David Mollett
19 August 2008
York — They are used to major happenings at York -- it is, after all, where they strung up Dick Turpin -- but torrential rain at the weekend has resulted in some of the top stables warning about possible withdrawals from the big races.
Fortunately, South African raider National Colour, who runs in Friday's Nunthorpe Stakes, remains on course for the biggest test of her career with trainer Sean Tarry saying yesterday that soft ground should not affect her chances.
Tarry, who has been here for eight days putting the finishing touches to National Colour's preparation, said: "I am not too concerned about... soft ground -- she won the Computaform Sprint and Man O'War Stakes in those conditions.
"Obviously she is a filly with issues, but she is in great shape. I have given her two hard bits of work, which have tightened her up nicely."
Incredibly, bookmakers view National Colour's chances in the 1000m dash as remote, with as much as 20-1 available with William Hill and Ladbrokes.
The 4-1 ante-post favourite is Kingsgate Native, followed by Captain Gerrard and Equiano, both quoted at 6-1, but National Colour's price may shorten in the next few days as 4-1 a place looks mighty tempting.
National Colour is stabled at Mike de Kock's Newmarket yard and Tarry is full of praise for SA's champion trainer. "I can imagine what the poor man went through when he first arrived -- it's tough when you don't know anyone. But it is a first-class operation here with the staff mostly South Africans."
Today's big race, the £550000 Juddmonte International, will be a thrilling contest if both Derby winner New Approach and King George victor Duke of Marmalade stand their ground. However, that is far from certain, with Duke of Marmalade's trainer, Aidan O'Brien, warning his champion is not guaranteed to be in the line-up. "Deep, testing ground would be far from ideal for him. The plan is still to run him, but there is now a slight doubt. We'll discuss the situation with the owners and make a decision after that," said O'Brien.
This resulted in VC Betting suspending betting on the race, but Ladbrokes' reaction was to ease the Ballydoyle star to evens and cut New Approach to 2-1.
Jim Bolger, trainer of New Approach, didn't exactly endear himself to the press with his confusing "no-he-won't-run-yes-he-will" statements prior to the Derby, but the three-year-old was confirmed a runner on Saturday as he will relish the soft ground.
Johnny Murtagh, booked for Duke of Marmalade, is confident his mount can win whatever the conditions. "I'm a great believer in my horse, he's tough and he's genuine. A good horse can go on any ground. It's a clash of the titans and it's a very hot race, but although I respect them all, I fear nothing."
Linngari, formerly trained by Herman Brown, is likely to take his chance in the Juddmonte, with Frankie Dettori taking the ride. Dettori won this race 12 months ago on Authorized, but a repeat visit to the No1 box doesn't look on the cards. Although Linngari won his most recent start, he's a 20-1 shot, given only place prospects by most pundits.
Linngari is in the care of top trainer Michael Stoute, and it looks significant that stable jockey Ryan Moore has elected to partner another six-year-old, Rob Roy.
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