The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
RACING: WAIT NEARLY OVER AS 10- RACE CARD TO KICK OFF SEASON AT NEWCASTLE
A bumper 10-race card is set to ignite the racing season at Newcastle on Monday, with the sport “counting down the hours” to its long-awaited resumption.
A total of 317 horses were declared before the balloting process from an initial entry of 369 for the first meeting in Britain since March 17.
The British Horseracing Authority has been planning for a resumption on June 1 subject to government approval – and Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s announcement of further easing of restrictions on Thursday appeared to boost chances of permission being granted.
The BHA said in a statement: “We’re counting down the hours to the return of racing and looking forward to official confirmation from the UK Government after it has published its guidelines for the resumption of sport in the next day or so. The long break is nearly over.
A maximum of 120 runners are set to line up at Gosforth Park.
The initial eight races increased to 10, with the 10-furlong Betway Maiden Stakes and the six-furlong Betway Novice Stakes divided. The first race is scheduled for 1pm, with the last contest due off at 6.15pm.
VICTOR GOING FOR FRENCH CLASSIC
Victor Ludorum heads a field of nine for Monday’s Poule d’Essai des Poulains at Deauville.
The Andre Fabre-trained colt suffered a shock defeat on his return at ParisLongchamp this month, but will get the chance to redeem himself and add a second Group One triumph to his CV, in the first French Classic of the season.
Alson is another Group One winner and will be having his first start for Fabre, who can also call on the Coolmore-owned Arapaho.
The Summit had Victor Ludorum back in third in the Prix de Fontainebleau and will try to confirm that form, while second-placed Ecrivain and fourth Kenway are also in opposition again.
Impressive conditions race winner Shinning Ocean takes a leap in class, with Celestin and Reshabar completing the line up.
The fillies’ equivalent, the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches, has 12 contenders topped by Fabre’s Tropbeau, third in the Cheveley Park Stakes and winner of her trial on her seasonal bow.
Dream And Do, Tickle Me Green and Ellerslie Lace finished directly behind her on her ParisLongchamp reappearance and they all reoppose.
Simeen registered a smooth success on her comeback in a conditions race and is a leading candidate for JeanClaude Rouget and the Aga Khan.