Flat season is underway.

Flat season really starts today with the big guns firing at newmarket.

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Delegator puts Guineas claims to test in Craven


DELEGATOR has been the plunge horse in the ante-post market for the Stanjames.com 2,000 Guineas and puts his credentials to the test in Thursday's Craven Stakes.

Trainer Brian Meehan expects the son of Dansili, who had been 33-1 for the 2,000 Guineas a fortnight ago but is now 7-1, to "take all the beating" in the Banshahousestables.com-sponsored Group 3.

"He's very, very well and he's very fit," said Meehan.


"The Dewhurst was last season and we've moved on from that now and everything is set up for tomorrow, where I think he should take all the beating.

"On breeding a mile should not be any problem at all and it may prove to be his ideal trip but tomorrow is the first step on the ladder.

"The Guineas is the plan, that is what we are looking at with him."

One intriguing runner is the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Glass Harmonium, who won a Yarmouth maiden on his second start last September and was among the second entries for the Derby revealed last week.

Owned by Ballymacoll Stud, the Verglas colt is related to the likes of Hard Top and Conduit.

"He's a nice pedigree but he's interestingly bred being by a miler out of a staying mare so it a bit of a mixture, we were trying to put a bit of speed into the family and I don't know whether I've overdone it or not," said Peter Reynolds, racing manager for the stud.

"I think he's been pleasing him (Stoute) and he has improved recently. He was going to run in the Dewhurst but Sir Michael just didn't think he was ready for it after only two runs.

"We would just hope that he runs a nice race so we can get a handle on where he will go next.

Newmarket triggers Classic market moves


FANTASIA'S sensational slamming of her rivals in the Nell Gwyn Stakes resulted in bookmakers taking a knife to her odds for the Stanjames.com 1,000 Guineas.

William Hill were the most impressed, going 5-2 (from 10). Boylesports go 11-4 (from 10) with Bet365, Totesport and Victor Chandler all making Fantasia a 3-1 chance (from 12).


Rainbow View, who like Fantasia is owned by George Strawbridge, galloped at Newmarket before racing. She was trimmed to 6-4f (from 13-8f) for the Guineas by both Blue Square and William Hill.

Fantasia also proved popular in the betting for the Oaks. She is as short as 7-2f (from 10) with Coral.

Bookmakers were also casting an eye to Epsom after Nehaam took the inaugural running of the Tattersalls Timeform 3YO Trophy. He is now as short as 16-1 for the Derby, although he can still be backed at 20-1 with Sky Bet

Resort???

Delegator surges to head of Guineas market at 3-1


DELEGATOR leapt to the head of the market for next month's Stanjames.com 2,000 Guineas after his win in the Banshahousestables.com Craven Stakes at Newmarket on Thursday.


The Brian Meehan-trained colt, who was well supported for the Guineas after his recent work at home, is now as short as 3-1 (from with Blue Square for the opening Classic of the season on May 2. Ladbrokes initially went 6-1, but so impressed were punters with his two-and-three-quarter length success they were forced to cut him a further point.

Sans Frontieres, who got closest to Delegator, was cut for the Guineasby Bet365, Ladbrokes and Stan James. All three firms go 25-1 (from 50).

Chief Dan George's position as favourite for Saturday's Scottish Grand National was coming under pressure on Thursday with the sponsors Coral cutting Nine De Sivola to 15-2 (from 9). Chief Dan George stills tops the market at 7-1.

Crowded House to run in Dante not 2,000 Guineas


CROWDED HOUSE, who was as short as 9-1 for the Stanjames.com 2,000 Guineas, will miss the race and instead head to York for the Totesport.com Dante Stakes trainer Brian Meehan said on Thursday.

The-three-year-old was reported to "have done well both mentally and physically over the winter" by Meehan in his stable tour in Tuesday's Racing Post, where the trainer suggested that the antepost favourite for the Derby could go straight to the Dante Stakes and on Thursday connections decided to do just that.



"We've had a meeting this morning and decided that the Dante route to the Derby would be best for Crowded House," said Meehan.

"At this stage of his career we'd prefer to run him over ten furlongs than a mile. We remain terribly enthusiastic about the colt, as we have done all winter. His work has been very good."

After Crowded House won the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster last October, many offers were received by the owners, including one rumoured to be of more than £7 million.

Strawbridge rules out Fantasia-Rainbow clash

THE possibility of a mouth-watering clash between fillies Rainbow View and Fantasia in the 1,000 Guineas was ruled out on Friday night with the owner George Strawbridge's racing manager saying the pair would be kept apart, with Fantasia likely to head to the French equivalent.

Fantasia emerged a serious contender to long-time favourite Rainbow View for the Stan James-sponsored Classic at Newmarket on May 3 after she slammed her ten rivals by seven lengths and more in the Leslie Harrison Memorial Nell Gwyn Stakes on Wednesday.



However Strawbridge's winter purchase, who had been as short as 5-2 with William Hill for the Guineas after her stunning performance, will not be taking on Rainbow View at Newmarket.

Racing manager James Wigan said: "Mr Strawbridge has decided that the two will be kept apart. It is not often an owner has a chance to have a shot at two Classics. Both will be left in the 1,000 Guineas, but if bookmakers want to still quote Fantasia for the 1,000 Guineas they should do so with a run."

Lahaleeb cut to 14-1 for 1,000 Guineas after win


A FEAST of Classic clues appeared at Newbury on Saturday with the Mick Channon-trained Lahaleeb asserting her Stanjames.com 1,000 Guineas credentials with victory in the Dubai Duty Free Stakes.

Last year's Rockfel Stakes heroine is now as short as 14-1 (from 25) with Bet365 following her victory over Super Sleuth in a tight photo finish.

The Brian Meehan-trained runner-up has also been cut for the Newmarket Classic and is now a 25s from 40-1 with William Hill.

At the head of the market, the firm also cut favourite Rainbow View into 5-4 from 6-4. Ghanaati, who trainer Barry Hills worked before racing at Newmarket on Wednesday, has also been backed and is now 16-1 from 25 with Paddy Power.

In the 2,000 Guineas the Ballydoyle interest continues with Rip Van Winkle trimmed to9-2 from 7 by William Hill and Mastercraftsman out to 6s from 5-1.

Following Saturday's Group 3 Bathwick Tyres Greenham Stakes, runner-up Cityscape was cut from 20s into 12-1 with Ladbrokes and with winner Vocalised not holding an entry in the Classic, the firm inserted him at 12-1 for the Irish equivalent.

Spokesman David Williams said: "Vocalised could be a star overseas this season but much closer to home Cityscape is the one we're eager to keep on our sideas we head to Newmarket for the Guineas. We felt he lost nothing in defeat."

The Jim Bolger-trained winner was also cut for the Derby on June 6 with Tote going shortest at 14-1 from 33s.

In the jumps sphere, Hello Bud asserted his credentials as a Grand National contender with victory in the Scottish equivalent. Skybet went 33-1 and offered the same price for runner-up Gone To Lunch

Fame And Glory all the rage in Derby betting

SUNDAY'S impressive P.W.McGrath Memorial Ballysax Stakes winner Fame And Glory, continues to attract support for the Derby and is now a general 7-1 shot for the Epsom showpiece.

Stan James went a stand-out 12-1 following Sunday's race but the best price on offer on Monday morning is 8-1 with Ladbrokes and Coral, while all other leading bookmakers go 7-1 about Aidan O'Brien's unbeaten three-year-old.

Blue Square who went 8-1 post race have been forced to fall in line with other bookmakers on Monday morning following high levels of demand for Sunday's winner.

"We have seen sustained support on Sunday night and Monday morning and have cut Fame And Glory into 7-1 from 8-1," said spokesman Alan Alger



Former Ballydoyle Derby winners High Chaparral and Galileo recorded victory in the Ballysax before going on to Derby triumph and layers are extremely wary of a repeat performance from Fame And Glory on June 6.



Crowded House remains the general 6-1 favourite for the race.

Dave I heard a 'wee' rumour that F&G isn't their 1st pick! = Load up on an O'Brian winner, not any one in particular. . .

Thanks Jim, will take note!

Guineas hope Evasive sails through workout


EVASIVE remains on target for the Stanjames.com 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket on May 2 after coming through his latest workout in Newmarket without a hitch.


The Elusive Quality colt was forced to bypass the trials at Newmarket and Newbury last weekend when having pus in a foot, but had worked on the Limekilns on Wednesday morning and was in action on the Racecourse Side on Sunday morning under Ryan Moore.

Plans for a racecourse gallop had to be shelved the previous day, but that may well re-enter calculations in the run-up to the Guineas.

Chris Richardson, managing director of Cheveley Park Stud, said: "Evasive had an easy piece of work and Sir Michael Stoute was pleased with what he saw. The ground the way it has been has been a nightmare and we were trying to go to Newbury with him on Saturday but didn't want to gallop him on that bottomless ground.

"He looks great and we don't want to tempt fate, but he's on target for the Guineas."

Frankie Dettori looks likely to ride UAE Oaks winner Devotee in the Stanjames.com 1,000 Guineas with Godolphin's other possible contender Moonlife unlikely to run, while Shaweel has not been ruled out taking his chance in the 2,000 Guineas.

Shaweel finished fifth to Vocalised in the Greenham Stakes at Newbury on Saturday on his first start for Godolphin since moving from Mark Johnston's yard.

Simon Crisford said: "Frankie will ride Devotee in the 1,000 Guineas and Shaweel could go to Newmarket or for the French 2,000 Guineas. We knew Shaweel needed the race at Newbury and the ground was pretty testing - next time he will bea lot sharper.

All well with 2,000 Guineas pair - O'Brien


AIDAN O'BRIEN reported on Saturday that "everything is going to plan" with his stanjames.com 2,000 Guineas contenders, Mastercraftsman and Rip Van Winkle, after betting trends on Friday indicated support for Rip Van Winkle and unease in Mastercraftsman's price.


Mastercraftsman drifted to over 20-1 on Betfair before shortening while Rip Van Winkle was cut by most firms, with Ladbrokes going 6-1 (from 8-1).

O'Brien, who never comments on betting moves, said: "Both horses are doing their work and there have been no hiccups. Everything has gone to plan so far over the past few weeks. It's so far, so good with them."

O'Brien added that Heart Shaped is on-course for her 1,000 Guineas bid. "She is tipping away gradually and all is well with her so far."