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The £600,000 Qatar Nassau Stakes, the Group One highlight on the final day of the Qatar Goodwood Festival, Saturday, July 30, has attracted a high-class entry of 37.

Staged over just short of 10 furlongs, the Qatar Nassau Stakes is Europe’s richest race for fillies and mares, thanks to the 10-year Qatar sponsorship agreement which commenced last year.

A plethora of Group One winners feature among the 2016 entries, headed by Minding (Aidan O’Brien), who is already a dual top-level achiever this year after winning the mile British Classic, the QIPCO 1000 Guineas at Newmarket, and scoring over half a mile further in the other British fillies’ Classic, the Investec Oaks, at Epsom Downs where she saw off the challenge of Architecture.

Minding is one of 12 entries for Ireland’s champion Flat trainer Aidan O’Brien, with Breeders’ Cup Turf heroine Found, recent Group Two Ribblesdale Stakes scorer Even Songand Group One Prix Marcel Boussac scorer Ballydoyle also featuring prominently. O’Brien is chasing a third Qatar Nassau Stakes success following on from Peeping Fawn (2007) and Halfway To Heaven (2008).

Two entries hail from France, both owned by Al Shaqab Racing and trained by the in-form Jean Claude Rouget. They are Qemah, successful in the mile Group One Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot on June 17, and Jemayel, who took the 10-furlong Group One Prix Saint-Alary at Deauville in May before suffering trouble in running when ninth in the Prix de Diane (French Oaks) at Chantilly on June 19.

Harry Herbert, racing manager for Al Shaqab Racing, commented: “Qemah has come out of Royal Ascot very well.”

“There have been no plans as yet about where she will run next. I suspect Jean Claude will keep her to a mile but she is in the Qatar Nassau Stakes just so we have options. A race like the Falmouth might be more likely if it does not come too soon.”

“I think Jemayel would have been closer in the Prix de Diane as it was a rough race. The start did not go to plan really and then she was quite badly squeezed just as she was making a nice move. It was a satisfactory run under the circumstances.”

“She may just be off the very top level but she is a Group One winner and there are not too many options for her. I would guess that she is quite a likely runner at Goodwood.”

Newmarket-based John Gosden has made the Qatar Nassau Stakes his own in recent seasons, landing the valuable prize in three of the past four years with The Fugue (2012), Winsili (2013) and Sultanina (2014).

His eight entries this year include Furia Cruzada, a multiple Grade One winner in South America who was runner-up to Usherette in the Group Two Duke of Cambridge Stakes at Royal Ascot last week, plus Journey, Jazzi Top and Nathra who have been placed at Group One level.

Another possible Gosden representative is Persuasive, victorious in the Listed Sandringham Handicap at Royal Ascot last week.

At Sandown on Saturday Time Test will go very close in the Coral-Eclipse.

Yours In Sport!

The Colonel

The Colonel

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Last year’s winner Postponed (5/4 favourite with most of the leading bookmakers) headlines 39 top-class entries for the £1.15-million Group One King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Sponsored by QIPCO) at Ascot on Saturday, July 23.

The number of entries this year, which include 14 three-year-olds, is significantly up for the summer showpiece of the European Flat season, with 31 put forward in 2015, 35 in 2014 and 29 in 2013.

Five-year-old Postponed is bidding to become only the third dual winner of Ascot’s 12-furlong flagship race, following on from Swain (1997 & 1998) and Dahlia (1973 & 1974).

Formerly trained by Luca Cumani, the Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum-owned Postponed is unbeaten in three starts this year for new handler Roger Varian and was last seen out when defeating Found(Aidan O’Brien) impressively by four and a half lengths in the Group One Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Cup (Sponsored by Investec) at Epsom Downs on June 4.

Investec Derby hero Harzand (Dermot Weld) headlines 14 entries from Ireland. The son of Sea The Stars could bid to become the 13th colt to complete the Derby/King George double in the same season and the first since Galileo in 2001.

Aidan O’Brien, Ireland’s champion Flat trainer, accounts for 12 entries in total, the most of any handler. His possibles, besides Found, include Minding, who took her Group One tally to four in the British Classic, the Investec Oaks, at Epsom Downs on Saturday, June 4, Gold Cup favourite Order Of St George, globe-trotting dual Group One winner Highland Reel and impressive French 2,000 Guineas victor The Gurkha. The Investec Derby runner-up and third, US Army Ranger and Idaho, also feature among the Ballydoyle contingent.

Khalid Abdullah’s famous colours were carried to victory in the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes by the great Dancing Brave in 1986 and the owner has three contenders this time. They are last year’s Prix du Jockey Club victor New Bay (Andre Fabre FR), impressive Royal Ascot scorer Time Test (Roger Charlton) and big improver Exosphere (Sir Michael Stoute), who thrashed his rivals by four lengths in the Group Two Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket when returning to action this year.

Lord Grimthorpe, racing manager to the owner, said: “Exosphere is in good form and is heading towards the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot.”

“He had been working nicely going into the Jockey Club Stakes but, with two Classic winners in there [Simple Verse and Jack Hobbs], we were far from confident.”

“He follows a pretty well-trodden Sir Michael Stoute pathway and we were very happy with the way he quickened and put the race to bed.”

“Time Test is good after winning nicely at Sandown [Group Three Brigadier Gerard Stakes on May 26]. We were very pleased with him and he now goes for the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot.”

“As far as he is concerned, I would say the King George is just a precautionary entry. He could stay a mile and a half and we just wanted to have that covered, but primarily we feel is 10-furlong horse.”

“New Bay did not work to Andre Fabre’s satisfaction on Tuesday morning and will not be coming over to Royal Ascot. He is fine but did not please enough in his work to bring him for a Group One. Soundness-wise he has got no problems so we will give him a bit more time and regroup.”

Other eye-catching entries include Group One scorers The Grey Gatsby (Kevin Ryan) and Cannock Chase(Sir Michael Stoute), plus the Saeed bin Suroor-trained Godolphin pair of Elite Army and Beautiful Romance.

Champion British Flat trainer John Gosden has three entries, last year’s nose runner-up Eagle Top, Group Two Dante Stakes victor and Investec Derby fourth Wings Of Desire, and the consistent Western Hymn.

Brando 12/1 with Sky Bet has a leading chance in the Wokingham Stakes at Royal Ascot on the final day of the Royal meeting.

Yours In Sport!

The Colonel

Kevan Minter The Colonel

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Good morning troops it’s nice to be in good profit this month with a 37% strike rate. Ocean Sheridan (5/1) winning for us at Hamilton Park Saturday night was a Brucie bonus. The 10/11 we had about Hala Madrio was value Monday at Wetherby getting on top in the closing stages to beat Sinfonietta by a neck to land the Max bet returning an SP of 1/2.

Last week at Newmarket we had a good July meeting with plenty of winners notably on the Thursday with Mr Singh and Lumiere landing the double for us. Frankie Dettori has joined the Newmarket legends of the turf with a plaque in the high street along side Lester Piggott and Sir Henry Cecil with Frankie reported to being ”gobsmacked’.

Europe’s leading milers Gleneagles (4/5 favorite) and Solow (7/4) remain on course for a mouth-watering clash of the generations in the £1-million QIPCO Sussex Stakes on day two of the Qatar Goodwood Festival, Wednesday, July 29.

They headline 21 remaining entries for the brilliant mile contest following Group One victories at Royal Ascot last month. Gleneagles (Aidan O’Brien IRE) added wins in the English and Irish 2,000 Guineas with an easy success in the St James’s Palace Stakes, while five-year-old Solow (Freddy Head FR) notched up his seventh consecutive victory in the Queen Anne Stakes.

Also among the acceptors for the Qatar Sussex Stakes is the Richard Hannon-trained pair of Night Of Thunder (10/1) and Toormore (12/1), who were first and second in the Group One Lockinge Stakes at Newbury in May.

The champion trainer has also confirmed dual Group Two scorers Estidhkaar and Ivawoodamong a five-strong team which is completed by Moheet.

Ireland’s champion trainer Aidan O’Brien also has five possible starters, with Gleneagles joined by Queen Anne Stakes third Cougar Mountain, Due Diligence, Father Frost and fellow Royal Ascot scorer War Envoy.

Other notable acceptors include the Charlie Hills-trained pair of Cable Bay and Dutch Connection, winner of the Group Three Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot, plus impressive Group Three winner Arod (Peter Chapple-Hyam).

Two female entries are dual Group One winner Integral (Sir Michael Stoute), who needs to bounce back from a disappointing effort at Royal Ascot, and QIPCO 1,000 Guineas runner-up Lucida (Jim Bolger IRE).

The highly regarded Aloft has been put in the 12/1 co favorite of three with Bondi Beach and Quest For More with Betfred for the Ebor at York next month.

The well bred filly Figment is one to watch out for this Friday night at Newmarket.

Royal Ascot winner Curvy looked very smart at the Royal meeting taking the (Group 2) Ribblesdale Stakes in no uncertain fashion and David Watchman’s Galileo filly will take some beating in the Darley Irish Oaks at the Curragh over the weekend the 3/1 with Bet365 looks value.

Yours in sport.

Back Next Thursday.

Kevan Minter – The Colonel.
http://go.betfan.com/1000/315

Kevan Minter The Colonel

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I have been in fair form the last few days at Betfan Towers with Two Jabs (11/2) Desertmore View (7/4) landing some nice bets in the Hunter Chase at Chepstow, Nabatean (13/8) getting the job done at the City and Storm Of The Stars (6/4) winning from the front at Leicester on Saturday, keeping the strike rate at around 38% and working hard to get back in the top performers table, I was second behind Andy Bell at the start of the month.

There was emotional scenes at Sandown Park on Saturday when 20 time champion jockey Tony McCoy said his final farewell to riding with his retirement from the saddle with his two mounts finishing third, how the sport is going to miss AP, he has changed racing lets not forget him too quickly, enjoy your chocolate champ.

A total of 388 entries representing 10 countries have been received for the eight Group One races to be staged at Royal Ascot this year headlined by “America’s Horse,” California Chrome (Art Sherman) and the world’s best miler, Hong Kong’s Able Friend (John Moore).

The number of entries for the established seven Group One races (311) pretty much mirrors the number received in 2014 (309). However, with a bumper entry of 77 in the new Commonwealth Cup, by far the highest entry received for any Group One race at the Royal Meeting this year, no fewer than 388 entries have been taken in total, including a record number from France (46).

Entries for Royal Ascot have been received from the UK (237), Ireland (75), France (46), the USA (11), Australia (8), Hong Kong (4), Germany (3), Japan (2), Spain (1) and Sweden (1).

The Prince of Wales’s Stakes is shaping up as a truly international clash with 2014 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner, California Chrome, recently second in the Dubai World Cup, already in the UK ahead of the Royal Meeting, with a run in the Al Shaqab Lockinge at Newbury possible in mid-May first.

Spielberg (Kazuo Fujisawa), winner of the Group One Tenno Sho (Autumn) in November (defeating Japan’s Horse Of The Year Gentildonna in the process), is set to represent Japan whilst Criterion (David Hayes), winner of the Group One Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes at The Championships in Sydney earlier in the month, could carry the Australian flag.

Ireland’s emerging star, Free Eagle (Dermot Weld), Ascot regular and French stalwart Cirrus Des Aigles (Corine Barande-Barbe) and The Grey Gatsby (Kevin Ryan), trained in the UK to win the Irish Champion Stakes last year, are amongst a strong European contingent lying in wait.

The Queen Anne Stakes could feature a fascinating showdown between Able Friend and France’s recent winner of the Dubai Turf, Solow (Freddy Head). Also possibles are Lelouch (Kazuo Fujisawa) for Japan and last year’s Breeders’ Cup Mile winner, Karakontie (Jonathan Pease), another strong option for France.

All eyes at the beginning of the week will be on Ireland’s Sole Power (Eddie Lynam), who will be bidding for an unprecedented third King’s Stand Stakes win. Opposition from Australia is set to come through Brazen Beau (Chris Waller) and Shamal Wind (Robert Smerdon), both Group One winners on their last starts.

Undrafted (Wesley Ward) and Holy Lute (James Cassidy) have been entered for the USA and Gold-Fun (Richard Gibson) is in the race for Hong Kong.

At Newmarket on Saturday in the 2,000 Guineas Gleneagles will go very close and on Sunday in the 1,000 Guineas I like the look of Lucida at around 6/1.

American Pharoah will prove hard to beat in the KentuckyDerby at Churchill Downs over the weekend.

Yours in sport

Back Next Thursday.

Kevan Minter – The Colonel.

http://go.betfan.com/1000/315

The Shrewd Tipster

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The highlight of last week for me was spending three fun filled, but sadly not very profitable days at the Ayr Gold Cup meeting, however the draw bias was incredible as in big fields high drawn horses next to the stands rail had a massive advantage, normally at these big festivals if there is such a pronounced bias they over water that part of the course in the evening and the bias switches but in this instance it got worse & on Saturday the first three home in the Silver Cup were the three highest drawn, the Tricast paying £708! Ayr is a long & expensive journey for most owners & trainers, some would have been as well staying at home, hope they don’t have second thoughts about coming back.

I had an interesting conversation with an owner on Friday who was telling me he was giving his horse one last chance on Saturday before getting rid of it. He thought it might have had a problem, to my astonishment a leading newspaper tipster put this up as one of his bets of the day, on the grounds it had fallen so far below it’s previous winning mark, what utter nonsense. Yes some horses get badly handicapped and can take a while before they return to a winning mark but the main reason is usually they have some sort of problem be it physical or mental. I would always oppose these types with an in-form improver who may have gone up in the rating & weights but at least you know it’s fit & well.

Every horse has a class ceiling. Just ask yourself how many horses win in the highest class of race possible, a Group One. Very few each year. A horse must have shown form in the type of race it’s competing in today, whether it’s a Class D handicap/Group 2/Claimer etc. Some only win when they carry big weights against inferior opposition in handicaps, some can’t bridge the gap between Group 2 to Group 1. Out with their class and even receiving weight is not enough to compensate for a lack of speed. Watch out for horses who can dominate in small fields but can’t handle the hurly burly of a big sized field.

One of my favourite races of the year is run this week, the Cambridgeshire, last year we landed one of the gambles of the season with Educate & hopefully have another lined up to do the same on Saturday.

This week’s new additions to the hotlist:
LORD OF THE ROCK, LUCKY JIM, TOUJOURS L’AMOUR & HIGHLAND ACCLAIM.

Tuesday Free Tip: 15:15 Newcastle INTENSE TANGO win bet 5/4 Paddy Power

Until next Tuesday, Happy Punting!

Jimmy Welsh
The Shrewd Tipster
http://go.betfan.com/1000/295

The Gambling Don

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Tricky week for The Don with rain sweeping the country meaning you have to be a weather forecaster as well as a tipster. You do really hope in this game for July and August to have settled fast ground.

I made the trek to Newbury yesterday even though there was good racing at Newmarket because I felt Newbury was sufficiently stronger and because I wanted to see one of my favourite horses Al Kazeem on his return from a failed stud career.

The experience was distinctly mixed, the paddock boys were all impressed and he strutted round looking very fit to me despite rumours to the contrary. I had max betted him to my private clients and I will admit after seeing him before hand I pressed on and had further bets on the exchanges.

The race itself quickly showed me that was a mistake, the horse ran wide something you don’t ever do at Newbury the whole way round and never attempted to get inside even though there were several clear opportunities to do so. This makes the Don think there was little interest in winning this race which is very poor considering he is a horse who has won first time out before on more than one occasion. This was only a listed race so a Group One horse should have knocked this lot out of the way and I’m afraid Al Kazeem despite the lets just have a day out tactics is not the horse he was by any means.

Luckily my anger at the ride and the further bets was short-lived as the next two races meant a profitable day was assured on the private service. I told my members in the morning to take 14/1 on Es Que Love as this was an ease in grade for him. He led a hundred yards out but sadly got caught after maybe going for home too far out. Still it was a good each way payout and further evidence we aren’t afraid to go for a price.

The next race was the highpoint as we had a strong win bet on Tiggy Wiggy who turned the usually competitive Wetherbys race into a procession. This is one fast two year old and to do that off top weight was Group 1 form. I would go for the Nunthorpe where with a huge weight for age concession she would win doing handsprings.

So evidence again you have to hang in there after Al Kazeems max bet horror show we still had a big winning day. If you are patient can follow a staking plan and can bet with your head then I can help you. In 2014 alone we are over 500 points up. Whatever unit stakes you are betting to that is a healthy second income/holiday fund so take the hint and sign up.

Again the Don is forced over the Irish Sea for his Sunday Special. Two jumps meetings here and perhaps the worst ever flat card staged anywhere up at Redcar mean it’s to the Curragh we head for a very interesting horse indeed making his seasonal reappearance.

The race is the 3.15 and the horse is Festive Cheer. Now Festive Cheer ran some excellent races last year making him the clear form pick which earned him a trip to Dubai. It’s fair to say that was a mistake and the horse hated the experience and flopped on his only race out there. He has been given plenty of time to get back to full fitness and I’m told is now working very well and is very fit. The fave here Parish Hall is a solid performer but rarely wins and I would hope Festive Cheer would have too much class for him. He can be backed at 3/1 with Coral and should be.

Join my private service there are some huge Summer meetings to come and remember… Trust in the Don!

Back next Sunday.

The Gambling Don

Tricky week for The Don with rain sweeping the country meaning you have to be a weather forecaster as well as a tipster. You do really hope in this game for July and August to have settled fast ground.

I made the trek to Newbury yesterday even though there was good racing at Newmarket because I felt Newbury was sufficiently stronger and because I wanted to see one of my favourite horses Al Kazeem on his return from a failed stud career.

The experience was distinctly mixed, the paddock boys were all impressed and he strutted round looking very fit to me despite rumours to the contrary. I had max betted him to my private clients and I will admit after seeing him before hand I pressed on and had further bets on the exchanges.

The race itself quickly showed me that was a mistake, the horse ran wide something you don’t ever do at Newbury the whole way round and never attempted to get inside even though there were several clear opportunities to do so. This makes the Don think there was little interest in winning this race which is very poor considering he is a horse who has won first time out before on more than one occasion. This was only a listed race so a Group One horse should have knocked this lot out of the way and I’m afraid Al Kazeem despite the lets just have a day out tactics is not the horse he was by any means.

Luckily my anger at the ride and the further bets was short-lived as the next two races meant a profitable day was assured on the private service. I told my members in the morning to take 14/1 on Es Que Love as this was an ease in grade for him. He led a hundred yards out but sadly got caught after maybe going for home too far out. Still it was a good each way payout and further evidence we aren’t afraid to go for a price.

The next race was the highpoint as we had a strong win bet on Tiggy Wiggy who turned the usually competitive Wetherbys race into a procession. This is one fast two year old and to do that off top weight was Group 1 form. I would go for the Nunthorpe where with a huge weight for age concession she would win doing handsprings.

So evidence again you have to hang in there after Al Kazeems max bet horror show we still had a big winning day. If you are patient can follow a staking plan and can bet with your head then I can help you. In 2014 alone we are over 500 points up. Whatever unit stakes you are betting to that is a healthy second income/holiday fund so take the hint and sign up.

Again the Don is forced over the Irish Sea for his Sunday Special. Two jumps meetings here and perhaps the worst ever flat card staged anywhere up at Redcar mean it’s to the Curragh we head for a very interesting horse indeed making his seasonal reappearance.

The race is the 3.15 and the horse is Festive Cheer. Now Festive Cheer ran some excellent races last year making him the clear form pick which earned him a trip to Dubai. It’s fair to say that was a mistake and the horse hated the experience and flopped on his only race out there. He has been given plenty of time to get back to full fitness and I’m told is now working very well and is very fit. The fave here Parish Hall is a solid performer but rarely wins and I would hope Festive Cheer would have too much class for him. He can be backed at 3/1 with Coral and should be.

Join my private service there are some huge Summer meetings to come and remember… Trust in the Don!

Back next Sunday.

The Gambling Don

http://go.betfan.com/1000/119