GROUND & WEATHER UPDATE
05/05/06

After the first race on Saturday, the following jockeys reported the ground as:

Ryan Moore, rider of winner Wild Savannah, said: “Good to firm, lovely.”

Martin Dwyer, rider of runner-up Chantaco, said: “Fast.”

Robert Winston, rider of third-placed Thunder Rock, said: “Good to firm, no jar, nice ground.”

Jimmy Quinn, rider of fourth-placed, said: “Good fast ground.”

Graham Gibbons, rider of Crow Wood, said: “Quick side of good.”

Joe Fanning, rider of I’m So Lucky, said: “I thought that it was quick ground.”

Steve Drowne, rider of Impeller, said: “Quick.”

Mick Kinane, rider of Go Tech, said: “It was quick enough.”

Jamie Spencer, rider of Prime Number, said: “Quick.”

John Egan, rider of Shahzan House, said: “Quick, especially coming down that hill.”

Kevin Darley, rider of Coup D’Etat, said: “Good fast racing ground.”

MASTERCLASSES

This weekend Newmarket will hold its inaugural "masterclass" interviews on the NatWest Rowley Mile. In the Winner's Enclosure at 1.20pm tomorrow (Saturday), Sam Bullard, Head of Nominations for Darley at their Dalham Hall Stud, will talk in depth about his role in Sheikh Mohammed's worldwide breeding operation. On Sunday at 1pm, top jockeys Kevin Darley and Martin Dwyer will be the interviewees, talking about the life of a Flat jockey, their daily schedule, their fitness and diet regimes and how they approach race riding at the highest level. The interviews, conducted by Lorna Bradburne, will be illustrated by video clips and will be broadcast on the racecourse televisions.

The aim of the masterclasses, which will take place before racing on all Group 1 racedays on the NatWest Rowley Mile this season, is to provide what we hope will be a fascinating insight for racegoers into the roles of a range of high profile racing professionals.

PROSSER EXPLAINS DECISION TO PUT THE STALLS IN THE MIDDLE

Michael Prosser, Newmarket's Clerk of the Course, said: "The stalls for both the Stan James 2000 Guineas on Saturday and the Stan James 1000 Guineas on Sunday will be placed in the centre of the course as in the past two years when no one could argue that the best horse did not win our two classics.

"The last time that the stalls were on the stands' side, back in 2003, there was a particularly rough race for the 1000 Guineas, in which there were several hard luck stories, including the favourite, Six Perfections. There was also interference in the 2000 Guineas that year, with Indian Haven, who went on to win the Irish equivalent, a particular sufferer. It seems pointless to risk a repetition so we will stick with the middle which should ensure a level playing field for all."

Latest Stan James 1000 Guineas betting
4/1 Rumplestiltskin, 5/1 Flashy Wings, 7/1 Nannina, Silca's Sister, Race For The Stars, 11/1 Speciosa, 12/1 Alexander Alliance, 14/1 Nasheej, 16/1 La Chunga, Donna Blini, Confidential Lady, 25/1 Wake Up Maggie, 66/1 Spinning Queen