Americain The Favourite For Second Successive Melbourne Cup Win

The Melbourne Cup is without doubt one the most important and prestigious flat races in the world and with the race at Flemington now on the horizon the betting is starting to hot up. We are seeing more and more European runners heading down under for a tilt at the big race and we have a French favourite at this stage with 2010 winner Americain heading back to Melbourne to defend the race he won so memorably 12 months ago. The Alain De Royer-Dupre horse came with a run last season which simply blew the field away at Flemington and he looks to be in tip top form as we head towards the 2011 renewal of the ‘Race That Stops A Nation’.

Americain had a prep race in Australia recently and he duly impressed onlookers by winning the Group 2 Drake International Cup in impressive fashion, that win saw his Melbourne Cup price slashed and Ladbrokes now make him a 7/2 shot to win the race for the second successive year. The last horse to win the race more than once was the great Makybe Diva who famously won the race three successive times in the early 2000′s, in fact she and four others are the only ones to have won the race more than once which highlights the task facing Americain this year.

Outside of the favourite there are a number of horses being backed including the exciting Dunaden who is another French trained contender heading to Melbourne at the start of November. He is trained by Mikel Delzangles and enhanced his reputation recently with an impressive weight carrying win in the Geelong Cup, he is now as short as the 7/1 second favourite with Ladbrokes to claim the glory at Flemington and looks a live threat. Americain has every right to be the favourite for the race but history suggests he is up against this time with plenty of other strong contenders ready to win one of the biggest races in the world. The threat from Europe is however looking particularly strong this season and it would be no surprise to see the prize pot heading to the northern hemisphere once again.

Latest Melbourne Cup 2011 Odds from Ladbrokes

• 7/2 – Americain
• 7/1 – Dunaden
• 7/1 – Lucas Cranach
• 10/1 – Jukebox Jury
• 16/1 – Bauer
• 16/1 – Illo
• 16/1 – Midas Touch
• 16/1 – Green Moon
• 16/1 – Tullamore
• 20/1 – At First Sight
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Market supplied by Ladbrokes.com

Frankel A Short Price To Go Through 2012 Flat Season Unbeaten

The 2011 flat season in the UK has all been about the brilliant Frankel, he has remained unbeaten through the year to earn himself a reputation as the best horse in the world and will stay in training next year. The Henry Cecil trained horse won the QE11 Stakes at Ascot on British Champions Day to bring his tally to nine successive wins and the bookmakers are already taking bets on him remaining unbeaten in 2012. Frankel has simply blown away some very good fields this season and was the star attraction at Ascot recently, punters and bookmakers alike are delighted he will stay in training as a four year-old and it will be fascinating to see how he fares.

Frankel has wracked up a number of Group 1 successes this season with the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket perhaps the most impressive, that day he showed an astonishing turn of foot to hose up over the straight mile and he has been unbeatable ever since. Sir Henry Cecil and connections have kept the horse at the mile distance this season and that has proven the right choice having won the Sussex Stakes and the St James Palace Stakes before his brilliant win in the QEII Stakes last time out. The only question mark surrounding Frankel remains the quality of opposition on offer at the mile this year and those questions will be answered in 2012 as he steps up in trip for the first time with the older horses.

It is expected that we will see Frankel take on the 10 furlong trip in 2012 and there could be plenty of stiff competition on offer with the strength in depth at that distance much stronger at the moment. William Hill have been taking plenty of money about Frankel remaining unbeaten through 2012 and he is now as short as 7/4 to do just that, that looks a short price but such is his talent that it may prove to be a good piece of value come this time next year. No plan has been set out for Frankel next season but if he proves a success at 10 furlongs he could head to races like the Coral Eclipse at Sandown, the Prince Of Wales Stakes at Royal Ascot with even a trip to the Breeders Cup a possibility at this early stage in what could be a mouthwatering prospect for racing fans.

Frankel Specials for 2012 with William Hill

• 7/4 – Frankel to remain unbeaten through to the end of 2012

Market supplied by William Hill.com

So You Think Cut In Arc De Triomphe Betting After Being Confirmed For Longchamp

So You Think has been one of the best and most interesting horses of the 2011 flat season in Europe and he could be about to add another chapter to that story with a run in Arc De Triomphe at Longchamp. The Arc is Europe’s premier flat race of the season for all age horses and after weeks of speculation it has been confirmed that the dual Cox Plate winner will head to Longchamp in what is now shaping up to be a classic renewal of the race. The general consensus is that So You Think is best over eight or ten furlongs but Aidan O’Brien believes he will have no problems getting the 12 furlong trip of the Arc, he clearly has all the class in the world and he will be an interesting runner in the betting over the next few days.

There were a number of possible end of season targets for So You Think but the Arc has now been chosen as his target and he has been cut in the betting as a result, the former Australian star is now available at 5/1 with Paddy Power to add another Group 1 win to his already impressive haul. Perhaps the most important piece of So You Think form in relation to the Arc this season came at Sandown when he won the Coral Eclipse in July, he held off a charge to beat 2010 Arc winner Workforce over 1m 2f and it will be fascinating to see how the pair fair when they rematch over two furlongs further at Longchamp.

It is looking like a competitive arc this year with the fillie Sarafina currently holding off So You Think for favouritism while we also have 2010 winner Workforce being backed at a nice price after an indifferent season for the Sir Michael Stoute trained star. One that we like that could run a big race at Longchamp is King George winner Nathaniel who has been a highly progressive horse this season for John Gosden, he beat a badly hanging Workforce at Ascot last time out and can now be backed at 5/1 with Paddy Power.com to complete a dream campaign and win the Arc. It is worth noting that Nathaniel will prefer the ground to be on the softer side of good if he is to take his chance so potential punters will need to keep a close eye on the weather in Paris in the build up to the big race.

Latest Arc De Triomphe Odds with Paddy Power

• 7/2 – Sarafina
• 5/1 – So You Think
• 5/1 – Nathaniel
• 6/1 – Workforce
• 6/1 – Galikova
• 7/1 – Reliable Man
• 14/1 – Meandre
• 20/1 – Hiruno D’Amour
• 20/1 – Snow Fairy
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All markets supplied by Paddy Power.com

Frankel Odds On Favourite To Continue Remarkable 2011 Season With QEII Stakes Win

We are heading towards the end of the 2011 flat season in Europe and it has been a remarkable campaign for the brilliant Frankel and connections so far, the Sir Henry Cecil trained horse has already won the 2000 Guineas, the St James Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood but he could still have one more big run in him as a three-year-old. Frankel is being aimed at the Queen Elizabeth Stakes on the newly formed Champions Day at Ascot in October and as far as the bookmakers are concerned he is a sure thing to finish the season with a comfortable win over his favoured trip of the mile.

The Champions Day has been moved from Newmarket this season and following a massive boost in prize fund it is shaping up to be a fantastic day, the organisers will be under pressure for the day to succeed and the appearance of Frankel in the QE11 Stakes should go a long way to achieving that. William Hill are one of the first to open a market on the QE11 Stakes and they rate Frankel as a 1/3 shot to claim the win, and looking at his potential opponents it is hard to argue with that rather confident assessment. Last time out we saw Frankel hose up to win the Sussex Stakes defeating multiple Group 1 winner Canford cliffs by a country mile, he has since been retired with an injury so it remains to be seen how much we can rely on that race as a form guide.

Potential opponents to Frankel on Champions Day include the exciting Excelebration who has proven himself at a high level this season, he has been soundly beaten by Frankel on two occasions already this season though and that is reflected in his price of 7/1 with William Hill. It is impossible to find a horse to challenge Frankel in this market so punters will need to be looking for an each-way bet for the value, it may be that Excelebration falls right into that category as he continues to improve and he could well chase the 2000 Guineas winner home on Champions Day. It has to be said that Frankel has been the star of the season in 2011 and all of racing will be hoping he can finish off in a flourish with a win in the QEII, connections have said he will stay in training in 2012 so they will be hoping he can win well at Ascot and come home safely.

Queen Elizabeth Stakes II Odds with William Hill

• 1/3 – Frankel
• 9/2 – Immortal Verse
• 7/1 – Excelebration
• 20/1 – Dick Turpin
• 20/1 – Zoffany
• 20/1 – Cityscape
• 25/1 – Worthadd
• 33/1 – Rio de La Plata
• 33/1 – Dubawi Gold
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Markets supplied by William Hill.com

Big Shake Up In Arc De Triomphe Betting After Pour Moi Retirement

We have had some sad news over the weekend with the news that Epsom derby winner Pour Moi has been retired by connections after he picked up an injury at home. The Andre Fabre trained horses was on course for a tilt at the Arc De Triomphe in Longchamp at the start of October but hiss withdrawal has seen the bookies revise their odds for the big race, most have been left scratching their heads trying to find a favourite with a number of horses being backed. The arc is looking like a muddy affair from a betting point of view now with four horse struggling to be split at the top of the market, the slight favourite with Paddy Power at this stage is the filly Sarafina who has been in great form so far this season.

Sarafina is trained by Alain de Royer-Dupre and she has been mightily impressive so far with the Arc as the long term aim since she ran with credit in the race last season, she had a tough path in 2010 but stayed on well to finish third and many believe she is a better filly this season. Sarafina has been impressive in winning her last two starts and with that in mind Paddy Power now make her the 4/1 favourite to claim the win at Longchamp following the withdrawal of Pour Moi, she will have to reverse the form with Workforce from last season but that does not look beyond her at this stage.

One of the main dangers to Sarafina will of course be Workforce who was the winner last season and has been aimed at the race once again by connections, he has perhaps not been at this best in 2011 but we know he stays the course and his price of 5/1 with Paddy Power could prove to be the value if the field at this stage. The Arc is looking like a tough race for punters to pick over but that of course makes it an interesting one with the likes of King George winner Nathaniel and the exciting French filly Galikova also set to take their chance againt the more established names of Workforce and Sarafina who at this stage are the main contenders.

Latest Arc De Triomphe Betting 2011 with Paddy Power

• 4/1 – Sarafina
• 5/1 – Workforce
• 5/1 – So You Think
• 6/1 – Nathaniel
• 8/1 – Meandre
• 10/1 – Sea Moon
• 10/1 – Galikova
• 16/1 – St Nicholas Abbey
• 16/1 – Baraan
• 16/1 – Fame And Glory
• 20/1 – Reliable Man
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Market supplied by Paddy Power.com

Sea Moon Slashed In St Leger Betting After Brilliant Voltigeur Success

The Great Voltigeur Stakes at York is often considered the premier trial for the St Leger and with that in mind we have a new favourite for the final classic of the season after Sea Moon hacked up on the Knavesmire to win at the Ebor Meeting. There have been 13 winners of the Great Voltigeur Stakes who have gone onto to Doncaster to win the Leger in the same season with the last being the excellent Lucarno back in 2007. The bookmakers believe that Sea Moon could be the latest name on that illustrious list after his win at York, he simply blew away a top class field and looks to be improving with every run at the moment making him a short priced favourite with Ladbrokes.

It has not been a vintage season for Sir Micahel Stoute so far but that could turn around with the emergence of Sea Moon, the Prince Khalid Abdullah owned horse has just had the four runs and with the three wins to his name he is a highly progressive horse. The bookmakers were quick to react to Sea Moon’s win in the Voltigeur and Ladbrokes now make him as short as 6/4 to take the win at Doncaster and it is hard to argue with that based on the style of his win. The horse comfortably beat a field including other Leger contenders like Seville who went in as  favourite and Namibian who is a Royal Ascot winner for Mark Johnston making the form look rock solid.

While Sea Moon is rightly the clear favourite for the race there is some value to be had further down the field with Brown Panther perhaps one that offers some appeal to each-way punters. The Tom Dascombe trained horse has been a massive improver this season with his best effort coming when he hacked up at Royal Ascot to win the King George V Stakes, that was the run that sparked talk of a St Leger bid and it appears that all roads now lead to Doncaster for the Michael Owen owned horse. Brown Panther was beaten last time by another Leger contender in Census but he can be given another chance, and his price of 12/1 with Ladbrokes.com for the St Leger may prove to be a nice piece of value behind Sea Moon.

Latest St Leger Win Odds with Ladbrokes

• 6/4 – Sea Moon
• 6/1 – Census
• 7/1 – Seville
• 10/1 – Masked Marvel
• 10/1 – Blue Bunting
• 12/1 – Brown Panther
• 14/1 – Namibian
• 16/1 – Fiorente
• 25/1 – Markmanship
• 25/1 – French Navy
• 25/1 – Wonder Of Wonders
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All markets supplied by Ladbrokes.com

Silvestre De Sousa Odds Continue To Shorten In Flat Jockeys Championship Betting

We are now heading towards the back end of the flat season in the UK and perhaps the most interesting race still be won is the Flat Jockey Championship which is quickly turning into a brilliant battle. We had a fascinating battle last season when Paul hanagan claimed his first title and he is involved in the race again this season to claim the most winners, he faces a new threat though this season with Silvestre De Sousa emerging as a major contender for the title. Hanagan remains the favourite to retain his crown having racked up a good number of winners already this season and he can be backed at Evens with Paddy Power to win his second championship, he is facing a real challenge though and it promises to be a nail biting finish.

Hanagan has the support of the Richard Fahey yard and continues to ride his fair share of winners with his focus on the north of England at Scotland as always, and he will need that to continue if he is to retain his title. Former Champion Ryan Moore was expected to feature again this season but he will now miss the majortiy of the season after picking up an injury at Glorious Goodwood, which leaves Sousa as the main threat to Hanagan. The Brazilian Jockey has been picking up winners all over the country this season and he remains level with Hanagan into August making him a genuine threat, De Sousa has been shortening in the betting recently and he is now an 11/10 shot with Paddy Power to claim the title at the end of the season.

At this stage it does look like a duel between Paul Hanagan and Silvestre De Sousa for the title but punters should be careful not to rule out the experienced Kieren Fallon who himself is not without a sniff. Fallon is a six time Champion jockey and while he is behind at this stage he will be hoping to close the gap in the next few weeks, he will be hoping he can pick up some nice spares for Sir Michael Stoute who is now without Ryan Moore for the next couple of months. Punters wanting to back Fallon can get a nice price of 5/1 with Paddy Power which could prove to be a nice piece of value as we approach the end of another exciting season.

Current Flat Jockey Championship Odds with Paddy Power

• Evens – Paul Hanagan
• 11/10 – Silvestre De Sousa
• 5/1 – Kieren Fallon
• 33/1 – Richard Hughes
• 33/1 – William Buick

All markets are supplied by Paddy Power.com

Nathaniel Slashed In Prix De L’Arc De Triomphe Betting After King George Win

We may only be midway through the flat season in Europe but already attention is starting to turn to October and the Arc De Triomphe at Longchamp for what remains the most prestigious race of the season. It is a race that brings the best horses from across Europe of all ages to Paris with a massive prize pot and we look to have a good crop of three year-old horse this season including the highly exciting and progressive Nathaniel. The John Gosden horse has improved beyond belief over the past few months and that has culminated with his win in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot, he took on and beat the 2010 Arc winner Workforce while also forcing the excellent St Nichols Abbey back into third.

Following the nature of Nathaniel’s win at Ascot the bookmakers were quick to react with Paddy Power making him a 6/1 shot to claim success in the Arc. Such is the rise of Nathaniel this season that at the time when the Arc entries were made he had not even won his maiden meaning he will have to be supplemented by connections for the race. That looks like an increasingly scenario at this stage following his win over Workforce who hung alarmingly to his left during the King George, he must not be ignored in the Arc betting though as he looks to defend his crown and Workforce can also be backed at 6/1 with Paddy Power.

The current Arc favourite at this stage is another three year-old in Epsom Derby winner Pour Moi, the horse is trained by Andre Fabre who has a remarkable record in the Arc and Pour Moi can be backed at 3/1 with Paddy Power.com to follow in the steps of Workforce and Sea The Stars in winning the Derby and the Arc in the same season. There is no doubt that with the record of Fabre in the Arc Pour Moi deserves the full respect from punters, he will be produced late at Longchamp as he was at Epsom and it will be whether or not he has the speed to muscle his way past the older horses as he did to those of his age.

Latest Arc De Triomphe Betting 2011 with Paddy Power

• 3/1 – Pour Moi
• 4/1 – So You Think
• 6/1 – Workforce
• 6/1 – Nathaniel
• 8/1 – Sarafina
• 11/1 – Meandre
• 14/1 – Golden Lilac
• 14/1 – Baraan
• 14/1 – Fame And Glory
• 16/1 – St Nicholas Abbey
• 16/1 – Galikova
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All markets supplied by Paddy Power

Canford Cliffs And Frankel Cant Be Split In Sussex Stakes Betting

It has been a stellar flat season so far in the UK and Ireland but the best is yet to come as we countdown towards a clash between 2000 Guineas winner Frankel, and multiple Group 1 winner Canford Cliffs in the Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood. It is a clash of the ages as we look to find the best miler in Europe with the three-year old sensation Frankel the talk of racing at the moment, he will face his toughest task yet though when he faces the brilliant Canford Cliffs who is coming off a win over Goldikova in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot.

At the moment the bookmakers can not split the pair with Boylesports rating both horses as an 11/10 shot to claim the all important bragging rights in one of the most hotly anticipated races in recent memory. Frankel was simply scintillating when winning the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket back in May and he backed that up with a win in the St James Palace Stakes at the Royal Meeting. The run at Ascot saw Frankel going for home early and although he held on for the win he appeared to be running out of steam in the final furlong, he will no doubt be held up at Goodwood with connections already saying they will not make the same mistake again.

We can almost guarantee that Canford Cliffs will be on the shoulder of Frankel going into the last couple of furlongs in the Sussex Stakes and Trainer Richard Hannon will be hoping he can repeat his run against Goldikova as he cruised past the filly to win the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot. Canford Cliffs is of course a year older than Frankel which should mean he is the stronger horse physically but at this stage it is hard to pick a winner which is reflected in the latest betting. Any punters wanting to take on both Frankel and Canford Cliffs in the race may want to have a closer look at the Aidan O’Brien trained Zoffany who was a close second behind the Sir Henry Cecil horse at Ascot, he can be backed at 8/1 with Boylesports to upset the apple cart and claim an unlikely win. It is hard to look past Canford Cliffs or Frankel here though with their mouthwatering clash on the horizon, the racing community is split on the potential winner at this stage and it seems the punters and bookmakers are in exactly the same boat.

Sussex Stakes Betting with Boylesports

• Evens – Frankel
• 6/5 – Canford Cliffs
• 8/1 – Zoffany
• 12/1 – Dick Turpin
• 12/1 – Rajsaman
• 16/1 – Neebras
• 20/1 – Rio de La Plata
• 25/1 – Dream Ahead
• 25/1 – Red Jazz
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All markets supplied courtesy of Boylesports.com

Treasure Beach Cut in St Leger Betting After Irish Derby Success

Aidan O’Brien always has a strong hand when it comes to the classic races in the UK and Ireland, and the latest star from his yard Treasure Beach could be aimed towards the St Leger following his impressive win in the Irish Derby recently. The horse ran a blinder at Epsom in the English Derby and franked that form with his win at Curragh as he finished ahead of stable mates Seville and Memphis Tennessee. The horse looked like he wanted further and the final classic of the season could now be his aim and the bookmakers agree, Boylesports have slashed Treasure Beach into 5/1 for the Doncaster race and he could prove a nice piece of value.

At this stage of the flat season attention now turns towards the St Leger at Doncater with those top class three-year-olds with an extra bit of stamina likely to be aimed towards the race in September. Aidan O’Brien is always cagey about confirming future plans for his horses which is a worry for Treasure Beach fans and that looks to have been taken into account with his current price. The one the bookmakers are most wary about at this stage is Nathaniel who looks ideally suited to the trip following his recent Royal Ascot win, the John Gosden horse was second behind Treasure Beach in the Chester Vase in May and seemed to improve for that when winning the King Edward Stakes at the Royal Meeting.

The St Leger has to be the likely destination for Nathaniel and he  is currently available at 3/1 with Boylesports to pick up the win at Doncaster and he could prove to be the one to beat. Another interesting contender in the St Leger Betting is the excellent Brown Panther who was also particularly impressive when winning last time out at Royal Ascot. The Tom Dascombe trained horse is a highly progressive type as he showed when winning the King George V Stakes and he could be one on the upward curve, Boylesports rate the Michael Owen trained horse as potential winner of the St Leger and is priced at 7/1 to do just that.

St Leger Betting with Boylesports

• 3/1 – Nathaniel
• 5/1 – Treasure Beach
• 7/1 – Brown Panther
• 7/1 – Sea Moon
• 7/1 – Seville
• 8/1 – Memphis Tessessee
• 12/1 – Fiorente
• 14/1 – Carlton House
• 16/1 – Recital
• 16/1 – Solar Sky
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Markets supplied by Boylesports.com

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