The 2K to 10K betting challenge continues on Saturday at Newbury .
The betting bankroll now stands at £2590 .The stakes now increase to £104.00 ,after Chain Of Daisies won the Upavon Listed stakes at Salisbury on Wednesday in great style.Landing massive gamble 9-2 into 7-4 ,for nice £254.00 profit.
Moving on to Saturday ,going concentrate on the feature race from Newwbury .
8 runners declared for the 7f Hungerford stakes on ground described as good (g/s) places .This looks good quality group two contest .The three main contenders look to be Sir Dancelot , Librisa Breeze & Gustav Klimit .
SIR DANCELOT : 4-Y-0 Bay Gelding,winning 7 out 24.Been in excellent form this season ,winning three times,including winning the G2 Lennox Stakes at Glorious Goodwood last time .Only fifth in this race last year,and has 3lb group two penalty,though can't be ruled out on this seasons form.
LIBRISA BREEZE : 6-Y-0 Grey Gelding ,winning 6 out 19 .Useful sort with cut in the ground ,including winning the G1 Champions Sprint at Ascot last October.Also finished creditable second in this race last year.Looks to be returning to form,after finishing staying on 4th of 20 in G1 Prix Maurice De Gheest at Deauville earlier this month .Will be suited by this drop class solid claims .
GUSTAV KLIMIT : 3-Y-0 Bay colt,winning 3 out 9 .Has shown some good form this season without winning ,including finishing second in G1 St James Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot.Also finished 2L fourth in Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood .The drop in class and return to 7f should suit ,though the form of A .P O Brien stable has to be concern .
VERDICT : LIBRISA BREEZE the only group one winner in the race, looks to be returning to peak form,after finishing creditable fourth in highly competitive group one contest last time.Though his best form has been at Ascot ,did finish good second in this race last year.Odds around 7-2 look solid each-way value .
Gustav Klimit looks obvious danger on pick this seasons G1 form ,though his only victory came in listed company .The O'Brien stable still look to be struggling for winners, following a virus going through the stable .
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LIBRISA BREEZE 3.40 NEWBURY
£52.00 EACH-WAY @ 7-2 BETVICTOR .SKYBET
(£2590 divided by 25 =£104.00 stake
The 2K to 10K betting challenge continues on Wednesday at Salisbury .
The betting bankroll stands at £2336.00 (+£336.00) after welcome winner with Kimberella landing the Queensferry Stakes at Chester .The stakes increase to £94.00
Moving on to Wednesday we have interesting fillies & mares 10f listed contest at Salisbury .
9 Runners declared for Upavon Listed stakes on ground described as good/firm.Not the strongest looking listed contest,though still looks interesting race.The three main contenders look to be .Promising Run,Chain Of Daisies & Crystal Hope.
PROMISING RUN : 5-Y-0 Bay mare,winning 6 out 20 on turf.Four time G2 winner.Had some decent form earlier in the season,winning twice at Meydan carnival.Also finished creditable second in 1 mile Listed race at Pontefract in July.This longer trip may suit ,though not won in Britain since 2015.Fair claims on form ,though has to concede weight all round .
CHAIN OF DAISIES : 6-Y-0 Bay mare,winning 7 out 16 on turf .Decent front running mare on her day, winning three listed races,including winning this race in 2016.Also won the Pride Listed stakes at Newmarket in good style last October.No show on first two starts this season, though usually finds her best form later in the season .Solid claims on best form .
CRYSTAL HOPE : 3-Y-0 Chestnut Filly,winning 1 out 3 .Looked impressive when beating subsequent G3 winner Give and Take by 3L in 10f Novive event at Sandown in April .However looked slightly disappointing ,when only 7L third of 6 behind Sea Of Class at Newbury in listed company .Looks open to further improvement after just 3 starts ,though best form on easier ground .
VERDICT : 2016 Winner CHAIN OF DAISIES will need to bounce back to form,after two below par efforts this season,though is multiple winner in this grade.Should make bold bid from the front,being the only confirmed front runner in the race.Odds around 9-2 look solid each-way value .
Promising Run looks the main danger,having already won four G2 races ,though seems much better horse at Meydan.Saying that shouldn't be far away on his second in listed company last month ,though under 5lb penalty may have to settle for a place .
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CHAIN OF DAISIES 3.40 SALISBURY
£47.00 EACH-WAY @ 9-2 BET365
(WINNER SP 7-4 PROFIT +£ 253.80)
The 2k to 10K Betting Challenge continues on Sunday from Chester .The betting bankroll stands at £2130 (+£130) , after yet another second with Suedois finishing short head second in Lennox stakes at 7-1 on Tuesday at Glorious Goodwood .Small £16.00 profit on the bet .The stakes rise slightly to £86.00
Moving on to Sunday we have interesting listed sprint race from Chester .8 runners declared for the 6F Queensferry stakes on ground described as good .
The three main contenders look to be Kimberella , Major Jumbo & Fighting Irish .
KIMBERELLA : 8-Y-0 Bay Gelding ,winning 11 out 70 on turf .Has decent record here at Chester winning three times at the track ,including winning this race last year .Has shown some decent form this season ,including winning 7f conditions race at Thirsk in April .Also finished creditable nose second behind the useful Sir Dancelot in conditions race at Hamilton in June.Will need to bounce back after two below par efforts,though will be suited returning to Chester over 6f , looks well drawn in stall 2.Solid claims .
MAJOR JUMBO : 4-Y-0 Grey Gelding ,winning 4 out 17 on turf .Been in good form this season ,winning class 3 handicap at Newmarket in April off mark 94 ,also finished excellent thirds in Wokingham handicap at Royal Ascot in June & the Heritage Handicap last month ,off mark 103 .Takes step up into listed company.Should go well, looks well drawn for front runner in stall 1 .
FIGHTING IRISH :3-Y-0 Bay Colt ,winning 3 out 10 .Progressive sort ,had some decent form as two-year old ,winning 3 times ,including winning group two in France.Not won in 4 starts this season ,though has been highly tried in group company ,however did finishing fair 8th of 22 in group one Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot last time .Will be suited by this drop in class ,should be thereabouts .
VERDICT : Last years winner KIMBERELLA will need bounce back after couple below par efforts ,though had some decent form earlier in the season .Will be suited returning to Chester over this C&D .Odds around 4-1 look decent each-way value from good draw .
Major Jumbo looks the obvious danger ,after running some excellent races in some the big sprint handicaps this season ,though odds around 7-4 look very short on his first start in listed company.
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KIMBERELLA 3.00 CHESTER
£43.00 EACH-WAY @ 4-1 BETVICTOR & BET365
(WINNER SP 4-1 PROFIT +£206.40 )
The British racing calendar is full of top-class events that manage to keep sports fans enthralled throughout the summer months and they each provide unrivalled drama and excitement for racegoers up and down the country. August's Juddmonte International Stakes is just one of the many highlights to grace the turf and the 2018 renewal looks set to provide another fascinating battle between some of flat racing's middle-distance specialists.
Race History
York Racecourse is one of the country's most picturesque racing venues and crowds flock to the Knavesmire each year to enjoy a succession of graded races throughout August. The Juddmonte is one of the standout contests and is competed over one mile, two furlongs and 88 yards. The first staging of the event was in 1972 and the race has continued to make headlines in the subsequent 45 years, with icons such as Sea the Stars and Frankel both displaying their credentials in this contest. The latter triumphed by an unprecedented seven lengths, chalking up his 13th successive victory in the process. Derby winner Australia was the next big name to secure top honours in the race back in 2014 when beating the Grey Gatsby by two lengths. Frankie Dettori has also been hugely successful in the Juddmonte, having entered the winners' enclosure on five different occasions, following in the footsteps of his father, Gianfranco. His last success arrived in 2007 but the Italian could return to the Knavesmire in 2018 as he bids to improve his record in this event.
Ulysses was the latest winner of the race with the Sir Michael Stoute runner being guided home by Jim Crowley. It was the trainer's sixth victory in the contest and he will be hoping to add to that total this year.
The prize money has increased year on year, with connections of the 2017 winner getting their hands on a share of £567,100.
When is the Juddmonte International?
The 2018 Juddmonte International takes place on Wednesday, August 22nd and will maintain its status as York's richest race of the season. It provides a fantastic introduction to the Ebor Festival, which is staged over four days. The Group 1 Darley Yorkshire Oaks takes place 24 hours later, whilst the Coolmore Nunthorpe is yet another highly rated contest to take place at the track. The four-day extravaganza concludes with the Sky Bet Ebor on the final day and it is likely to attract record crowds to the venue once again.
Last Year's Race
The 2017 renewal was a hugely competitive affair and as expected, there were plenty of familiar names involved. Barney Roy and Churchill were embroiled in a battle during the final stages of the Juddmonte but it was Ulysses who emerged from the pack under a well-timed ride from in-form jockey Jim Crowley. The 4-1 shot picked up his second Grade 1 success of the season and added its name to the glittering array of high-class superstars who have previously landed the prize.
2018 Juddmonte International
Poets Word has been installed as the early favourite with William Hill for the 2018 renewal and will be fancied by many punters following its relatively recent success at Royal Ascot in the Prince of Wales Stakes. Under the ride of James Doyle, Poets Word edged out Cracksman who struggled to find his rhythm throughout and the latter appears unlikely to turn the tables when they meet again at York.
The five-year-old followed that Grade 1 success with yet another victory at the end of July. The Sir Michael Stoute hotshot beat stablemate Crystal Ocean by a neck at Ascot in the King.
George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, staying on nicely to secure a hat-trick of successes since the start of 2018.
The John Gosden-trained Cracksman is sired by Juddmonte hero Frankel and will be determined to bounce back from that disappointment in Berkshire. The four-year-old also has entries at Leopardstown and Longchamp later this year but barring an injury, he is almost certain to line up in this year's event. He's won seven of his ten races so far and is undoubtedly a classy performer who is available at an attractive-looking price in the ante-post market.
A potentially mouth-watering clash awaits between Saxon Warrior and Enable, with the foes likely to feature heavily in the closing staging of this year's event. The former was originally aimed towards the Sussex Cup at Goodwood but has been diverted to York and the Juddmonte International is likely to be his next assignment.
Enable is aiming to preserve an eye-catching unbeaten streak, which includes victories at Chantilly and at the Curragh. The four-year-old is no stranger to the Knavesmire having beaten stablemate Coronet in the Darley Oaks Stakes last year. It was a resounding five-length victory on good-to-soft ground and the John Gosden charge isn't likely to be inconvenienced by the drop in trip. Enable hasn't been defeated since April 2017 when finishing third to Shutter Speed at Newbury and will be hard to topple in this kind of form.
Australian wonder-horse Winx is yet to appear in the betting for this year's event but rumours have been circulating that the imperious six-year-old may wish to prove herself over the mile in the UK and renew hostilities with Cracksman and Enable. She is unbeaten in 22 straight races, a run which includes three Cox Plates and racing fans are licking their lips at the prospect of seeing her unleashed at York.
Winx is hugely popular in the Southern Hemisphere and has already had a race named after her. It is held at Randwick Racecourse and is a Group 2 contest. She has featured regularly at the track throughout her career as well as appearing at Sunshine Coast and Doomben. The latter held a significant race-day on July 28th with the third race of the day being won by Spurcraft, who was tipped by Oddschecker for success at the Brisbane track.
The Winx Stakes is just one of a number of top-class Australian races that take place throughout August and will feature the likes of Kementari and Happy
Clapper.
Winx's participation in the race hasn't been confirmed yet but she would likely start as a short-priced favourite should connections decide to enter her into the lucrative contest.
With the final field yet to be confirmed, it's difficult to make an accurate prediction for this year's Juddmonte but it is likely to produce yet another memorable renewal of the iconic race. Cracksman has plenty to prove after his recent defeat and will be determined to return to winning ways whilst Enable will not wish to see his unbeaten streak come to an end. Masar, who has slipped under the radar will also provide a stiff test for the race favourites whilst Roaring Lion is also a prominent figure in the ante-post market. The three-year-old has already picked up a victory at the track this season with a convincing triumph in the Dante Stakes under Oisin Murphy. He cleared the field by four lengths and will be keen to make it two from two in Yorkshire.
Thunder Snow, Latrobe and Without Parole are all listed in the betting although the latter was defeated in the Sussex Cup and may opt against a trip north. He was unbeaten prior to that Goodwood appearance and is still relatively unexposed.
It's set to be a fascinating contest and the ante-post betting market is likely to alter dramatically over the next couple of weeks. Will we see another Juddmonte classic in 2018? The classy field suggests it'll be yet another memorable renewal at York and fans cannot wait to see how it all unfolds.
The 2k to 10K Betting Challenge continues on Tuesday with Day one from Glorious Goodwood .
The betting bankroll stands at £2114 (+£114) after another second with Projection just getting beat on nod in Hackwood stakes at Newbury .
Been a real struggle to find winners on turf this season,with far
too many seconds & thirds ,though on positive note we are still
showing small profit on the challenge .Hopefully we can get back on
track at Glorious Goodwood this week .
Moving on to Day one at Glorious Goodwood ,going to concentrate on Lennox Stakes at 3.00 .12 runners declared for group two over 7 furlongs on ground described as good .This looks competitive contest the three main contenders are Sir Dancelot ,Suedois & Tip Two Win .
SIR DANCELOT : 4-Y-0 Bay Gelding ,winning 6 out 22 .Been in good form this season winning twice ,including winning the 7f group 3 Criterion Stakes at Newmarket in June .Also finished creditable fourth of 13 behind US Army Flag,in group 1 July Cup at Newmarket last time.Should be thereabouts .
SUEDOIS : 7-Y-0 Bay Gelding ,winning 8 out 36 .Had some useful form last season ,winning the group two Boomerang Stakes at Leopardstown & grade one Shadwell Turf stakes at Keenland .Also finished creditable fourth in group one Breeders Cup Mile at Del Mar .Returned to form last time,finishing close third in G2 Summer Mile Stakes at Ascot .Solid each-way claims on pick last seasons form .
TIP TWO WIN : 3-Y-0 Grey Colt ,winning 4 out 9 ,including winning listed race at Doncaster last season .Shown big improvement this season .including finishing excellent second behind Saxon Warrior in 2000 guineas at Newmarket .Also finished fair fourth in St James Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot last time. Should be suited by this drop in class .
VERDICT : Tip Two Win will have his supporters ,having finished good second in 2000 guineas back in May.Ran fair race ,though never repeated that form in St James Palace stakes .Has to be respected receiving weight all round ,though others preferred .
SUEDOIS should go well after finishing close third in Summer Mile at Ascot last time .Had some useful form last season ,including finishing close third in this race last year .Also is proven winner in group two company winning the Boomerang stakes in Ireland last September .Odds around 6-1 with Skybet paying 4 places, look decent each-way value .
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SUEDOIS 3.00 GOODWOOD
£42.00 EACH-WAY @ 6-1 SKYBET
(SECOND SP 7-1 PROFIT +£16.80 )
