Horseracing Betting August 17 - 23: Great Britain, Ireland and France

General / Andrew Hughes / 15 August 2008 / Leave a Comment

Andrew Hughes looks ahead to the best racing of the next seven days.

It seems next year's Cheltenham festival will see an extra race added to the Friday card; an extended two and a half mile hurdle for conditional jockeys. It's hard to argue with the logic of giving the saddle stars of tomorrow a chance to shine in National Hunt racing's big festival. But it would be a shame if the quality of the festival were diluted any further. There are now twenty-six contests over the four days and if too many more are added, we might be looking at a fifth day. Could festival goers' wallets, not to mention their livers, stand it?

Sunday 17th August

A bumper meeting at Leopardstown boosted by the addition of three of the races lost from the Curragh last week. Top of the bill is the Royal Whip Stakes over ten furlongs, which usually features a small but select field of quality middle distance types. The Phoenix Sprint Stakes over six furlongs is a cracking sprint in which English raiders invariably give a good account of themselves and the Debutante Stakes is an informative stepping stone for top class two year old fillies. There is also the Desmond Stakes for milers and the Ballyroan Stakes which may offer some pointers towards the Irish St Leger.

Meanwhile, over the Channel in Normandy, Deauville stages the Prix de Jaques le Marois, a Group One mile of the highest class, and won by the likes of Spinning World and Dubai Millenium in the past and the talented Manduro last year.

Tuesday 19th August

The Ebor is extended to four days this year and it is to be hoped this perennially popular meeting isn't diluted as a result. There is certainly plenty of quality in the opening day's card, headed by the Juddmonte International where the very best middle distance types lock horns over ten furlongs. Aidan O'Brien's all conquering Duke of Marmalade is a massive favourite and you probably won't be able to back him much higher than [1.7]. Aside from the main event, there is Great Voltigeur, another leading St Leger trial and the Acomb Stakes over seven furlong for two year olds with classic aspirations.

Wednesday 20th August

First run in 1843, the Ebor is the most valuable handicap in Europe and features a huge field of staying handicappers to test the mettle of punters. The Lonsdale Cup is slightly overshadowed but it is a decent Group Two for hardened stayers. On a solid second day card, there is also the Gimcrack Stakes for two year olds, the Listed Roses Stakes for even speedier youngsters and a couple of competitive class two handicaps.

Thursday 21st August

The Yorkshire Oaks tops the bill today, a fascinating Group One for fillies and mares, one or two of whom may go on to the Breeders Cup or the Arc. There are a couple of other races for fillies: the Lowther Stakes for two year olds and the Listed Galtres Stakes over twelve furlongs for the older horses. There are also a couple of fiercely competitive big field races, the Goddard Stakes, a mile handicap and the St Leger Yearling Stakes, which attracts a host of competitors for the huge prize.

Friday 22nd August

Ebor fatigue may be setting in, but the last day is a good one, dominated by the five furlong Nunthorpe, arguably Britain's premier sprint race and a breakneck spectacle. Equally large fields are expected in the Melrose Stakes over a mile and six furlongs and the Listed City of York Stakes, whilst the Strensall Stakes is an interesting Group Three over nine furlongs.

Saturday 23rd August

The Curragh stages a very rich card, headed by the Futurity Stakes, a race with impeccable credentials, having been won by Teofilio and New Approach in the last two years. There is also a good race for stayers, the Listed Ballycullen Stakes and a huge prize on offer for the Tattersalls Ireland Sales Stakes, a six furlong dash for two year olds.

Meanwhile, at Goodwood, there is the Celebration Mile, a famous race with a proud history. On a decent card you can also catch the Prestige Stakes for two year old fillies and the Listed March Stakes for stayers.