Andrew Nelis racing

The build-up to the 241st running of the Investec Derby has been one quite like never before. The coronavirus pandemic led to original entries, dating back to the end of 2018 when 356 yearling were entered, being scrapped, while traditional key trials such as the Dante and Chester Vase have not taken place. Sandown’s Classic Trial was run, but at Kempton, while Lingfield’s Derby Trial also survived, but with runners from Ireland and further afield barred from taking part. Races at Royal Ascot, usually staged a fortnight or so after the Derby, took place a fortnight before, presenting themselves as unusual stepping stones towards potential Classic stardom. The Irish Derby took place over the weekend, the first time it had been staged before its Epsom counterpart, and on the big day itself jockeys will be able to warm-up by riding in the Investec Oaks. It will be the first time the Oaks and Derby have been run on the same day, and possibly the first time two British Classics h

Paul Nicholls hopes he can hit the ground running as the new British National Hunt season kicks off at Southwell on Wednesday. The 11-times champion trainer will send six runners to the Nottinghamshire track as jump racing returns for the first time since March 17 following the coronavirus shutdown, Although Flat racing returned on June 1, the Ditcheat handler believes it was the right decision by the British Horseracing Authority to give the National Hunt sphere additional time off ahead of its resumption. Nicholls said: “It is nice to get jump racing going again and it looks like there will be some competitive races at Southwell, which is good for fans of jump racing...                       Andrew Nelis Racing 

Aidan O'Brien has seven of the 17 entries as he seeks a record eighth triumph in the Derby at Epsom. The Irish trainer has Mogul, Russian Emperor and Vatican City among his contenders to tackle home hopes English King and Kameko on Saturday. He is set to saddle Love and Peaceful on the same day in the Oaks, where opponents include Frankly Darling. A bumper weekend of racing action sees the return of Enable in the Coral-Eclipse Stakes at Sandown on Sunday. Rivals could include Coronation Cup victor Ghaiyyath and Royal Ascot winner Lord North. Frankie Dettori will ride Enable, having partnered Derby favourite English King and Oaks second favourite Frankly Darling on Saturday. O'Brien's Derby squad is completed by Amhran Na Bhfiann, Armory, Mythical and Serpentine, although Armory and Mythical are also entered in Sunday's French Derby. He has decided not to run Santiago seven days after winning the Irish Derby, while Ennistymon and Passion complete his four-

MOGUL  continues to be backed for the Derby despite his defeat in the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot. The full-brother to Japan is Epsom-bound on Saturday and he's been backed into 7/1 from 12s in the past week despite his fourth behind Pyledriver two weeks ago. Paddy Power spokesman Paul Binfield said: “Mogul was backed at 50/1 before his debut last year and again afterwards despite being well beaten. He’s sure to come on a pile for his defeat in the King Edward VII Stakes which is bad news for us as he’s a significant ante post loser." Derby prices, Paddy Power : 9/4 English King, 7/2 Kameko, 6 Russian Emperor, 7 Mogul, Vatican City, 12 Highland Chief, 14 Pyledriver, 16 Khalifa Sat, 20 Armory, Mohican Heights, 25 Mythical, Serpentine, 33 Emissary, Worthily, 40 Gold Maze, Max Vega, 50 Amhran Na Bhfiann...                           Andrew Nelis Racing 

Owners will be allowed to attend race meetings from July 4, the British Horseracing Authority has announced. Tests events will be staged this week to see how well new protocols will work, but should all go smoothly, those involved in the Investec Derby at Epsom on Saturday will be allowed to see their horses run. Attendance will be limited to two owners per horse and they will be restricted to specific “owner zones” in line with current government guidance. The plans have been agreed by the Racecourse Association (RCA), Racehorse Owners Association (ROA) and British Horseracing Authority (BHA).                          Andrew Nelis racing 

Love and Frankly Darling remain on course to clash in Saturday's Investec Oaks for which there were 11 five-day entries. The former underlined her Group One credentials by landing the QIPCO 1000 Guineas at Newmarket on her reappearance for Aidan O'Brien and could be joined in the line-up by stablemates Ennistymon, Passion and Peaceful. Frankly Darling was an impressive winner of the Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot and could have the assistance of a pacemaker in Tiempo Vuela. Newbury maiden winner Golden Wand and Pretty Polly runner-up Queen Daenerys are in line to represent Roger Varian, Godolphin rely on Saeed bin Suroor's Dubai Love and Bharani Star and Oriental Mystique complete the possible field.                            Andrew Nelis Racing 

Time Scale proved a cut above her rivals to run out a decisive winner of the Betway Empress Fillies' Stakes. The Ralph Beckett-trained daughter of Charm Spirit continued her climb through the ranks when backing up her facile success at Chepstow last time out with Listed glory. Travelling well throughout the six-furlong prize, the 6-4 favourite quickly put the race to bed when sent on by champion jockey Oisin Murphy before crossing the line three and half lengths clear of the previously unbeaten Concessions..                         Andrew Nelis racing 

John Gosden's Mishriff is among 27 colts in the Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly on Sunday. An impressive winner of a Newmarket Listed race on his return to action, beating better fancied stablemate Waldkonig, Gosden favoured keeping him at 10 furlongs rather than stepping up in trip for Epsom. The only other entry from Britain is Paul and Oliver Cole's Celtic Art, runner-up in a Deauville Listed race last October..                       Andrew Nelis racing 

Henry Candy was almost lost for words as stable star Limato rolled back the years to register back-to-back victories in the Betway Criterion Stakes at Newmarket. The eight-year-old showed he retains plenty of ability as he made a triumphant return to action in becoming just the second dual winner of the Group Three prize. Having been anchored close to the rear of the field for much of the seven-furlong feature, the dual Group One winner steadily worked his way into contention under Adam Kirby ahead of mounting his challenge.                     Andrew Nelis Racing 

Andrea Atzeni has been booked to partner lively outsider Highland Chief in the Investec Derby on Saturday. The Gleneagles colt was having just the fourth run of his life in the Golden Gates Handicap at Royal Ascot, but came from almost last to first in the straight. He was ridden by Rossa Ryan on that occasion, providing the jockey with a first Royal Ascot winner and also creating a piece of history as the first horse trained under a joint licence - Paul and Oliver Cole - to win at the meeting.                    Andrew Nelis Racing 

Boccaccio demonstrated the best of his battling abilities to maintain his unbeaten record with a tenacious success in the Betway Handicap at Newmarket. Not sighted since landing a novice event at Kempton in November, the Dubawi colt continued his progression with victory on his seasonal return in the seven-furlong contest. Despite being headed late on by eventual runner-up Gifted Ruler, the Charlie Appleby-trained 13-8 favourite rallied close to the line to prevail by a short head.                       Andrew Nelis Racing 

Sat 27 Jun 2020 Newbury  racecourse has attempted to recoup some of its losses incurred during Covid-19 by creating a pop-up  ‘Pub in the Paddock’ for guests to watch the Investec Derby. As well as the Derby, the Oaks will also be shown along with two live Premier League matches next Saturday. Tables and chairs will be set at socially-distanced levels, and the bars will be accepting only cashless payments. Tickets were free, but all available for a maximum attendance of 300 have already been reserved..                                Andrew Nelis 

Last year's Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby winner Sovereign returns to action for the first time since his finest hour in the Comer Group International Vintage Crop Stakes at the Curragh on Saturday. The Aidan O'Brien-trained Galileo colt faces seven rivals in the Group Three contest, having last been seen causing a 33-1 upset for Classic glory. Ridden by Padraig Beggy, Sovereign bowled along at the head of affairs and showed no signs of stopping to beat Investec Derby hero Anthony Van Dyck by six lengths, having been well behind his stablemate at Epsom.                          Andrew Nelis racing 

It was business as usual for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend at Tipperary, as just two days into the resumption of jumps racing Aramon showed a smart turn of foot to win the Kevin McManus Bookmaker Grimes Hurdle. The champion trainer and jockey teamed up to great effect in the Grade Three, with the former top-class novice shrugging off top-weight to stamp his class on matters. The race had looked a good opportunity for Henry de Bromhead's Petit Mouchoir to get back to winning ways, but the 11-10 favourite had no answer to Aramon's finishing kick, as Townend moved stylishly into contention and flew the last.                   Andrew Nelis Racing 

Henry Candy is optimistic Limato can defy his advancing years by registering back-to-back wins in the Betway Criterion Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday. The evergreen eight-year-old will begin his seventh season in training by attempting to become just the second horse to claim successive victories in the Group Three prize, which has been transferred to the Rowley Mile, having landed last year's renewal on the July Course..                      Andrew Nelis Racing 

Aidan O'Brien's top-class stayer Kew Gardens has been retired to stud. Winner of the 2018 St Leger at Doncaster, the Galileo five-year-old memorably got the better of Stradivarius in a thrilling finish to the Long Distance Cup at Ascot on British Champions Day last season, his final outing. Ridden by Ryan Moore, Kew Gardens came out on top by a nose, but unfortunately never got to run again .                     Andrew Nelis Racing  

Charlie Appleby believes Ghaiyyath has matured as his mouthwatering clash with Enable in next Sunday's Coral-Eclipse nears. Seen as a bit of a tearaway in his younger days, the five-year-old has nonetheless won seven of his 10 races - including two Group Ones. His only below-par run came in last year's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe when he faced competition for the lead on very soft ground.                       Andrew Nelis racing  

essica Harrington has had her horses in sparkling form since racing resumed and is planning to let Gold Maze take his chance in Saturday’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at the Curragh. A son of 2015 Epsom Derby and Arc winner Golden Horn, he was third in the Group 2 Beresford Stakes behind subsequent Vertem Futurity runner-up Innisfree on his second and final outing as a two-year-old. On his first outing of 2020 he was headed inside the final furlong when running second to another Irish Derby possible Crossfirehurricane in the Group 3 Gallinule Stakes back at the Curragh earlier this month..                        Andrew Nelis Racing  

Highest Ground looked a smart colt in the making when overturning the odds-on Waldkonig in the Racecourse Live Streams On Racing TV Novice Stakes at Haydock. The Sir Michael Stoute-trained son of Frankel stepped up in some style on the Leicester success which came on his only run as a two-year-old nine months ago. Waldkonig had race fitness on his side, having finished third in the Listed Newmarket Stakes at headquarters, but Highest Ground proved well up to the task to remain unbeaten..

Classy Flat performer Sneaky Getaway made a stylish winning debut over hurdles at Roscommon this evening. Emmet Mullins' charge was last seen finishing a commendable eighth in the Cesarewitch at Newmarket in October and the dual bumper winner was making first appearance over jumps today. Brian Hayes let his mount slide into the lead after the fifth last and he jumped well in the main throughout the race, run over just shy of two-miles-five. He had his rivals at work early in the straight and an error two from home couldn't halt his momentum..                        Andrew Nelis racing 

Trainer Clive Cox has the Prix Morny at Deauville in mind for the Kodiac colt, who stunned punters and bookmakers alike as he took the Coventry Stakes as a complete outsider at 150-1 in a field of 15. "I think he'll probably go for the Prix Morny," said Cox. "We're looking towards that. That would be our plans and thoughts at this stage...                 Andrew Nelis racing.

More big handicaps over a mile beckon for Sir Busker after his victory in the Silver Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot. Connections are keen to go where the money is after the improving four-year-old, trained by William Knight, won for the second time since racing resumed following the lockdown. "It was so thrilling. He's a lovely horse. We were hoping to run him early doors, and of course you weren't able to do that. William has done a great job with him," said Sam Hoskins, racing manager for owners Kennet Valley Thoroughbreds..                     Andrew Nelis  Racing 

oseph O'Brien is hoping the decision to supplement New York Girl for Saturday's Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby can reap rich rewards. The daughter of New Approach was added to the Classic field after a fine run to finish fourth to Peaceful in the Irish 1,000 Guineas at the Curragh. She will bid to become the first filly since Balanchine in 1994 to land the mile-and-a-half prize. O'Brien feels, with the open looking nature of the field this season, it is a gamble worth taking. New York Girl is generally a 10/1 shot for the race. “She was fourth in the Guineas and it looks an extremely strong crop of fillies this season, arguably every bit as strong if not stronger than the colts,” said O'Brien. “She had been earmarked for the Oaks but we thought this year maybe the Derby wasn't the strongest race in the world, and she was likely to meet Magical in the Pretty Polly. “If she can step up on her run in the Guineas going the mile-and-a-half, which is an unknown,

Leading owner Anthony Oppenheimer is keeping his fingers crossed Frankly Darling can provide his breeding operation with the final piece of the British Classic puzzle with victory in the Investec Oaks at Epsom on Saturday week. The now familiar Oppenheimer colours were first carried to Classic glory by On The House in 1000 Guineas of 1982, owned and bred by Anthony's late father, Sir Philip. The family's Hascombe And Valiant Studs were also responsible for breeding Footstepsinthesand, who went on to win the 2000 Guineas for Aidan O'Brien and Coolmore in 2005, while Oppenheimer owned and bred the 2015 Derby hero Golden Horn...

Connections of Dandalla are considering options at home and abroad following her runaway victory at Royal Ascot. Having made an impressive debut at Newcastle earlier in the month, the Karl Burke-trained juvenile took the step up to Pattern class in her stride as she trounced her rivals in the Albany Stakes.. Dandalla, who is jointly owned by Nick Bradley Racing and the trainer's wife, Elaine, is now set to test the water at Group Two level in either the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes at Newmarket on July 10 or the Prix Robert Papin at Chantilly the following week..                        Andrew Nelis racing ..

Following 2mm of rain since the latest update, the ground in Roscommon is Yielding on the Flat track ahead of racing today at 1pm. There is a risk of light showers this morning, possibly turning heavier from this afternoon. There is the possibility of approximately 15-20mm of rain prior to the National Hunt card on Wednesday. The ground is currently Good to Yielding on the National Hunt .course.  

Up to £40 in free bets Charlie Appleby is dreaming of a second Melbourne Cup success with Cross Counter after taking encouragement from his performance in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot. The five-year-old became the first British-trained winner of the ‘race that stops a nation’ when striking gold in 2018 – and was beaten just a length and a half in eighth place when defending his Flemington crown in November. Cross Counter disappointed when hot favourite for a valuable staying handicap on the undercard of the Saudi Cup in February, but Appleby was pleased with his third place in Thursday’s Ascot feature – albeit beaten a long way by the brilliant Stradivarius. Add caption                        Andrew Nelis Racing .

Frankie Dettori will take the ride aboard Investec Derby favourite English King at Epsom on Saturday week, trainer Ed Walker has confirmed. The son of Camelot stamped himself as a leading contender for the premier Classic with a hugely impressive display in the Lingfield Derby Trial earlier in the month and is now a best priced 7-2, ahead of Andrew Balding's 2000 Guineas hero Kameko at 5-1.                      Andrew Nelis  racing ..

John Quinn is looking forward to seeing Liberty Beach contest more Group One sprints between now and the end of the season following her fine effort in defeat in the King's Stand at Royal Ascot. Having won four of her six starts as a juvenile, the daughter of Cable Bay made a successful three-year-old debut at Haydock earlier in the month to earn herself a ticket at the showpiece meeting. While ultimately no match for the brilliant Battaash, Liberty Beach ran with huge credit to finish third - beaten just a short-head to the runner-up spot by Equilateral - leaving her Yorkshire-based trainer understandably proud..                      Andrew Nelis racing .  

One Voice got the better of a thrilling duel with Snow to claim Group Three honours in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Blue Wind Stakes at Leopardstown. Runner-up on her debut at the same course before going one better there last July, Jessica Harrington's filly was last seen going down by just a nose to stablemate Silence Please in the Listed Salsabil Stakes at Navan this month. The daughter of Poet's Voice was a 16-5 chance to get back on the winning trail on her return to Leopardstown - but it did not look all that likely leaving the back straight, with jockey Shane Foley starting to get to work towards the rear of the field...

ussex Garden struck on debut in the Free Eagle Irish EBF Fillies Maiden at Naas for Jessica Harrington and Shane Foley. Foley of course had a 13,218/1 four-timer here on June 8th, and like he did that afternoon the Kilkenny man bided his time well on the Cormac O’Flynn-owned victor. She finished off best to touch off favourite Hazel by a neck. Sussex Garden chased the leaders on the rail, and she was third at the halfway stage. Ridden in fourth over a furlong out, the winner was soon switched right. From there she ran on well to challenge in the last fifty yards, before leading close home. “You would have to be delighted with that. Cormac O’Flynn bought her as he knew we had the sister Justina. She has a lot more size and scope than Justina," said Mrs Harrington's daughter Kate...                          Andrew Nelis racing