Minardi's time to shine

Neither leading millionaire owners Michael Tabor nor John Magnier are short of a bob or two, so when the pair shelled out a cool $1.65m to purchase Minardi (3.40) as yearling in 1999, doubtless they were already dreaming of winning Classic races with their smartly-bred USA colt.

And we shall know whether those dreams have turned to reality by 4pm at Newmarket today following the running of the £300,000 Sagitta-sponsored 2,000 Guineas.

Minardi staked his claim for this year's top honours by running away with the six-furlong Group 1 Middle Park Stakes last September. Best-priced at around 10-1 with William Hill, had the "Middle Park" been over seven furlongs or a mile the Irish raider would have been quoted at much shorter odds.

The question as to his effectiveness over an extra two furlongs is yet to be answered, however Minardi's wonderfully fluent action suggests big-race ace Mick Kinane will be able to settle off the pace early on, prior to kicking in the turbo over the final 300 yards.

Most of the pre-race hype has surrounded Frankie Dettori's mount, Tobougg, unbeaten during his juvenile campaign when trained by Mick Channon.

Having wintered in Dubai, Godolphin's number one challenger is not guaranteed to beat the stable's second string, Rumpold. In a much-publicised head-to-head trial in April, John Carroll's partner got the better of Tobougg. It's difficult to assess the merits of that particular piece of work, although the benefit of being trained in much warmer climes cannot be readily dismissed.

Raking around the rest of an extremely strong supporting card, I reckon it could pay to get involved with Tedburrow (4.15).

Eric Alson's evergreen nine-year-old sprinter should by rights be joining the pension queue at the Post Office. But from going to seed, he showed by finishing fourth in the Abernant Stakes that he retains all of his old enthusiasm.

Mark Johnston's Murghem (5.20) has given the distinct impression of late that it was time for a step up to two miles, consequently the two-mile Sagaro Stakes could be right up his street.

Pride of place at Haydock goes to the £45,000 Swinton Handicap Hurdle. Always run at a searing pillar-to-post gallop, a blend of genuine Flat race speed, plus the ability to jump with pinpoint accuracy, should stand Bring Sweets (2.00) in good stead.

Brian Ellison's five-year-old put in a career-best performance when chasing home Ulundi in the Scottish Champion Hurdle at Ayr, form good enough to take the substantial prize back to Malton.

Thirsk's beefy eight-race fixture has the look of a Bookmakers bonanza judging by the size of the handicaps.

The 24-runner five-furlong Baldersby Handicap is a prime example, especially as it's anyone's guess which side of the straight track will be riding fastest. At least by siding with Chispa (2.40), punters will know their horse is fit and fancied having comprehensively out-pointed a bunch of older horses at Epsom last time out.

In the Coxwold Handicap, Hand Chime (3.45), who completed a superb hat-trick at the end of his three-year-old campaign, must be in with a shout provided Willie Haggas has not been too badly held up by the wet weather.

For the Studford Inns Thirsk Hunt Cup, Racing North ten-to-follow selection, Greenaway Bay (4.20), has the class to scoop a wide-open heat.

There's some good sport to be had over the sticks at Hexham, where George Moore bids to maintain his consistent record at the course with Scotmail Lad (2.00) in the Living North Novices' Chase.

He's been placed on all three of his latest outings, running particularly encouragingly when a close second to the highly-rated even-money favourite Cadougold at Warwick.

Just Lizzie (3.30) could never land a blow in desperately heavy ground at Perth a fortnight ago, neither would the easy nature of the track have suited her. She'll be a lot better off with the severe uphill climb to the jam-stick in the two-and-a-half-mile Travelling The Turf Handicap Hurdle.

Sir Michael Stoute's Karasta (3.45) heads the market for tomorrow's 1,000 Guineas after a series of sparkling home gallops.

Last season Kieren Fallon's partner won the Group 3 May Hill Stakes at Doncaster's St Leger meeting in the style of a filly destined to become one of the best of her generation.

Both trainer and jockey are reportedly very pleased with Karasta's recent progress, auguring well for her prospects in field dominated by quantity rather than quality.

* Local trained Red Marauder was the star of the show at Sedgefield last night without even running in a race!

The Martell Grand National hero was paraded in front of the near 3,000 spectators accompanied by winning jockey Richard Guest. Red Marauder, who looked none the worse for his Aintree exploits, is now set to spend a well-deserved summer at grass on owner/trainer Norman Mason's Farm near Brancepeth.

Meanwhile, the first prize of just over £11,000 for the feature event on the card, the Foster's Durham National, did not stay on home territory as the Gloucestershire raider Act In Time out stayed Key Debate in a thrilling nip-and-tuck after three-and-a-half gruelling miles.

"I've had him for my senior owner Joyce McFerran since he was a four-year-old," explained the successful trainer Tom George.

Tim Easterby's Running Times romped away with the opening Maiden Hurdle. Jockey Russ Garrity rode a patient race, waiting until the second last flight before booting his mount clear to record an impressive 12 length victory.

There was a much more exciting finish to the following John Smith's Novices Chase when Man On The Hill came with a stunning late surge to collar the leader, Royal Snoopy.

Formerly in the care of champion trainer Martin Pipe, Man On The Hill was sent to Ferdy Murphy by leading owner David Johnson. Murphy, striking at the first time of asking for Johnson, was full of praise for the jockey, J P MacNamara, saying: "The horse was a bit crazy when he came to us, but JP has done all the work to settle him down."