Opera Ballo back on the right track in Heron Stakes
The Charlie Appleby-trained Ghaiyyath colt was keen for William Buick on the outside of runners through the early stages of the one-mile Listed affair, before his rider managed to slot in behind horses.
Pellitory swept right into contention after leader Matauri Bay gave way, but 5-4 favourite Opera Ballo – who won his first two career starts in the manner of a potentially top-class performer before coming unstuck in the Craven, when he did not help his chance with his headstrong tendencies – found another gear and was well on top at the line.
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South Wales Guardian
2 hours ago
- South Wales Guardian
Clover favouring York for Tabletalk's next date
The four-year-old Camelot colt ran into the smart Eydon at Newbury last month when he was beaten by a length and a quarter, but a drop to Listed level for the mile-and-three-quarters Grand Cup on the Knavesmire could he on his agenda. He has course and distance form after winning the Melrose Handicap there last summer and Clover also has the potential of the Irish St Leger later in the season. Clover said: 'He ran well in the Aston Park Stakes and there is a one-mile-six-furlong Listed race at York, so we'll go there I think. 'He's obviously won the Melrose, so the one-mile-six is well within his grasp. He had a really good race again in Group Three company which is really good to see and he's had two really good races in Group company, so he looks like he's going in the right direction. 'The Irish St Leger could work and I need to speak to the owner as to where we go from there. There's lots of options available to us so we'll have to see where we go and it will be dictated by where we go up until then.' Clover is keeping his options open with Invictus Gold. The three-year-old won a Newmarket handicap on his most recent start, with the Wokingham and Palace of Holyroodhouse Stakes possible options, although a trip to York offers an alternative test for the son of Invincible Spirit. Clover said: 'He could well go to the Wokingham. There's a nice handicap at York the Saturday before which is for three-year-olds only which we could look at for him. 'He's at his best on top of the ground. He's run well on good to soft but I don't think he'd want it really soft, so that dictates to a certain extent where we go. 'It's whether we want to give lots of weight away at York or be a more nicely-weighted horse potentially in the Wokingham if we get in. I think historically we'll get a run in the Wokingham, so fingers crossed that might work still and we could also think about throwing him into the Holyrood if we wanted to.' Clover all but ruled Al Nayyir out of the Ascot Gold Cup, adding: 'I'd be surprised if Al Nayyir takes his chance in the Gold Cup. He was a little disappointing at Sandown last week so I think we'll probably give that a swerve.'
The Sun
5 hours ago
- The Sun
‘That's Ryan Moore's ride' – Punters convinced after Epsom Oaks price collapse
PUNTERS are convinced they know who Ryan Moore will ride in the Epsom Oaks - after an intriguing price crash came seemingly out of nowhere. Aidan O'Brien has three in the Friday Classic ahead of Thursday's declarations. 1 But just who Moore would choose out of Giselle, Whirl and Minnie Hauk looked anyone's guess. Bookies thought they had some inkling as they made Minnie Hauk, who was 8-1 just 48 hours ago, the outsider of the Ballydoyle trio. But the Cheshire Oaks winner's price has been smashed into as short as 7-2 following a tidal wave of support. Punters think her odds crashing - and Giselle and Whirl's going the opposite way - are a sign Moore has chosen who he will partner, with one proclaiming: "That's Ryan Moore's ride." Paddy Power's Paul Binfield said: "The front two in the Oaks market have both been strong today, but particularly Cheshire Oaks heroine Minnie Hauk. "That support would indicate that punters are pretty sure that of Aidan O'Brien's three possible protagonists, Ryan Moore has chosen to partner this very talented Frankel filly." Whoever Moore rides will have to go some to beat Charlie Appleby's red-hot Oaks favourite Desert Flower, though. The 1000 Guineas winner has been obliterated into just 6-5 with some firms. Legendary jockey Kieran Fallon, who rides out at trainer Charlie Appleby's Moulton Paddocks yard, said she was a cut above. And punters think so too, with Desert Flower looking like she could be the shortest-price winner since O'Brien's 11-10 Love in 2020. Epsom Oaks odds via Paddy Power 5-4 Desert Flower 7-2 Minnie Hauk 7-1 Giselle, Whirl 10-1 Elwateen, Revoir 20-1 Quilin Queen, Wemighttakedlongway 50-1 Go Go Boots Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who:
Glasgow Times
6 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
Clover favouring York for Tabletalk's next date
The four-year-old Camelot colt ran into the smart Eydon at Newbury last month when he was beaten by a length and a quarter, but a drop to Listed level for the mile-and-three-quarters Grand Cup on the Knavesmire could he on his agenda. He has course and distance form after winning the Melrose Handicap there last summer and Clover also has the potential of the Irish St Leger later in the season. Clover said: 'He ran well in the Aston Park Stakes and there is a one-mile-six-furlong Listed race at York, so we'll go there I think. 'He's obviously won the Melrose, so the one-mile-six is well within his grasp. He had a really good race again in Group Three company which is really good to see and he's had two really good races in Group company, so he looks like he's going in the right direction. 'The Irish St Leger could work and I need to speak to the owner as to where we go from there. There's lots of options available to us so we'll have to see where we go and it will be dictated by where we go up until then.' Clover is keeping his options open with Invictus Gold. The three-year-old won a Newmarket handicap on his most recent start, with the Wokingham and Palace of Holyroodhouse Stakes possible options, although a trip to York offers an alternative test for the son of Invincible Spirit. Clover said: 'He could well go to the Wokingham. There's a nice handicap at York the Saturday before which is for three-year-olds only which we could look at for him. 'He's at his best on top of the ground. He's run well on good to soft but I don't think he'd want it really soft, so that dictates to a certain extent where we go. 'It's whether we want to give lots of weight away at York or be a more nicely-weighted horse potentially in the Wokingham if we get in. I think historically we'll get a run in the Wokingham, so fingers crossed that might work still and we could also think about throwing him into the Holyrood if we wanted to.' Clover all but ruled Al Nayyir out of the Ascot Gold Cup, adding: 'I'd be surprised if Al Nayyir takes his chance in the Gold Cup. He was a little disappointing at Sandown last week so I think we'll probably give that a swerve.'
