Today’s racing
Anthony Oppenheimer’s homebred two-year-old War Poppy lines up for her debut in the fillies’ novice stakes (1m½f) on Wolverhampton’s all-weather card today.
The daughter of Declaration Of War, sire of this year’s Melbourne Cup hero Vow And Declare, is from the family of stakes performers Bronze Canon, Across The Stars and Valiance.
Her opponents include The Queen’s homebred Lightness, who is from the family of Grade 1 winner Bandini, and the Roger Varian-trained Waliyak, a daughter of Le Havre who has finished second on both her starts this season.
Oppenheimer will also have his colours represented in the Listed Prix Petite Etoile (1m1½f) at Deauville by his filly Ardiente, a daughter of Australia out of the Listed winner Hoyam.
Hesmonds Stud homebred Qamka, the winner of her last two starts, also features in the 16-runner field along with Julian Richmond-Watson’s Glance and the Sir Mark Prescott-trained Brassica, one of two runners in the race for Denford Stud – the other is the Jean-Claude Rouget-trained Ebony.
Jumps meetings are staged at Southwell, Sedgefield and Punchestown in Ireland today.
Buveur D’Air bidding for Fighting Fifth hat-trick
Dual Champion hurdle hero Buveur D’Air will bid to become the first horse in 30 years to win three editions of the Grade 1 Betfair Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle on Saturday.
Last season, Buveur D’Air beat Samcro by eight lengths and in 2017 he defeated the Paul Nicholls-trained Irving by three and a half lengths.
His opponents on Saturday are this year’s Champion Hurdle third Silver Streak, the Micky Hammond-trained Cornerstone Lad and Phil Kirby’s popular mare Lady Buttons. The other entries are Cool Mix, Nelson River and Zambella.
Birds Nest completed his hat-trick of Fighting Fifth wins in 1979, having also scored in 1976 and 1977, while Comedy Of Errors triumphed in 1972, 1973 and 1974.
Corral remains in contention for Ladbrokes Trophy
Twenty-six horses, including ante-post favourite Ok Corral, stood their ground at the five-day stage for Saturday’s Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury.
The nine-year-old is one of four possible runners for trainer Nicky Henderson alongside Beware The Bear, On The Blind Side and Brave Eagle. Willie Mullins has left in Munster National scorer Cabaret Queen and Grade 1 winner Yorkhill.
