FAME And Glory is now favourite on Betfair for the Irish Champion Stakes as wet weather continues to put the clash with Sea the Stars in doubt.
The runaway Irish Derby winner is into 10 to 11 on the exchange, with 2,000 Guineas and Epsom Derby hero drifting to 13 to 8.
Betfair spokesman Tony Calvin said yesterday: “It has been bright and dry at the course on Tuesday but unfortunately the Betfair market suggests that the clash of the superstars at Leopardstown on September 5th is looking increasingly unlikely.
“In truth, there is not a great deal of depth in the market, due to the fact that Sea The Stars won’t be risked on the soft ground that many are forecasting. And his absence would render Fame And Glory a 1 to 3 chance, at best.
“But with every other bookmaker declining to price up the race, it’s the only, and best, betting guide that punters have at the moment.”
-FAMOUS Name, fresh from victory in the Desmond Stakes, will head for next month's Prix du Moulin de Longchamp in a bid to extend his winning streak to four.
The Dermot Weld-trained colt, second to stablemate Casual Conquest in the Tattersalls Gold Cup in May, won a Listed heat in June before recording back-to-back victories in Group Three contests at the Curragh.
He will now step back up to Group One level for the Longchamp feature on September 6th. “I think we made the right decision not to run him in the Prix Jacques le Marois because the ground turned out to be very firm and Goldikova would have taken a little bit of beating,” said Teddy Grimthorpe, racing manager to owner Khalid Abdullah.
“He is being aimed at the Moulin at Longchamp at the moment and we’ll give it a good shot there.”
-TIMMY Murphy expects to return to the saddle next month after spending a lengthy spell on the sidelines with injury.
The 2008 Grand National-winning jockey dislocated his shoulder when parting company with Highland River at Newton Abbot on July 19.
“The specialist thinks we’ll be looking at the middle of September and see how we feel then,” Murphy told At The Races.
