More rain in the south east means the ground has softened again at Epsom. With the potential for further downpours, the participation of some Oaks and Derby runners is in doubt, notably Irish 1000 Guineas heroine Precise.
Here is today’s racing news round-up for Wednesday.
Epsom going now softer than good with Precise a possible absentee
30mm of rain on Tuesday has caused another going change at Epsom. The Epsom Oaks and Epsom Debry both take place later on this week. Having begun the week with good-to-firm ground, Cleark Of The Course Andrew Cooper has now confirmed the majority of the track to be riding on the soft side of good. That could have significant ramifications for the Classics later in the week, with Oaks declarations to come on Wednesday morning. (Sporting Life)
One horse who may not make the journey if further rain comes is Precise. Aidan O’Brien’s three-year-old was an impressive winner of the Irish 1000 Guineas. That saw her bounce back to the best of her juvenile form, beating stablemate True Love, who had won the equivalent race at Newmarket. After her success, a tilt at the Oaks was being considered. However, it is ground dependent, with the daughter of Starspangledbanner unlikely to travel for slower going. (Racing Post)
Epsom Derby: Stride data favours Braddock while Balding claims Italian Classic
An in-depth look at stride frequency suggests James J Braddock will cope well with Epsom. Racing TV data pointed to his longer stride than runner-up Pierre Bonnard as a positive factor for the Derby. Stride frequencies can help, but not prove, whether a horse should cope well with varying distances, taking into account how often they use their stride per second. Horses who produce a higher number are favoured by shorter distances, with lower frequency indicative of stayers. (Racing TV)
Another European Classic took place on Tuesday. Four days before the Epsom Derby, Andrew Balding was in the winners’ enclosure in Italy courtesy of Venetian Prince. The son of St Mark’s Basilica was racing beyond 1m for the first time, but coped superbly with conditions. In heavy ground over 1m3f, he won the 143rd Derby Italiano by a neck. The locally trained Grand Son Of Dark was second in the Group 2 at San Siro racecourse. (Thoroughbred Daily News)
Martin Greenwood to step down as Grand National handicapper
Grand National handicapper Martin Greenwood is to step down from his role. Greenwood has been in charge of handicapping the famous race at Aintree for the past eight years. He handed I Am Maximus top-weight for this year’s renewal, though the ten-year-old famously defied it to become the first horse since Red Rum to regain the Grand National crown. The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has announced that his successor will be found in due course. (BHA)