UK flat season.

Brilliant Elusive Pimpernel lands Craven

Report: Newmarket, Thursday

Racing Post breezeupbonus.comCraven Stakes (Group 3) 1m, 3yo colts and geldings

ELUSIVE PIMPERNEL laid down his StanJames.com 2,000 Guineas claims in spectacular fashion at Newmarket, taking the Craven Stakes and sending his Classic odds tumbling from 14-1 to 5-1 with the sponsors.

Although sent off a 10-11 favourite, there was still some doubt about the John Dunlop-trained three-year-old's credentials to win this important Guineas trial, never mind the Classic itself.

But the manner of this victory - imperious and breathtaking - will have exorcised any doubts about this well-built son of Elusive Quality's ability to challenge for the biggest prizes this season, and will have further added to the reputation of St Nicholas Abbey, his conqueror in last season's Racing Post Trophy.

The final margin of four lengths back to second favourite Dancing David (6-1) was a fair result, but at one point appeared in doubt as Ryan Moore, brought in for his first ride on Elusive Pimpernel, set to work at the halfway stage.

However, the winner picked up readily around the three furlong pole and was in control by the two, from there on in the result was elementary, the remaining two furlongs an exercise in putting space between the winner and his comparatively flat-footed rivals.

ok its probably the wrong thread but rainbow view was under my horses to follow and great news for her followers

Rainbow View's winning debut in Kentucky


Report: USA, Friday

Keeneland

LAST year's 1,000 Guineas favourite Rainbow View scored at the first time of asking for her new trainer Jonathan Sheppard in an allowance race at Keeneland on Friday.

Ridden by Julien Leparoux and sent off 4-5 favourite, the four-year-old was always in touch before showing a keen turn of foot to win the 1m½f turf race in handy fashion by an easy length and a half.

Winner of the Group 1 Meon Valley Stud Fillies' Mile among four unbeaten victories at two for former trainer John Gosden, Rainbow View was fifth to Ghanaati when odds-on favourite for the Classic.

Racing exclusively in Group or Grade 1 company last term, she made the frame on six occasions, winning the Matron Stakes at The Curragh.

On her final start for Gosden, George Strawbridge's daughter of Dynaformer finished fifth of eight in the Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic at Santa Anita.

Fallon leaves hospital after Newbury scare


KIEREN FALLON appears to have come out of a nasty incident at Newbury on Friday, when he received a kick on the leg from his mount before a race, relatively unscathed.

He was taken to hospital for x-rays after being kicked on the upper leg.


A spokesman for the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading said at 6.40pm on Friday: "He's okay. He came in about 5.30pm and he walked out of A&E two minutes ago."


It is not yet known whether he will be able to ride on Saturday where his rides at Newbury include Purple Moon in the Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Stake and Lady Of The Desert in the Dubai Duty Free Stakes.

Fallon's agent Dave Pollington said on Friday night: "I have only spoken to Kieren briefly but he's the eternal optimist and we'll see how he is in the morning. He's not in any pain at the moment but he might be in the morning."

Fallon had been on the receiving end of a kick from the Mick Channon-trained Ayam Zainah, which he had been due to ride in a 7f fillies' maiden at Newbury, after she had become upset by Alioonagh running loose in the parade ring.

Screens were quickly erected around the stricken jockey with concerns that he may have broken a leg.

However, early assessments in the racecourse medical room suggested that he had avoided serious injury although he was taken for x-rays as a precaution.

Fallon's two remaining mounts at Newbury both failed to win while Alioonagh was withdrawn before the 7f maiden after once again getting loose, this time before she was due to be loaded at the stalls.

Dick Turpin steals glory from Canford Cliffs

Report: Newbury, Saturday

Bathwick Tyres Greenham Stakes (Group 3) 7f, 3yo

DICK TURPIN caused an upset when stealing victory from Canford Cliffs in the Greenham, swooping late to give Richard Hannon a one-two in an order few predicted.

All the focus in the build-up to the Greenham had been on Canford Cliffs, last season's brilliant Coventry winner, and Arcano, the 10-11 favourite's conqueror in the Prix Morny.


The five-runner field broke all eyes were drawn to Canford Cliffs, who was sharp out the gate and went to the lead with Dick Turpin and Arcano slotting in behind.

It was a decent pace, and one at which the principal three in the market were content to bowl along at.

At the two-pole Richard Hughes was keen to put the race to bed on Canford Cliffs, but while the market leader did lengthen his stride, he also began to drift from his central spot towards the far-side rail. What impact this made was debatable but it failed to shake off Dick Turpin, who had left the disappointing Arcano behind and was beginning to encroach on Canford Cliffs's two-length advantage.

The momentum switched to the Hannon second-string in the final furlong and Dick Turpin, gathering pace, ground down andthen streaked past the leader to record a half-length victory, leaving behind important questions about Canford Cliffs stamina over the longer Guineas trip.

William Hill reacted to Canford Cliffs's defeat by pushing him out to 7-1 from 5-1 for the StanJames.com 2,000 Guineas, while Dick Turpin was slashed to 12-1 from 40-1.

Paddy Power took a more pessimistic view of Canford Cliffs's Guineas chance, offering 12-1 about both the Hannon-trained horses. The firm cut Guineas favourite St Nicholas Abbey to 7-4 from 2-1.

Canford Cliffs jockey Hughes said: "I'm pleased with the run. The only disappointing thing was that he went left under pressure again, and today that has cost me the race. I'm still happy enough about a mile, he just got tired today. When he comes under pressure he goes left, but he mightn't do it when he's catching horses, so I'll be dropping him in at Newmarket.

"He'll come on a lot for today's race andI knew he would. The other lad had been given a racecourse gallop, ours hadn't. Today wasn't his Guineas."
Richard Hannon Trainer

Richard Hannon saddled a one-two in the Greenham
PICTURE: Edward Whitaker

Hannon said: "If Canford Cliffs hadn't come off a straight line, I think he would have won, that's my opinion. He drifted off a line like he did in France, but he won't do that at Newmarket becausehe'll have a rail to stop him. I really don't know why he did it again because he's as straight as an arrow at home.

"They are both two very good horses and I was very happy with the pair of them. I want Canford to go to Newmarket, but I'd quite like to separate them and we might follow the ground with the winner and go to France or Ireland.

"The other horse will definitely get a mile, but I think we will, too. I think he's a miler. Why wouldn't he get a mile? If a good horse gets seven furlongs, he'll get a mile.

"The bubble is not burst and there'll be no tears tonight."

Angus Gold, racing manager to Arcano-owner Hamdan Al Maktoum, said: "It was disappointing on the face of it. We knew he would need the race, but when they quickened he could not go with them. It may be ring-rustiness or something else, we'll have to wait the next week to ten days to find out, but that run, it's a long way off Guineas form."

A1 Canford Cliffs to be 'buried' in 2,000 Guineas

RICHARD HANNON reported Greenham one-two Canford Cliffs and Dick Turpin to be in A1 condition on Sunday while also revealing that Canford Cliffs will be "buried" in the pack when he lines up in the StanJames.com 2,000 Guineas in an attempt to stop him veering left under pressure.

The Richard Hannon-trained Canford Cliffs drifted sharply to the far rail when finishing a close second to Dick Turpin in the Bathwick Tyres Greenham Stakes at Newbury on Saturday after attempting to make all in his normal trailblazing fashion.


The son of Tagula had also gone left under pressure when beaten narrowly into third in last year's Prix Morny by Arcano, leaving Hannon puzzled.

"We do need to find out why he drifts so alarmingly to his left," the trainer told his website. "It cost him the Prix Morny and now it's cost him the Greenham, and it is baffling as he always goes as straight as an arrow at home.


"We will ride him differently at Newmarket - Hughesie [Richard Hughes] will bury him in the pack and ride him to get the mile, and, having been off since last August, he is bound to improve [for the run at Newbury].

"Hughesie knows the horse better than anyone, and he was happy enough afterwards, which has to be a good sign."

Hannon also confirmed that the Abu Dhabi Irish 2,000 Guineas is the favoured route for Dick Turpin due to the likelihood of soft ground but that the Newmarket Guineas and the Poule d'Essai des Poulains had not been completely ruled out.

He said: "Dick Turpin will always prefer a bit of dig in the ground, so the Curragh could be the favoured route but he is entered at Newmarket and Longchamp, so we will keep our options open for the time being."

Paco Boy could bid for Sandown Mile repeat


PACO BOY, winner of last year's Bet365 Mile at Sandown, is among the 15 entries for this Saturday's renewal of the £100,000 Group 2 contest.


However, with no sign of significant rain in the weather forecast this week, the Richard Hannon-trained five-year-old may bypass the race and wait instead for the Group 1 Lockinge Stakes at Newbury on May 15.


Hannon said on Monday afternoon: "We're concerned about the ground and, as he's got a long season ahead, we're not certain to send him to Sandown.

"Unless we get the some rain this week, there's a fair chance he'll wait for the Lockinge and then, all being well, head for the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot."

Other entries for Saturday's event include the Marcus Tregoning-trained Finjaan, winner of last season's Group 2 Betfair Cup at Goodwood, and The Cheka, a one-time Classic hope from Eve Johnson Houghton's stable.

Sandown's other big Flat race on Saturday, the Group 3 Gordon Richards Stakes, has attracted 11 entries, including Brian Meehan's Crowded House and the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Glass Harmonium.

Canford cliffs could end up being a top sprinter..

I think it should be kept for sprinting, great pace it must have ran another 50 yds when beaten by Dick!

Rumoush making moves in 1,000 Guineas market

RUMOUSH, winner of the Blue Square Feilden Stakes last week, was a major market mover for the StanJames.com 1,000 Guineas on Tuesday, having been given the go-ahead for the May 2 Classic a day earlier.

While her odds for the 1,000 Guineas halved to 8-1, favourite Special Duty was also trimmed - to 7-2 (from 4) with the sponsor and to 100-30 (from 7-2) with Victor Chandler - as Plume, who was as short as 14-1, came out of the market after connections revealed they would skip the Newmarket Classic.

Rumoush was all the rage on Tuesday, when Kate Miller, spokeswoman for William Hill, who went 9-1 (from 14), said: "This does not appear on paper to be a vintage year for the 1,000 Guineas, with doubts about some of the leading contenders.


"At the behest of four-time winning owner Hamdan Al Maktoum, Rumoush will line-up in next week's race and appears on paper to have all the right credentials for a Guineas winner."

Coral quoted 8-1 as well (from 10) and their spokesman David Stevens said: "Although the Feilden Stakes would not be a regular 1,000 Guineas trial, Rumoush has been all the rage since she was given the green light to run in the Classic, and her price has halved in the last 48 hours."

Fallon fears 'trouble' for Seta if ground is quick


KIEREN FALLON said on Monday that he "could be in trouble" if the ground at Newmarket comes up quicker than ideal when he takes the ride on Seta in Sunday's StanJames.com 1,000 Guineas.


Fallon, who has ridden the winner of the 1,000 Guineas four times, had to choose between the Luca Cumani-trained Seta, whom he partnered to be third in last season's DFS May Hill Stakes at Doncaster, and the Mick Channon-trained Music Show, whom he rode to win the Leslie Harrison Memorial Nell Gwyn Stakes at Newmarket this month.

The six-time champion chose Seta, who he said gave him the feeling of a Guineas filly when he first sat on her last year - but he has doubts about his decision should the ground at Newmarket remain on the quick side.

Fallon, talking at a launch at Lord's cricket ground in London for the Guineas festival, said: "I hope I am riding the right one. I had a tough decision to make last week and Seta had worked really well. I was very impressed with a bit of work she had done with two older horses and let's hope I have got on the right one.

"The ground is a big worry for me. If it doesn't rain by the end of the week I could be in trouble here.

"My filly definitely needs good ground, if not a bit of ease, and I think we could be in trouble as it would suit the other filly - Music Show - as she has won on fast ground."

Fallon also said he had doubts about Special Duty getting the 1m, adding: "If Special Duty gets the trip she is the one they all have to beat, but I think there is a big question mark whether she'll get the trip.

"I hope I am right. I am riding a filly that travels and can quicken, so hopefully I am on the winner."

Special Duty is 7-2 favourite with the sponsor, who quote Seta and Music Show at 6-1 joint second favourites.

St Nicholas Abbey 4-1 for Derby after defeat

ST NICHOLAS ABBEY is set to have a second shot at Classic triumph in the Investec Derby, but bookmakers believe the StanJames.com 2,000 Guineas beaten favourite is now less likely to triumph at Epsom.

A major raceday gamble, last year's champion juvenile was unable to build on his dazzling Racing Post Trophy success, much to the disappointment of punters who backed him into evens favouritism.



Although never far from the leaders, Johnny Murtagh's mount proved unable to repeat his Doncaster turn of foot and finished outside the places in sixth with connections blaming a steady early gallop.

No bigger than 7-4 for the Derby prior to Saturday's race, bookmaker reaction was to lengthen the Aidan O'Brien-trained colt in their Epsom market. William Hill remain his biggest fan and offer just 5-2, but Ladbrokes, who had quoted 6-4, are now 4-1 with their best price offer matched by Paddy Power.

O'Brien said: "We thought we would come here and on to the Derby, and I can't see any reason to change that. It's his first run of the year and our horses have been a bit in and out, so I was delighted with his run."

Elusive Pimpernel, one place in front of St Nicholas Abbey, is not entered in the Derby but is still quoted between 8-1 and 14-1 for the contest although some bookmakers do not offer a price.

Marchand D'Or heads entries for July Cup

MARCHAND D'OR, winner of the Darley July Cup in 2008, was on Wednesday among 76 entries for the Group 1 sprint, which forms the centrepiece of Newmarket's July meeting.

Now in the care of StanJames.com 2,000 Guineas winning-trainer Mikel Delzangles, Marchand D'Or was a three-quarter length victor of the race two years ago, but suffered a reverse in form last year andwas switched from Freddie Head.


"Marchand D'Or is fine at the moment and we are planning to give him a comeback run in the Prix Saint-Georges at Longchamp [on May 16]," Delzangles said. "If he comes out of that race in good order, then the July Cup would be on his agenda.

"We have the option of the two races at Royal Ascot and he could go there beforehand or alternatively there is the Group 2 Prix du Gros-Chene at Chantilly for him on June 6.

"I couldn't honestly say that he can return tohis best. I think he was a bit sick last season but he seems fine now and we will have a better idea whether his talent remains after his return at Longchamp."

Other notable entries for the July Cup, which is run on July 9, include the Aidan O'Brien-trained pair Steinbeck and Rip Van Winkle, while Overdose, the ‘Budapest Bullet', is also entered.

Last year's first and second, Fleeting Spirit and Main Aim, could face each other again and Canford Cliffs may bid for some compensation after finishing third to Delzangles' Makfi in the 2,000 Guineas on Saturday.