By Simon Jackson. Postponed is set to contest the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Cup on Investec Derby day at Epsom on Saturday en route to defending his crown in the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot in July. The Roger Varian-trained five-year-old won last year’s King George when prepared by Luca…
By Simon Jackson. Belardo has been slashed in price for the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot after a tenacious victory in the £350,000 Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes at Newbury. The Roger Varian-trained four-year-old travelled towards the rear of the field under Andrea Atzeni before challenging late to lead inside the final furlong…
By Simon Jackson. Newmarket has announced changes to the layout of the Rowley Mile course for the QIPCO Guineas Festival in May in an attempt to avoid fields splitting into separate groups. After consultation with the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), racecourse departments and other horsemen, the stalls – which were previously positioned in the centre…
By Simon Jackson. Roger Varian says Kingston Hill has a ‘fighting chance’ in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp on Sunday where he will have to overcome the outside barrier draw. Kingston Hill, an impressive winner of the Ladbrokes St Leger last month, today drew barrier 20 for the Arc that this year…
By Simon Jackson. Kingston Hill is best priced at 12-1 for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe next month after landing the £650,000 Ladbrokes St Leger at Doncaster on Saturday. The one and a quarter length victory secured the first Classic success for trainer Roger Varian and rider Andrea Atzeni. The win proved just reward in…
By Simon Jackson. Roger Varian is confident Derby runner-up Kingston Hill will stay the 14 and a half furlongs of the Ladbrokes St Leger as 15 runners remain in the £650,000 contest at Doncaster on Saturday. The 2013 Racing Post Trophy winner justified connections’ high opinion when putting a disappointing run in the QIPCO 2000 Guineas behind him to finish a one and a quarter…
By Simon Jackson. Roger Varian is keeping an eye on the weather for Kingston Hill who is one of 19 entries in the Geoffrey Freer Stakes on Betfred Ladies’ Day at Newbury on Saturday. The 2013 Racing Post Trophy winner was second to Australia in the Investec Derby. He was set for a rematch with the…
By Simon Jackson. Roger Varian is going to wait until Saturday morning before confirming that Investec Derby runner-up Kingston Hill will take his place in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at 5.30pm. Kingston Hill is set for a rematch at the Curragh with his Epsom conqueror, Australia, who finished a length and a quarter…
By Simon Jackson. Betfred are offering ‘non-runner, no bet’ from 9am this morning (Monday) on any bets placed on horses in the Investec Derby at Epsom Downs on Saturday. The bookmaker is the first of the major firms to confirm that they will refund stakes on non-runners in the colts’ Classic, where the betting continues…
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