STONE OF FOLCA ON COURSE TO DEFEND 'DASH' CROWN

The weights are revealed today for the Investec Specialist Bank 'Dash' (3.15pm) run over the fastest five furlongs in the world at Epsom Downs on Investec Derby Day, Saturday, June 1.

Trainer John Best sent out Stone Of Folca (8st 12lb)to a 50/1 shock success last year and the five-year-old will bid to become the third dual winner - following To The Roof (1996 and 1999) and Bishops Court (1998 and 2001) - and first back-to-back victor of the £100,000 contest.

Best revealed: "As long as the ground is fast, Stone Of Folca will run in the Investec Specialist Bank 'Dash'. He has been absolutely fine but we have not been able to run him because there aren't any races for him.

"With his rating he is caught between Pattern races and 0-95 handicaps which makes it difficult for him. If he could have got in a 0-95, he would have run by now.

"We have also put him in the Temple Stakes (at Haydock Park) but he would only go there if the ground looks like it is going to be soft at Epsom. The Temple Stakes is usually a Group One in all but name.

"He won the Dash first time out last year and he has always run well on his first start of the season so the absence shouldn't be an inconvenience to him.

"His win last year was a surprise but that was only because of the draw. On everything he does at home, he is a very good horse but he was badly drawn in two and hopefully we will get a better draw this year.

"In these type of races you need everything to go your way on the day but the problem with him is his temperament. We try everything we can to get him to the post in one piece but it can be difficult.

"I'm very hopeful that he is better than his rating and I am looking forward to running him."

Coral, official betting partner of the Investec Derby Festival, makes Stone Of Folca 12/1 co-favourite of five with recent Goodwood scorer Duke Of Firenze (8st 13lb), David O'Meara's Smoothtalkinrascal (8st 8lb) and the Dr Marwan Koukash-owned pair of Face The Problem (9st 10lb) and Masamah (9st 9lb).

The Investec Specialist Bank 'Dash' is followed by the Investec Derby (4.00pm) and Dawn Approach leapt to the head of the betting for the mile and a half Classic with a stunning victory in the first Classic of the season, the QIPCO 2000 Guineas over a mile at Newmarket on Saturday (May 4).

The son of 2008 Derby winner New Approach is a 6/4 chance with Coral to emulate his father after being given the green light to line up at Epsom Downs by owner Godolphin and trainer Jim Bolger. Van Der Neer (20/1) and Mars (10/1) also entered the Investec Derby picture when staying-on in third and sixth respectively in the QIPCO 2000 Guineas.

Ocovango (10/1), trained by Andre Fabre, enhanced his Investec Derby claims with a pillar to post victory over Bravodino (25/1) in the Group Two Prix Greffulhe at Saint-Cloud over 10 furlongs on Saturday. The son of Monsun will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of Pour Moi, who gave Fabre his first Investec Derby triumph after winning the same contest in 2011.

Chester's three-day May Festival this week is set to produce more Investec Derby clues with unbeaten maiden winners Ruler Of The World (16/1 with Coral) and Feel Like Dancing (33/1) lining up in the Group Three MBNA Chester Vase on Thursday. A field of six for Friday's Group Three Betvictor.com Dee Stakes includes Investec Derby entries Magician (40/1) Willie The Whipper (50/1).

Lingfield Park hosts its biggest turf fixture of the year on Saturday, May 11, with the Listed Betfred Derby Trial taking centre stage - a contest that could feature Investec Derby hopefuls Greatwood (20/1), Nevis (40/1), Another Cocktail (150/1) and Pasaka Boy (250/1).

On the same card, the fillies get a chance to test their Investec Oaks ambitions in the Listed Betfred "The Bonus King" Oaks Trial Stakes. Secret Gesture (14/1 for the Investec Oaks with Coral) is set to make her seasonal return for Ralph Beckett, who sent out Look Here to finish second in the race en route to capturing the Oaks in 2008.

Attention turns to Ireland on Sunday, May 12, with Battle Of Marengo (11/2 with Coral for the Investec Derby) set to continue his preparation in the Group Two Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial at Leopardstown. He could clash with Loch Garman and Trading Leather (25/1), both trained by Jim Bolger, and First Cornerstone (40/1)from the stable of Andy Oliver.

The Sir Michael Stoute-trained Telescope, the 5/1 second favourite with Coral, is expected to make his seasonal debut at York on May 16 in the Betfred Dante Stakes.

LATEST PRICES FROM CORAL, OFFICIAL BETTING PARTNER OF THE 2013 INVESTEC DERBY FESTIVAL

Investec Derby: 6/4 Dawn Approach, 5/1 Telescope, 11/2 Battle Of Marengo, 10/1 Mars, Ocovango, 16/1 Ruler Of The World, 20/1 Greatwood, Loch Garman, Secret Number, Van Der Neer, Zand, 25/1 Bravodino, Foundry, Improvisation, Indian Chief, Leading Light, Pedro The Great, Steeler, Tarikhi, Trading Leather, 33/1 Achtung, Eye Of The Storm, Feel Like Dancing, Festive Cheer, Galileo Rock, Genius Boy, Lake Michigan, Lake Nova, Leitir Mor, Lord Provost, Manndawi, Mighty Yar, Mutashaded, Parker Ridge, Qahir, Royal Flag, Saskatchewan, The Vatican, Vayakhan, Victory Song, 40/1 Bar

Investec Dash: 12/1 Duke Of Firenze, Face The Problem, Masamah, Smoothtalkinrascal, Stone Of Folca, 14/1 Ajjaadd, Humidor, Long Awaited, 16/1 Captain Dunne, Confessional, Dinkum Diamond, La Fortunata, Tarooq, Mister Manannan, 20/1 Annunciation, Ballesteros, Fair Value, Swiss Cross, Last Sovereign, Top Cop, Strange Magic, 25/1 Bar

NOTES TO EDITORS:

INVESTEC

Investec is an international specialist bank and asset manager that provides a diverse range of financial products and services to a select client base. The group was established in 1974 and has core activities in the UK, South Africa and Australia.

Investec focuses on delivering distinctive profitable solutions for its clients in three core areas, namely Specialist Banking, Wealth & Investment and Asset Management.

Investec sponsors English Test Cricket, the Investec Derby Festival, the England & GB Women's Hockey team, the South African Women's Hockey team, Tottenham Hotspur in cup competitions, the Investec Tri Nations Rugby, Investec Super Rugby in New Zealand and British golfer Kelly Tidy.

ROAD TO THE DERBY

For more information visit the Road to the Derby micro-site (www.theroadtothederby.co.uk) which features interactive areas for users to chat, discuss and debate the latest news and views on the Investec Derby Festival and the Derby Trials. In addition up to date announcements and video footage will be available, including footage of the key Derby Trials. The site aims to deliver a narrative for the Investec Derby Festival throughout the Flat season and follow the two year old activity leading up to the following year's renewal of the Greatest Flat Race in the World.

 

THE INVESTEC SPECIALIST BANK 'DASH'

Class 2, £100,000 Total Prize Fund. 3.15pm, Saturday, June 1, 2013. Five furlongs. For three-year-olds and upwards. Weights: highest weight not less than 9st 10lb; lowest weight 8st. Penalties: after May 4, a winner 4lb; a winner of 2 races 7lb. Entries closed April 30, entries revealed May 1 (59 entries). Weights revealed May 8, scratchings deadline May 14, five-day confirmation stage May 27, final declaration stage 10.00am, May 30. Form figures supplied by Weatherbys and are correct up to and including the racing of Monday, May 6.

Form  Horse    Age/Wgt Owner    Trainer

122215- FACE THE PROBLEM (IRE)  5-9-10  Dr Marwan Koukash   Jamie Osborne

113640- BALLESTEROS  4-9-09  Poilin Good    Brian Meehan

640-642 HUMIDOR (IRE)  6-9-09  M Khan X2    George Baker

032025- MASAMAH (IRE)  7-9-09  Dr Marwan Koukash   Marco Botti 

44-0054 CONFESSIONAL  6-9-04  Terry & Margaret Holdcroft  Tim Easterby

110303- JIROFT (ITY)   6-9-04  Thomas Morley & Speedlic Racing  Robert Cowell

605310- DINKUM DIAMOND (IRE)  5-9-04  Eight Star Syndicate   Henry Candy

005-000 PABUSAR   5-9-02  Ken Gundlach    Jamie Osborne

2320(0)-5 PANDAR   4-9-02  The Morley Family   Robert Cowell

35(3)(5)(3)-1 AJJAADD (USA)  7-9-01  Katy & Lol Pratt   Ted Powell

003006- JUDGE 'N JURY  9-9-01  Robert & Nina Bailey   Ronald Harris

2230-(0)5 TAAJUB (IRE)  6-9-00  Peter Crate    Peter Crate  

0000-50 STEPPER POINT  4-9-00  Clive Edginton    William Muir

1265-01 DUKE OF FIRENZE  4-8-13  Cheveley Park Stud         Sir Michael Stoute

100052- STONE OF FOLCA  5-8-12  Folkestone Racecourse Owners Group  John Best

000020- CAPTAIN DUNNE (IRE)  8-8-11  Middleham Park Racing XV & Partners  Tim Easterby

004132- LONG AWAITED (IRE)  5-8-11  Peter Jones    David Barron

(0)(1)/(0)-04 NERO EMPEROR (IRE)  4-8-10  Pension Fund Syndicate Tommy Stack IRE

003300- PONTY ACCLAIM (IRE)  4-8-10  Calvert, O'Neill & Partner  Tim Easterby

103-(0)10 ANNUNCIATION  3-8-08      Middleham Park Racing XXXIX & James Pak Richard Hannon

060-123 SMOOTHTALKINRASCAL (IRE) 3-8-08  Middleham Park Racing XXXVIII  David O'Meara

3/0000-1 MISTER MANANNAN (IRE)  6-8-07  Mrs M Schofield   David Nicholls

10456-2 LA FORTUNATA  6-8-06  James Patton    Mike Murphy   

16200-3 FAIR VALUE (IRE)  5-8-06  Don & Val Churston   Simon Dow

(1)-(1)(1)(1)(1)(3) TAROOQ (USA)  7-8-06  The Tarooq Partnership  Stuart Williams

015200- DAM BEAUTIFUL  4-8-06  Mrs J Ryan    Kevin Ryan

(6)(2)(4)(5)-22 LAST SOVEREIGN  9-8-05  Richard Walker    Ollie Pears

(0)(0)6456 SWISS CROSS  6-8-05  Steve Jakes    Phil McEntee

0020-00 TAX FREE (IRE)  11-8-04 David Nicholls & Mrs J Love  David Nicholls

600124- STRANGE MAGIC (IRE) 3-8-04  Middleham Park Racing LX  Richard Fahey 

005(1)(6)-5 DOCTOR PARKES  7-8-04  Mrs S Mason & Partners  Stuart Williams

03000-4 TOP COP   4-8-04  Jeff Smith    Andrew Balding

14532-1 CHEWOREE   4-8-02   S Stoneham, E Van Cutsem, A Hoctor-Duncan David Elsworth

03350-0 FITZ FLYER (IRE)  7-8-02  Mike Browne    David Nicholls

00000-0 HAZELRIGG (IRE)  8-8-01  The Senators    Tim Easterby  

(4)(0)(1)(1)(0)2 CREW CUT (IRE)  5-8-00  Coral Champions Club   Jeremy Gask

(1)(3)-(4)(2)(1)3 MY SON MAX  5-7-13  Racing To The Max   P J O'Gorman

4200(1)-0 CHURCH MUSIC (IRE)  4-7-13  JCG Chua & CK Ong        Michael Scudamore

002-000 EXCEL BOLT   5-7-11  Elders, Turton, Rhodes & Smart  Bryan Smart

5006-(0)(0) VERINCO   7-7-11  Bryan Smart    Bryan Smart

0040-63 THREES GRAND  3-7-11  Paul Dixon & Jayne Jackson  Scott Dixon

54230-4 NORMAL EQUILIBRIUM  3-7-10  Qatar Racing Limited   Robert Cowell

06(3)(0)-(0)4 TITUS GENT   8-7-10  The Rock & Rollers   Jeremy Gask

32U(0)0-0 FLASH CITY (ITY)  5-7-10  Ceffyl Racing    Bryan Smart 

203-(4)(1)5 SANDFRANKSKIPSGO  4-7-09  Peter Crate    Peter Crate

50201-5 LUPO D'ORO (IRE)  4-7-09  S Malcolm M Winwright P Tindall  John Best

2(2)-(0)40(5) ASK THE GURU  3-7-08  Canisbay Bloodstock           Michael Attwater

2550-0(1) STORM MOON (USA)  3-7-08      Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Mark Johnston

00(0)-250 CADEAUX PEARL  5-7-08  Paul Dixon    Scott Dixon

3(0)01(1)-(1) ALL ABLAZE (IRE)  3-7-07  Joseph English        Damian English IRE

(5)(1)(2)(4)02 BLUE JACK   8-7-07  Darren Hudson-Wood   Stuart Williams

131-200 COME ON DAVE (IRE)  4-7-07  Middleham Park Racing XLIV   David Nicholls

0(5)(0)(0)(2)(0)- POWERFUL WIND (IRE)  4-7-05   Anthony Cooke    Ronald Harris

222-(1)62 BISPHAM GREEN  3-7-05  David Armstrong   Richard Fahey

(0)(0)-(4)(6)0(1) TANGO SKY (IRE)  4-7-03  Dr Marwan Koukash   David Nicholls

(4)(3)(4)(0)02 DORBACK   6-7-01  Sara Hattersley   Violet Jordan

06001-6 INDIAN TRAIL  13-7-00 Martin Love    David Nicholls 

31500-4 MAJESTIC MANANNAN (IRE) 4-6-07 Mark & Maureen Schofield  David Nicholls

(5)3-40 QUEEN FLUSH (IRE)  3-6-02  T Marnane & C Mills A Fallon G Purchase David Nicholls

59 entries

2 Irish-traine

AT THE RACES AND GREAT LEIGHS RACECOURSE ANNOUNCE MEDIA RIGHTS DEAL

At The Races and Great Leighs Racecourse today announced that they have agreed terms for a media rights partnership under which ATR will have exclusive, global cross platform media rights (excluding UK and Ireland fixed odds betting shop rights) to all fixtures hosted at the Essex-based racecourse. Great Leighs hopes to commence racing in 2014 and is currently working with the BHA to secure the necessary license to operate an initial allocation of fixtures. The outcome of this process is expected later in the month. Matthew Imi, Chief Executive, At The Races, said: "Great Leighs has huge potential both in the domestic and international marketplace and we very much support them in their endeavours to start racing again. They will offer high quality, year round Flat racing and we believe that this will yet again prove to be a highly attractive venue for Owners and Trainers. When you combine this with the progressive and ambitious thinking of the management team and the enthusiastic patronage of those living within their catchment area it really should be a recipe for success. We are very much looking forward to working with Keith, Tony and the whole Great Leighs team." Keith Brown, Chairman, Great Leighs Racecourse, said: "We are very impressed not only with ATR's current business model but also its long term growth prospects and the benefits which can accrue to Great Leighs as a consequence. Promoting our fixtures to ATR's large and quantifiable domestic broadcast and online audience would enable us to market with great effect the benefits of racing at Great Leighs and their knowledge of, and relationship with, the international customer base is second to none. They have been very receptive to many of the ideas we have had and we look forward to being able to work with them to bring those to fruition. We were also drawn to ATR because of Sky's involvement in the business as we believe this to be a significant asset for anyone operating currently in the sports broadcast market." At The Races At The Races is the UK and Ireland's most watched dedicated horseracing channel. It launched on June 11th 2004. It is a joint venture between BSkyB, Arena Leisure, Ascot Racecourse, Northern Racing, Plumpton and Ripon Racecourses. Broadcasting 24 hours a day, At The Races is currently available to over 13 million multi-channel homes across the UK and Ireland through Sky, Virgin Media and UPC. The channel regularly reaches over 2 million individuals monthly in UK and Ireland households with Irish viewing adding 20% to UK audiences (BARB & Nielsen). Attheraces.com attracted an average audience of 1.66 million monthly unique users during the three months June-August 2012 with users spending on average over 25 minutes on the site each visit (Google Analytics). At The Races serves on average over 3.5 million video streams each month with instant race replays available free of charge on attheraces.com. At The Races is distributed into 5,800 commercial premises by Sky. Outside the UK and Ireland, At The Races distributes its content into over 30 countries by means of GBI Racing, its joint venture operation with Racing UK. Great Leighs Great Leighs Racecourse is an oval, left handed, all-weather racecourse in Essex - the only one of its kind within the UK.  Great Leighs was the UK's first new racecourse since 1927 when it was opened in 2008, but went into administration in 2009 after just 44 fixtures.   MC Racetracks purchased the track in 2011 and are currently in the process of applying to be in the BHA fixture process for 2014.  The course has recently been granted planning permission for a purpose built hospitality complex - a glass and steel structure offering 360 degree viewing and hospitality over two floors - and retrospective planning permission for 24 floodlights on the inside of the track (74 floodlight in total).  Great Leighs is located 30 miles northeast of London benefiting from a population of over 300,000 within a 30-minute drive time, 70% of whom match the top two ACORN profiles: "Wealthy Achievers" and "Comfortably Off".  Great Leighs is by far the nearest AWT to Newmarket and well placed geographically for other training centres.  In addition, its proximity to ports (one hour to Harwich and two hours to Dover) makes it well positioned to attract horses coming over from Europe.

APPLEBY CONFIDENT BANCNUANAHEIREANN CAN DEFY TOP-WEIGHT AT GOODWOOD ON THURSDAY

Trainer Michael Appleby believes Bancnuanaheireann can bounce back to his best when he lines up under top-weight in the £15,000 32Red Handicap (2.30pm) over nine furlongs at Goodwood on Thursday, May 9.

The six-year-old, formerly trained in Ireland by Jim Bolger, ran one of his best races of last season when a neck second in a competitive mile handicap at Glorious Goodwood in July, the Poker at Bet365 Handicap, and went on to finish fourth in the valuable Betfred Cambridgeshire at Newmarket in September.

He has failed to reproduce that form in two starts this season but Appleby is hoping a return to Goodwood will see the six-year-old show some of his old sparkle.

Appleby said: "Bancnuanaheireann is in good form. I don't think Ripon really suited him last time but he ran really well at Goodwood last season when he just got touched off.

"He has got a lot of weight to carry on Thursday (10st) and that's a bit of a concern but I do think he will run a big race. He is 16.2 hands so he will carry the weight.

"He was fourth in the Cambridgeshire over a mile and one so the trip won't be a problem but I just hope they don't get too much rain - that won't suit."

Bancnuanaheireann, partnered by Tom Queally, takes on eight opponents including the Mark Johnston-trained Enzaal, who won at Wolverhampton on April 22, and the useful performer Lucky Henry from the stable of Clive Cox.

A seven-race card at Goodwood on Thursday is topped and tailed by two potentially informative maidens. Racing starts at 1.55pm with the Goodwood Business Club Maiden (10 runners) over a mile and Morpheus, a half-brother to the mighty Frankel, will be looking to get off the mark for Sir Henry Cecil after encouraging efforts at Nottingham and Newmarket. Frankel, winner of two successive QIPCO Sussex Stakes at Goodwood, was rated the best horse ever last year.

Cecil also runs Squire Osbaldeston in the concluding Three Friday Nights Maiden (5.15pm, 10 runners) over a mile and a half. The son of Mr Greeley holds an entry in the Investec Derby and ran a promising race when fourth on his seasonal return at Newbury on April 20. He will clash again with Shwaiman, who was one place ahead of him at Newbury.

Hayley Turner, Britain's top female jockey who is the Racing Ambassador of Goodwood Racecourse for 2013, has her first rides at the beautiful Sussex course this year on Thursday.

She partners Enobled, trained by Sir Michael Stoute, in the Goodwood Business Club Maiden and the unbeaten James Fanshawe-trained Ribbons in the Nissan Innovation And Excitement Fillies' Handicap (3.30pm).

Goodwood staged its first fixture of the season on Opening Saturday, May 4, which saw an increase in attendance over the previous year and  Kieren Fallon stole the show with a treble.

One of Britain's leading jockeys, Fallon celebrated his 100th winner at Goodwood on Opening Saturday when successful on the Luca Cumani-trained Khione (4/1) in the Listed 12-furlong Betfred The Bonus King EBF Daisy Warwick Stakes.

Not content with just one winner on the day, Fallon enjoyed two more successes, in the next two races, for a 136.5/1 treble.

His other victories came on George Guru (10/1), trained by Michael Attwater at Epsom, in the seven-furlong Betfred Mobile Lotto Handicap and on Duke Of Firenze (6/4 favourite), trained by Sir Michael Stoute, in the five-furlong Betfred Mobile Sports Handicap.

Fallon, 48, has been champion jockey six times in Britain. His biggest successes at Goodwood have come in the Sussex Stakes (Ali-Royal 1997) and the Nassau Stakes (Islington 2002, Russian Rhythm 2003 & Favourable Terms 2004).

GOING

The going at Goodwood is currently: GOOD TO FIRM

Seamus Buckley, Clerk of the Course at Goodwood, reported today: "It was dry overnight and we are forecast some rain tonight and early into tomorrow. In view of the expected rain, restricted watering is taking place.

"We will assess the situation again tomorrow and watering will continue if the rainfall is insufficient.

"We had a great start to the season on Saturday, which was very satisfying. It was nice, fast Flat racing ground without any jar which is always our aim at Goodwood.

"The course remains in great condition ahead of racing on Thursday and the May Festival later this month."

ALAN ARNELL

NOVEMBER 25, 1933 - MAY 5, 2013

Goodwood is sad to report the passing of Alan Arnell, declarations clerk at the racecourse, who died suddenly at his home in Chichester on Sunday.

A familiar face in the weighing room, Alan, who was 79, had attended the opening raceday of the season on Saturday, May 4, registering the runners and riders as he had done for the past 25 years.

A popular figure at racecourses in the south of England where he fulfilled a similar role, Alan, who served with the Royal Sussex Regiment, was known for his diligence and dry sense of humour. 

Less known, perhaps, was a distinguished career as a professional footballer that took him away from his home county of Sussex at the age of 20 when he joined Liverpool from amateur side Worthing. 

With 35 goals from 75 appearances to his credit, a number of which were for sides sent out by the much-revered manager Bill Shankly, he is part of the history of the 18-time Football League champions.

Seamus Buckley said: "Alan will be deeply missed by the racing community and by me personally, having worked alongside him at Goodwood for so many years." 

Kieren Fallon added: "Alan was one of the nicest men you could wish to meet on a racecourse."

The thoughts and sympathies of everyone at Goodwood are with Alan's family and those closest to him.

AT THE RACES TO LAUNCH BROADBAND AND MOBILE STREAMING DIVISION

At The Races, the UK and Ireland's largest and most widely-distributed dedicated horseracing channel, today confirmed that it would be launching its own broadband and mobile streaming division on July 1st. 

The delivery of ATR's live 'Bet & Watch' and archive racing content to bookmakers and other partners across broadband and mobile platforms in the domestic and international markets is an increasingly important area of business for ATR and its racecourse partners. 

ATR has always managed the licensing process with these customers directly but the technical delivery of this content has, since 2010, been undertaken by Perform Group and it is this function which is now being brought in-house. The initiative has been in development for over a year and has required significant resource and investment to get it to the launch phase. 

ATR will become the only dedicated racing service to have its own proprietary streaming distribution business and is doing so at a time when streams are at a record level and growing.

Matthew Imi, Chief Executive, At The Races, said:

"Perform has been a valued partner for the past three years and over that time, with their expertise and support, we've developed our streaming business to the very significant level it is at today. We're currently delivering over four million streams every month across live subscription, archive and 'Bet and Watch' services with partner bookmakers.

"Strategically, however, it now makes sense to bring delivery of these services in-house and to take more direct control not just over the way our racecourse partners' content is distributed but also our ability to develop, extend and improve our service to customers in a fast changing and very important area of business. Replicating what Perform has been doing for us is only the start of what we hope will be an exciting and growing business for our racecourse partners."

For more information please contact:

Matthew Imi

Chief Executive, At The Races

     

Tel: +44 20 7420 3203

At The Races

● At The Races is the UK and Ireland's most watched dedicated horseracing channel. It launched on June 11th 2004.

● It is a joint venture between BSkyB, Arena Leisure, Ascot Racecourse, Northern Racing, Plumpton and Ripon Racecourses.

● Broadcasting 24 hours a day, At The Races is currently available to over 13 million multi-channel homes across the UK and Ireland through Sky, Virgin Media and UPC.

● The channel regularly reaches over 2 million individuals monthly in UK and Ireland households with Irish viewing adding 20% to UK audiences (BARB & Nielsen).

● Attheraces.com attracted an average audience of 1.66 million monthly unique users during the three months June-August 2012 with users spending on average over 25 minutes on the site each visit (Google Analytics).

● At The Races serves on average over 3.5 million video streams each month with instant race replays available free of charge on attheraces.com.

● At The Races is distributed into 5,800 commercial premises by Sky.

● Outside the UK and Ireland, At The Races distributes its content into over 30 countries by means of GBI Racing, its joint venture operation with Racing UK.

HUTSBY HOPING FOR ANOTHER RASH MOVE AT CHELTENHAM'S HUNTER CHASE EVENING

Meeting: Hunter Chase Evening

Date: Wednesday (evening), May 1, 2013

Gates Open: 3.30pm

First Race: 5.05pm

Admission prices from £9. Go to www.cheltenham.co.uk for further information

Cheltenham's 2012/13 season comes to a close tomorrow, Wednesday, May 1, with Hunter Chase Evening. The seven-race programme has attracted 88 runners and a fine evening of sport is in prospect.

The action gets underway at 5.05pm with the Cheltenham Racecourse Conference And Events Hunters' Chase which has attracted 14 runners. Fred Hutsby is looking forward to seeing Rash Move attempt a second successive victory in the extended two-mile contest, following a 13-length verdict over Swallows Delight 12 months ago.

The 12-year-old has made three appearances in hunters' chases this year, most recently when coming home a close third under regular jockey Tom Ellis in the John Smith's Fox Hunters' Chase over the Grand National Fences at Aintree on April 4.

The trainer enjoyed some memorable days as an amateur jockey at Cheltenham on board Mighty Moss, who won a hurdle at the course in January, 1998, and made four appearances at The Festival, including a fine second to the mighty Istabraq in the 1997 Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle.

Hutsby commented: "Rash Move seems to have come out of Aintree very well. We schooled him on Monday and there was not a bother on him, so he heads to Cheltenham in really good form. He has been running really well all season, has a very high cruising speed and, hopefully, he is the horse they have to beat.

"He needed his first run of the season at Sandown in February and then his stamina was tested a bit at Leicester in March. He has been a good yardstick this season and he should be fine on the forecast ground, which is due to be on the soft side of good.

"I said to Tom Ellis that, if he takes to the course at Aintree, he would be there crossing the Melling Road and he ran a blinder to finish third. He made a couple of jumping mistakes but he loved running around there.

"Everyone likes to have a winner at Cheltenham - it's the mecca of Jump racing - and we have had some good horses run there over the years. Rash Move has been a superstar for us - he has always run in hunters' chases and  point-to-points and I rode my last ever winner on him. He's a special horse."

There are 18 runners in the Connolly's Red Mills Intermediate Point-To-Point Championship Final Hunters' Chase (5.40pm) over an extended three miles and a furlong including Forest Walker, Bay To Go, Croan Rock, Double Bank, Harbour Court, Indiana Bay, Quatuor Collonges and Ruapehu who have all been in fine form between the flags over the past few months.

Divine Intavention finished third in the CGA Foxhunter Chase at The Festival for trainer Fran Moller and heads the eight runners in the Hunt Staff Benefit Society Hunters' Chase (For The United Hunts Challenge Cup) (6.10pm) over an extended three miles and a furlong.

The richest race of the evening is the Bonhams Men's Open Point-To-Point Championship Final Hunters' Chase (6.45pm, eight runners) over an extended three and a quarter miles. Moller is also represented in this contest by Arbour Hill, who has been in excellent form in point-to-points while, Doctor Kingsley, trained by Pauline Harkin, was fourth in this season's CGA Foxhunter Chase.

Mid Div And Creep heads the nine declarations in the Cheltenham Champion Mares' Hunters' Chase (7.20pm) over an extended three miles and a furlong. The 13-year-old was successful at this fixture in 2011 over almost a mile further and was also runner-up in the 2011 CGA Foxhunter Chase. Her regular partner Gina Andrews takes the ride once again.

The Jockey Club 7.75% Racecourse Bond Hunters' Chase (7.50pm) is the longest race of the evening at four miles and a furlong and has 19 runners, while the final race is the Cheltenham Collection Ladies' Hunters' Steeple Chase (8.20pm) over two miles and five furlongs, which has attracted 12 runners.

GOING

The going at Cheltenham is currently Good to Soft, Good in places (watered).

Simon Claisse, Head of Racing at Cheltenham, said: "We are experiencing dry and pleasant weather and it is very pleasing to see the number of declared runners stand up so well for Hunter Chase Evening."

SOUVIENS TOI EXCITES BOTTI AHEAD OF GOODWOOD DEBUT

- TOP-CLASS STARSCOPE HAS GOODWOOD OPTION

Italian import Souviens Toi will make her British debut for Newmarket handler Marco Bottiin the £40,000 Listed Betfred The Bonus King EBF Daisy Warwick Stakes (2.20pm) over a mile and a half at Goodwood on Opening Saturday, May 4.

The four-year-old daughter of Dalakhani won three of her six starts in Italy for Botti's cousin, Endo, and capped last season with victory in a Listed event over 10 furlongs at Capanelle in November.

Botti said: "The plan is to run Souviens Toi in the Betfred The Bonus King EBF Daisy Warwick Stakes.

"She has settled in fine and has been training well. Obviously, she won a Listed race in Italy last season and, from what she is showing us at home, she is going to be a stakes filly here as well.

"She should get the trip and is ready to run but the course at Goodwood is a bit of an unknown because horses in Italy are used to running on flat tracks. They are not familiar with the undulations and it can take them one or two races to get used to that.

"When she won her Listed race the ground was heavy but I don't think quicker conditions will be an issue. I think she will handle any ground."

The 12 entries for the Betfred The Bonus King EBF Daisy Warwick Stakes also include high-class performers Shirocco Star and Coquet, both from the stable of Hughie Morrison. The pair finished second and sixth respectively in last season's Investec Oaks and the latter has already shown a liking for the course when taking the Listed Height Of Fashion Stakes at Goodwood's May Festival last year.

Other notable entries include Jehannedarc, runner-up in the Group Three Blackrock Fillies' Stakes at Goodwood in August last year, who could have her first start for Ed Dunlop since moving from French trainer Alain de Royer-Dupre, and Yarmouth Listed scorer Semayyel.

Saturday's card also features the £40,000 Listed Betfred Mobile Casino British Stallion Studs EBF Conqueror Stakes (4.05pm), for which 16 fillies have been entered. The headline act is Starscope from the stable of John Gosden, who filled the runner-up spot in last season's QIPCO 1000 Guineas and Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Chris Richardson, managing director for owner/breeder Cheveley Park Stud, said: "We have got Starscope in the Betfred Mobile Casino British Stallion Studs EBF Conqueror Stakes and the Dahlia Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday. I have not spoken to the owner or trainer yet and nothing has been decided about where she runs but I would imagine it will be ground dependent.

"She looks to have done really well over the winter and I am very pleased with her but she is quirky and we hope, with another winter under her belt, she will be more mature mentally.

"She had a strong campaign in the early part of last season and, because the decision was made to keep her in training, we decided to give her a break after her run in July.

"I think she does prefer a little bit of ease in the ground. All this comes early enough in the year but she is in good form."

Other notable contenders include Ralph Beckett's Group Three scorer Moonstone Magic and the William Haggas-trained pair of Sentaril and Arsaadi, who were both placed in Group company last year.

Last year's Betfred Mile second Mabait is among 21 entries for the seven-furlong £30,000 Betfred Mobile Lotto Handicap (2.55pm), along with Glorious Goodwood winner The Confessor, who was a close third in the Betfair Summer Double Second Leg Heritage Handicap at the August Bank Holiday Weekend at Goodwood.

Sprinters get their chance to shine in the £15,000 Betfred Mobile Sports Handicap (3.30pm) over the minimum distance of five furlongs and the 13 entries include Captain Carey, successful in a valuable handicap at the Curragh in Ireland in 2011, and the well-bred Duke Of Firenze.

Racing starts at 1.50pm with the £6,000 Betfred TV EBF Maiden Stakes, which has attracted 12 juveniles including a quartet from the powerful stable of Richard Hannon - Expert, Thunder Strike, A Childs Dream and Suite.

The action is completed by the £5,000 Betfred 'Still Treble Odds On Lucky's' Median Auction Maiden Stakes (4.40pm, 13 entries) and the £5,000 Collect Totepool Bets At Betfred Shops Handicap (5.15pm, 34 entries).

GOING

The going at Goodwood remains:

GOOD, GOOD TO FIRM IN PLACES (on Round Course)

Goodwood's Clerk of the Course, Seamus Buckley, reported today: "It was dry overnight and into today. We are selectively watering to maintain conditions.

"There is a chance of some light rain on Friday."