Latest news with #Guineas
Daily Mirror
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Aidan O'Brien shuts down rumours after huge change in the Derby betting market
The leading trainer in the Derby with ten wins, O'Brien has favourite Delacroix, The Lion In Winter and Lambourn going forward to Epsom's premier Classic this year as his main contenders Aidan O'Brien has shut down rumours that demoted ante-post favourite The Lion In Winter will miss the Derby at Epsom. The Acomb winner drifted to double-figure odds of 12-1 on Friday, having been 5-2 with William Hill at the start of the week. Spokesman Lee Phelps described the horse as "totally friendless" in the betting on a day that left a question mark hanging over his participation. But O'Brien has since told ITV Racing that The Lion In Winter, beaten at odds on in the Dante when last seen, will run in the Classic. "My exact words to Aidan were 'Is The Lion In Winter doubtful now?' said presenter Matt Chapman. "His response was to that 'on-course Matt' with a thumbs-up emoji." Some punters responded by taking the bigger prices on offer for the colt, who had 2,000 Guineas titleholder Ruling Court behind when scoring in Group Three company as a juvenile. Paddy Power spokesman Paul Binfield suggested The Lion In Winter's price might have lengthened after O'Brien - top handler in the showpiece event with ten victories - said stable jockey Ryan Moore would find it hard to overlook Delacroix. The strong stayer has finished with a clear advantage in two trials on home turf at Leopardstown. Binfield said on Saturday morning: "We're a little bit in the dark as to why The Lion In Winter drifted, although Aidan O'Brien's comments on riding plans was a key factor. "I think this morning the punters were thinking the price was just too big about a horse with a huge reputation." The Lion In Winter is 7-1 for a possible clash with three horses who finished in front of him in his prep race - winner Pride Of Arras (4-1), runner-up Damysus (10-1) and fifth-placed Nightwalker (25-1). Aidan O'Brien said beforehand he expected his horse to "improve a ton" after a delayed start to the campaign which saw him miss the Guineas on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket. But he added that stamina for 1m 4f could be a question mark: "He doesn't work like a mile-and-a-half horse really, he works like a miler. "I know most horses by Sea The Stars do stay, but obviously we're going to have to wait and see first before we can be really sure of anything."
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
The Philip Byrnes Wexford fall looked awful… but some of us must bite our tongues until investigation is complete
PUNTERS were quite rightly stunned and social media went into meltdown after a shock unseat on a horse who drifted like a barge at Wexford on Wednesday. Philip Byrnes Advertisement 3 Redwood Queen looked to have 1-3 market leader Beacon Edge beaten as they approached the last Credit: Racing TV 3 Redwood Queen landed on all fours having seemingly jumped the hurdle well - only for jockey Philip Byrnes to be unseated Credit: Racing TV 3 An investigation has been launched into the incident, which came at the final flight after the horse had drifted markedly in the betting Credit: Racing TV Although on itself merely an extreme example of desperate riding, what angered many about this was that Redwood Queen had drifted in the betting from 7-2 to 13-2. She clearly had the race in the bag when the jockey disappeared out the 'side door'. Byrnes runners, more than most other stables, appear to do best when the money is down. My Saturday NAP Advertisement A Listed winner on comeback from ages off having previously run well in the 2000 Guineas when well fancied - everything, including the strong pace, points to a big run here. Back my tip simply by clicking the odds above. To an outsider, the County Limerick handler runs what the majority would call a 'gambling outfit', for all that racing fans would have no proof of any financial transactions. So when a Byrnes runner drifts like a barge, is clear at the last and then the jockey falls off, naturally many will cry foul play. Only time will tell if that was the case - as the IHRB launch their full investigation. Advertisement Most read in Horse Racing But the chances are the case will eventually be dropped. Only money trails could really prove guilt, and with so much punting action now on the Black Market, if anyone was trying to do something untoward they would have to be very thick indeed to leave any trace. I did ask one top class jumps rider what they thought of the fall, and their response was interesting. "Terrible bit of riding really," they said. Advertisement "The horse came out of his hands and he was unbalanced but who knows whether that was enough to fall off?" They added: "Personally I don't think he's that good a stunt rider. I think if they wanted to throw themselves off it would have looked more obvious. "It's really hard to throw yourself off a horse. I just don't think he's that good." Social media is always fascinating on these occasions. People like me – journalists and presenters on TV – tend to come in for a barrage of abuse. Advertisement The general gist is that we 'don't tell it as it is'. As well as that, we should 'have an opinion' and we won't talk out against the 'racing family'. What those on social media are actually saying is that if we don't agree with what they suggest we are on the so-called 'gravy train'. In this case, what those on social media wanted me to say was a jockey had deliberately fallen off a horse who had taken a walk in the betting because connections did not want it to win. Advertisement They would also like me to add the whole game is corrupt. To say the above is fine for most, although technically there would always be a chance of action being taken against them if the authorities found there was no case to answer. But if a TV presenter was to say such things – or someone in writing – they would be in court or before lawyers before you could count to ten. I know this as a fact. Advertisement In my early days of broadcasting I was laid off for a month for two instances which I stand by to today, but which could not be proven. Did one of those mouthing off on social media offer to help pay my bills because I had publicly stood up for the punters? No they did not. Being a keyboard warrior is, naturally, a very different world to broadcasting or writing in a newspaper. Social media has given the people an opening to express themselves like they have never had before. Advertisement But just because the rules of the land appear to matter little online, everyone should remember that for broadcasters and journalists it's a different world. The Wexford incident looked awful. But was it deliberate? I have absolutely no idea. And at this stage none of you reading this have any concrete proof either. Such is life. It's the calm before the Derby and Royal Ascot this weekend, but one race I'm excited to watch is Saturday's Group 3 Betfred John Of Gaunt Stakes at Haydock and live on ITV. Advertisement Old favourites Audience and Kinross are in the line-up, but it's Alyanaabi who interests me. He was once fancied for last year's 2000 Guineas, and eventually finished fifth behind Notable Speech. He carried on at about a mile for Owen Burrows, but his stamina has always been open to question and he returned over course and distance when scoring on May 10. I was impressed then and everything looks right here for another bold run with a strong pace assured. Come on, Alyanaabi! Advertisement FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS 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: Read more on the Irish Sun Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
Leader Live
3 days ago
- Sport
- Leader Live
King Of Cities supplemented for French Classic mission
Owner Sheikh Mohammed Obaid has paid the €72,000 supplementary fee to enable the half-brother to Commonwealth Cup winner Inisherin to take his chance in the 10-furlong Classic. Speaking at Windsor on Monday, Hannon told Sky Sports Racing: 'I always thought he was an extremely good horse. He's by the best stallion in the world (Dubawi) and he has an extremely good pedigree. 'I was always slightly disappointed with him last year until he went to the Feilden Stakes first time out this year and the handicapper put him up 18lb, so he's now (rated) 111. 'He loved the ground that day and I was told that the sectionals he showed that day would have been good enough to win any Guineas. 'He doesn't have anything to prove to me, it's a big step up to go to the French Derby but he's capable of anything.' Andre Fabre has also supplemented the once-raced Sinileo, for the same connections who supplemented subsequent winner Sosie for the Prix d'Ispahan. There are now 18 possibles with John and Thady Gosden leaving in Detain and Bowmark, Charlie Fellowes has Luther while Aidan O'Brien has Camille Pissarro and Trinity College.
Glasgow Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
King Of Cities supplemented for French Classic mission
Owner Sheikh Mohammed Obaid has paid the €72,000 supplementary fee to enable the half-brother to Commonwealth Cup winner Inisherin to take his chance in the 10-furlong Classic. Speaking at Windsor on Monday, Hannon told Sky Sports Racing: 'I always thought he was an extremely good horse. He's by the best stallion in the world (Dubawi) and he has an extremely good pedigree. 'I was always slightly disappointed with him last year until he went to the Feilden Stakes first time out this year and the handicapper put him up 18lb, so he's now (rated) 111. 'He loved the ground that day and I was told that the sectionals he showed that day would have been good enough to win any Guineas. 'He doesn't have anything to prove to me, it's a big step up to go to the French Derby but he's capable of anything.' Andre Fabre has also supplemented the once-raced Sinileo, for the same connections who supplemented subsequent winner Sosie for the Prix d'Ispahan. There are now 18 possibles with John and Thady Gosden leaving in Detain and Bowmark, Charlie Fellowes has Luther while Aidan O'Brien has Camille Pissarro and Trinity College.
North Wales Chronicle
3 days ago
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
King Of Cities supplemented for French Classic mission
Owner Sheikh Mohammed Obaid has paid the €72,000 supplementary fee to enable the half-brother to Commonwealth Cup winner Inisherin to take his chance in the 10-furlong Classic. Speaking at Windsor on Monday, Hannon told Sky Sports Racing: 'I always thought he was an extremely good horse. He's by the best stallion in the world (Dubawi) and he has an extremely good pedigree. 'I was always slightly disappointed with him last year until he went to the Feilden Stakes first time out this year and the handicapper put him up 18lb, so he's now (rated) 111. 'He loved the ground that day and I was told that the sectionals he showed that day would have been good enough to win any Guineas. 'He doesn't have anything to prove to me, it's a big step up to go to the French Derby but he's capable of anything.' Andre Fabre has also supplemented the once-raced Sinileo, for the same connections who supplemented subsequent winner Sosie for the Prix d'Ispahan. There are now 18 possibles with John and Thady Gosden leaving in Detain and Bowmark, Charlie Fellowes has Luther while Aidan O'Brien has Camille Pissarro and Trinity College.
