Money and Black Caviar?
There’s a really tasty prospect of a match between Frankel and Black Caviar later this year. £1m purse money is being dangled by Goodwood Racecourse and Quipco (a Quatar-based investment company) to get them together. Whether it will come off or not I don’t know, but it must be tempting for the owners. Black Caviar is vastly more experienced, but Frankel is 2 years younger and prefers a bit more distance. England V Australia always generates interest whatever the sport (although Prince Khalid Abdulla owns him, Frankel was foaled here, so he’s English to me). This could be a cracking Test Match at a beautiful course – there’s nowhere to beat Goodwood on a sunny summer’s day!
No Wet Weekend in Ireland
Anyway, back to this weekend’s action, which for many will be focused on Fairyhouse. As I write, Flamenstar in the Powers Gold Cup is drawing a lot of interest at 5/4, with Rathlin and Call the Police at 7/2. Unbeaten over his last four starts, Flamenstar is rated at 157, the highest for any novice in Ireland this year. There are currently twelve runners left on the card.
Punters are seeing the Irish Grand National as a more open affair. Weights have risen after the withdrawals of Seabass and Apt Approach at the latest forfeit stage, along with 16 others. Highest rated is now Roi du Mee, with 51 left in the field. Four Commanders is currently favourite at 8/1 with Paddypower, and shortening. Alfie Sherrin (12/1), Arabella Boy (25/1) and Tally Em Up (50/1) have also shortened, so if you fancy one of these, then now is the time.
The weather is currently dry and they are watering the course, with the dry weather expected to continue. The going is expected to be ‘good’ for both the Gold Cup and the National.
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