Today’s racing
The Grade 3 Gold Cup Chase (2m4f) is the feature on Newbury’s card today and following a facile win last time out, the David Bridgwater-trained Enrichissant can take advantage of carrying 10st in the race against his rivals.
Last seen at Huntingdon earlier this month, the six-year-old couldn’t be caught by his rivals when winning a handicap chase by 18 lengths. Owned by Simon and Liz Hunt, he is clearly progressing through the ranks and could secure the biggest victory of his career today.
Opposing him is the Paul Nicholls-trained Secret Investor, who carries top weight, and the Tom George-trained Clondaw Castle, who won at Warwick earlier this month off a 56-day break.
Jumps meetings are held at Doncaster, Kelso and Navan today while there are all-weather cards from Lingfield and Southwell.
Over at Riyadh, the first running of the Saudi Cup takes place with the 14-runner field headed by the Saeed bin Suroor-trained Benbatl, unbeaten in two starts this season, Magic Wand and Maximum Security.
Un De Sceaux bows out
Ten-time Grade 1 winner Un De Sceaux has been retired from racing after sustaining a suspensory ligament injury.
The 12-year-old will be fondly remembered by those who adored him for his front-running style that helped him to secure three Clarence House Chases, two Punchestown Champion Chases, a Ryanair Chase and an Arkle Chase.
This season he had two runs in the Tingle Creek and the Clarence House Chase where he finished a gallant second to the Philip Hobbs-trained Defi Du Seuil.
Trainer Willie Mullins told the Racing Post: “Unfortunately, Un De Sceaux has been retired. He worked on Thursday and worked well but he wasn’t right afterwards. Our vet checked him out this morning and confirmed that he had suffered a suspensory ligament injury.
“He was a fantastic racehorse first over hurdles and then over fences and gave us and his owners, the O’Connell family, many great days. He’s 12 but was still showing all the enthusiasm he displayed throughout his career.”
Rathasker Stud to sponsor Phoenix Stakes
Rathasker Stud are the new sponsors of the Group 3 Phoenix Sprint Stakes which will take place at the Curragh on August 9 this year.
Maurice Burns of Rathasker Stud said: “We’re delighted to announce our new sponsorship at the Curragh – the Group 3 Rathasker Stud Phoenix Sprint Stakes of €65,000.
“Our family have a previous history with the race in that my father Paddy’s good Ahonoora filly Park Dream won the Phoenix Sprint in 1992. There is also a nice progression for sprinters after this race as the winner gains a free entry into the Group 1 Flying Five Stakes on Irish Champions Weekend.”
