General / Andrew Hughes / 10 October 2009 / Leave a comment

Some top class jumps action from Ireland and a classy meeting at headquarters are the highlights of another busy racing week. Andrew Hughes brings us the details.

"A race that was first run in 1839, (the Cesarewitch) is a big betting contest with a huge field tackling the unusual configuration of the two-mile-two-furlong course."

Sunday October 11

Limerick

2:40 Newenham Mulligan Novice Hurdle
A two-mile-and-five-furlong Listed contest for young hurdlers of potential.

4:50 Ladbrokes.com Munster National Handicap Chase
This Grade A event over three miles always attracts a big field of decent stayers, some of which may reappear in the Beechers Chase or even the big one at Aintree next April. Michael Hourigan's Church Island will hope to go one better here after finishing second in the Kerry National last month.

5:25 Pricewaterhousecoopers Chase
A Grade Three race over two-miles-and-a-furlong that may include a future star or two, including Paul Flynn's Archie Boy, winner of a similar contest at Tipperary last time out.

Curragh

3:00 Go Racing in Kildare Festival Waterford Testimonial Stakes
A six furlong Listed sprint that has attracted a big field, with the pick of the entries probably John Oxx's lightly raced three-year-old, Raveni.

3:30 Lanwades and Staffordstown Studs Stakes
An interesting race confined to two-year-old fillies and run over a mile in which Ger Lyons' once-raced winner, Berg Bahn could be worth looking out for.

4:35 Kevin Deering Lifetime in Racing Achievement Finale Stakes
Another Listed contest, this time over a mile and a half and dominated by Aidan O'Brien and John Oxx. Between them, they have ten of the fourteen entries and the highest rated of these is Ballydoyle's Roman Empress.

Thursday October 15

Punchestown

3:15 Ryan's Cleaning Events Specialists Hurdle
A two-mile Listed event for novices that has been won by some useful types in the past and is well worth watching as many of those entered have scope for considerable improvement.

3:45 Grabel Hurdle
A Listed race for mares that have yet to win a Grade One or Grade Two hurdle that is likely to include one or two promising horses amongst the more exposed contenders

4:15 Buck House Novice Chase
A Graded race over two-miles-and-two-furlongs that has attracted some decent jumping prospects including Adrian Maguire's Let Yourself Go, winner of its last two outings over fences.

4:45 Star 'Best for Racing Coverage Chase
Old favourite War Of Attrition won this three-mile-and-one-furlong Grade Three last year and is entered again this time around alongside some interesting younger contenders such as Welsh National winner, Notre Petre.

Friday October 16

Newmarket

3:10 Thurlow Nunn Standen Darley Stakes
The opening day of a superb meeting features three Listed events, the first of which is this Group Three nine-furlong contest for some decent if not top class horses from the better stables.

3:45 Lanwades Stud Severals Stakes
Another interesting event, run over ten furlongs and confined to fillies and mares.

4:20 EBF National Stud Boadicea Fillies' Stakes
A frenetic sprint event for fillies over a galloping six furlongs of the Rowley course.

Saturday October 17

Newmarket

1:50 Victor Chandler Challenge Stakes
A Group Two race that is a fascinating clash between milers and seven-furlong specialists and which has attracted some classy entries including Godolphin's Delegator and Main Aim from the Sir Michael Stoute yard.

2:25 Jumeirah Dewhurst Stakes
The most prestigious two-year-old contest of the season and those horses that perform well here are likely to feature highly in the ante-post markets for next year's Classics. There are some classy types entered including the likes of Chabal, Arcano, Steinbeck and Silver Grecian.

3:00 Emirates Airline Champion Stakes
This Group One contest sometimes suffers for its proximity to the Breeders Cup but it remains one of the top middle-distance races in Europe. Pick of the entries at this stage look to be Zacinto and Sariska.

3:40 totesport.com Cesarewitch
The second leg of the Autumn Double and a race that was first run in 1839, this is a big betting contest with a huge field tackling the unusual configuration of the two-mile-two-furlong course.

4:15 Lotus Evora Rockfel Stakes
A high calibre seven-furlong race for two-year-old fillies that can often be a strong pointer to next year's Classics.

4:50 Pride Stakes
There are some interesting entries for this twelve-furlong Group contest for fillies and mares, including Sir Michael Stoute's Crystal Capella, winner of this last year.

5:25 Jockey Club Cup
A Group Three race in which there is often a small field and a steady pace, but which should attract some decent stayers.

Tags: Cesarewitch Handicap, Curragh races, horseracing betting briefing, Newmarket races