Latest news with #DylanCunha
The Independent
24-07-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Friday's racing tips: Preview, odds and best bets for Ascot, York
Friday's racing tips Fireblade (Ascot 15.00) - 1pt win @ 11/2 ( Bet365 ) War Howl (Ascot 16.10) - 1pt win @ 11/4 ( Virgin Bet ) Riot (York 17.30) - 0.5pt each-way @ 10/1 ( Bet365 ) Molten Sea (York 18.03) - 0.5pt each-way @ 4/1 ( Bet365 ) Kinnalargy (Thirsk 15.25) - 1pt win @ 9/2 ( Bet365 ) Curran (Sandown Park 18.53) - 0.5pt each-way @ 11/2 (BetMGM) John Guest Racing Brown Jack Handicap Tips (Ascot 15.00) Ascot's John Guest Racing Brown Jack Handicap (15.00) will be a thorough test of stamina, with that notorious uphill climb for the back half of the contest and having an unexposed runner on our side looks worthwhile. That comes in the form of Fireblade, who continues to do well since switching to the in-form Dylan Cunha. Admittedly, his one below par effort this campaign came here over 1m4f in May but he has improved on that in two subsequent starts at around 1m6f. His latest run, when keeping on to be the runner-up at Sandown, suggests that this longer trip and further emphasis on stamina could be right up his street. Contacto could prove to be the big danger to the selection and the presence of that opponent and Sir Mark Prescott's Blindedbythelights, should give the market a solid look despite a relatively small field. After looking at the prices on horse racing betting sites, odds of 11/2 stand out for a Fireblade triump. The Chapel Down Handicap tips (Ascot 16.10) The Chapel Down Handicap (16.10) at Ascot looks like offering us a strong betting market, with several that can have cases made. Among them is War Howl, who successfully dropped back to 7f at Doncaster last time, with a career best effort to win comfortably. A 6lb rise on the back of that does not look excessive and he is taken to successfully follow-up in this slightly better contest. Betting sites have installed War Howl as the favourite with James Doyle taking the ride. Odds of 11/4 are available with Virgin Bet for him to triumph at Ascot. Handicap tips (York 17.30) On the York card, Riot looks to have solid claims in the Handicap (17.30). In a big field, having a draw towards the inside is handy and David O'Meara's charge will emerge from stall four. He's course and distance winner and also handles some ease in the ground, both of which are further positives. His pilot, Danny Tudhope, should be able to get him some cover early on and I'd expect him to be doing his best work towards the finish. He's on a competitive mark and looks worth an each-way play. A price of 10/1 looks appealing for bettors should he find his form in the first face of the day. Elevator Company Handicap tips (York 18.03) Later at York, the Elevator Company Handicap (18.03) is another competitive contest, where a number of runners have claims, including Savrola, It's All About You and Fast Fred. However, with a couple of recent pieces of improved form to her name and slow ground very much in her favour, Molten Sea could provide the answer. The William Haggas-trained filly is proving to be an admirably consistent performer and she is taken to successfully defy another 1lb nudge up the handicap over a trip that suits. Odds of 4/1 are available on betting apps for Molten Sea to deliver in what could be the race of the day. British EBF Novice Stakes tips (Thirsk 15.25) At Thirsk, there's an interesting contest for the British EBF Novice Stakes (15.25), over six furlongs. Three last-time winners line up. Dandy Style, who won over course and distance, Flying Comet, who arrives on the back of a Chepstow success and Kinnalargy, who scored at Redcar on his second start, having been dropped back to 5f. He's back up in trip this time and with a penalty to shoulder but useful claimer Jack Callan takes off 7lb. That Redcar success was the pick of the form on offer here and he is taken to successfully follow up at 9/2. Close Brothers Handicap tips (Sandown Park 18.53) Stamina comes to the fore in Sandown's Close Brothers Handicap (18.53), for runners rated 0-80 over 1m6f. This looks an open contest on paper and over such trips, every pound carried can count. It won't harm, therefore, that Curran has been dropped 1lb since just being collared when trying to make all over a similar trip at Haydock last time. Charlie Johnston's four-year-old sticks to what looks to be his optimum trip and, if able to repeat that latest effort he would go very close. He's another that looks to have strong each-way claims and it would be no surprise if he proves good enough to win it. Please Gamble Responsibly Sports betting can be enjoyable, but it's important to stay in control and gamble responsibly. Whether you are using the best online casino, slot sites, poker sites, or online bookmakers, responsible gambling should always be a priority. All licensed gambling sites in the UK are required to provide tools such as deposit limits, time-outs, self-exclusion, and self-assessment questionnaires. These are designed to help you manage your activity and protect your well-being. Many operators, including online bookmakers and new casino sites, will offer free bets or a casino bonus. While these can be tempting, it is vital to read the terms and conditions of any offer before taking part. If you are concerned about your gambling behaviour, support is available from: NHS Help GambleAware Gamblers Anonymous We may earn commission from some of the links in this article, but we never allow this to influence our content. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.
Yahoo
28-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Prague pencilled in for double York Racecourse visit
Prague will visit York twice this Summer, starting today at today's races. (Image: PA) DYLAN Cunha has pencilled in for Prague to visit York Racecourse twice this Summer – starting with a shot at this Saturday's £100,000 Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai Criterion Stakes. It is the first time the Knavesmire has ever staged this Group 3 race (previously held at Newmarket) so, as part of a wider strengthening of its seven-furlong programme, it will give the winner a free entry* into the Group One Sky Bet City of York Stakes on Saturday 23 August. Advertisement The Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai Criterion Stakes will also be the first time Prague has been tested at this distance. If it proves a success, Newmarket-based Cunha will bring back his stable star for that £600,000 Sky Bet City of York Stakes, which is set to be staged as a Group One for the first time. Otherwise, the trainer will target the nine-furlong Group 3 Sky Bet Strensall Stakes, scheduled for the same card at the Sky Bet Ebor Festival. This weekend's fact-finding mission sees Prague back in action, having not been seen on a racecourse since British Champions Day at Ascot last October. The five-year-old proved a real star for connections in 2024, finishing second in the Group 3 Superior Mile Stakes at Haydock before winning the Group 2 Joel Stakes over the Rowley Mile at Newmarket. Advertisement As a result, Prague must carry 9st 13lb – 5lb more than any other horse in the 13-strong entry. Cunha said: 'He's in great form – as well as I've ever seen him. He's training really well. 'The drop to seven furlongs is just that he's quite keen in his races – we just want to teach him to settle. "We've been going a mile and a mile and a quarter with him, but his mother was actually a six-furlong Group 3 winner. 'We're thinking he might just be that keen because we might be going too far with him. So, it's an experiment. "If he runs in the first two, he'll go to the City of York. If it's too short, he'll run in the Strensall. Advertisement "He's definitely going to York twice in the next two months!' Cunha had hoped to have Jim Crowley aboard Prague for his seasonal bow, but the jockey looks likely to be required elsewhere by Shadwell, who retain him. Instead, Prague will be ridden for the first time by Kieran Shoemark. Cunha said: 'Jim would have ridden him, but he's booked for Shadwell. So, Kieran then messaged for the ride and I said, 'Absolutely'. He rides quite a bit for us – so, a great replacement for Jim.' The trainer enjoys visiting York where Silver Sword gave him a first high-profile success at the 2023 Ebor Festival. Advertisement And Cunha has fingers crossed Prague can put him back in the same winner's circle on Saturday. He said: 'He'll jump out, go forward and he'll be sitting in the first three or four and hopefully run a huge race for us.' Saturday's seven-race card starts at 1.55pm with the Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai Mile Handicap.
Glasgow Times
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
Prague has Epsom target following Lockinge defection
Dylan Cunha's stable star was poised to make his comeback in Saturday's Newbury Group One, but was declared a non-runner on Friday morning. 'He just had a temperature and he will be fine and probably be back cantering tomorrow, but he just can't run and you can't take a chance with a temperature, not in this league anyway,' said Cunha. 'We've taken two out in the last two weeks already like this and it's just one of those things and bugs go around at this time of year, but he will be back.' Prague holds an entry for the curtain-raising Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot next month, but the Phantom House Stables handler is first eyeing getting the five-year-old back in action in the Betfred Diomed Stakes on June 7 before loftier assignments are considered. Cunha added: 'He will be fine and we might get him out at Epsom on Derby day in the Diomed. 'We'll probably go to Epsom and then we'll take it from there. It's frustrating for a small yard to miss such a race as the Lockinge, but it is what it is and there's nothing we can do.' Cunha is also looking forward to new recruit Valley Of The Kings hitting the track having arrived in Newmarket from the handler's native South Africa. He said: 'He's unraced and he looks like a lovely horse and moves nicely. 'We've had him going up Warren Hill and he arrived pretty fit, so we hope he will be out in the next four weeks or so.'
North Wales Chronicle
17-05-2025
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
Prague has Epsom target following Lockinge defection
Dylan Cunha's stable star was poised to make his comeback in Saturday's Newbury Group One, but was declared a non-runner on Friday morning. 'He just had a temperature and he will be fine and probably be back cantering tomorrow, but he just can't run and you can't take a chance with a temperature, not in this league anyway,' said Cunha. 'We've taken two out in the last two weeks already like this and it's just one of those things and bugs go around at this time of year, but he will be back.' Prague holds an entry for the curtain-raising Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot next month, but the Phantom House Stables handler is first eyeing getting the five-year-old back in action in the Betfred Diomed Stakes on June 7 before loftier assignments are considered. Cunha added: 'He will be fine and we might get him out at Epsom on Derby day in the Diomed. 'We'll probably go to Epsom and then we'll take it from there. It's frustrating for a small yard to miss such a race as the Lockinge, but it is what it is and there's nothing we can do.' Cunha is also looking forward to new recruit Valley Of The Kings hitting the track having arrived in Newmarket from the handler's native South Africa. He said: 'He's unraced and he looks like a lovely horse and moves nicely. 'We've had him going up Warren Hill and he arrived pretty fit, so we hope he will be out in the next four weeks or so.'
Rhyl Journal
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Rhyl Journal
Prague has Epsom target following Lockinge defection
Dylan Cunha's stable star was poised to make his comeback in Saturday's Newbury Group One, but was declared a non-runner on Friday morning. 'He just had a temperature and he will be fine and probably be back cantering tomorrow, but he just can't run and you can't take a chance with a temperature, not in this league anyway,' said Cunha. 'We've taken two out in the last two weeks already like this and it's just one of those things and bugs go around at this time of year, but he will be back.' Prague holds an entry for the curtain-raising Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot next month, but the Phantom House Stables handler is first eyeing getting the five-year-old back in action in the Betfred Diomed Stakes on June 7 before loftier assignments are considered. Cunha added: 'He will be fine and we might get him out at Epsom on Derby day in the Diomed. 'We'll probably go to Epsom and then we'll take it from there. It's frustrating for a small yard to miss such a race as the Lockinge, but it is what it is and there's nothing we can do.' Cunha is also looking forward to new recruit Valley Of The Kings hitting the track having arrived in Newmarket from the handler's native South Africa. He said: 'He's unraced and he looks like a lovely horse and moves nicely. 'We've had him going up Warren Hill and he arrived pretty fit, so we hope he will be out in the next four weeks or so.'
