Racing Week
Five rides for Frankie
Frankie Dettori has failed to secure a full book of rides for Ascot this Saturday, ten years after riding the winner of every race. Dettori will be sitting out both the Grop 1 Meon Valley Stud Fillies’ Miles and Group 2 Juddmonte Royal Lodge Stakes. No other jockey has a ride in every race.
Fortunately the jockey’s five rides have all got good chances – with the unbeaten Godolphin colt Librettist perhaps the most exciting prospect.
Fallon case back in court
Kieren Fallon’s lawyers will be back in court next week, giving an update from both the prosecution and defence legal teams in the jockey’s fight against charges of race-fixing.
The hearing at Southwark Crown Court in London is the latest step in a process that began in early July, when Fallon and ten co-defendants were charged as part of Operation Crypton, the City of London police investigation into alleged race-fixing.
Ascot hopes for Proclamation
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Frankie Dettorri will not be riding Proclamation at Ascot on Saturday but Goldolphin has high hopes for the Sussex Stakes winner. According to racing manager Simon Crisford Proclamation is on better form than when he ran at Royal Ascot.
Dylan Thomas heads to USA
Irish Derby winner Dylan Thomas could run in US next weekend, ahead of a Breeders’ Cup Classic bid in November. The Danehill colt is entered for the Grade 2 Kentucky Cup Classic at Turfway Park and also has the option of the Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont Park the following weekend.
Hundreds honour David Nicholson
Crowds gathered in St Edward’s Church, Stow-on-the-Wold on Wednesday, to honour racing giant David Nicholson. Nicholson, one of racing’s greatest trainers, died suddenly on 27 August, aged 67.
Ascot viewing problems continue
Viewing problems at the £210 million Ascot redevelopment are taking longer than anticipated to solve. Last month Douglas Erskine-Crum, Ascot chief executive predicted construction workers would be back at the race course after this weekend’s meeting. But officials at Ascot are still not completely sure how best to resolve the impaired viewing at concourse level and constructers have been put off for another six weeks.
39th National Point-to-Point dinner
Tickets for the annual point-to-point dinner (18 November) are selling out fast but there are still a few tables available. A night of champagne, dinner and dancing to esteemed band Alpha Connection is destined to be memorable, with plenty of time for revelry after the awards presentation.
The dinner is taking place at Chesford Grange (www.thechesfordgrangehotel.co.uk) for a cost of £40 (including drinks reception, dinner and dancing) and rooms at the hotel are available at £120 a double to include breakfast. To book tickets please call 07771 518258.
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