Horse Racing

Longchamp

2:25 Poule d'Essai des Poulains

The French 2000 Guineas dates back to 1883 and is a race of the highest class. Amongst the leading contenders this year are the fancied Naqoos and Jim Bolger's Vocalised.

3:00 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches

Alain De Royer-Dupre has saddled the last two French 1000 Guineas winners and has an interesting candidate in Doriana this time round but Luca Cumani's Nell Gwyn winner Fantasia is likely to go off favourite.

3:35 Prix de Saint-Georges

This Group Three five furlong contest is the first of a quartet of top French sprints that culminate with the Prix de l'Abbaye at the Arc meeting in October.

Leopardstown

3:55 Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial

Unlike many of the various Derby workouts at this time of the season, this Group Two has an excellent record of producing top class staying contenders, ranging from winners of the English and Irish Derbies to the Arc.

4:25 Derrinstown Stud 1000 Guineas Trial

Run over a mile, many who win here go on to do well in the Irish 1000 Guineas and there should be plenty of promising young fillies on show.

5:25 Amesthyst Stakes

An interesting Group Three run over a mile, it usually attracts a small field of older milers who have proven short of the very top class.


Wednesday May 13

York

2:40 Tattersalls Musidora Stakes

Regarded as one of the main Oaks trials, this classy Group Three race for fillies is run over a little further than ten furlongs.

3:10 Duke Of York Stakes

Traditional starting point for the Group class sprinters, this always attracts a large field of high class animals for a cavalry charge along the straight and galloping six furlongs.

Naas

7:20 Blue Wind Stakes

Named after the double Oaks winner of 1981, this is an interesting Group Three race for fillies and mares, run over ten furlongs.


Thursday May 14

York

2:10 Middleton Stakes

An intriguing ten furlong Group Three confined to older fillies and mares, this usually features a small field.

2:40 Dante Stakes

The most prestigious Derby trial of all, with an impeccable recent record in finding leading contenders for Classic glory and whichever colt triumphs here is certain to shorten dramatically in price for the Epsom showpiece.


Friday May 15

York

1:40 Marygate Stakes

A Listed contest confined to two year old fillies, this race can sometimes unearth a serious contender for the Queen Mary Stakes at the Royal meeting.

2:10 Jorvik Stakes

A really solid Heritage handicap over twelve furlongs, this will feature the usual mix of seasoned handicappers and progressive younger horses.

2:40 Yorkshire Cup

An ever popular Group Two, this fourteen furlong test is the first target of the season for the very best stayers and is undoubtedly the centrepiece of the final day

3:10 Michael Seely Memorial Fillies Stakes

A Listed event run over a mile for promising three year old fillies


Newbury

2:20 Caernarvon Stakes

A six furlong Listed sprint confined to three year olds that may showcase a sprinting star or two of the future.

2:50 Swettenham Stud Fillies Trial Stakes

The last of the recognised Oaks trials, this is a Listed contest over ten furlongs for three year old fillies.

Hamilton

7:30 Glasgow Stakes

This is a race that at one time was run as a Derby trial at the York meeting. It now represents a chance to shine for those three year olds likely to be found wanting at the very top level.


8:35 Braveheart Stakes

A decent Listed event over twelve furlongs that usually attracts a good field of handicappers.

Saturday May 16

Newbury

2:05 Aon Stakes

A classy Listed race run over just further than thirteen furlongs and likely to feature a handful of decent stayers

2:40 Juddmonte Lockinge Stakes

Always one of the early season highlights, this Group One is usually a fiercely contested gallop with no hiding place as a field of all-aged top class milers battle down the middle of the wide Berkshire track

3:10 Aon London Gold Cup

This middle distance handicap invariably attracts a big field and can offer some useful pointers for the King George V at the Royal meeting.