As the 2000 Guineas approaches to herald the start of the Classics on the flat, two integral entries may run this week. Both Talk Of New York and Albert Einstein could be set to race. Meanwhile, entries for the Grade 1s at Punchestown have been released.
Here is GG’s daily round-up of the racing news today for Tuesday.
2000 Guineas prep for Talk Of New York as Albert Einstein given surprise entry
Godolphin’s apparent 2000 Guineas number one will test his mettle at Newmarket on Tuesday. Talk of New York has been well-supported for the opening Classic of the season. That is despite him returning a beaten odds-on favourite at Meydan last time out. Punters have cottoned onto his potential, however, and he will run in the conditions stakes at 2.25 on Tuesday afternoon. A warm order, Charlie Appleby and William Buick will hope this is the perfect preparation for the Guineas. (Racing Post)
Albert Einstein, who lost his position atop the ante-post betting for the 2000 Guineas, may run again before Newmarket. It awaits to be seen whether the son of Wootton Bassett will contest the big race in May. However, if he does, he may well have two runs this season under his belt. Aidan O’Brien entered him in Newbury’s Group 3 Greenham Stakes on Saturday. The race is Newbury’s primary Classic trial and takes place on the same card on which Constitution Hill may race. (PA via Sporting Life)
Punchestown festival Grade 1 entries revealed
Both Brighterdaysahead and Lossiemouth were entered in the Punchestown Champion Hurdle among the Grade 1s at Ireland’s season-ending meeting. However, Gordon Elliott is unlikely to declare his star mare, who will not run again this season. Wodhooh tops the list for the Mares’ Champion Hurdle, while Teahupoo does so for the Stayers’ championship. Gaelic Warrior is a short price to win the Punchestown Gold Cup to add to his Cheltenham triumph, while Majborough, Il Etait Temps and Marine Nationale all feature in the Champion Chase entries. (Racing Post)
Affordability check advocate calls for government delay
One of the primary advocates of affordability checks has called for Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy to delay a roll out of the controversial measures. Dr James Noyes had been one of the early proponents of affordability checks relates to gambling. In a letter to Nandy, Noyes outlined how he is “deeply concerned over a lack of transparency” involved in current measures taken by online bookmakers. His letter follows an open letter written to the government by many figures involved in horse racing. (Guardian)
Former jockey pleads guilty to manslaughter
Former jockey Levi Williams has pleaded guilty to manslaughter after the death of a 71-year-old man last year. Richard Wingrove died of his injuries in hospital ten days after an attack outside the Waggon and Horses pub on Newmarket high street. Williams, 26, was arrested at the scene and originally charged with murder. However, prosecutors accepted his guilty plea to manslaughter, for which he will be sentenced on June 4th. (BBC)