With the Goodwood and York festivals over, attention turns towards Doncaster’s St Leger meeting on September 12-14. Before then, Haydock’s Sprint Cup fixture gives the country’s top speedsters the chance for Group 1 glory on September 7.
Four UK tracks race today with Epsom hosting the second day of its late August fixture. Terry Mills and John Akehurst, the late Epsom-based trainers, are commemorated in the six-furlong handicap at 3.15pm.
The extended mile maiden for two-year-olds at 2.45pm gives an opportunity for pricey purchases South Coast ($300,000) and Baptism (€460,000) to improve on their underwhelming debuts. Middleham maestro Mark Johnston has saddled the last three winners of this contest and his Gold Souk should enjoy the step up in trip as a half-brother to leading stayer Dee Ex Bee.
Trainer Mark Johnston looks to enhance his excellent record at Epsom today ©George Selwyn
Moon Over Germany, emphatic winner of the Grade 3 Red Rum Handicap Chase at the Grand National meeting in April, is the star name at Ballinrobe’s evening fixture. He faces five rivals in a 2m1f chase at 7.10pm.
Fahey completes set
Diamond Shower’s victory at Chepstow yesterday means that Richard Fahey has now trained a winner at every British racecourse.
The North Yorkshire handler enjoyed a bank holiday double after Marwan Koukash’s Gabrials Boy got the better of 2-9f Narynkol in a maiden at Ripon.
Another trainer in double form yesterday was Scott Dixon, who saddled Break The Silence and Crosse Fire to score at Southwell. Crosse Fire, a seven-year-old gelding by Monsieur Bond, was winning his 12th race at the track to take his career earnings to £117,000.
Premier Sale underway
The Goffs UK Premier Yearling Sale gets underway in Doncaster today with an exciting catalogue for potential purchasers to get stuck into.
Recent Royal Ascot winners Advertise, A’Ali and Daahyeh are all graduates of this sale. Read Bloodstock Editor Nancy Sexton’s preview here: bit.ly/2zq8VCQ
