General / Andrew Hughes / 12 July 2009 / Leave a Comment

Andrew Hughes looks ahead to a busy week of racing in Ireland, France and the UK.

Sunday July 12

Curragh

2:35 Kilboy Estate Stakes

A high class Sunday card that opens with this interesting Listed event for fillies. Run over nine furlongs, it includes a number of potential stars including Jim Bolger's lightly raced four-year-old Shreyas.

3:05 Jebel Ali Stables & Racecourse Anglesey Stakes

With the Guineas antepost markets in full swing, this six furlong contest for two year olds could provide another piece or two of the Newmarket jigsaw. Expect a small field but every one of these runners will be impeccably bred.

3:40 Darley Irish Oaks

The day's big showpiece, this Group One event is always a fascinating clash of the very best staying fillies around. As you might expect, the Epsom Oaks winner Sariska is a big favourite and currently trading at around [2.04] in the Betfair winners market, but the very lightly raced Irish filly Beauty O'Gwaun has her supporters too and can be backed at [5.2].

4:45 Rockingham Handicap

A typically competitive Irish Premier Handicap for sprint fans to get their teeth into. This is a five furlong race, with a big field going to post and will feature the usual mix of experienced sprinters and more progressive, younger types laid out with this race in mind.

Maisons-Lafitte

3:30 Prix de Ris-Orangis

No Sunday is complete without some top quality French racing action. This is a six furlong Group Three that is usually run at Deauville but this year has been transferred to the suburbs of Paris. Jeremy Noseda's consistent sprinter Strike The Deal is the only British entry at this stage.

Thursday July 16

Leopardstown

6:30 Silver Flash Stakes

A quiet week in terms of top class action, but Leopardstown comes to the rescue with a decent looking evening card. This race was upgraded to Group level a couple of seasons back and is confined to two-year-old fillies. It is sure to feature some nicely bred horses, though the seven furlongs will probably favour those with more stamina-laden pedigrees.

9:00 Challenge Stakes

Another interesting Listed event and the feature race of the evening. There is likely to be a relatively small field for this fourteen furlong event, but this galloping course will still be a significant stamina test.

Friday July 17

Newbury

3:10 Rose Bowl Stakes

A Listed six furlong contest for two-year-olds in which Richard Hannon has three entered at this early stage, including the once raced Dick Turpin who was so impressive on debut.

Saturday July 18

Market Rasen

2:05 Summer Hurdle

Jumps racing in the warmer months has its devotees and today's card represents just about the best national hunt meeting the summer. This Listed Handicap is run over two miles and a furlong and will attract some of the speedier handicappers around.

3:40 Summer Plate

Always a big favourite, this is another Listed event, a fiercely competitive chase handicap, run over two miles and six furlongs. The decent prize always attracts a big field and you need to be looking out for a horse which can handle the barging and scrambling at the fences associated with this kind of race.

Newbury

2:20 Hackwood Stakes

An interesting mid season sprint, this is a Group Three contest over six furlongs in which punters have the tricky task of weighing up the merits of younger sprinters competing against their elders for the first time.

3:25 Weatherbys Super Sprint

Undoubtedly the highlight of the day, is this Class Two event. The race offers an exciting spectacle as a couple of dozen of the speedier two-year-olds around spread out across the wide Newbury track for a stirring charge up the straight five furlongs. Sheer speed is the main attribute you are looking for here, though if you are looking for a trainer with a good record here, you need look no further than Richard Hannon who has scooped this prize on six occasions.

3:55 Steventon Stakes

A modest looking Listed event over ten furlongs for older horses, but worth watching for unexposed and improving types.

Newmarket

2:35 Aphrodite Stakes

The best race on a solid looking Newmarket card, this is a Listed contest for middle distance horses from the better stables.

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