In the Betfred Classic Chase over 3m5f at Warwick on Saturday afternoon, bookmakers are all reporting good business ahead of the this cracking handicap chase at Warwick on Saturday and all have confirmed the David Pipe entry, Sona Sasta, as the favourite with odds of around the 6/1 mark.

With Colin Tizzards 156 rated Hey Big Spender in the race it will mean that six of the declared 14 runners will race out of the handicap. The 9 year old will carry 11st 12lb fully 10lbs more than any of his rivals, but notwithstanding, Tizzard is still bullish about his chances and believes he will run a big race.

Sona Sasta was last seen in the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas where he ran disappointingly, finishing well off the pace in 12^th place. It was particularly disappointing for Pipe who had been very pleased with his run when second behind subsequent Welsh National winner, Le Beau Bai at Chepstow three weeks earlier. Pipe now hopes that Sona Sasta can return to the form of this time 12 months ago when he won two 3 mile handicaps within the space of nine days.

Just behind Sona Sasta in the betting with odds of 13/2 is the Brian Ellison entry Neptune Equester who won a decent looking handicap over 3m4f at Haydock last November and has followed that up with a fifth place finish in the valuable Grade 3 Meyrick Handicap Chase at Wetherby on Boxing Day. He comes into the race on a decent mark and should be good enough to get himself in the mix at the business end of the race.

Major Malarkey who will be one of those racing outside of the handicap is being well supported currently in the market. An 8/1 shot at present, he is one of two entries from the Nigel Twiston-Davies yard and will be ridden by Paddy Brennan, while the other, Hello Bud, now being campaigned as a 14 year old will be the ride of son, Sam Twiston-Davies.

Having bolted up in the Totetrifecta Handicap Chase at Hereford in December, the Charlie Longsdon trained Strongbows Legend fell in the Sussex National after being the subject of a huge gamble on the day. He is being backed to win this race too on Saturday and being out of the handicap he must be in with big chances if he can reproduce top form.

The one we like for this is the Alan King trained Blazing Bailey who struggled with the pace in the recent Welsh National in which he was eventually pulled up. However on his day he can prove his class and King believes that this former World Hurdle Champion is bang in form for this race, and good enough to provide a third successive win of this race for King. The sponsors report plenty of interest in the ten year old and have shortened him to 9/1 in their market.

The testing conditions and the length of the trip has made this a trial for many Grand National hopefuls down the years and it would be no surprise to see any of these that emerge from this race on the back of promising runs head to Aintree in April.

The Lanzorote Hurlde at Kempton looks an extremely open race with many in with chances. However, we like the look of Dr Richard Newland’s runner, Act Of Kalanisi a two time winner over hurdles and who was thought good enough to take his chances in Graded company earlier this season.

Now six years old, this horse still has plenty of promise and h is from a yard that regularly upsets the odds in big handicap races.

The favourite for the race is the Nicky Henderson trained, Grandouet, still only a four year old but who has already proved his class. He looked a promising type last season when hosing up in two Juvenile Hurdle races before taking on the Paul Nicholls trained Zarkandar in the Triumph Hurdle at the 2011 Cheltenham Festival. However, he was beaten on that occasion but looked to have the beating of him at Aintree three weeks later in the Grade 1 4YO Anniversary Hurdle but was brought down at the last when looking the likely winner.

He made amends for that disappointment when next out in May when he absolutely thrashed the opposition in the 4YO Champion Hurdle at the Punchestown Festival. The first of his two races this season saw him fall at the last when looking the certain winner in the Grade 2 Elite Hurdle at Wincanton in early November but was an emphatic winner last time in the Betfair Hurdle at Haydock Park, winning that race by 8 lengths from the very useful Marsh Warbler, who opposes again in this.

Grandouet is currently the 3/1 favourite to win Saturday’s and whilst he sets the standard, there is no doubt that he will be tested to the full by at least two other rivals. The first of those is the Donald McCain trained Overturn who has swept all before him so far this season. A big money winner on both the flat and over the sticks, the seven year old Overturn looks better than ever this season winning three from three including the Grade 1 Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle a fortnight ago when he had 2010 Champion Hurdle winner, Binocular over four lengths adrift.

The other big name in the field for Saturday’s race is the Phillip Hobbs trained, Menorah. It would appear that Hobbs has put the intended chasing career for Menorah on hold for the time being, believing that he can still win in top grade company over the smaller obstacles. In fact Menorah won this race 12 months ago which encouraged Bookmakers at the time to make him favourite to win the Champion Hurdle. The six year old in fact was one of four being heavily backed to be the Champion Hurdler last season but he was not quite up to the standard and had to be content with a disappointing fifth place behind winner Hurricane Fly. Hobbs reports him in great form at home and believes that Menorah is still capable of “big things” in top company.

Brampour who also ran in last season’s Triumph Hurdle but could only finish in 9^th place has been pleasing trainer Paul Nicholls at Ditcheat this season. The champion trainer has said that the four year old has made great progress over the summer and his two wins so far this season is testament to that. The second of those wins came in the Grade 3 Greatwood Hurdle at Newbury last month where he finished 2½ lengths clear of the second Olofi in a big field of 23 runners. Brampour will be hoping to complete the same Greatwood/International Hurdle double as Menorah had done 12 months ago and which Detroit City, also trained by Hobbs had done in 2006 but it is Grandouet that has shown more than any of these rivals and is the one to beat in this.

One of his runners is Tataniano, winner of the Grade One Maghull Novices Chase at Aintree last season. He has already been in the winner’s enclosure this term after bolting up in a valuable Handicap Chase at Chepstow in October after making all. Significantly perhaps he will have stable jockey, Ruby Walsh on board, who has chosen him over the other Ditcheat entry, Kauto Stone, half brother to brilliant stable star, Kauto Star.

French import Kauto Stone only joined Nicholls at the end of last season and repaid him with a magnificent winning debut success in the Grade 2 Ladbrokes.com Chase over 2½ miles at Down Royal a month ago. The five year old won that race with plenty in hand and had the well backed favourite, Blazing Tempo, the 2011 Galway Plate winner who was receiving 8lbs, over 14 lengths back in third place. He will have Sam Thomas on board on Saturday, but as yet he has failed to win the confidence of the punters, probably due to him trying a fast two mile trip hence his odds of 13/2, whereas, Tataniano is currently second favourite at 7/2.

The 7/4 antepost favourite to win this race on Saturday is Queen Mother Champion Chase winner, Sizing Europe. The nine year old should be absolutely spot on after his second place behind Quito De La Roque in the Grade One JN Wine Chase over three miles last month at Down Royal. The drop back in trip will definitely be in his favour think most pundits.

Trainer, Henry De Bromhead is still uncertain whether to keep Sizing Europe to the shorter distances and a tilt at a second Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival as the season’s main target. However, there is an option for the King George VI Chase over three miles at Kempton on Boxing Day and he also has an entry for the Grade One John Durkan Memorial Chase over 2½ miles at Punchestown in a fortnights time and his form over this two mile trip marks him out as clearly the horse to beat in this.

Also in the reckoning is the Phillip Hobbs trained Wishfull Thinking, last seen weakening when running well for a long time in the Grade 3 Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham last month. The drop back in trip should suit the speedy 8 year old, but whether he will be just a little short of class to get the better of Sizing Europe remains to be seen. Like Kauto Stone, he too has had Blazing Tempo behind, in fact he was in receipt of 21lbs from the Willie Mullins trained seven year old, but was still over four lengths clear when winning the very valuable Mick the Tent Memorial Novice Handicap Chase at the Punchestown Festival in May. Wishfull Thinking will undoubtedly come on for the run in the ‘Paddy Power’ and should be a major challenger in Saturday’s race.

The only other entry that has attracted antepost money is the Nick Williams trained, Gauvain, who warmed up for this run with a 16 length victory in the Shloer Chase over two miles at Cheltenham three weeks ago. He ran in this race last year in fact but was no match for the winner, Master Minded, finishing over 21 lengths behind. He has been tried at Grade One level several times, but without success and his eighth place in the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival back in March, is form that gives him little chance in this.

Tingle Creek Tip

Sizing Europe

It is a clear sign that French trained Goldikova has become a decided favourite with American racing fans, which of course is no less than she deserves. The six year old has won 14 Group One races and although she is probably just past her best, she is potentially still capable of winning this race which is why the Bookmakers have made her the 9/4 (+225) favorite.

To win however, the daughter of Anabaa will need to hold off what is sure to be a determined bid from another European Raider, the Richard Hannon trained, Strong Suit, who goes to the Breeders Cup as a rapidly improving three year old, with two Group Two wins to his name in his last two starts. This Royal Ascot winner was mightily impressive last time out, when winning the Challenge Stakes at Newmarket by over four lengths from the Sir Henry Cecil entry, Chachamaidee. In that race he confirmed what the stable had been saying all along that he is a real tour de force over seven furlongs. However it is pointed that he has only had one start over a mile and that was a losing one back in July in the Group One Prix Jean Prat at Chantilly. Admittedly, he only lost that race by a squeak and as mentioned he has improved out of all proportion since then.

Others in with a chance include the Andre Fabre trained Byword, a very consistent and versatile five year old, who has won his last two starts. The latest of those came over ten furlongs in the Group Two, Prix Dollar at Longchamp on October 1st, where he had Cirrus Des Aigles just a short neck back in second place. Cirrus Des Aigles did of course go on and beat So You Think in the Group One Champions Stakes at Newmarket a fortnight ago, which goes a long way in confirming the form of Byword and that he could be a real threat in this. Before that win, Byword was also successful in a Group Three back in June over a mile, a distance over which he has now won three times.

Gio Ponti, second behind Goldikova in this race 12 months ago represents America’s best hope of a win and is another with chances particularly so as he comes into the race following an excellent win in the Grade One Shadwell Turf Mile Stakes at Keeneland three weeks ago. Before that he ran second behind Cape Blanco in the Grade One Arlington Million in August which is exactly the same route and the same outcomes he had under his belt before coming to the Breeders Cup Mile last year.

However, whilst this looks sure to be a hotly contested affair on paper and many have chances, the scene is set for Goldikova  to make history by winning a fourth consecutive Breeders Cup Mile and experience and the filly weight allowance she has taken full advantage of in the last three years could once again go down as one of Racing’s greatest ever fillies.

In those early days the race was restricted to Scottish bred and trained horses only and was contested over two heats of two miles, until eventually it was changed into a straight race over the same distance. In 1855 the organisers decided to convert the race into a handicap which allowed for a greater number of entries, but with flat racing generally being geared to shorter distances the entire make up of the race was changed. In 1908 the race became a six furlong handicap sprint for the first time and has remained that way ever since.

These days of course it has become the richest sprint handicap race in Europe and has become the feature race of Ayr’s three day racing festival, held in September each year. Indeed its popularity is so profound that a second race was created, the Ayr Silver Cup, some years ago. In essence the top 27 entries in the weights will get the ‘nod’ to run in the Gold Cup, while the next 27 will run in the Silver Cup, the day before. However, even two races did not cater for the demand and in 2009 a third race, the Ayr Bronze Cup was inaugurated which is also run the day before the Gold Cup.

It is the common perception of most punters that the draw for the Gold Cup is one of the best indicators of what horse will win the race. The usual trend is to note the winning stall of the Silver and Bronze Cups and back accordingly in the Gold Cup. However, put to the test, this trend rarely materialises and the best advice would be to ignore it.

The draw remains an exciting spectacle however and is conducted two days before the race and follows a simple but potentially onerous routine. Each runner is drawn from the hat, the trainer or his representative of that runner must then select a stall for his entry within a given 60 second time frame, while at the same time crossing his fingers and hoping that he/she has got the right stall. This method is also adopted for both the Silver and Bronze Cups.

In recent years the trainer to follow in the Ayr Gold Cup simply has to be ‘spring king’, Dandy Nicholls, who has trained six winners of the race in the last ten years, including Redford 12 months ago, who was ridden by Frankie Dettori and who won with odds of 14/1 from stall 15. Dettori in fact also rode the winner, Jimmy Styles for trainer, Clive Cox in 2009, he was also a 14/1 shot and like Redford was drawn in the middle stalls.

As far as favourite backers are concerned they will want to leave this race well alone as there has only been one favourite to have triumphed since 1986. Indeed the average price of the winner of the Ayr Gold Cup is usually around the 16/1 mark, although Nicholls has saddled two recently with odds of 33/1.

The current favourite for the 2011 renewal is the James Fanshawe trained, Mac’s Power, who is closely followed in the market by the Great St Wilfrid Stakes winner, Pepper Lane from the yard of David O’Meara. Despite the recent withdrawal of Hoof It from the field of runners, the race looks likely to be an extremely close call but Mac’s Power looks very well treated on his efforts in similar big field handicaps this years and can land the spoils at 12/1 currently available.

The International Stakes has been dominated by Irish trained horses for the last three years, with the Duke Of Marmalade and Rip Van Winkle winning for trainer, Aidan O’Brien in 2008 and 2010, while in between those victories came Sea The Stars in 2009.

This year’s renewal looks a straight fight between O’Brien and Henry Cecil who, between them, account for five of the six runners in the race. O’Brien saddles three runners including the 5/6 favourite, Await The Dawn, whilst Henry Cecil runs both Midday and Twice Over, who are second and third in the International Stakes betting and whilst Await The Dawn, who has won his last four starts is justified favourite, it would be no surprise to see either of Cecil’s runners upset the odds.

O’Brien also has the favourite for the Great Voltigeur Stakes in Seville, who is Ballydoyle’s principle challenger to win the Doncaster St Leger next month. He was second in the Irish Derby in June and also finished second behind Meandre in the Group One Grand Prix de Paris last month. His main challengers appear to be the much vaunted but lightly raced Sea Moon from the yard of Sir Michael Stoute and the Queen’s Vase winner at Royal Ascot, Namibian, who is trained by Mark Johnston. All three are being aimed at the St Leger for which the Great Voltigeur is a well known trial but 5.4 jolly Seville looks the one to beat.

The Group One Yorkshire Oaks is the feature race on Day Two whilst juvenile fillies will look to impress in the important Group Two Lowther Stakes over 6 furlongs, also on Thursday.

The Yorkshire Oaks is one of the best Fillies races of the season and sees the best three year old fillies go up against older rivals  and this year’s race looks set to include 2011 Irish Oaks and 1,000 Guineas winner, Blue Bunting, who will take on the Jim Bolger trained, Banimpire, who finished second a short head behind in second place in Ireland to the Godolphin horse in July. Also lining up will be Misty For Me from the O’Brien stable, who will also run Wonder Of Wonders, who was third in Irish Oaks, while another Irish Raider in the form of Jessica Harrington will be taking on the first three home that day with the fourth placed Laughing Lashes. English Trainer Ed Dunlop intends to take them all on with his dual 2010 Oaks winner, Snow Fairy, who is said to be in great form after her last run at Goodwood but will have to concede weight to her younger rivals.

There will be no more popular winner on Day Two should Angels Will Fall win the Lowther Stakes for trainer Barry Hills with the legendary trainer retiring on Thursday before handing over the reins to son Charlie.

The Group One Nunthorpe Stakes over five furlongs is the feature on Day Three and has the Mick Easterby trained Hoof It at the head of the market. He will be making his Group One debut after winning the Stewards Cup at Goodwood last month and is a two time winner this season on the Knavesmire course and looks certainly the one to beat despite the huge step up in class.

The fourth and final day sees the running of York Ebor Handicap, the race which lends its name to this ever popular meeting. This race often sees the wits of the flat trainers pitted against those from the National Hunt and although National Hunt trainers have landed the spoils for the last two years, this year’s renewal is dominated by runners from flat stables with the antepost favourite currently the Saeed Bin Suroor trained, Lost In The Moment, second in the Group Two Goodwood Cup last time out and on a favourable mark sets the standard.

In England on Saturday, Haydock Park hosts the Group Three Rose of Lancaster Stakes while over on Newmarket’s July Course, there is the Group Three Sweet Solera Stakes for juvenile fillies.

At Haydock, Kieran Fallon has been booked by Sir Michael Stoute to ride the talented Class Is Class who finished fourth, only two lengths behind the winner, Twice Over, in the Group Two York Stakes a couple of weeks back. She finished second in this race last year behind the Clive Cox trained Poet who is also in opposition again this year. Both would have big chances to claim this race and both should be there or thereabouts at the finish but preference is given to Class Is Class based on her most recent form and is sure to be the pick of many newspapers Racing tips on Saturday.

In the Solera Stakes at Newmarket, the highly rated Jeremy Noseda trained Regal Realm looks to be the one to beat here, particularly after finishing second behind the unbeaten Barry Hills trained Angels Will Fall in the Group Three Juddmonte Stakes at Ascot over six furlongs last month. Regal Realm came with a strong challenge in that race and will be suited by the extra furlong on Saturday. There are several dangers including Kinetica from the stable of Sir Mark Prescott and from the well bred Discourse from Godolphin, winner of her maiden last time and who is amongst the favourites for the 2012 One thousand Guineas. She will have Frankie Dettori on board.

In the Royal Whip Stakes at the Curragh on Sunday, the Aidan O’Brien trained Await The Dawn should have this race for the taking, despite strong looking opposition from a number of rival stables. Await The Dawn who won the Group Two Hardwicke Stakes last time in great style from Harris Tweed at Royal Ascot is very highly regarded by Ballydoyle who have a longer term Breeders Cup plan for her and it would be a real setback if she didn’t justify her favouritism in this race.

Against her could be Irish Oaks runner up, Banimpire, from the Jim Bolger yard who would be dropping down in class but who also won at Royal Ascot when she took the Group Two Ribblesdale Stakes.

After his hugely successful Galway Festival Dermot Weld may be tempted to run Casual Conquest in the race who has been off course for almost two years with a tendon injury. This 6 year old was third in the Epsom Derby and second in the Irish Derby in 2008 but was good enough to win this race two years ago.

In the Debutante Stakes, the Aidan O’Brien trained Maybe is already a winner at Listed and Group Three level and could be the pick of what looks like shaping up to be a cracking but revealing race. The daughter of Galileo looked very impressive in both those wins and is now unbeaten after three starts and is the current antepost favourite for the 1000 Guineas in 2012.

Also being backed for the 1000 Guineas is the Kevin Prendergast trained La Collina who went down by a ¼ length to Maybe in the Group Three Silver Flash Stakes at Leopardstown last month. She will be trying to reverse that form on Sunday and according to the stable she has improved for that run.

It is almost impossible to oppose an Aidan O’Brien victory in the feature race at the Curragh on Sunday, the Group One, Phoenix Park Stakes, which he has made into the sole province of Ballydoyle after saddling 11 of the last 13 winners. This year on top of the Ballydoyle pecking order for the race is the unbeaten Power, winner last time of the Group Two Coventry Stakes by a neck from Roman Soldier at Royal Ascot in June. That win has currently earned him the joint favouritism for the 2012 Two Thousand Guineas. Power in fact is one of six Ballydoyle entries in the race one of which, Reply is a half brother to Power and who looked very impressive when he won his maiden on this course in May.

The last English success in the race came back in 1997, but this year there are three entries, two of which look to have genuine chances. Firstly there is the Richard Hannon trained Lilbourne Lad who was last seen winning over course and distance in June when he took the Group Two Railway Stakes. It was a very impressive run which saw him defeat several Ballydoyle hopefuls in the process and is thought very able by his trained to repeat the dose this Sunday.

The other major English raider is Frederick Engels from the relatively unknown yard of David Browne, who is also a Royal Ascot winner, having taken the Listed Windsor Castle Stakes in great style. He followed that up with victory in the Group Two July Stakes at Newmarket where he had the much vaunted Roman Soldier comfortably beaten by a length. That win gives him every chance with Power based on form and reports suggest Frederick Engels is more than ready for the trip to Ireland.

In her final work for this coming  Saturday’s Breeders’ Cup Classic, Zenyatta turned in a flawless six-furlong work in 1:12.40 on Saturday morning at Hollywood Park with regular jockey, Mike Smith aboard.

Zenyatta worked in company with her  staablemate Green Cat.

They began the work at the 5 1/2-furlong pole with Zenyatta starting about three lengths behind. Zenyatta gradually crept closer oin the turn, then drew away through the stretch and finished five lengths in front.

Russell Hudak, the official clocker at Hollywood Park, timed Zenyatta in fractions of 24.60 seconds, 36.60, 48.40, and 1:00.20.

Hudak timed her galloping out seven furlongs in 1:25.20.

Zenyatta looks ready for the Cup race.

We’ll be updating this site regularly this week, in anticipation of this weekend’s cup races.