Two For Friday. G` Luck!

Starscope aims to give the form of the 1000 Guineas another boost in the Swettenham Stud Fillies' Trial Stakes at Newbury on Friday. Stablemate The Fugue finished two places behind John Gosden's Guineas runner-up at Newmarket and subsequently waltzed away with the Musidora Stakes at York on Wednesday. Starscope steps up to 10 furlongs for this Listed heat, but Chris Richardson, managing director of owners Cheveley Park Stud, feels that should be well within her compass. Richardson said: "Obviously the Guineas form was franked at York but the Guineas form is usually rock-solid anyway. It was a very pleasing run by our horse in the Guineas but our filly is a different type to The Fugue. We were very pleased with the Guineas, but we want to see if she'll stay further and then we can establish a way forward for the rest of the season. "Her jockey (Jimmy Fortune) got off her last time and said she'd have no trouble staying further - in the Nell Gwyn and the Guineas she's been doing her best work at the finish. She's a lightly-raced filly but we need to get her to concentrate in her races - she wears a hood - and we need the penny to drop. She's in the Coronation so we'll see if we'll be going back to a mile or staying at this sort of trip (10 furlongs)."

Also, Ed Dunlop is hoping Burwaaz will enjoy a welcome change of luck in the Bathwick Tyres Carnarvon Stakes at Newbury on Friday. The son of Exceed And Excel only has one success to his credit in a Leicester maiden last May, but he has run several good races in defeat. He was also tried highly as a juvenile, being placed in the Gimcrack Stakes and Flying Childers and he ended the campaign in the Group One Middle Park Stakes. His misfortune continued on his first start of 2012 when the bit slipped through his mouth at Kempton, but he still managed to take third place behind Gusto.

"I really hope he wins. The bit went through his mouth when he came round the bend and was unrideable so he did fantastically well even to finish third," said Dunlop. "I knew there were other unlucky stories in the race but I do hope this is his day to make him a stakes winner."

Fury Wins...but only just!

Fury (3-1) just denied last season's Cambridgeshire hero Prince Of Johanne in a tremendous finish to the Betfred Hambleton Stakes at York. The two greys had the finish of this mile handicap to themselves and the result was in doubt right to the line with the William Haggas-trained Fury just obliging in the hands of Ryan Moore. There was only a nose between them at the line, with the 2-1 favourite Mijhaar two and a half lengths away in third place. Haggas said: "I'm really, really pleased. He went off the boil last year but he's a much stronger horse now and he's really fought when he needed to today. He's been running consistently well in really big handicaps so to win here is richly deserved. "The fact that this was a Listed race makes it even better and it's good news for the family. I don't want to run him in the Hunt Cup so I think we'll go for a Group race somewhere. "He could go for something at Chantilly the Sunday before Royal Ascot."

Bonfire On Fire!

Andrew Balding's Bonfire emerged as the most serious threat to Investec Derby favourite Camelot with an impressive comeback performance in the Betfred Dante Stakes at York. The son of Manduro could hardly have promised more in his two starts as a juvenile, looking a class-act on his racecourse debut at Salisbury before finishing a luckless third in the Group One Criterium International at Saint-Cloud. His seasonal return had been shifted to Britain's most high-profile Epsom trial from last week's Dee Stakes at Chester due to the rain-softened ground on the Roodee and it proved a wise decision. The colt showed slight signs of waywardness before the off, but he was as good as gold once the gates opened and travelled supremely well in the hands of Jimmy Fortune. Bonfire quickened past the well supported Ballydoyle-based favourite Ernest Hemingway in taking style and it was recent Newbury winner Ektihaam who moved stylishly out of the pack to throw down a challenge. The two of them fought out a crowd-pleasing finish heading inside the final furlong, but Bonfire was on top close home, officially scoring by three-quarters of a length.

Two To Follow Today

Fencing drops in class but steps up in distance in the Betfred Dante Stakes at York today. John Gosden's colt brings Classic form to the table, having finished six lengths behind Camelot when sixth in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket. Gosden said: "He's in good form. He had a nasty incident with a shoe-clip, which meant he had to miss the Craven. He then ran in the Guineas and he should come on for that. I think he'll stay a mile and a quarter, he's certainly bred for it." The trainer went on: "It looks a good Dante, but he's in nice enough form, so we'll see."

Roger Charlton admits that a 3lb penalty makes life difficult for Sea Of Heartbreak, who returns to action in the Betfred Middleton Stakes at York today The five-year-old is burdened with the extra impost for a Group Two success at Longchamp during Arc weekend. Charlton said: "She looks fantastically well. She's got a penalty for winning a Group Two in France and has to give weight to some good fillies. It's a very hot race, but it's good starting point and she's in good form." Sajjhaa (my selection) was runner-up to Midday in this race 12 months ago before going on to register a course and distance victory in July. Her liking for the Knavesmire circuit gives trainer Saeed bin Suroor reason to be optimistic about her chances. "Sajjhaa looks like she is coming back into form - she looks well and has been working nicely. She is ready to run and she loves racing at York. I am hopeful of another good effort," he told www.godolphin.com .

York Advice

Two to follow today: York 4.10 CUMBRIAN CRAIC made a big impression when scoring by six lengths on his debut last month at Doncaster. Tim Easterby's charge handled the soft ground well and finished his race off strongly. He should take plenty of beating in same conditions today. 3/1 available, take it (Win Bet)4.45 TARTIFLETTE has improved markedly with every outing so far, only missing out by a head to subsequent French Guineas fifth Gregorian when second on her seasonal debut at Newbury last month. 7/1 Best Price, take it (Each Way Bet)Double them up to MAXIMISE profit. G` Luck!

News On Spencer After Fall

Jockey Jamie Spencer shrugged off a bad fall on the eve of York's Dante meeting by claiming a winner at Beverley. The 2005 champion jockey must have feared for his participation at the big three-day fixture on the Knavesmire once he was unseated from Panama Cat in the opening five-furlong maiden. Spencer fleetingly remained motionless on the turf, but he was later declared fit enough to take his three remaining mounts, of which Bridgehampton was a game winner of the Beverley Middle Distance Series Handicap. The Michael Bell-trained three-year-old was never too far off a stop-start pace initiated by Henry George and galloped earnestly clear two furlongs out. Cheviot Quest briefly threatened, but succumbed by four lengths to the 3-1 favourite, who was stepping up to a mile and a half for the first time in his short career. Spencer said: "I'm a bit sore, but I'm OK (for York). It was a bad race, but his dam is a half-sister to Fame And Glory and he was always going to improve for the step up in trip."

Duke Of York Preview

Champion trainer Richard Hannon is doubly represented in the Duke Of York totepool Stakes on the Knavesmire with Libranno and Elnawin. Libranno made his reappearance this season over a mile in heavy ground and is expected to be much better suited by conditions on his return to sprinting. "It was barely raceable at Sandown, where Libranno disappointed last time, but we know he is better than that and six furlongs suits him as well as seven," said Richard Hannon jnr on www.richardhannonracing.tv. "Elnawin has been off with injury since he won by eight lengths at Salisbury last June, and he will probably need this comeback race." Richard Fahey has always thought highly of Mayson and the four-year-old is now finally starting to deliver on his promise. After finishing third behind The Cheka at Doncaster on his reappearance he was a good winner of the Abernant Stakes at the Craven meeting and he returned to Headquarters last time out. Dropping down to five furlongs for the Palace House Stakes, he showed good speed from a bad draw to win again. Fahey said: "He's in great order at the moment and he knows how to win now. He's progressing the right way, he's won a Listed race, a Group Three and now he's in a Group Two. "The ground should be fine, he goes on anything. He seems as effective over five furlongs or six, but if I had a choice I think he's better over six. He's in both races at Ascot, but we'll get this out of the way first." Godolphin's ex-Australian Soul is an interesting contender. He won at the Dubai Carnival in handicap company, but made no show on World Cup night in the Golden Shaheen. Saeed bin Suroor told www.godolphin.com: "Soul won very well on his first start of the year in Dubai, but then was disappointing in the Golden Shaheen. He looks in good form at the moment and has been working nicely. The return to turf should suit him and I am looking for a better result this time."

News From Ballydoyle

Aidan O'Brien has warned Ernest Hemingway will only run in Thursday's Betfred Dante Stakes at York if conditions are deemed suitable. The Galileo colt won by 10 lengths on his only start to date at Dundalk and is a best priced 25-1 for the Investec Derby at Epsom next month. He is due to test his credentials in the recognised trial on the Knavesmire on Thursday, but his participation is ground dependant. Speaking at a press morning at Ballydoyle, O'Brien said: "Ernest Hemingway is in the Dante, but he would only go to York if the ground was good or better. It is doubtful he would go to Epsom if he misses York."

He is confident Camelot will not lack for stamina when he bids to follow up his 2000 Guineas triumph in the Investec Derby at Epsom. The son of Montjeu rounded off his juvenile campaign with a superb performance in the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster and he made a winning return when coming from last to first in the season's opening Classic at Newmarket. "Being by Montjeu, you would have to be optimistic that he will stay, but there are also serious Danehill and Kingmambo traits in Camelot, and he has always been a horse with tremendous speed. However, I have not seen anything to suggest that he will not stay the trip at Epsom, but we won't find out until the day," said O'Brien at a press open day. The Ballydoyle handler admits his charge has other questions to answer, namely how he will handle Epsom's undulations and if his nerves will stand up pre-race.

He also admits his son Joseph was lucky to escape serious injury after parting company with the ill-fated Furner's Green in Sunday's French 2000 Guineas at Longchamp. The three-year-old flew home under the young rider to claim third in the Poule D'Essai Des Poulains, but broke a leg shortly after the line. The young rider came out of the saddle but was unscathed. "It could all have ended in disaster in the French Guineas on Sunday when Furner's Green took a fatal fall passing the winning post," said the trainer. "We were all so very sad for the horse, but Joseph was so very lucky. "If it had happened a furlong earlier, three or four horses could easily have trampled all over him and he could have been seriously hurt as they were travelling flat out."

Musidora Preview

John Gosden's 1000 Guineas fourth The Fugue faces five rivals in the Tattersalls Musidora Stakes at York on Wednesday. The daughter of Dansili finished off well to pick up minor honours in the Newmarket Classic and she now tries her hand over 10 furlongs in this recognised trial for the Investec Oaks at Epsom next month. The Fugue's major rival in the Group Three contest appears to be Aidan O'Brien's Twirl, who was narrowly beaten by subsequent winner Chrysanthemum on her first start of the year at the Curragh in March. Richard Hannon's Nell Gwyn winner Esentepe needs to bounce back to form after finishing last at Goodwood, while Good Morning Star is turned out again quickly following her shock win in last week's Cheshire Oaks. Aniseed and Salford Art complete the line-up.

Dunlop Debates

Ed Dunlop is weighing up the options for his luckless sprinter Burwaaz. Although the three-year-old has registered only one victory from nine career starts, he has been placed on a further six occasions. He did well to finish third at Kempton on his return to action at the start of this month after things conspired against him, and Dunlop hopes his day will come soon.

"He's in the Duke Of York Stakes on Wednesday and he's going to be entered in the Carnarvon Stakes at Newbury on Friday. The ground is quite important," said the trainer. "On his last run at Kempton, the bit went through his mouth and he did fantastically well to finish third. "We'll wait and see what the ground does, but it would nice to see him win, as he deserves it. He was the bridesmaid sprinter last year, but we're pretty adamant he's improved." Stablemate Red Cadeaux is on target for Friday's Sportingbet Yorkshire Cup after finishing second in the rearranged Sagaro Stakes at Kempton last time. Having been beaten a nose in the Melbourne Cup before finishing third in the Hong Kong Vase last year, he is another horse who deserves success. Dunlop added: "All being well he'll run in the Yorkshire Cup. He won't run on firm ground, but I don't think we're going to get that."

Definitely Definightly

Roger Charlton will rely on Definightly in Wednesday's Duke of York totepool Stakes after deciding not to run Bated Breath and Genki. The Beckhampton handler had the choice of running all three in the six-furlong Group Two event with Group One-placed Bated Breath the highest rated of all the entries, but with the ground at York currently reported to be on the easy side, Charlton has opted to bypass the race as both Bated Breath and Genki prefer a quicker surface. Charlton tweeted: "Bated Breath and Genki to miss York to await faster ground but Definightly declared and would like more rain if possible!" Definightly is one of 14 declared runners, with Richard Fahey's Mayson heading the betting following successive victories at Newmarket.

Rain, Rain Go Away!

Tuesday's meeting at Newcastle has been abandoned due to a waterlogged track. A total of 150 millimetres of rain fell at the course in April, leaving the ground waterlogged and unraceable in places. Further rain is forecast over the weekend, so clerk of the course James Armstrong has made an early decision to call off the fixture. He said: "We had a look and we had our course inspector here and we are still a long way off being raceable. "We've got a forecast of further rain, upwards of another half an inch, in the next two or three days. We are fighting a losing battle." The British Horseracing Authority has announced an additional fixture at Southwell to fill the gap. Warwick's fixture on Bank Holiday Monday is subject to an 8.30am inspection on Saturday. The course is waterlogged in places following 103 millimetres of rainfall throughout April and the situation was compounded by further 16mm of rain on Thursday. Clerk of the course Sulekha Varma said: "The situation has gradually deteriorated as the week has gone on. Thursday's rain has left us in an unraceable state, with large areas of false ground and some waterlogging. "If there is some improvement on Saturday morning, we might look again on Sunday, but it's not looking great."

2000 Guineas Preview

French trainer Nicolas Clement is looking to improve his curious record in England when the Criterium International winner French Fifteen runs in the Qipco 2000 Guineas at Newmarket. The colt, who will be ridden by Olivier Peslier, beat the other French raiders Abtaal and Hermival in the Prix Djebel at Maisons-Laffitte last month. Although Clement saddled the classy Stormy River to finish second in the St James's Palace Stakes in 2006, his only win in the UK came on a less grander scale - in a Catterick bumper. The French trainer said: "He is all ready to go and he worked nicely on Monday. I don't think he wants extremes of going - not too yielding and not too fast, but if it is just on the soft side of good that will be fine for him. We will see if handles the track. He has performed well on a straight course before, so hopefully he will do well. "He has done really well since the Prix Djebel and I think he has improved a bit too, so I am very happy. He has experience and he has fitness, so it is very exciting. It would be fantastic for the owner, who sponsors the race. He bought the colt during the winter. "I have not had many runners in Britain. Stormy River was second to Araafa in the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot. The only winner I have had in Britain was in a Catterick bumper! It would be fantastic to win the Guineas. If the horse finishes in the first four, I'll be happy." John Gosden is under no illusions as to the task facing Fencing, who took a Listed race in fine style at Newbury in August but was left trailing behind Camelot in the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster. The handler said: "He was meant to run in the Craven, but he got a puncture in his foot which meant he was unable to run. That has put us on the back foot a little, but you need to get these horses out. Obviously, it is not ideal. He needs a race and you have to start the season somewhere. "Realistically he needs to improve a good deal to turn the tables with the favourite from Doncaster and it wasn't the plan to come here without a run. He was well held at Doncaster, but he won't mind the ground."

Roger Charlton admits Top Offer will need to show "considerable" improvement if he is to win the Qipco 2000 Guineas at Newmarket. The once-raced colt was an impressive winner of a Newbury maiden last season, but missed his intended trial in the Greenham Stakes due to very soft ground, and the trainer still harbours doubts about his ability to be seen at his best in those conditions. "Top Offer has been our big hope since last August and finally we are nearly there. He is a wonderful looking colt with great presence and an easy action that may not be suited by the soft ground," said the Beckhampton handler. "He has to show considerable improvement from his easy maiden victory last August at Newbury. It looks competitive, as you would expect, with three good colts from France and three from Ireland in the field. "His work has been good but we won't know until we try as to whether he is quite up to this class, but I am sure he is a Group horse," he told his website, www.rogercharlton.com. Aidan O'Brien insists he has not "forced" Camelot to be ready in time for the race. The eclipse of St Nicholas Abbey two years ago is still a raw memory for the Ballydoyle team and they admit it took him a good year to get over those exertions. With Camelot by the same sire in Montjeu, and having followed the Racing Post Trophy route, comparison has been drawn, but while O'Brien was reluctant to commit the unbeaten colt to the Classic until only recently, the last few weeks have seen him discuss his chances in a far more bullish mode.