Smart sprinters and stayers on show before stellar Irish Guineas festival
Monday
Monday marks the return of racegoers in England and the best race of the day is the £40,000 Weatherbys ePassport Stakes (6.50), in which last year's Sprint Cup winner Dream Of Dreams takes on just two rivals.
There is no Irish racing but there is a Group 3 at Chantilly, where the Prix Texanita (1.35) could showcase some emerging stars. The prime candidate is the Francois Rohaut-trained Suesa, who is unbeaten in three, including the Prix Sigy in the same grade last time.
Carlisle, Redcar and Leicester also host cards in Britain, while there is afternoon jumps fixture at Ffos Las.
Tuesday
The 1m½f handicap at Wolverhampton (4.10) features a host of progressive three-year-olds, including Ilza'Eem, who was favourite for the Esher Cup before being scratched.
Like him, Great King and Summa Peto won impressively on their most recent starts, so whoever comes out on top could end up good enough to contest Group races.
Course regular Pour La Victoire (2.10) will make his 116th start at one of his happiest hunting grounds at Brighton. The 11-year-old is a ten-time winner at the track.
Nottingham stages a Flat meeting in the afternoon with evening fixtures taking place over jumps at Limerick, Huntingdon and Hexham.
Wednesday
The midweek highlight could be the Listed British Stallion Studs EBF Rothesay Stakes (3.20) at Ayr. It has the potential to be a competitive heat with last year's Ribblesdale fourth Bharani Star entered as well as three-time winner Salsada and All-Weather Finals' Day heroine Pholas.
Watch out for Royal Ascot-bound juveniles at Cork. Aidan O'Brien has a 580,000gns half-sister to Golden Horde among his entries in the 6f maiden (2.05), while Dermot Weld could run a half-brother to Tarnawa later on the card.
The novice stakes (1.30) at Yarmouth should be worth watching, with action over jumps coming at Warwick and Southwell. Kempton's evening card offers something for the all-weather fanatics.
Thursday
There's more Listed action on Thursday as the Casumo Best Odds Guaranteed Heron Stakes (6.55) is staged at Sandown.
Without Parole took the 2018 running before winning the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot and perhaps John and Thady Gosden have similar aspirations for their two entries Mostahdaf and Mithras.
The evening meeting is also sure to have an appetising undercard, but before then there is Lingfield, Market Rasen, Wolverhampton and Tipperary to get stuck into. There is also racing on Chelmsford's all-weather surface in the evening.
Friday
Friday is for the fillies. Prospective Cazoo Oaks contenders will have one of their final chances to put their hat into the ring in the Height Of Fashion Stakes (2.15) at Goodwood – Snow Fairy was the last to do the double at Epsom in 2010. The colts' equivalent, the British Stallion Studs EBF Cocked Hat Stakes (3.25) could also provide Classic clues.
The fillies also take centre stage at Haydock in the EBF British Stallion Studs Cecil Frail (2.05). Dandalla and Umm Kulthum won at Group level last year and could take each other on. Bath, Worcester and Catterick also stage cards.
Saturday
The Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas (3.20) could see the rematch between Newmarket second and third Master Of The Seas and Lucky Vega, while Wembley, Thunder Moon and Battleground will be bidding to do much better than last month.
Sprinters will come to the fore at Haydock in the Casumo Best Odds Guaranteed Temple Stakes (4.10). Among the 19 horses entered is Glass Slippers, who signed off last season with a memorable win at the Breeders' Cup.
The preceeding Casumo Bet10Get10 Sandy Lane Stakes for three-year-olds could provide a pointer to the Commonwealth Cup, while the Group 3 Bronte Cup takes place at York and there are the Festival and Tapster Stakes at Listed level at Goodwood.
Sunday
Last year's champion three-year-old Love could make her seasonal reappearance in the Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup (2.40) at the Curragh. Addeybb, Armory, Japan, Sangarius, Serpentine, Tiger Moth, Alpine Star and Audarya also hold entries.
Pretty Gorgeous missed the 1,000 Guineas but on form would have gone very close and she could get her chance to become a Classic winner in the Irish equivalent (3.50). The stunningly bred Joan Of Arc could be her chief threat after winning a trial at Leopardstown in excellent style.
Read more . . .
St Mark's Basilica cruises to victory in French 2,000 Guineas
Seven racecourses in England you must visit now you can go racing
Newmarket gallops: Highland Avenue catches the eye in Heron warm-up (Members' Club)
New Sky Bet customers can get £20 in free bets when they place a £5 bet. First single & EW bet only. Odds of 1-1 or greater. 2x £/10 bet tokens. Free bet stakes not included in returns. Free bets are non withdrawable. No free bet expiry. Eligibility restrictions. Full T&Cs here. 18+.
Published on inNews
Last updated
- 'It’s really exciting we can connect Wentworth's story to Stubbs' - last chance to catch master painter's homecoming
- The jumps season is getting into full swing - and now is the perfect time to join Racing Post Members' Club with 50% off
- 'It's just another level' - Abbaye success kickstarts a famous week for Brightwalton Stud
- Join the same team as Ryan Moore, Harry Cobden and other top jockeys with 50% off Racing Post Members' Club
- 'Nothing positive can come out of this for racing' - Betfair founder Andrew Black issues stark warning as affordability checks come into play
- 'It’s really exciting we can connect Wentworth's story to Stubbs' - last chance to catch master painter's homecoming
- The jumps season is getting into full swing - and now is the perfect time to join Racing Post Members' Club with 50% off
- 'It's just another level' - Abbaye success kickstarts a famous week for Brightwalton Stud
- Join the same team as Ryan Moore, Harry Cobden and other top jockeys with 50% off Racing Post Members' Club
- 'Nothing positive can come out of this for racing' - Betfair founder Andrew Black issues stark warning as affordability checks come into play