Carr zooms to Ayr double
Mutafaakir took the feature BetVictor World Cup Spincast Free Bets Handicap, despite drifting right and left, to complete a double for the Ruth Carr team at Ayr.
It went smoothly for most of the journey as James Sullivan allowed the five-year-old to bowl along in front over the straight five furlongs, on his first attempt at the trip. Though Mutafaakir (9-2) drifted over to the near side of the track and back again, he kept on strongly to beat Jinky by three-quarters of a length.
Carr and Sullivan had struck earlier with Cono Zur (4-1 joint-favourite), who put in a determined display to lead all the way in the Best Odds In Football At BetVictor.com Handicap. The seven-year-old saw off all-comers to score by a length and three-quarters from Galilee Chapel.
Reflecting on the brace, North Yorkshire-based Carr said: "We knew Cono Zur would like the fast ground. He's been coming down the handicap and it was about time he was doing his stuff. It's the time of year when he does well.
"With Mutafaakir it was a question mark dropping him back to five furlongs. It was PJ McDonald who suggested we tried him back at five. He is a quirky customer, as he showed in the race. He has loads of ability, it's just that he's not straightforward."
There was a slight blot on the double for Sullivan, as he picked up a two-day ban for careless riding on Mutafaakir. In the same race, Slade O'Hara was suspended for four days on fifth-placed Perfect Blossom as the stewards ruled he had not ridden out on a horse that would have finished fourth.
Local handler Linda Perratt got in on the double act with Silver Rime and Dark Crystal.
Silver Rime (6-1) swooped late to capture the Penalty Shootout Money Back With BetVictor Handicap, just 24 hours after finishing fourth at the Scottish venue. Apprentice Connor Beasley had trouble removing the blindfold from the grey on Sunday, but had no such trouble leaving the stalls this time as the nine-year-old registered a fourth course success.
The 3lb claimer had his willing mount off the pace set by Powerful Presence in the early stages before coming late to collar Jazz by half a length.
Dark Crystal sprang a 20-1 surprise under Megan Carberry when upstaging 8-15 favourite Crafted by two and a half lengths in the Enhanced Prices On BetVictor Instabet App Apprentice Handicap.
Gold Chain (8-1) came from a long way last to claim the Download The BetVictor Spincast App Handicap for trainer Dianne Sayer, owner husband Andrew and their daughter Emma in the saddle.
The four-year-old filly was detached in the early stages as Hunting Ground set a furious pace, but the 5lb claiming rider bided her time. Improving her position as the leader tired in the straight, Gold Chain weaved her way into the lead two furlongs out and went on to win by a length and three-quarters from Geanie Mac.
Joe Fanning made all the running on Mark Johnston's Disavow (9-4) to follow up a Chester success in the Injured Jockeys Fund 50th Anniversary Nursery Handicap. Wink Oliver tried to close but was still half a length down at the line, with Ingleby Spring just behind in third.
The Charlie Hills-trained Latch Onto Blue (5-6 favourite) held Short N Sweet by a neck to land the odds under Robert Winston in the British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Stakes.
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Derby must avoid sporting clashes
Bookmakers would welcome an evening Investec Derby in principle - but warn it might not be an overwhelming success if it clashed with another major sporting event.
Epsom is reported to be considering moving the premier Classic to a Saturday evening slot in a bid to reverse the declining television audience of the great race.
While the betting fraternity is keen on any initiative that boosts interest in racing, it believes a head-to-head with another big occasion would cancel out the potential benefits. And 2015 would be one of those years as football's Champions League Final is being staged in Berlin on the same day as the Derby, Saturday, June 6.
"I would encourage them not to do it next year because it would clash with the Champions League Final. That is very late next year as it's the World Cup this year," said David Williams of Ladbrokes.
"Racing has to understand that when it goes head-to-head with big football events it comes off second-best.
"Generally we would welcome anything that looks like reinvigorating viewing figures. If you can create a narrative in a sporting day where there is a climax later in the day, it is a good thing for betting purposes. We have often found if you put your feature race on later in the day there is better turnover all through the day.
"Betting firms would welcome that. However, there are going to be occasional years - and 2015 would be an absolute stellar point - where it ends up clashing with something and comes off second-best, so a lot of homework has to go into this.
"We would give a tentative thumbs up to the idea, but there are a lot of moving parts and this probably isn't going to be the panacea to solve all the ills of what is happening with summer Flat racing viewing figures. Racing needs to work harder than it ever has to come up with innovative ideas to restore betting interest and viewing interest. If this is one step along that road let's get it on. It has to be good news."
Epsom's managing director Rupert Trevelyan told The Times that moving the off time of the Derby is likely to come under discussion in a move already taken by counterparts in Ireland.
The peak audience for this year's race, won by Australia, was 1.55 million, less than half that achieved the last time the Classic was shown by the BBC. However, any change is likely to need the approval of the Queen as the course is well aware of the influence placed on the attendance of the monarch.
"We may decide to innovate. I've never ruled anything out and staging the race later in the evening could be considered. The broadcasters tell us that every hour later could be worth an extra million viewers. The presence of the Queen is paramount and she will be consulted before we make any such change."
The Derby was moved from its traditional Wednesday slot to a Saturday 20 years ago and some still believe a move back would be the way forward but Trevelyan dismissed such ideas.
"In the paid stands, we had the biggest crowd ever this year, so that view is misguided. Rain in the morning reduced the walk-up crowd on The Hill but that is not a trend. The race is in good shape but we should never rule out change," he said.
Currabeg trainer John Oxx has had runners in the Irish Derby since it switched to an evening slot, with Born To Sea second to Camelot in the 2012 renewal, and has won the Epsom Classic twice, through Sinndar in 2000 and the great Sea The Stars in 2009.
He said: "All I can say is they seem quite happy with how it is going over here, but I wouldn't have a strong view on whether it would be the right thing for Epsom to do.
"It's a slightly different situation in Ireland as they moved the race from a Sunday to a Saturday evening. On one hand it was perhaps the viewing figures, but it has also helped them get an improved corporate response.
"A lot of the old school would say when the Epsom Derby was on a Wednesday it clashed with nothing. It was a day off and a big event for everybody. Some people would say the problems started when they moved it to a Saturday, but I don't know. I'm sure they had good reasons for doing it.
"That's just the way things are going now. Royal Ascot finish up on a Saturday now and you get a different crowd, but it's their biggest crowd of the week. I have enough on my plate trying to train a winner without trying to solve all the problems in the world!"
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Lynam looks to Curragh for Stewart
Eddie Lynam believes Agnes Stewart could be a "bit special" following a scintillating debut at Fairyhouse last week.
The two-year-old daughter of Lawman was a 22-1 shot for her racecourse introduction, but displayed potent acceleration to score by almost four lengths over seven furlongs.
Lynam is in no rush to step his filly up to Pattern class, with a Curragh conditions race pencilled in for her next start.
"She's a filly we like and her next target will be the Loder Fillies Race at the Curragh in August, a conditions race over seven furlongs," said the trainer.
"She was very good in Fairyhouse. We were delighted with her.
"It's very unusual for one of mine to win first time out, particularly on turf, but she might just be a bit special."
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Graphic unlikely to take in Ascot
Graphic is likely to be given the chance to test his powers at a higher level on his next appearance following an impressive display at Maisons-Laffitte.
The five-year-old joined William Haggas from Richard Hannon's yard at the start of last season and has since won six races including the Listed Doncaster Mile and Sunday's Group Three Prix Messidor under a front-running ride from Frankie Dettori.
Graphic has been given an entry in this weekend's Fred Cowley MBE Memorial Summer Mile at Ascot, but is unlikely to turn out quickly, with some cut in the ground essential.
Harry Herbert, racing manager for owners the Royal Ascot Racing Club, said: "He's been very well trained by William and his team and I think we were all delighted with his performance.
"We were hopeful he'd run very well going into the race as he had his favoured conditions and he won very easily.
"A good few of his syndicate members flew over to France and watched him run standing in the rain, but I don't think they minded too much.
"He looked very well in the parade ring beforehand. He was absolutely glowing, despite the rain.
"He's still progressing and we'll take a view now. He's won a Listed race and a Group Three this year and, if he keeps improving, a Group Two could be within his range on soft ground.
"He's entered in the Summer Mile on Saturday, but it looks like a dry week so I would have thought it's unlikely he'll run."
Mike de Kock's Soft Falling Rain has a Summer Mile entry, as does Coral-Eclipse defector Tullius, trained by Andrew Balding.
Jamie Osborne's Royal Ascot winner Field Of Dream has the Ascot engagement as well as the 666bet Bunbury Cup at Newmarket on the same afternoon. Similar comments apply to the Roger Varian-trained Farraaj, with his handicap option being the John Smith's Cup at York.
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No excuses after Approval defeat
James Fanshawe is hopeful Seal Of Approval will show her true colours later in the season following a disappointing display in the Lancashire Oaks at Haydock.
Last year's British Champions Fillies and Mares Stakes winner made a promising return in the Yorkshire Cup in the middle of May and was unsurprisingly a hot favourite to get off the mark for the year in Saturday's Group Two contest.
However, the five-year-old was in trouble from an early stage in the hands of Hayley Turner and beat just one rival home.
Fanshawe said: "She pulled out good this morning and did a bit of a canter. She's absolutely fine. She's just taken a bit of time to come to herself this year and I hope she'll improve plenty for the run and really start to thrive from hereon in.
"I don't have a particular target in mind. We just want to make sure we're 100 per cent happy with her and we'll make a plan from there.
"There are plenty of races for her in the autumn."
There was a more encouraging display on the same afternoon by Seal Of Approval's stable companion Magic Hurricane, who was beaten just a length into third in the fiercely competitive Old Newton Cup.
"He just didn't quite see out the last furlong, but it was a big step for him and he performed very well, so we were pleased," said the trainer.
"I haven't got anything in mind for him at this stage. I'll see what the handicapper does and then we'll see where we go."
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Bin Suroor salutes legend Lammtarra
Saeed bin Suroor led the tributes to Lammtarra, the unbeaten winner of the Derby, King George and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in 1995 who died on Sunday at the age of 22, as he described the Classic hero as a horse who will be "remembered forever".
Trained by the late Alex Scott as a two-year-old, he won the blue riband at Epsom in the care of Bin Suroor after Scott was murdered in September 1994, a month after the son of Nijinsky had won the Washington Singer at Newbury.
He raced in the name of Sheikh Mohammed's nephew Saeed Maktoum Al Maktoum as a juvenile before being part of Godolphin in his Classic season, which saw him add the two all-aged middle-distance championships of Europe to his Epsom laurels.
Bin Suroor told Press Association Sport: "It is very sad. He is one of the best horses I have trained. He won the Epsom Derby, the King George and the Arc. Very few horses have managed to win those three races.
"He was a great horse, it is sad to lose him and we will miss him, but he will be remembered forever."
Darley said the chestnut was put to sleep at Dalham Hall Stud following a short illness.
Stud director Liam O'Rourke told
"Lammtarra was a horse that was very close to Sheikh Mohammed's heart. He was very intelligent, a true gentleman and never gave anyone a moment's trouble.
"Sadly, this was his time to go and we are pleased that he passed away comfortably. He will be missed by everyone here at Dalham."
Lammtarra was ridden by Walter Swinburn at Epsom, and still had lots of ground to make up at the three-furlong pole before cutting down the field to win by a length from Tamure and Frankie Dettori in a course-record time.
Dettori was to take over in the King George at Ascot, where the pair accounted for Pentire by a neck. It was then to Paris and Longchamp for the Arc, where a dream season was completed with a three-quarter-length triumph from Freedom Cry. From just four starts, Lammtarra earned over £1.25million in winning prize money.
Sheikh Mohammed's long-standing bloodstock advisor John Ferguson hailed Lammtarra as a "true champion".
He said: "It's very, very sad. He was very dear to everybody who was involved with him. We are all very sorry to see him go.
"He stood at Dalham Hall, then he went to Japan and then Sheikh Mohammed bought him back so he could have a happy retirement in Newmarket. He's had a great life and he thoroughly deserved it. He was a true champion."
Epsom clerk of the course Andrew Cooper tweeted: "Sad to hear of death of 1995 Derby winner Lammtarra - came with a flying late run in a then record time (until Workforce) of 2.32.3 secs."
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Goodwood next for Somewhat
Somewhat is set to take a step down in class and tackle a longer distance at Glorious Goodwood following his great effort in the Coral-Eclipse.
The Mark Johnston-trained three-year-old is being aimed at the Group Three Gordon Stakes over a mile and a half after taking third place behind Mukhadram at odds of 100-1, when acting as pacemaker in the 10-furlong Group One at Sandown on Saturday
"It's a bit of a step down really. He's finished third in a Group One open to older horses down to a Group Three just for three-year-olds," Johnston's son Charlie told Racing UK.
"We've also got Hartnell (winner of the Queen's Vase) in a similar sort of bracket so we want to keep the two of them apart. It's a nice problem to have.
"He has a huge amount of ability and we thought a lot about him as a two-year-old. I knew that style of race (in the Eclipse) would suit him.
"If we hadn't gone there he'd have gone up to a mile and a half. He stays really well. Fifty grand for finishing third - we won't complain at that."
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Soumillon unlikely for Moon Arc bid
Christophe Soumillon is unlikely to be on Sea The Moon if the exciting German Derby winner takes his chance in the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
The son of 2009 Arc hero Sea The Stars is third favourite at around 8-1 for the Longchamp showpiece on October 5 after he demolished the field at Hamburg on Sunday.
Connections of Markus Klug's unbeaten colt might have to look elsewhere for a jockey as Soumillon, who replaced regular rider Andreas Helfenbein on Sunday, could be claimed by his retainer the Aga Khan.
"If the horse goes into foreign countries, say for the Arc, then Christophe Soumillon must ride for the Aga Khan, so it is difficult to get him for Sea The Moon in France," said Cologne-based Klug.
Sea The Moon's next race is likely to be on home soil in the Grosser Preis von Baden at Baden-Baden on September 7.
"That's the plan. He will have a break, then he will go to Baden-Baden and then perhaps to the Arc," said Klug.
"It was fantastic performance on Sunday. The horse is well, he's at home, and everything's all right."
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Cookie on course for York
Clever Cookie could bid for his third and most important course win of the season should he line up for the 55th John Smith's Cup at York on Saturday.
The six-year-old was twice successful on the Knavesmire in May, winning over this extended mile and a quarter and then dead-heating for a Listed contest over a mile and three-quarters.
He would be dropping back to the shorter trip for this heritage handicap, with connections tempted by the valuable prize money.
"He's grand. All being well he'll run as long as the ground is fine for him," said trainer Peter Niven.
"He's got loads of weight, but it's one chance he's got of going for a decent pot."
Niven will probably have to look for a jockey as Graham Lee, who has partnered Clever Cookie to victory in all his three starts this season, is likely to be in action at Newmarket's Darley July Cup meeting the same day.
He said: "Graham's going to Newmarket as far as I know. I don't know who's going to ride the horse yet."
Last year's Cambridgeshire winner Educate heads the weights after 53 horses stood their ground in a race that has a safety limit of 20.
The Queen could be represented by Bold Sniper, who was second to Contributer in the Wolferton Handicap at Royal Ascot.
Bold Sniper's trainer Sir Michael Stoute has a second possible in Stomachion, who was forced to miss the Old Newton Cup at Haydock last weekend after suffering a setback.
Tres Coronas and Awake My Soul, third and fourth 12 months ago, could try again while others in what looks a typically trappy renewal include Farraaj, Nabucco, Two For Two and What About Carlo.
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Ascot heroes set to do battle
Eddie Lynam's Royal Ascot winners Sole Power and Slade Power are among 17 sprinters confirmed for the Darley July Cup at Newmarket on Saturday.
Sole Power successfully defended his crown in the King's Stand Stakes with a scintillating display in Berkshire, while his stable companion Slade Power broke his Group One duck in the Diamond Jubilee.
The pair will be ridden by Richard Hughes and Wayne Lordan respectively this weekend, with elder statesman Sole Power set to carry the first colours of owners David and Sabena Power.
Lynam said: "Both horses are fine. I'm very happy with them. I wouldn't even try and split them."
The Lynam duo look likely to be joined on the trip from Ireland by at least one Aidan O'Brien runner, with the master of Ballydoyle leaving in Darwin, Cougar Mountain, Due Diligence and Fountain Of Youth.
Kevin Ryan has a couple of big bullets to fire in Astaire and Hot Streak, with Roger Varian's Aljamaaheer another major contender for the home team.
There is International interest in the six-furlong Group One with Wesley Ward's American challenger Undrafted and Enrique Leon's Spanish hope Noozhoh Canarias both in contention.
Pique Sous could return to England 
