RACING: One Cool Cat is vying for favouritism for the Victor Chandler Nunthorpe Stakes following his impressive victory at the Curragh on Sunday.
The Aidan O'Brien-trained colt was yesterday slashed to 9 to 2 from 8 to 1 by Coral for the Group One sprint at York on Thursday week, just half a point behind the 4 to 1 ante-post market leader, The Tatling, and ahead of the 6 to 1 Airwave and Patavellian.
One Cool Cat has had a heart problem this season, but returned to form in the Phoenix Sprint after being an expensive failure in his two previous starts, including the 2,000 Guineas.
"It seems punters are willing to forgive this colt his earlier defeats and are backing him for the Nunthorpe as if he really is the wonder horse connections have been saying he is," said Coral's David Stevens.
Meanwhile, Rooster Booster is set to reappear at Kempton in October, trainer Philip Hobbs revealed yesterday.
The HH Associates Hurdle at the Sunbury track on Saturday, October 23rd, has been earmarked for the horse's return to action. The 10-year-old won the Champion Hurdle in 2003 and was runner-up to Hardy Eustace in the Cheltenham showpiece last March.
Bath stages the only Flat action today, and Dagola can take a starring role in the Miss Hucklebridge Handicap.
Clive Cox's charge has run into form recently and put up a good performance to finish second to another in-form horse in Silverhay last time out.
Dagola's fourth and third on his previous runs also bode well for his chances and it should pay to strike while the iron is hot.
Komoto will appreciate the step up to a mile-and-a-half in the Saltwell Signs Handicap. He needed every yard to win on his debut at Lingfield, while he was outpaced and never got into it at Leicester last time. Judged on that run, Komoto will relish every extra furlong here.
Diamond Josh is hard to oppose in the Tipto Two-Year-Old Selling Stakes.
The son of Primo Dominie made a satisfactory debut at Windsor in June when he finished third behind Marajuana.
Diamond Josh made some late headway there and he should be better for that experience.
Newton Abbot hosts the jumping action and champion trainer Martin Pipe can be in double form courtesy of Isard III and Manx Royal.
Isard III runs in the Mumfords Renault Novices' Chase, and while he is prone to the odd jumping error, he will be hard to beat if he puts in a clear round.
Pipe can bag his second win via Manx Royal in the Renault Master Van Novices' Hurdle.
Manx Royal is from the same family as Champion Hurdle winner Hors La Loi and is a horse with a future.
