Events / Andrew Hughes / 24 May 2008 /

Andrew Hughes outlines the races to watch including the Irish 1,000 Guineas, Brigadier Gerard Stakes and some slightly less well-known fare from Haydock and Beverley

With more time on your hands this Spring Bank Holiday, you may be under pressure to tackle that household task you keep putting off. But before you do, stop and think: Are you aware of the risks involved?

Remember the fate of the Swansea man who chose just such a bank holiday to try and lay a patio? In the space of one afternoon, he managed to sever a gas pipe, causing the evacuation of his entire street and when eventually allowed to return to his home, fractured a water main that flooded everyone's garden. Then there was the Wednesbury man who used his bank holiday to try and smoke out a troublesome wasps' nest. An hour later, his roof was ablaze, the attending firemen being hampered in their efforts by a swarm of angry wasps.

You see, it really is a jungle out there. So this bank holiday week, play it safe. Stay indoors, listen to Betfair radio and contemplate a feast of betting action.

Sunday 25th May

Irish 1,000 Guineas Day at the Curragh (or should that be 1,000 Guinness?) This year's renewal doesn't include the winners of the English or French versions but does feature a cluster of contenders from Newmarket, headed by third placed Saorsie Abu and unlucky fifth and likely favourite for this, Nahoodh. As ever, expect a keenly contested and enthralling race. Besides the showpiece, there is the always-fascinating Tattersall's Gold Cup, a race that has attracted some illustrious horses in the past and is used as launching pad for ambitious middle distance campaigns. And not to be overlooked, the Gallinule Stakes is an intriguing little Group race for three-year-old fillies that are being aimed at the Irish or even French Derbies.

Wednesday 28th May

An evening assignation at Beverley isn't usually the first port of call for those seeking top class racing action, but this meeting at the compact and no-frills East Yorkshire course includes the famous Listed race for two year olds, the Hilary Needler. Always a lively betting heat, this is an entertaining slog up the cambered hill for some promising young fillies. Although on a note of caution, you should be mindful that course officials in recent times have been trying to nullify the traditional draw bias, so it is as well to watch how the couple of races pan out before getting involved.

Thursday 29th May

From the muck and brass of Beverley to the more refined atmosphere of Sandown's lush turf for another late spring evening meeting. A high quality card really gets going with the National Stakes, a hotly contested Listed dash for two-year-olds with Ascot ambitions. The Henry II Stakes, which follows that, is a good old-fashioned two-mile Group race and though field sizes can vary, it usually provides a decent test of stamina and a thorough examination of any horse's Gold Cup credentials. Then there is the Brigadier Gerard Stakes. Perhaps not as illustrious as it once was, this race nevertheless offers a chance for some unproven middle distance types to shine and earn some valuable black type and for really impressive winners, the Prince of Wales's Stakes may beckon. Finally there is the much-travelled Heron Stakes, formerly run at a pre-Polytrack Kempton, then Goodwood and now Sandown. A Listed mile race for three-year-olds, it has often attracted some useful types and is well worth taking an interest in.

Saturday 31st May

With Epsom looming, this is a relatively quiet Saturday, though there is plenty of solid looking action at York and Goodwood to get your teeth into. Pick of the meetings though is at Haydock where on a card dominated by sprint action, the John of Gaunt Stakes is run as a Group Three for the first time. This seven-furlong dash is regarded as an audition for those with Wokingham pretensions and offers a fascinating puzzle for punters. Not to be missed either are the Sandy Lane Stakes, a cracking sprint for progressive young sprinters and the Silver Salver (Cecil Frail) Stakes, a Listed sprint for fillies and mares.

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