Racing (Horse) : General Horse Racing Thread

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Libertarian out for revenge

http://www.attheraces.info/article.a...e&sub=&day=Sat

Libertarian aims to provide Elaine and Karl Burke with the perfect parting gift before heading off to pastures new in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby.

The son of New Approach did not make his debut until winning a Pontefract maiden in early April and was seemingly exposed when only fourth on his next appearance at Sandown, but he roared back with a shock victory in the Dante Stakes at York to book his ticket to the biggest race of them all - the Epsom Derby.

Despite struggling to adapt to the undulating terrain, the sizeable colt ran a fantastic race in the premier Classic, beating all bar Aidan O'Brien's Ruler Of The World.

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Hawk seeks Criterion compensation

http://www.attheraces.info/article.a...e&sub=&day=Sat

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O'Brien happy with Improved show

http://www.attheraces.info/article.a...d+show&day=Sat

Aidan O'Brien expects Most Improved to live up to his name after last year's St James's Palace Stakes winner finished third of four behind stablemate Flying The Flag on his comeback run in the eFlow 'You First' International Stakes at the Curragh.

The Ballydoyle trainer felt the four-year-old, formerly with Brian Meehan, is sure to benefit from his first start for 251 days.

Most Improved was sent off the 5-4 favourite, but could never get in a blow for Joseph O'Brien in this Group Three heat over a mile and a quarter

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Tominator cracks second Plate.

http://www.attheraces.info/article.a...e&sub=&day=Sat

Tominator came with a storming late run under Graham Lee to land the John Smith's Northumberland Plate at Newcastle for the second time.

The Jonjo O'Neill-trained grey, who won the prestigious prize in 2011 when with Reg Hollinshead, had plenty to do in the closing stages as Oriental Fox burst clear and made the best of his way home.

But Tominator (8-1), despite carrying the burden of top weight, made remorseless progress and nailed his rival close home to snatch the race by a short head in a pulsating finish, with a further length and a quarter to Brockwell in third. Mubaraza finished fourth.

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Leather lands Derby glory.

http://www.attheraces.info/article.a...=&sub=&day=Sat

Trading Leather landed the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at the Curragh in terrific style for Jim Bolger as Epsom hero Ruler Of The World flopped in fifth place.

Kevin Manning settled the son of Teofilo in third behind the pace set by Ralston Road and Cap O'Rushes and moved up to challenge for the lead inside the final two furlongs.

With Ruler Of The World and Libertarian failing to get in a blow from the rear it was left to Epsom third Galileo Rock to put in a big challenge, but Trading Leather (6-1) ran on strongly and passed the post the commanding winner by a length and three-quarters, with Aidan O'Brien's unlucky Festive Cheer a further length and three-quarters away third.

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Camelot team mull retirement.

http://www.attheraces.info/article.a...e&sub=&day=Sun

Aidan O'Brien has revealed last year's 2000 Guineas and dual Derby hero Camelot could be retired after failing to recapture his best form this season.

The son of Montjeu kicked off his Classic campaign with a last-gasp victory at Newmarket before running out a hugely impressive winner of the Epsom Derby, but after following up in the Irish Derby he could not quite claim the Triple Crown as he was denied by Encke in the St Leger at Doncaster.

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Sudirman on track in Railway.

http://www.attheraces.info/article.a...=&sub=&day=Sun

David Wachman claimed the Dubai Duty Free Full Of Surprises Railway Stakes at the Curragh for the second successive year as 5-1 shot Sudirman sprang a minor surprise in the hands of Wayne Lordan, who went on to a hat-trick.

Aidan O'Brien's Norfolk Stakes runner-up Coach House was unsurprisingly all the rage for the Group Two contest, sent off an 8-15 favourite just nine days after his fine Royal Ascot display.

But while the juvenile loomed up menacingly over a furlong out, his challenge came to nothing and he eventually came home a well-beaten third.

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Bold Bolger plans his approach.

http://www.attheraces.info/article.a...e&sub=&day=Sun

Dawn Approach is likely to run in both the Qipco Sussex Stakes at Goodwood and the Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville after returning to his best at Royal Ascot.

The impressive 2000 Guineas winner showed his self destruction in the Derby to be a one-off when holding off Toronado in the St James's Palace Stakes and he is likely to meet that rival again at the Glorious meeting on July 31.

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Curragh 'came too soon' for Lib.

http://www.attheraces.info/article.a...or+Lib&day=Sun

Connections of Libertarian believe the Investec Derby runner-up may have been feeling the effects of several tough runs when well-beaten at the Curragh on Saturday.

The colt was having his fifth run in less then three months when trailing in eighth of nine behind Trading Leather in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby.

Since making a winning debut at Pontefract in early April, the son of New Approach had shown himself to be a classy performer, winning the Dante Stakes at York before staying on strongly to take second place at Epsom four weeks ago.

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Pretty Polly glory for Varian.

http://www.attheraces.info/article.a...e&sub=&day=Mon

Ambivalent sprang a minor surprise with a gutsy success in the Oxigen Environment Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh.

The Roger Varian-trained filly made most of the running in the hands of Johnny Murtagh and fended off all-comers to land the Group One spoils.

Harasiya cut out the initial pace but Ambivalent soon got her head in front as Murtagh made the most of the rail position from stall one, and after seeing off that challenger the 10-1 shot pulled out more as the pack closed in, keeping on grimly to the line to defeat the Aidan O'Brien-trained 5-2 favourite Was by half a length.

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Havana strikes gold in France.

http://www.attheraces.info/article.a...e&sub=&day=Mon

Havana Gold swooped late to take Group One honours in the Prix Jean Prat at Chantilly for trainer Richard Hannon.

One of three runners carrying the colours of Qatar Racing, Havana Gold (6-1) collared San Marino Grey close home under Mickael Barzalona to gain a first win at the top level.

Mondialiste stuck on well after carrying out pacemaking duties for the Freddie Head stable to claim third spot, while the 7-4 favourite Style Vendome was fourth.

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Dettori takes Al Thani post

http://www.attheraces.info/article.a...e&sub=&day=Mon

Frankie Dettori has been appointed as the new retained rider for leading owner Sheikh Joaan Al Thani.

Al Thani is one of the rising stars of the owning and breeding ranks with the likes of St James's Palace Stakes runner-up Toronado, Group One winner Olympic Glory and French 2,000 Guineas hero Style Vendome among his horses.

He also recently purchased Naas Listed winner Sandiva, who Dettori partnered when second in the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot

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Kazeem tops Eclipse eight.

http://www.attheraces.info/article.a...e&sub=&day=Mon

Al Kazeem leads a small but select field of eight horses confirmed at the five-day stage for the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown on Saturday.

The Roger Charlton-trained five-year-old has emerged as a force at the highest level this season and will be seeking his third straight Group One success after the Tattersalls Gold Cup and, most recently, the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot.

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Irish Oaks next for Alive Alive Oh

http://www.attheraces.info/article.a...=&sub=&day=Mon

Alive Alive Oh is to go straight to the Darley Irish Oaks after being a late withdrawal from the Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh on Sunday.

The Tommy Stack-trained filly was taken out of the 10-furlong Group One after she was found to be in season on the morning of the race.

It was the second time in 10 days that she has been an 11th hour absentee from a big race after missing the Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot because the ground was considered too quick.

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Cecil duo star in Haydock entry.

http://www.attheraces.info/article.a...e&sub=&day=Mon

Lady Cecil-trained duo Wild Coco and Songbird are among 18 fillies and mares confirmed for the bet365 Lancashire Oaks at Haydock on Saturday.

Wild Coco looked a potentially top-class filly in the making when winning the Lillie Langtry at Goodwood and the Park Hill Stakes at Doncaster last year, but has not been seen in competitive action since the latter of those triumphs in mid-September.