturday morning ahead of a likely run in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby.

Ridden by Ryan Moore on Racecourse Side, the Queen's colt quickened five lengths clear of his lead horse, The Fonz, to confirm his well-being ahead of a possible assault on the Curragh Classic next weekend.

The Sir Michael Stoute-trained three-year-old has been the subject of huge media interest this season, with an excellent performance in York's Dante Stakes promoting him to favourite for the Investec Derby at Epsom. Although unsuccessful, he was far from disgraced in finishing third.

Get Well Soon Paul

Paul Mulrennan faces a long spell on the sidelines after breaking a leg at Musselburgh on Friday afternoon.

Mulrennan suffered the injury after his mount, Sound Advice, dived through the running rail shortly after winning the Balfour Beatty Engineering Services Handicap.

His agent, Richard Hale, said: "He's gone straight to Edinburgh Hospital and it looks a really bad injury. The horse dived through the rail after winning."

Johnston Grabs Vase

Namibian gave trainer Mark Johnston his sixth win in the Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot with a battling success over Solar Sky.

Silvestre de Sousa took the 7-2 favourite into the lead from his stablemate Eternal Heart two furlongs out and though Tom Queally went after him on Solar Sky, Namibian pulled out extra to give the jockey his 50th victory of the season - and his first at the Royal meeting.

Namibian was first past the post by a neck after the first two got close together in the dying strides, with Eternal Heart plugging on for third, another seven lengths away. The stewards held an inquiry, but the placings remained unaltered.

Johnston, who had three runners in the race, said: "It was very hard to know (which ones would stay) going into the race, so I threw a lot of eggs into this basket.


"When they turned for home I thought everything was perfect because I had three of the first four. I thought Eternal Heart was going to win but a furlong out you could clearly see that he wasn't going to, and then Namibian burst on the scene. All three of mine have run really well and were fighting out the finish at one point.

"He's got lots of options, and you'd say the St Leger was one of them, but we'll keep an open mind."

De Sousa was given a three-day ban for causing interference with Solar Sky.

The jockey said: "They've decided to give me three days, but it is worth it for the win. They said I interfered with the other horse, but he went ahead of me. It's one of those things that happen in racing. It's an amazing feeling to ride my first Royal Ascot winner."

Coronation Stakes Preview

Dual 1000 Guineas runner-up Together attempts to go one better in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot this afternoon.

Ryan Moore rode Aidan O'Brien's Galileo filly for the first time at the Curragh, where she looked to have the Classic in the bag before being swamped close home by stablemate Misty For Me.

"When she gets to the front she doesn't do much. For a Galileo she has loads of speed, she gets a mile well but doesn't want to be in front too long. Ascot is a tough enough finish, but the Curragh is a long way up and when you start your run you have to keep going," said O'Brien.


Richard Hannon's Memory was well fancied for the Newmarket Guineas but blotted her copybook by refusing to leave the stalls, and that is not the first time she has shown signs of trouble in the gates.

"Every drop of rain that falls will lessen Memory's chance. She is such a great mover with a turbo-charged finish, but if the ground turns soft it could blunt her speed," said Hannon on his website.

"Obviously, we all hope that there will be no repetition of Memory's debacle in the 1000 Guineas, when she refused to come out of the stalls, but we have done plenty of work at home and fingers crossed everything will be fine at the start.

"Hughesie (Richard Hughes) wants to get Memory covered up and though we don't have the best draw (9), he still has four fillies outside him, including the favourite, Together. Hopefully she can be buried in the pack and produce the same sort of finishing kick that enabled her to win the Albany last year."


Jim Bolger won the Coronation in 2008 with Lush Lashes and runs Claiomh Solais in this year's renewal.

"Her full sister (Gile Na Greine) was second in the Coronation last year. She ran a very good race in the Irish Guineas, she wasn't beaten far (two lengths) and she's an improver so we'll be expecting her to run well. She wouldn't want the ground too soft," said Bolger.

"In two months time I'd say she'll be right up there, but she's already knocking on the door."


John Gosden goes into the race with two chances for the fillies' Group One.

1000 Guineas third Maqaasid and Musidora winner Joviality represent the Newmarket handler.

The trainer told www.attheraces.com: "Maqaasid ran a great race in the 1000 Guineas, where the strong headwind at Newmarket just sapped her stamina close home. The Pouliches (French Guineas) was a bit of a write-off as she was undone by a bad draw and typically uneven French pace."

He added: "She's got a lot of class and going round a bend should help her to stay the mile.

"Joviality is bred to be a miler and the extra two furlongs of the Musidora was as far as she wants to go. She's very tough and I'm glad we sat out the French Oaks as it was a hot renewal. This looks a much more open race."

Hanagan Misses Out

Paul Hanagan has been ruled out of Royal Ascot this afternoon after failing to recover from a neck injury.

The champion jockey had four booked rides for day four of the showpiece meeting, including Lily's Angel in the Albany Stakes, the supplemented Glen's Diamond in the King Edward VII Stakes and Barefoot Lady in the Coronation Stakes.

Hanagan suffered a spasm in his neck during his sleep on Wednesday night and although he rode twice on Thursday, he gave up his final ride and the situation has not improved since.

His agent Richard Hale said: "He's not riding today and he's obviously not happy as he had a good book of rides, but what can you do?

"He just had this spasm in his neck the night before last and it just hasn't got any better. He hasn't had a fall or anything, so we don't know how it's happened really.

"Michael Dods is actually trying to help us out by putting us in touch with one of his owners, Kevin Kirkup, who looks at these sorts of things.

"Apparently he's down at Ascot so hopefully Paul can meet him and we'll see if there's anything he can do.

"I don't know if he'll be riding at Ayr on Saturday yet - we'll just have to take it day by day.

"If he can see someone who knows what they're talking about then hopefully we can move a bit further on."

News On Fame And Glory

Just two years since the legendary Yeats created history by winning a fourth Ascot Gold Cup, Aidan O'Brien sends Fame And Glory to Berkshire to pick up his mantle.

Winner of an Irish Derby and a Coronation Cup, owners Dr Jim and Fitri Hay bought a significant share of the five-year-old with his career at stud in mind, but they are enjoying being involved with the favourite of the feature race of the meeting.

"Aidan's whole intention is that Fame And Glory is the next Yeats. I don't thinanyone in the camp is too concerned about the stamina issue. We know that Jamie (Spencer) can switch him off and that's the big technique to get him to last the trip. That's worked in his last couple of races," said Dr Hay.

Spencer, who used to be O'Brien's stable jockey, is the retained rider for all of the horses owned by the Hays. When beating last year's Gold Cup winner Rite Of Passage, who is absent from this year's field, in the Saval Beg, it was only the second time that Spencer had ridden Fame And Glory.


"Aidan's horse always improve for a prep race. I was happy, Aidan was happy, and the owners were happy. Until he actually goes and runs over two and a half miles nobody can say he is or isn't going to stay, but he travels well and settles well," said Spencer.

"He has a strong stamina pedigree. He's won an Irish Derby and you'd be very hopeful he would stay. At Leopardstown he cruised into the race and only beat what's put in front of him. He can be quite lazy."

O'Brien is excited about sending Fame And Glory over the trip, but also admits to being in the dark over the distance poser.

"You can't be sure about the two and half miles, but we are looking forward to it," said O'Brien.

"This horse is a dual Group One winner over a mile and a quarter as well as mile and a half, so you can't be too sure and the two and a half miles. On form and quality (he's the best horse) and looking at his run at Leopardstown you'd think he'd definitely get two miles, we'll just have to see about the other half a mile."

Hughes/Hannon Combo` Win AGAIN!

The Richard Hannon and Richard Hughes axis were celebrating again after Best Terms grimly held off the much-touted Shumoos in the Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot.

The field went an unbelievable pace in the early stages and Martin Dwyer was soon niggling along on Shumoos with Hughes travelling sweeter on Best Terms, sent of at 12-1 despite winning her previous victories.

It looked as if Shumoos was hitting top gear inside the final furlong and that she would claim Hannon's youngster, but the winner held on gamely by a short head with just another head back to 100-1 shot Caledonia Lady, who could well have won in another few yards.

Hannon said: "She's a very decent filly. She wasn't born until May 19 (2009), but by god she's quick. I thought the horse this side was going to catch us."

The trainer's son and assistant Richard Hannon junior said: "She worked very well last week. She hadn't come off the bridle in her races but she had a lot more on her plate today.

"I thought she had a bit too much on her plate, but she's won it well. We'll give her a break now and have a look at the Lowther at York and maybe the Cheveley Park, something like that."


Hughes added: "I rode her in Newbury where she was like a yo-yo going round the ring and I don't know why but she didn't give me a good ride. I thought she was just a little, fast two-year-old, but we worked her since and she worked really well.

"She's a little superstar. I couldn't believe the way she walked the ring today - she was like an old chaser. I walked her out on to the track and I had to give her two smacks to canter on, usually you're trying to hold them back.

"I jumped very awkwardly and it took me 100 yards to get her balanced, but she really stuck her head out well to the line. She's tiny and I felt like a big octopus on her! I don't do her justice."

Royal Hunt Cup...what`s your fancy?

Green Destiny, one of the leading contenders for the Royal Hunt Cup, is set to miss the mile handicap.

Trainer William Haggas instead plans to run the four-year-old in the Listed Wolferton Handicap on Friday.

"We have decided to withdraw Green Destiny as I consider the ground could be too fast for him and he will not be as effective over that distance on fastish ground," said Haggas.


"His owner, Saleh Al Homaizi, is very conscious of the fact that the horse is and has been one of the favourites for the race for a long time.

"But he has accepted my view that running him over 10 furlongs in the Wolferton Handicap on Friday is more suitable for the horse, especially with rain forecast. He will therefore be declared for Friday's race."

Meanwhile Roger Varian is hoping Eton Forever, who was only fourth in Listed company at Ascot last time, can step up on that performance.


The trainer said: "He was a little bit flat at Ascot, he wasn't quite 100% when he got home. It wasn't a bad run, but perhaps not quite up to his true ability. He's very well, but it's a very good race and it will be a tough task off that mark.

"You don't get many winners of it rated over 100, but if you are going to run in handicaps you may as well run in a big one, so we'll see how he gets on.

"He's drawn 15, which is right in the middle. I'd almost rather be on one side or the other, then you don't have a decision to make.

"Being in the middle you either go up one side or the other and that means you're not going in a straight line, so I'd have rather have been one side or the other."

A Look At The Queen Mary Stakes

David Wachman is anticipating a bold show from Fire Lily in the Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot.

The daughter of Dansili made a winning racecourse debut at Navan back in April and was last seen finishing third behind Power in a Listed contest at the Curragh.

The fact Wachman was slightly disappointed his filly was beaten that day speaks volumes about the regard in which she is held, and the trainer is looking forward to running her back against her own sex.

He said: "She's a nice filly who has always shown us a nice bit at home. She did it very nicely in Navan first time out and I was a bit disappointed she got beaten at the Curragh last time.

"I don't really know why I was disappointed, but I was on the day. She might have just been beaten by two smart colts. I wouldn't be concerned about the ground for her. This filly will go on anything."


Kevin Ryan saddles both Hilary Needler winner Dozy and Woodcote Stakes third On The Dark Side.

The trainer said: "I wouldn't say Dozy was the obvious one. The other filly would not be running if we didn't think she had a chance. Dozy has won both her starts, but On The Dark Side ran well at Epsom last time. Both horses are in good form and deserve to take their chance."

Vocational chased home Dozy in the Hilary Needler and her trainer Mark Johnston believes there are reasons to suggest his filly can reverse the form.


"We thought she was a smart filly from day one and we hoped she would make up into a Queen Mary runner. She has done nothing wrong and she is a filly with plenty of speed," said Johnston.

"I thought she was unlucky at Beverley as she had a bad draw, she veered left out of the stalls and also lost a shoe. She lost it at the start, so she ran the full five furlongs without it. I'm not going there thinking she only has an each-way chance."