Latest news with #HKJCWorldPoolLennoxStakes
Powys County Times
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Powys County Times
Kinross primed for another Lennox tussle at Goodwood
It is hard to imagine the HKJC World Pool Lennox Stakes without Kinross and Ralph Beckett's evergreen stalwart is back in search of a third victory at the Qatar Goodwood Festival. The popular eight-year-old has been a standing dish in this contest on the Sussex Downs, taking home the first prize in 2021 and 2023. After showing no signs of decline when reappearing with a narrow defeat in Haydock's John of Gaunt Stakes, he now makes his fifth appearance in Tuesday's Group Two event, looking to better last year's third. 'He's been great since Haydock,' said Jamie McCalmont, racing manager for owner Marc Chan. 'I would say it's as competitive as any other Lennox he has run in, that's for sure. It's a very open race, but we go there in good shape. 'Every race is a bonus for him at this stage of his career, so fingers crossed he runs well.' Andrew Balding struck with Sandrine in 2022 and attempts to repeat the dose with Jonquil, who returns to the distance over which he landed the Greenham Stakes after failing to figure down at six furlongs in the Commonwealth Cup. Also bidding to bounce back to his best is John and Thady Gosden's Audience, who took home the spoils impressively 12 months ago but has struggled to trouble the judge since. Gosden said: 'He hasn't quite repeated last year's run yet. We sent him down to Dubai, which might not have been the smartest move in the world, running him over six furlongs. 'He's well in himself and happy. He enjoys the track and I think he'll run a big race again.' It was Ed Walker's Ten Bob Tony who denied the aforementioned Kinross earlier in the season. He has been freshened up since that victory in Lancashire and his handler said: 'Ten Bob Tony loves a bit of ease in the ground and goes well fresh. 'It was a huge performance to come back and beat Kinross at Haydock and he's obviously a very talented horse. 'He's a real yard favourite, he's completely chilled, a real kind, straightforward horse to deal with.' Walker in fact holds a strong hand in the seven-furlong event and will also saddle his Jersey Stakes scorer Noble Champion, who represents the same owners and will be ridden, like at Royal Ascot, by Kieran Shoemark. 'Ascot wasn't a surprise at all, as he's always been an exceptionally good work horse,' continued Walker. 'He's exuberant and playful, and the set up was ideal, although I do worry about the nature of Goodwood compared to Ascot as it's a completely different track. 'We've always had huge belief in this horse. On his day when everything's right, he's very, very good. 'It's quite hard to get everything right with him, but I think when he gets it right, he's an exceptional horse and he has been flying since Ascot.'
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Frankie Dettori got on well with this old boy and I'm backing him at 4-1 to score on day one of Goodwood
YOUTH is a gift of nature while age is a work of art. That's certainly the case at Goodwood on Tuesday as the Glorious five-day meeting gets under way live on ITV. 1 Matt Chapman is backing Kinross to do the business once more on day one of Goodwood Credit: PA The new kid on the block – can they touch this!? – is three-year-old Scandinavia who goes in the Group 1 Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup over two miles. But painting a pretty picture once again is veteran Kinross, back for more in the Group 2 HKJC World Pool Lennox Stakes over seven furlongs. Ralph Beckett's two-time Group 1 hero has Lennox form figures of 1213 in four previous tries. It's hard not to love Goodwood on the Sussex Downs, and while there might be some rain today most of the week looks set for decent weather. Scandinavia's Aidan O'Brien-trained stable companion Illinois is likely to start a hot favourite for the Goodwood Cup. And the Ascot Gold Cup runner-up faces some familiar names in Normandie Stud's terrific Sweet William and former St Leger third Sunway. Less exposed, though, is French Master, now owned by Wathnan but once running in the same silks as Sweet William. French Master is fascinating. Most read in Horse Racing Even more exciting could be SCANDINAVIA . He had a bad trip in the Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot but with cheekpieces looked really good in a St Leger trial, the Bahrain Trophy, at Newmarket last time. Ryan Moore has ditched him for Illinois, but I suspect Wayne Lordan will be in for a good spin. Eight-year-old KINROSS is not as good as he once was, and a mark of 116 is proof. He has been rated 119. But what it also shows is that he's still very capable as we all saw when he chased home Ten Bob Tony on seasonal debut at Haydock under a 5lb penalty. I'd expect him to improve past that race fit rival today. Coverage on ITV starts with a handicap over 1m2f. TONY MONTANA has the ability to go close in a race like this and gets a decent draw in stall 6 so he is the each-way selection. David Egan rides for Michael Bell on a horse who has finished second at Goodwood and York this term off a mark of 94 and 96. He was up to 99 when cheekpieces were added for the Hunt Cup over 1m but is back down to 98 now over the trip that suits. Third in this race when rated 94 and staying on well, he certainly has place claims. In the Group 2 Coral Vintage Stakes for juveniles over 7f I like ANDAB each-way for Dylan Browne McMonagle and Joseph O'Brien. The key to this horse is the step up in distance. The son of Saxon Warrior was a decent third in the Marble Hill before a fine fourth (Do Or Do Not in second) in the Coventry at Royal Ascot. He was powering home that day and I really think he's a different prospect at this trip. Coverage concludes with a handicap over 5f. SHAGRAAN is drawn around pace and he's in a good position to track and pounce. Ultimately he might be in the grip of the handicapper, but he beat 15 rivals over course and distance last year and has been consistent this season including when fourth to American Affair in a big field at York off 101. He remains on that mark for the fourth time in a row here. A few quid each-way for Tom Marquand and Mick Appleby. 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.
Glasgow Times
22-07-2025
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
Noble to Champion Walker's Goodwood hopes
The Lambourn handler is enjoying an excellent season, highlighted by multiple Group-race victories thanks to the exploits of not only Noble Champion but also the likes of Almaqam – who is bound of this weekend's York Stakes – Mgheera, Scenic and Ten Bob Tony. Walker is preparing several high-class operators for various races on the Sussex Downs and is hopeful of adding to his hitherto meagre tally at the track's feature meeting of the year. Ed Walker is lining up a strong team for Goodwood (PA) Speaking at a Goodwood-organised press visit at his yard on Tuesday, the trainer said: 'Numerically we are not flying along, it just seems that way as we received a lot of good publicity following a couple of high-profile winners. 'The last month or so has been a bit bread and butter and also frustrating as we've had a shed load of seconds and thirds in the last fortnight. 'In our number of winners we are a bit down on last year, so the truth is we are making headlines but not adding to our total – and to date I've only had one winner at the big Goodwood meeting.' Noble Champion, a surprise but impressive winner of the Jersey at the Royal meeting last month, is one of two Walker-trained entries for the HKJC World Pool Lennox Stakes on July 29, along with his John of Gaunt Stakes scorer Ten Bob Tony. Ed Walker is preparing his horses for Goodwood (PA) However, with both horses in the same ownership, they are unlikely to lock horns. Of Noble Champion, Walker said: 'He needs a good, even gallop like the one he got from Spy Chief in the Jersey, and that horse went on to run a solid race in the July Cup. 'My horse thumped Spy Chief at Ascot and we're buzzing about him. He's a very exciting horse. 'We also have Ten Bob Tony in the Lennox, but Noble Champion is more likely to go as he's OK on the better ground and is in flying form.' Scenic won the Group Three Bronte Cup at York on her penultimate start before pushing red-hot favourite Estrange all the way in Haydock's Lancashire Oaks. The five-year-old, who was purchased by the powerful Wathnan Racing team prior to her neck defeat on Merseyside, is also set to be part of Walker's Goodwood-bound battalion. Scenic (left) pushed Estrange all the way at Haydock (Nigel French for The Jockey Club) He added: 'Scenic ran a massive race in the Lancashire Oaks and is heading for the Lillie Langtry. 'She didn't get the credit she deserved in a muddling race at Haydock and I'm happy to take on the winner again. I think she will run to a higher rating in the Yorkshire Oaks than at Goodwood.' Other planned contenders for the trainer include Celandine, who ran a race full of promise on her return from 10 months off the track when third in York's Summer Stakes recently, and the Coventry and July Stakes runner-up Do Or Do Not. 'Celandine and Balmoral Lady are both in the King George Stakes and at this point it looks more like Celandine will go there as she wants it (the ground) like a road. She has bags of speed, but just got hassled by Rage Of Bamby at York last time,' said Walker. 'The owner of Do Or Do Not is very keen to take him to the Vintage Stakes and that's the plan as it looks like he's crying out for seven furlongs. 'He's bred to be a fun horse but he's very good, and deserves to win one of these Group races.'
The Herald Scotland
22-07-2025
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Noble to Champion Walker's Goodwood hopes
Walker is preparing several high-class operators for various races on the Sussex Downs and is hopeful of adding to his hitherto meagre tally at the track's feature meeting of the year. Ed Walker is lining up a strong team for Goodwood (PA) Speaking at a Goodwood-organised press visit at his yard on Tuesday, the trainer said: 'Numerically we are not flying along, it just seems that way as we received a lot of good publicity following a couple of high-profile winners. 'The last month or so has been a bit bread and butter and also frustrating as we've had a shed load of seconds and thirds in the last fortnight. 'In our number of winners we are a bit down on last year, so the truth is we are making headlines but not adding to our total – and to date I've only had one winner at the big Goodwood meeting.' Noble Champion, a surprise but impressive winner of the Jersey at the Royal meeting last month, is one of two Walker-trained entries for the HKJC World Pool Lennox Stakes on July 29, along with his John of Gaunt Stakes scorer Ten Bob Tony. Ed Walker is preparing his horses for Goodwood (PA) However, with both horses in the same ownership, they are unlikely to lock horns. Of Noble Champion, Walker said: 'He needs a good, even gallop like the one he got from Spy Chief in the Jersey, and that horse went on to run a solid race in the July Cup. 'My horse thumped Spy Chief at Ascot and we're buzzing about him. He's a very exciting horse. 'We also have Ten Bob Tony in the Lennox, but Noble Champion is more likely to go as he's OK on the better ground and is in flying form.' Scenic won the Group Three Bronte Cup at York on her penultimate start before pushing red-hot favourite Estrange all the way in Haydock's Lancashire Oaks. The five-year-old, who was purchased by the powerful Wathnan Racing team prior to her neck defeat on Merseyside, is also set to be part of Walker's Goodwood-bound battalion. Scenic (left) pushed Estrange all the way at Haydock (Nigel French for The Jockey Club) He added: 'Scenic ran a massive race in the Lancashire Oaks and is heading for the Lillie Langtry. 'She didn't get the credit she deserved in a muddling race at Haydock and I'm happy to take on the winner again. I think she will run to a higher rating in the Yorkshire Oaks than at Goodwood.' Other planned contenders for the trainer include Celandine, who ran a race full of promise on her return from 10 months off the track when third in York's Summer Stakes recently, and the Coventry and July Stakes runner-up Do Or Do Not. 'Celandine and Balmoral Lady are both in the King George Stakes and at this point it looks more like Celandine will go there as she wants it (the ground) like a road. She has bags of speed, but just got hassled by Rage Of Bamby at York last time,' said Walker. 'The owner of Do Or Do Not is very keen to take him to the Vintage Stakes and that's the plan as it looks like he's crying out for seven furlongs. 'He's bred to be a fun horse but he's very good, and deserves to win one of these Group races.'
Rhyl Journal
09-07-2025
- Sport
- Rhyl Journal
Thunder ready to roll in Bunbury Cup
Although campaigned at a mile and a quarter when trained by Sir Michael Stoute last season, the four-year-old has thrived back down in trip since joining William Haggas this term, winning his first two starts of the season over six furlongs. He agonisingly missed out on a hat-trick of victories at the distance when a head away from Wokingham glory at the Royal meeting, with connections feeling now is the right time to gradually increase the colt's yardage to seven furlongs. 'I think he will go for the handicap, the Bunbury Cup,' said owner Saeed Suhail's racing manager Philip Robinson. 'I think the seven furlongs will help him and it looks to me like that will be his best trip. We will get to find out and then know where we go from there. 'He was flying at the finish at Ascot and in another stride would probably have got there.' More Thunder is as short as 2-1 for Saturday's £100,000 handicap on the July course, while he also holds an entry for Group events in the coming weeks including the Curragh's Romanised Minstrel Stakes on July 19 and the HKJC World Pool Lennox Stakes during the Qatar Goodwood Festival.
