Cesare a Goodwood winner, Wanderers to beat Reading
From the Leigh Journal, first published Saturday 25th Aug 2007.
AFTER a busy week of top class racing at York the spotlight turns to the weekend with Goodwood taking centre stage.
The big race is the Celebration Mile with the top rated horse being the James Fanshawe-trained Cesare.
His three runs this season have all been at Ascot. He won a listed race very easily first time out and then ran an absolute cracker when fifth in the Queen Anne Stakes at the Royal meeting with last week's big winner Red Evie behind him in seventh place, so that form looks rock solid.
Last time out he won the Group 2 Summer Mile with another of his opponents, Dunelight, behind in fifth.
Cesare looks to have an outstanding chance of a third victory this season at the expense of Echelon, an admirably consistent filly who found 10 furlongs too far in a hot Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh in June.
Sir Michael Stoute, who trains Echelon, has a terrific record in this race having trained the winner five times in the last 10 years. She should run well and possibly chase home Cesare.
If Frankie Dettori is fit and well after his dose of flu he will ride the Godolphin-owned Blue Ksar a winner last time out in a Pontefract-listed race.
To add a little more spice to the event Finicius crosses the Irish Sea to throw his hat into the ring. Altogether it's another fascinating race.
Thirty five minutes before that we will see a top class field of two-year-old fillies in the Prestige Stakes.
Sense of Joy, trained by John Gosden, won a maiden race at Newmarket at the beginning of August making a lasting impression on all who saw her. She will take all the beating even though she is now raised in class for this Group 3 event.
Finally Borderlescott holds a couple of entries this weekend at Newmarket and Beverley. No matter what race he enters he is sure to run a big race after his gallant second in the Stewards Cup three weeks ago.
Wanderers favourites
No Big Sam, no Big Sam Tactics, no Kevin Davies, Diouf and Anelka looking at their options - one thing's for sure, Bolton are not having things easy.
After three defeats the Trotters really have to get going and with Reading at the Reebok perhaps this is the ideal opportunity for them to get that first win and stem all the negativity that surrounds them.
The Royals have drawn (0-0 with United) lost (0-1 to Chelsea) and won (1-0 Everton) so far and add that to the fact they beat Bolton home and away last season and no doubt Steve Coppell will be looking to do the same.
However, I have Wanderers as slight favourites at 11/10 with a 1-0 win at 6/1 and 2/1 at 8s. Go for Anelka to hit the opener in that 2/1 victory and I'll give you 40/1.
Fred Done
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