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Irish 1000 Guineas Preview

Bet123 — Sun, 27 May 2012 07:57:54 +0000

The Irish 1,000 Guineas is a Group 1 flat horse race in Ireland open to three-year-old thoroughbred fillies. It is run at the Curragh over a distance of 1 mile this Sunday and is one of the highlights of the Irish racing calendar.

The event was established in 1922, a year after the launch of the Irish 2,000 Guineas. The inaugural running was won by Lady Violette.

It is Ireland’s equivalent of the 1,000 Guineas, held at Newmarket, and in recent years it has taken place three weeks after that race.

The field usually includes horses which previously contested the English version, and two have achieved victory in both events. The first was Attraction in 2004, and the second was Finsceal Beo in 2007.

It is one of the five Irish Classic races, which also include the Irish 2,000 Guineas, Irish Derby, Irish Oaks and St Leger.
The Irish 1,000 Guineas was initiated based on the popularity of the English 1,000 Guineas, first raced at Newmarket on 28 April, 1814. The 1,000 Guineas takes its name from the original prize fund offered for the English race.

Top trainers to back in the betting include Aidan O’Brien, James (Jim) Bolger and Dermot Weld. O’Brien, Bolger and Weld count as the current top trainers in flat racing, and have each already made several entries for the Irish 1,000 Guineas.

The leading horses from the Irish 1,000 Guineas often go on to compete in the following month’s Coronation Stakes. The last to win both races was Attraction in 2004.

O’Brien’s Homecoming Queen is the current favourite and it would be a remarkable feat after the filly also landed the English equivalent at Newmarket. Maybe and Yellow Rosebud are also towards the top of the betting.
After, Devotion and Ishvana have also stood their ground for in-form trainer O’Brien.

Originally written by Bet123.net, an online Betting Guide

Irish 1000 Guineas Preview

Temple Stakes Preview

Bet123 — Sat, 26 May 2012 07:51:57 +0000

The betfred.com Temple Stakes takes place at Haydock Park this Saturday afternoon, with 19 high-class sprinters in the running for the £80,000 contest.

Run over five furlongs, the Group Two event is the first race in the sprint division of the QIPCO British Champions Series. The contest is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older.
The event was established back in 1965 and it was originally held at Sandown Park. It was transferred to its present venue in 2008.

The leading horses from the Temple Stakes often go on to compete in the King’s Stand Stakes, the second instalment of the British Champions Series. The last horse to win both races in the same year was Cassandra Go in 2001.

The winner in 2010 was Sir Michael Stoute’s Kingsgate Native, who had just returned to racing after an unsuccessful time at stud. He could still run with the best however, as he won by half a length. He nearly repeated that victory in 2011 but had to settle for second place behind impressive Irish horse Sole Power – the winner of the 2010 Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes.

Sole Power, just beaten in the Al Quoz Sprint in Dubai last time out, faces a rematch with the Bryan Smart-trained Tangerine Trees this year, who became a Group One star himself when winning the Prix de l’Abbaye and has not appeared since that very day.

With Johnny Murtagh likely to be in action at the Curragh on the same day for the Irish Guineas meeting, Lynam is on the lookout for a jockey to partner last year’s winner Sole Power.

Sole Power currently leads the betting, with the Roger Charlton-trained Bated Breath, beaten just a nose in the Sprint Cup at the Lancashire course last season, just behind at him. They are both closely followed by Tangerine Trees.

Originally written by Bet123.net, an online Betting Guide

Temple Stakes Preview

Irish 2000 Guineas Preview

Bet123 — Thu, 24 May 2012 11:57:32 +0000

The Irish 2,000 Guineas is a Group 1 flat horse race in Ireland open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run at the Curragh over a distance of 1 mile and takes place this Saturday.

It is Ireland’s equivalent of the 2,000 Guineas, held at Newmarket, and in recent years it has taken place three weeks after that race. The field usually includes horses which have contested the English version – in fact, seven have achieved victory in both events. The first was Right Tack in 1969 and the most recent was Henrythenavigator in 2008.

The leading horses from the Irish 2,000 Guineas often go on to compete in the following month’s St. James’s Palace Stakes – the last to win both races was the legendary Canford Cliffs in 2010.

It’s important to watch performances at the Newmarket Guineas meeting before deciding on a favourite for the Irish race.

Both the British and Irish 2,000 Guineas are run early in the racing season. For Irish 2,000 Guineas betting, this makes it important to look at the performance of two-year-old colts over short-distance flat races in the preceding racing season.

It’s speed and power, rather than stamina, that’s needed for the one-mile sprint. Experience with the Curragh track is also a good indicator and many horses who have previous form at the racecourse have gone on to do well in this event.

Parish Hall is the current favourite with most bookmakers. The horse is trained by Jim Bolger in Ireland and completed his two-year-old season in fine form as runner-up to Dragon Pulse in the Group 2 EBF Futurity Stakes, followed by Group 1 success in the Dewhurst at odds of 20/1.

Hermival is the second favourite and he won his only start last term, running an eye-catching race on his reappearance when third in the Prix Djebel. Although he doesn’t have a huge bank of form behind him, this horse clearly has some class.

Originally written by Bet123.net, an online Betting Guide

Irish 2000 Guineas Preview

Offer Removed from most Ante-post Derby Lists

Bet123 — Thu, 24 May 2012 10:46:03 +0000

Following his very disappointing effort in the Qipco 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, on May 5, when fancied by many good judges to make a race of it with the eventual winner, Camelot, connections of the highly touted Top Offer are in no hurry to announce where their still potentially smart colt might be seen next, writes Elliot Slater.

One thing that seems fairly certain is that it won’t be at Epsom, with most firms having scratched the Prince Khaled Abdullah-owned colt from the horse betting market on the mile-and-a-half Group 1 contest.

The race is totally dominated by the presence of the still unbeaten Camelot, a horse who may well bid for the Triple Crown and the St Leger at Doncaster, in September, if he justifies his market position by following up his win on the Rowley Mile with another classic success on the Surrey Downs, on the first Saturday in June.

Top Offer, a handsome son of Dansili out of a Zafonic mare, has very much a miler’s pedigree and, at this stage, it seems that his trainer, Roger Charlton, is in no hurry to send him beyond eight furlongs.

Still entered in the Irish 2000 Guineas at the Curragh, on May 26, it appears unlikely that Top Offer will be sent to Ireland with most vibes suggesting that a trip to Royal Ascot may well be the route if connections decide to fly that high.

It may be a risk; connections saw their charge beat only two of the 18 runners home at Newmarket, after Top Offer weakened quickly, well over a furlong from home.

If he can recapture the kind of form that saw the three-year-old make a sparkling debut as a juvenile, last term, when routing a decent field in a seven-furlong Newbury maiden, we may yet see Top Offer establish himself as a genuinely smart performer, before the season is out.

For more information on the race calendar, including the latest odds, visit the Royal Ascot betting tips website.

Originally written by Bet123.net, an online Betting Guide

Offer Removed from most Ante-post Derby Lists

Duke of York Stakes Preview

Bet123 — Wed, 16 May 2012 09:55:30 +0000

Taking its place as part of the opening day of the Dante Festival held at York racecourse, the Duke of York Stakes is set to get underway at Wednesday 16th May.

It is a Group 2 flat horse race, available to thoroughbreds aged three and over. Taking place over six furlongs, it is all about an explosive pace for the horses taking part. Punters certainly love this race and the unpredictable nature of it.

Ever since this version of the race was run back in 1986, there has only been one horse to secure victory on two occasions. This was Handsome Sailor who led the way in 1987 and 1988.

When it comes to jockeys, repeated success is again quite rare. Three jockeys have four Duke of York Stakes wins to their name, although the most recent of the wins in this sequence was when Michael Hills secured his fourth win in 2006.

This victory marked the first time since 1990 that the winner of the Duke of York stakes wasn’t celebrating success in this race for the first time. Basically, you never quite know what to expect when this famous race gets underway.

The most successful trainer in the history of this race is without doubt Barry Hills with seven wins, most recently in 2010 with Prime Defender.

Looking at the 2011 race, it saw Frankie Dettori secure victory with Delegator after a fantastic performance on the Saeed bin Suroor trained horse. Blistering pace was on show and it will be the case again in 2012.

As for the leading contenders for the 2012 Duke of York Stakes, Bated Breath, Hoof It and Mason are all available at 5/1, while Society Rock can be backed at 6/1.
These are without doubt the front runners, but the likes of Margot Did (12/1), Elnawin (14/1) and Empowering (14/1). Bring on the 16th May and the opening of the Dante Festival.

Originally written by Bet123.net, an online Betting Guide

Duke of York Stakes Preview

Dante Stakes Preview

Bet123 — Tue, 15 May 2012 10:26:36 +0000

Taking place on the second day of the Dante Festival at York Racecourse, the Dante Stakes is seen as a trial for the Epsom Derby as it is seen to be an excellent guide to the how the famous race is going to turn out.

The Dante Stakes is an important race in its own right of course – it has been in existence since 1958 – it just provides people with an indication on the Derby. In total, nine horses have won the Dante Stakes and then gone on to win at Epsom.

Looking at the basic information for the Dante Stakes, it is a Group 2 flat horse race and is close to the hearts of many in British horse racing. It takes place over a distance of one mile and two furlongs, competed by thoroughbreds aged three and over.

As with any race of genuine quality, there are some stand out names when looking at the Dante Stakes. Pat Eddery for example is an Irish jockey that has won this race six times, while trainer Henry Cecil has amassed a total of seven winners since his first in 1970.

In recent years though, it is Michael Stoute and Aidan O’Brien that are the trainers to watch out for. They have secured three wins each in the last 10 years, including Carlton House leading the way for Stoute last year.

With regards to betting on the Dante Stakes, it has to be noted that the winner is usually Irish, while they usually come into the race on the back of a victory.
The favourite for the 2012 Dante Stakes is Mandehan. The 119/50 shot is leading the betting at the moment, while Ace of Valhalla and Imperial Monarch are also getting plenty of backing.

You can find out how this one pans out on 17th May 2012.

Originally written by Bet123.net, an online Betting Guide

Dante Stakes Preview

More cash flowing in for Derby hope Bonfire

Bet123 — Mon, 14 May 2012 11:35:52 +0000

Ahead of his eagerly anticipated seasonal reappearance in the Group 2 Dante Stakes at York on May 17 there has been plenty of support in the ante-post market for the Investec Derby for Andrew Balding’s Bonfire, viewed by many as potentially the leading home contender against Ballydoyle’s hot 5/4 favourite and 2000 Guineas winner, Camelot, writes Elliot Slater.

The three-year-old had been expected to have his first start of the campaign in Chester’s Dee Stakes, (for which he was due to be sent off a hot favourite with punters on Betfair, but after much consideration Balding decided to withdraw the son of Manduro on the morning of the contest on account of the particularly heavy ground on the Roodeye, the race eventually been won by Mickdaam.

With time running out to get a run into his exciting prospect Balding has little alternative other than to run Bonfire at York, a race in which he could face the likes of Godolphin’s highly rated Mandaean, the useful Ektihaam, and Frankel’s full brother and recent Newmarket listed race winner Noble Mission, amongst what looks to be a quality field for this year’s renewal of the key Derby trial.

Generally a 5/2 market leader to win the Dante, Bonfire is now a top priced 10/1 second-favourite in the Epsom Derby Betting on the strength of two fine efforts last term; the first when beating the decent Cubanita, (subsequently third in the Cheshire Oaks), in a Salisbury maiden on his racecourse bow last September, then when running a fine race and appearing very unlucky to finish only third to recent 2000 Guineas runner-up French Fifteen in the Group 1 Criterium International at Saint Cloud on testing ground in late October, a contest in which he was twice denied racing room at a vital stage and might have won had he been granted a clear run.

Originally written by Bet123.net, an online Betting Guide

More cash flowing in for Derby hope Bonfire

Betfred Victoria Cup

Bet123 — Fri, 11 May 2012 10:26:18 +0000

The Betfred Victoria Cup takes place at Ascot on Saturday and the betting is wide open for the seven furlong heritage handicap race, which is often used as a trial for Royal Ascot’s Royal Hunt Cup.

The British Flat Racing season is well under way at this stage – with the first classic taking place at Newmarket last weekend – and betting on races such as this one often provide plenty of interest for the punters.

This contest often attracts large fields of entries, with the draw worth looking out for when considering the ante-post betting. In recent years, a high draw has favoured the eventual winner, while favourites have fared well.

Four-year-old runners have enjoyed significant success in this race, while the yards of Brian Meehan and Barry Hills are often well represented. The event is an exciting betting heat in its own right as it is often used as a stepping stone towards the Royal Hunt Cup, which takes place during Royal Ascot each year.

A field of 24 has been declared for this close-to-call 2012 handicap, with 13/1 Pastoral Player heading the weights. Hughie Morrison’s five-year-old ended the last campaign with victory over the course and distance in early October. He has to carry 9st 10lb this time and has been drawn in the centre in stall 12.

Hawkeyethenoo, also a 13/1 chance for this race, won from stall seven 12 months ago and goes from gate 19 on this occasion.

Tariq Too is the current favourite at 8/1 and if he runs to class, should go very close. He was won his last two races – at Goodwood in September and Thirsk three weeks ago – and notably, they were both on soft ground. Given the likely conditions this weekend, this could prove to be vital.

A typically-competitive field also includes Richard Fahey’s Lincoln winner, the 13/1 chance Brae Hill, the former Sir Henry Cecil-trained Rodrigo de Torres (20/1), 14/1 chance Lightning Cloud and the Newbury Spring Cup third placed horse, Brian Ellison-trained Global Village (13/1).

Originally written by Bet123.net, an online Betting Guide

Betfred Victoria Cup

Chester Cup Odds

Max Hammond — Tue, 08 May 2012 11:24:53 +0000

Competed over the fantastic Chester racecourse, the 2012 Chester Cup takes place on the 9th May this year and it should be a tremendous race.

Run just shy of two miles and three furlongs, it is competed by thoroughbreds aged four and over and is the oldest flat race in British horse racing with the first event of its kind taking place in 1924.

There are of course many races which attract the attention of more horse racing betting than usual and this is definitely one of them. It is a historic and famous race where many horses, jockeys and trainers have made their name.

Take Barry Hills for example. He is the only trainer to have a winner in the Chester Cup on four occasions with his first win in 1980 and his most recent in 2009 with Daraahem.

At the beginning of May each year, attention turns to Chester and this race is the feature race on the opening day. It is one many get excited about and the 2012 Chester Cup will be no different.

Looking at the betting trends for this race, it is worth noting that Royal Ascot is a decent indicator of how this one might go, with the quality at Chester extremely high. In-form National Hunt horses are also worth keeping an eye on.

It is also essential for potential winners to start well. Because of the short final straight – just 239 yards – there is often little time for late bursts. It is all about getting a lead and holding onto it in the Chester Cup.

Looking at last year’s race, Overturn was successful. The 11/2 shot was much fancied prior to the race due to National Hunt form and this proved to be justified with a credible victory.

Highlighting that the outsider can be in contention though, Mystery Star – who was available at 50/1 prior to the race – came in third position for trainer Mark Hopkins.

As for the 2012 leading contenders, Overturn is the favourite to complete successive victories and can be backed at 5/1. Gulf of Naples is then available at 6/1, while Never Can Tell is the third favourite at 7/1.

Originally written by Bet123.net, an online Betting Guide

Chester Cup Odds

Hall bypasses Guineas; could go straight for Derby

Bet123 — Tue, 08 May 2012 11:16:54 +0000

Jim Bolger’s decision not to run last season’s Group 1 winning juvenile, Parish Hall, in the Qipco 2000 Guineas, on account of the testing ground, means that his charge could possibly go directly to the Investec Derby at Epsom, on June 2, without a previous run this season, writes Elliot Slater.

Parish Hall had been generally on offer at odds of around 14/1 in the ante-post market for the first colts’ classic of the 2012 campaign, but was always going to be a doubtful runner, if the ground was on the soft side, as Bolger had made clear from an early stage of the season.

There are plenty of alternative targets over the next few weeks though, for last season’s Dewhurst Stakes winner, who could take his chance in the Abu Dhabi Irish 2000 Guineas at the Curragh, towards the end of May, if connections decide to stick to racing over a mile at this relatively early stage of the term.

Should Bolger, who bred and also owns the son of Teofilo, decide that a mile-and-a-half is the target, then he has the option of going straight to the Epsom Derby, for which Parish Hall is currently on offer at 16/1. Get great odds on racing at Bet Victor.

Alternatively, he could take in one of the trial races, with the Dante Stakes at York or the Derrisntown Stud Derby Trial at Leopardstown being the obvious stepping-stones to the blue riband contest.

Last term, Parish Hall placed in both Group 2 and Group 3 company, before springing a 20/1 surprise in the Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket, in October, where he ran on bravely under Kevin Manning to deny Aidan O’Brien’s smart sort, Power, by half a length.

The form of the race has already worked out well, this term, with the fifth horse home, Trumpet Major, running away with Craven Stakes at the April meeting at HQ. Take this opportunity to bet online on racing at Bet Victor, ahead of the busy summer schedule.

Originally written by Bet123.net, an online Betting Guide

Hall bypasses Guineas; could go straight for Derby