17:40 That's it from day one here at Epsom - a crowd of 19,000 today, slightly down but capacity is reduced due to the construction of a new Grandstand, which I have to say looks impressive - it will be open next year.
Irish Bookmaker Paddy Power estimates that 15 million euros worth of bets will be struck in Ireland on tomorrows Derby due to the Irish interest.
I just felt a few spots of rain so it may prevent the course watering.
From Epsom good evening and see you tomorrow.
17:30 The final race here on ladies day was another nail biter with Bellomi under Eddie Ahern grinding out a well earned victory.
Cross Fell set the pace, which wasn’t that generous with Slugger O’Toole looking handy until well into the home straight.
The favourite Opera Prince was a disappointing fourth when the race was there for his taking if good enough. Tracking the leaders a space opened against the far rail, briefly it looked as though he would take advantage but did not have the pace to take the lead.
The winner had begun tracking the field and slowly proceeding through the field before taking the lead inside the final furlong.
The running on Dubai Meydan took second with Slugger O’Toole in third.
This was a potentially confusing race for punters with both Dubai Meydan and Meydan Dubai running in the race.
17:15 News from the Stewards room Richard Hughes picked up a one day ban for careless riding on Vitznau in the second. Frankie Dettori picked up a four day ban for two cases of careless riding on board Emirates Skyline in the third and Johnny Murtagh three days for careless riding on Soldier Of Fortune in the Coronation Cup.
16:55 A second winner of the afternoon for Frankie and Godolphin as Iguazo Falls took the race as he wanted.
A couple of runners, most notably Croi Mo Ri and Nacho Libre ran far too freely for their own good.
Frankie took a more steady path taking the lead from Film Maker a furlong out and never looking to be in any danger winning by four lengths.
Fathsta, who also took a keen hold early on managed to get a second wind running on again at the end but never looked to trouble the winner .
16:45 At the post race press conference Ralph Beckett said his first reaction was "one of amazement"
Her owner, Senior Steward Juilan Richmond-Watson said "I always wanted to win The derby but this is a good second best."
16:40 An interesting form line for the Derby in that Look Here beat Doctor Freemantle at Salisbury, that must boost the latters chances.
16:25 The headline may not be original but it must be Shock Oaks Result.
After all the debate about the Irish raiders, they filled five of the top six places in the betting, it was the 33/1 outsider Look Here, giving joint champion jockey Seb Sanders his first classic win.
Trained by Ralph Beckett this was no freak win, she beat a class field and won by a convincingly 3¾ lengths from another outsider Moonstone, ridden by Richard Hughes and one of AP O’Brien’s six entries. The Irish took third in the shape of Katiyra.
William Hill now put Look Here into the King George betting at 16/1.
Going back to the Coronation Cup, trainer Aiden O’Brien said “Soldier Of Fortune is a very natural horse.
“He is one of those horses that it’s probably just a matter of mind with him.”
As to future plans the trainer would not be tied down saying all options are open.
16:00 Bookmaker reaction is Paddy Power have made Soldier of Fortune 2/1 fav for the King George from 6's with Youmzain 10/1 from 12's
15:50 We will try and get some reaction fron connections in the Coronation Cup.
Meanwhile the runners are coming into the parade ring for the Oaks and the jockeys are just coming out.
15:45 The Coronation Cup turned out to be a very tactical race with the Ballydoyle pacemaker Song Of Hiawatha setting a blistering pace.So much so he was left on his own with only Mcarthur taking the bait and following him, albeit a good six to eight lengths behind.
Favourite Getaway eventually led the following group in what turned out to be a rough race.
Once the pacemaker faded turning for home Mcarthur took up the running but looming from the pack was the Ballydoyle first string in the shape of Soldier Of Fortune who took up the running inside the final furlong.
In what was a rough race the favourite Getaway hit trouble in the home straight eventually finishing fifth, however he already looked to be struggling at that point.
The perennial bridesmaid Youmzain was a running on second but he, once again, failed to get his head in front.
15:10 In a follow up to our second race. The winner, Little White Lie's, trainer John Jenkins said the horse will next run in the Royal Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot.
15:05 Next up we have the first of our big races the Juddmonte Coronation Cup where the French raider Getaway looks likely to go off the hot favourite.
14:50 A touch of controversy in our third which was taken in good style by Emirates Skyline under Frankie Dettori by 1¼ lengths from the fast finishing Ladies Best.
It was a manoeuvre two furlongs from home that raised the eyebrows. At the time Emirates Skyline was effectively boxed in but Dettori barged his way out, literally. With Mr Aviator being the one who took a knock.
As I write this the stewards are taking a look although the result is OK.
Rationale took third place.
In the race itself it was Smart Instinct under Paul Hanagan who set the pace and actually satayed with the principles at the finish to take fourth place.
We await the outcome of the Stewards with interest - I will be surprised if Frankie does not get a holiday for this one.
Talking of Stewards the enquiry into the first race found that Blyth Knight did interfere with the second and Graham Gibbons picked up a two day ban.
14:20 Another race over the extended mile this time a 14 runner handicap and as would be expected in such a race the outcome was never really clear until the end.
As is typical with Mark Johnston trained runners, Prince of Light set the pace and it was a good pace as the field were well strung out approaching Tattenham Corner. By contrast anyone who had backed Charlie Tokyo knew their fate early on as the gelding was soon tailed off after missing the break badly.
Annemasse was with the pace early on only to fade in the hone straight.
Two out there were still more with a chance than without although in the end there runners were in the final battle. Little White Lie, under Darryll Holland, grabbed the far rail with a decisive run although Unshakable under Paul Eddery and Vainglory under Richard Mullen were both closing fast. Luckily for Little White Lie the line came in time.
13:45 A tasty little group three to get ladies day under way.
Our paddock pick Alexandros was sent off the favourite and was always up with the pace which was set by Dunelight.
As they came down the home straight the race proper took shape with Alexanderos hitting the front under Kerrin McEvoy. His every move was being tracked, however, by last years winner Blyth Knight under Graham Gibbons.
Quite an impressive duel to the line then ensued withBlyth Knight taking the lead with Alexandros refusing to go down without a fight.
The two protagonists came close inside the final half furlong provoking the Stewards to take a look but the result stood.
There was a good battle for third with the Godolphin second string (how often does Frankie play second fiddle) just taking third in a battle with Don’t Panic and Majestic Roi.
Speaking after the race Simon Crisford the racing manager of Godolphin said he was pleased with the way their runers performed. He said Alexandros prefers more cut in the gound and may be held back to the Autumn.
13:30 The runners are parading for the first, as would be expected they all look well. Alexanderos from Godolphin looked particularly relaxed.
13:15 Some breaking news surrounding tomorrow’s Derby.
River Proud who was supplemented at a cost of £75,000 has pulled a muscle and may be a doubt for the big race.
An announcement from the stable says a decision will be made later today. However I have been told a final decision may not be made until tomorrow morning.
12:30 Good afternoon from an overcast Epsom Downs and the first day of the 2008 Derby Festival.
It’s Ladies day today and there is plenty of finery on display. On the course we have the fillies classic, The Oaks, due off at 4:05.
Still only the one non-runner, that’s Holly Hawk in the 4:50 on account of the going.
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Non-Runners
4:50
7 Holly Hawk (Going)
8 Irish Pearl (Going)
Results
1:40 Juddmonte Diomede Stakes
1st 2 Blyth Knight 6/1
2nd 8 Alexandros 100/30 fav
3rd 7 Youing Pretender 7/1
8 Ran
Distances 1/2 L & 1 3/4 L
Tote
Win £6.70
Place £2.30 £1.50 £1.90
Exacta £30.30
2:10 Jeep Mile Handicap
1st 7 Little White Lie 12/1
2nd 12 Unshakable 11/1
3rd 11 Vainglory 9/1
14 Ran
Distances Neck & 1/2 L
Tote
Win £11.60
Place £2.40 £3.30 £3.50
Exacta £284.30
2:45 Totesport Betextra Rose Bowl
1st 2 Emirates Skyline 7/2 fav
2nd 5 Ladies Best 4/1
3rd 7 Rationale 17/2
10 Ran
Distances 1 1/4 L & 1 L
Tote
Win £4.30
Place £1.80 £2.00 £3.20
Exacta £25.10
3:25 Judmonte Coronation Cup
1st 7 Soldier Of Fortune 9/4
2nd 9 Youmzain 15/2
3rd 3 Mcarthur 12/1
11 Ran
Distances 3/4 L & 1 1/2 L
Tote
Win £3.60
Place £1.80 £1.60 £3.80
Exacta £10/90
4:05 Juddmonte Oaks
1st 7 Look Here 33/1
2nd 11 Moonstone 25/1
3rd 6 Katiyra 9/2
16 Ran
Distances 3 3/4 L & 2 3/4 L
Tote
Win £56.80
Place £13.40 £11.20 £2.40
Exacta £926.90
4:50 Help For Heroes Surrey Stakes
1st 4 Iguazu Falls 13/8 fav
2nd 2 Fathsta 4/1
3rd
7 Ran NR 7 & 8
Distances 4 L
Tote
Win £2.40
Place £1.80 £2.90
Exacta £8.60
5:25 Tattenham Stakes
1st 7 Bellomi 12/1
2nd 9 Dubai Meydan 13/2
3rd 1 Slugger O'Toole 11/2
11 Run
Distances 1 l & 2 3/4 L
Tote
Win £17.30
Place £3.90 £2.60 £2.00
Exacta £162.40
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