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Thursday 25 July 2013

OLBG Park Stakes is fine for Dandy - Captain's chasing At The Races Champagne


OLBG Park Stakes is fine for Dandy

Ladbrokes St Leger 2012Entries are revealed today for the two main supporting races on Ladbrokes St Leger Day, Saturday, September 14, at Doncaster, the £100,000 Group Two OLBG Park Stakes (4.25pm) over seven furlongs for three-year-olds and upwards plus the £75,000 Group Two At The Races Champagne Stakes (2.40pm), also run over seven furlongs and for two-year-old colts and geldings.

The 53 entries (up from 41 in 2012) for the OLBG Park Stakes include the previous two winners of the race in Premio Loco (2011) and Libranno (2012). Libranno is a real seven-furlong specialist, having won four times in Pattern company at the distance. Trained by Richard Hannon, Libranno could be joined by stable companions Producer and Professor, also both seven-furlong winners.

Ireland's champion trainer Aidan O'Brien is responsible for eight entries, including three-time Australian Group One winner Sea Siren, who got off the mark in Europe by taking a Listed race at Fairyhouse on July 14.

One horse definitely being aimed at the OLBG Park Stakes is Dandy Boy, trained in Ireland by David Marnane. The seven-year-old has won four times at seven furlongs, including the ultra-competitive Victoria Cup at Ascot in 2010 and a valuable contest at Meydan, Dubai, in 2011. He is also a Royal Ascot winner, having taken the Wokingham Handicap over six furlongs in 2012.

County Tipperary-based Marnane said today: "The Park Stakes is definitely a target for Dandy Boy.

"Things didn't work out at the Curragh on his penultimate run and in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot last time there was some rain on the morning of the race which didn't suit him as he wants it quick especially in a race of that quality. The ground at Doncaster is usually pretty good which would suit him.

"Seven furlongs is his ideal trip. He has won a Wokingham, but most of his wins are over seven furlongs and he does like a straight course. There are not many opportunities over a straight seven furlongs for him, so the Park Stakes is ideal.

"He will run at the Curragh in the Group Three Phoenix Stakes on August 11 and then hopefully will go on to Doncaster."

There are a further seven Irish-trained entries including the Tom Hogan-trained Gordon Lord Byron, who enjoyed his finest hour when taking the Group One Prix de la Foret at Longchamp, France, in 2012. Edward Lynam, successful in the 2009 Park Stakes with Duff, has a brace of entries in Slade Power, third in the Group One July Cup at Newmarket last time out, and Viztoria, successful in the seven-furlong Group Three Athasi Stakes at the Curragh in May.

Pearl Flute, from the Francis Graffard stable in France, landed the seven-furlong Group Three Prix Du Palais Royal at Longchamp in June while the second French-trained entry is Wahib from the Mikel Delzangles yard. The Invincible Spirit colt has only raced twice, winning a seven-furlong maiden at Longchamp on July 6.

There are three entries from Kevin Ryan, including 2000 Guineas runner-up Glory Awaits. The North Yorkshire-based handler could also run Lightning Cloud, winner of the seven-furlong Buckingham Palace Handicap at Royal Ascot and Pintura, successful in a competitive seven-furlong handicap at the Galway Festival in 2012.

Roger Varian has entered Aljamaaheer, successful in the Group Two Summer Mile at Ascot this year and Eton Forever, who landed the William Hill Spring Mile at Doncaster in 2011 before scaring twice in Listed company and in 2012 Buckingham Palace Handicap at Royal Ascot in 2012.

The OLBG Park Stakes is run with Group One conditions, meaning there are no penalties for previous Group One or Group Two winners.

Sponsor OLBG, the UK's biggest online sports betting community, is backing the Park Stakes for the second year.

Captain's chasing At The Races Champagne

The £75,000 Group Two At The Races Champagne Stakes has attracted 76 entries in 2013. Broadcaster At The Races is sponsoring the Champagne Stakes for the first time in 2013. All races run at the Ladbrokes St Leger Festival and throughout the year at Doncaster are broadcast live on At The Races.

Aidan O'Brien, who tasted victory in the prestigious contest with Westphalia in 2008, dominates the entries. The master of Ballydoyle is responsible for 16, headed by unbeaten Group Two Coventry Stakes victor War Command. O'Brien's entries include a number of impressive maiden winners and regally-bred unraced colts so further stars of the future are likely to be unleashed in the coming weeks.

The 20 Irish-trained entries also include a pair from County Cork-based trainer John Murphy. Captain's Affair belied his 33/1 outsider status when making a winning debut at Gowran Park over seven furlongs on May 8. The Captain Rio colt was subsequently sold to US-based international racing syndicate Team Valor International and the At The Races Champagne Stakes is a possible target.

Murphy said: "Captain's Affair is a big horse and he hasn't run since May as a deal was going through with the new owners who were toying with the idea of taking him to America.
                                                                                                           
"The change of ownership to Team Valor happened quite a time after he won at Gowran Park and while the deal was going through he couldn't run. He is now ready to go.

"The Champagne Stakes is a possible target for him. We entered him in the Tyros Stakes at Leopardstown today but the ground came up too firm so plans are fluid at the moment."

Murphy could also be represented by Battle Hymn, a son of 2007 Derby winner Authorized who is unraced.

He continued: "Battle Hymn could run in the next two weeks in a maiden and then we will look ahead to the races like the Futurity Stakes and the Champagne Stakes."

The last two runnings of the At The Races Champagne Stakes have fallen to horses trained by Richard Hannon, with Trumpet Major taking the honours in 2011 and Toronado triumphant last year. The Wiltshire handler also won the 1986 running with subsequent 2000 Guineas scorer Don't Forget Me.

Hannon has a typically strong entry of eight this year, including Group Two July Stakes winner Anjaal, Listed Chesham Stakes runner-up Bunker and Washaar, who finished third in the Group Two Superlative Stakes at Newmarket.

Trainer Paul Cole recently stated that Listed Chesham Stakes winner Berkshire is likely to head straight to the At The Races Champagne Stakes following his Royal Ascot success.

Sir Henry Cecil won the At The Races Champagne Stakes four times and his widow Lady Cecil has four entries. The quartet are all unraced and include the Niarchos Family's home-bred Meteoroid, who is out of Group Two winner Enthused.

Another trainer with a fine At The Races Champagne Stakes record was Barry Hills, who sent out five winners between 1977 and 2004. His son Charlie has two entries, Cable Bay, a Leicester maiden winner and Tanzeel, who made a promising debut when runner-up at Ascot on July 12.

About the Ladbrokes St Leger Festival

The Ladbrokes St Leger Festival is the jewel in the crown of horse racing in Yorkshire and the showpiece of Doncaster's social calendar. Racegoers enjoy a delightful blend of history, quality racing and live entertainment across the four-day racing extravaganza. The 2013 renewal takes place from Wednesday, September 11 through to Saturday, September 14 inclusive.

Since the first running of the St Leger in 1776, racegoers from all over the country have been drawn to Doncaster to capture a taste of the unique atmosphere.

The famous Festival is one of the highlights of the Flat racing calendar. The crescendo builds to Saturday, when the flagship event - the illustrious Ladbrokes St Leger - takes centre-stage.

The meeting also features a number of high-class supporting races, highlights being the Scarbrough Stakes on Leger Legends Day (Wednesday), the DFS Park Hill Stakes on DFS Ladies' Day (Thursday), the Doncaster Cup on Friday and the At The Races Champagne Stakes and OLBG Park Stakes on Saturday.

For further details and to book tickets, please contact Doncaster Racecourse on 01302 304230 or go to www.doncaster-racecourse.co.uk

The dedicated Ladbrokes St Leger microsite can be found at www.doncaster-racecourse.co.uk/stleger



THE OLBG PARK STAKES
Class 1, Group 2, £100,000 total prize fund. 4.25pm, Doncaster, Saturday, September 14, 2013. For three-year-olds and upwards. Seven furlongs. Weights: 3yo colts and geldings 9st; 3yo fillies 8st 11lb; 4yo+ colts and geldings 9st 4lb; 4yo+ fillies 9st 1lb. Entries closed July 23, entries revealed July 25 (53 entries) Scratchings deadline noon, August 27. Five-day confirmation stage Monday, September 9. Final declaration stage, Thursday, September 12. Form figures supplied by Weatherbys and are correct up to and including the racing of Monday, July 22.

Form  Horse    Age Owner     Trainer
3413-  AFONSO DE SOUSA (USA) 3 Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor Aidan O'Brien IRE
120-200  AGENT ALLISON  3 Fitri Hay    Peter Chapple-Hyam
33-2321  ALJAMAAHEER (IRE)  4 Hamdan Al Maktoum   Roger Varian
0(6)(2)511 ARNOLD LANE (IRE)  4 Nick & Olga Dhandsa & John & Zoe Webster Mick Channon      
(3)4-3600 BURWAAZ   4 Hamdan Al Maktoum   Ed Dunlop                       
101654-  CASPAR NETSCHER  4 Charles Wentworth   David Simcock                  
132S4-5 CRISTOFORO COLOMBO (USA) 3 Sue Magnier,Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith Aidan O'Brien IRE    
4-(2)0126 CUSTOM CUT (IRE)  4 SE Construction (Kent) Ltd  George Kent IRE            
04(0)-000 DANDY BOY (ITY)  7 Malih Al Basti    David Marnane IRE
(1)(4)-11 DARWIN (USA)   3 Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor Aidan O'Brien IRE         
00(1)-311 DIESCENTRIC (USA)  6 Axom (XVIII)    Julie Camacho
144-130  EBN ARAB (USA)  3 Hamdan Al Maktoum   Charlie Hills                   
205223  ES QUE LOVE (IRE)  4 Crone Stud Farms Ltd   Mark Johnston                  
1001-15  ETON FOREVER (IRE)  6 HRH Sultan Ahmad Shah   Roger Varian               
6304-16  FENCING (USA)   4 George Strawbridge   John Gosden                    
1-(3)(2)303 FULBRIGHT   4 Godolphin    Saeed bin Suroor
3-(1)4216 GALE FORCE TEN  3 Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE        
412-104  GARSWOOD   3 David Armstrong & Cheveley Park Stud Richard Fahey             
344-325  GLORY AWAITS (IRE)  3 Ahmad Abdulla Al Shaikh & Co  Kevin Ryan              
4-(1)(0)342 GORDON LORD BYRON (IRE) 5 Dr Cyrus Poonawalla/Morgan J Cahalan Tom Hogan IRE      
012-213  GREGORIAN (IRE)  4 HRH Princess Haya of Jordan  John Gosden             
0001-30  INTENSE PINK   4 D S Lee     Chris Wall                         
6-(3)(2)(3)33 KRYPTON FACTOR  5 Fawzi Nass    Fawzi Nass BHR             
202-001  LADYSHIP   4 Cheveley Park Stud   Sir Michael Stoute
600103  LEITIR MOR (IRE)  3 Jackie Bolger    Jim Bolger IRE
0-40460  LIBRANNO   5 McDowell Racing   Richard Hannon
03-3001  LIGHTNING CLOUD (IRE) 5 Hambleton Racing Ltd XVIII  Kevin Ryan              
0(1)1324 LILY'S ANGEL (IRE)  4 Clodagh Mitchell    Ger Lyons IRE                 
66-4(0)(4)3 LOCKWOOD   4 Godolphin    Saeed bin Suroor
01000-3  MOST IMPROVED (IRE)  4 Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor Aidan O'Brien IRE     
122-040  NARGYS (IRE)   3 Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum Luca Cumani                
1161-  NECHITA (AUS)   4 Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor Aidan O'Brien IRE          
2-04230  PASTORAL PLAYER  6 The Pursuits Partnership   Hughie Morrison               
36-0165  PEARL FLUTE (IRE)  3 Qatar Racing Limited   Francis-Henri Graffard FR
04-0610  PINTURA   6 Michael Beaumont   Kevin Ryan
3-(5)6020 PREMIO LOCO (USA)  9 Bernard Westley    Chris Wall                   
(4)-(2)(0)141 PRODUCER   4 J Palmer-Brown    Richard Hannon
51-4111  PROFESSOR   3 Poilin Good    Richard Hannon
(0)(0)3320 RED JAZZ (USA)  6 The Hon Ronald Arculli   Charlie Hills                  
021500  REPLY (IRE)   4 Magnier/Tabor/Smith/Mordukhovitch Aidan O'Brien IRE            
50-0262  REX IMPERATOR  4 George Turner    William Haggas
050201  SEA SIREN (AUS)  5 Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE         
11166-  SENDMYLOVETOROSE  3 J Gildea     Andy Oliver IRE
266-244  SIR PATRICK MOORE (FR) 3 The Astronomers    Harry Dunlop                  
34(3)-040 SIRIUS PROSPECT (USA) 5 Miss N Yarrow    Dean Ivory                   
10-3013  SLADE POWER (IRE)  4 Sabena Power    Edward Lynam IRE
41602-0  SOUL (AUS)   6 Godolphin    Saeed bin Suroor
5-42200  SOVEREIGN DEBT (IRE)  4 Lawrie Inman    Michael Bell
211-433  TAWHID   3 Godolphin    Saeed bin Suroor
035-001  THE GOLD CHEONGSAM (IRE) 3 Arashan Ali    Jeremy Noseda                 
011454  TRADE STORM   5 Qatar Racing Limited   David Simcock
112-16  VIZTORIA (IRE)   3 Mrs K Lavery    Edward Lynam IRE
21  WAHIB (FR)   3 Khalifa Al Attiyah    Mikel Delzangles FR

53 entries
16 Irish-trained
2 French-trained
1 Bahraini-trained

THE AT THE RACES CHAMPAGNE STAKES
Class 1, Group 2, £75,000 total prize fund. 2.40pm, Doncaster, Saturday, September 14, 2013. For two-year-old s only, colts and geldings. Seven furlongs. Weights: colts 8st 12lb. Penalties: a winner of a Group One or Group Two race 3lb. Entries closed July 23, entries revealed July 25 (76 entries) Scratchings deadline noon, August 27. Five-day confirmation and £7,500 supplementary entry stage Monday, September 9. Final declaration stage, Thursday, September 12. Form figures supplied by Weatherbys and are correct up to and including the racing of Monday, July 22.

Form  Horse    Owner      Trainer
011  ANJAAL   Hamdan Al Maktoum    Richard Hannon
21  AUSTRALIA   Derrick Smith/Sue Magnier/Michael Tabor/T Ah King Aidan O'Brien IRE
  BATTLE HYMN   John Murphy     John Murphy IRE
31  BERKSHIRE (IRE)  HRH Sultan Ahmad Shah    Paul Cole          
  BISHOPS AVENUE (IRE)  Nigel O'Sullivan     Jeremy Noseda
12  BUNKER (IRE)   Sh Joaan Al Thani, Morecombe, Anderson, Hughes Richard Hannon
41  CABLE BAY (IRE)  Julie & David Martin & Partner   Charlie Hills     
CAPTAIN'S AFFAIR (IRE) Team Valor International LLC   John Murphy IRE
(1)  CLAIM THE ROSES (USA) Salem Rashid     Ed Vaughan
1514  COOL BAHAMIAN (IRE)  L R Godfrey & Fulke Johnson Houghton  Eve Johnson Houghton  
  COUGAR MOUNTAIN (IRE) Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE
10  COULSTY (IRE)   Lord Vestey     Richard Hannon             
DALAKI (IRE)   Saeed Manana     Clive Brittain            
21  ERTIJAAL (IRE)   Hamdan Al Maktoum    William Haggas          
  ETAAD (USA)   Hamdan Al Maktoum    John Hills             
011  EXOGENESIS (IRE)  Sean Jones     Ger Lyons IRE            
EXPEDITION (IRE)  Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE     
42  EXPERT (IRE)   Julie Wood     Richard Hannon             
33121  FAIR RANGER   David Barker     Richard Hannon           
12  FIGURE OF SPEECH (IRE) Godolphin     Saeed bin Suroor          
214  FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH (IRE) Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith Aidan O'Brien IRE   
  GAMESOME (FR)  Qatar Racing & Essafinaat   Olly Stevens          
GEOFFREY CHAUCER (USA) Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith Aidan O'Brien IRE   
  GIOVANNI BOLDINI (USA) Sue Magnier, MichaelTabor & Derrick Smith  Aidan O'Brien IRE    
40  GM HOPKINS   Robin Geffen     John Gosden             
111  GOOD OLD BOY LUKEY  Leods Contracts Limited    Richard Fahey        
  GRANDEST   Lady Rothschild     John Gosden              
  GREAT WHITE EAGLE (USA) Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE   
  JOHANN STRAUSS  Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor  Aidan O'Brien IRE     
JUNIPER TREE (IRE)  Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith Aidan O'Brien IRE     
KINGMAN   Khalid Abdullah     John Gosden              
L'IMPORTANTE   Scuderia Rencati Srl    Marco Botti            
21021  LANARK (IRE)   Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Mark Johnston      
  LEARAIG (IRE)   Mubarak Al Naemi    Lady Cecil            
42  LYN VALLEY   J Barson     Mark Johnston             
  MAGNUS ROMEO  Al Asayl Bloodstock Ltd    Marco Botti           
0212  MAPPA MUNDI (USA)  Anthony Pye-Jeary & the late Mel Smith  Eve Johnson Houghton   
  MARAAYILL (IRE)  Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum  Marco Botti       
MASTER OF SUSPENSE  Fitri Hay     Peter Chapple-Hyam
  METEOROID (USA)  Niarchos Family     Lady Cecil             
21  MICHAELMAS (USA)  Sue Magnier, MichaelTabor & Derrick Smith  Aidan O'Brien IRE    
  MUNAASER   Hamdan Al Maktoum    Sir Michael Stoute           
MUWAARY   Hamdan Al Maktoum    John Gosden             
  NIGEL'S DESTINY (USA)  Nigel O'Sullivan     Jeremy Noseda         
612  OKLAHOMA CITY  Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor  Aidan O'Brien IRE    
12  PARBOLD (IRE)   David Armstrong & Cheveley Park Stud  Richard Fahey      
PEARL SPECTRE (USA)  Pearl Bloodstock Ltd    Andrew Balding         
01  PICKS PINTA   Chester Racing Club Ltd    Jo Hughes           
  QUARTZ (IRE)   Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor  Aidan O'Brien IRE     
  QUICKASWECAN  Douglas Livingston    Mark Johnston           
  REAFFIRMED (IRE)  Ballymore Downunder Syndicate   Ed Vaughan         
10  RECANTED (USA)  Reddam Racing LLC    Brian Meehan           
  SATELLITE (IRE)  Highclere Thoroughbred Racing - Distinction Lady Cecil       
SHIFTING POWER  Elaine Chivers & Potensis Ltd   Richard Hannon       
134  SIR JOHN HAWKINS (USA) Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE  
SMART SALUTE  Brandon T C Liu     Ed Walker            
142  SOMEWHAT (USA)  Sheikh Majid Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum  Mark Johnston      
61  SPEEDY APPROACH  Jaber Abdullah     Michael Bell           
461  STARS OVER THE SEA (USA) Roger Brookhouse    Mark Johnston        
5311  SUDIRMAN (USA)  Fitri Hay/Sue Magnier    David Wachman IRE      
TANZEEL (IRE)   Hamdan Al Maktoum    Charlie Hills           
THE GREY GATSBY (IRE) F Gillespie     Kevin Ryan           
  THE ISLANDER (IRE)  Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith Aidan O'Brien IRE
TOOFI (FR)   Saleh Al Homaizi & Imad Al Sagar   Roger Varian         
  VENEZIA (IRE)   P Hickman & G Johns    Lady Cecil           
VOICE OF A LEADER (IRE) Mrs Hay, Michael Tabor & Sue Magnier  Peter Chapple-Hyam  
11  WAR COMMAND (USA)  Joe Allen/Sue Magnier/Michael Tabor/Derrick Smith Aidan O'Brien IRE    
  WAR SPIRIT   Mohamed Saeed Al Shahi    Richard Hannon          
13  WASHAAR (IRE)  Hamdan Al Maktoum    Richard Hannon          
225  WHALEWEIGH STATION  Andrew Black     Tom Dascombe            
WHAT ABOUT CARLO (FR) Anthony Pye-Jeary & the late Mel Smith  Eve Johnson Houghton   
42101  WILSHIRE BOULEVARD (IRE) Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor  Aidan O'Brien IRE 
  WIMBOLDSLEY   Paul Dixon And The Chrystal Maze Ptn  Scott Dixon        
12  ZARAEE (IRE)   Hamdan Al Maktoum    William Haggas           
41  ZARWAAN   Hamdan Al Maktoum    Ed Dunlop             
  ZERFAAL   Hamdan Al Maktoum    John Gosden 

76 entries
20 Irish-trained  
arc2013

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