vallierojas: Talking Horses: Latest news and best bets in our daily racing blog

The latest news and best bets in our daily horse racing blog, plus the start of a new week's tipping competition

3pm Immortal Verse beats Goldikova

Chris Cook: Immortal Verse has followed up her win in the Coronation Stakes by beating Goldikova in the Jacques le Marois at Deauville just now. Robert Collet's filly swept past the entire field up the stands' side after a strong pace had been set by Goldikova's two pacemakers. Goldikova ran on well but could not produce a run of the same power as the winner.

Sahpresa also ran on well to be a close third and nearly nabbed second from Goldikova. That's a 1-2-3 for the fillies and mares, with the colts stuffed.

I bet Peslier never thought the day would come when he'd have five rides and Goldikova would be the only loser.

2.20pm Galikova wins Guillaume D'Ornano

Chris Cook: Olivier Peslier has ridden the first four winners at Deauville today and it's Goldikova next. He again gave Galikova (9-4) a fair bit to do in the Guillaume D'Ornano just now but she responded willingly in the straight to pull clear of her rivals. Golden Lilac was well placed from the start but never looked like getting into the argument in the straight. She eventually finished third, three lengths behind the winner.

This was disappointing but Andre Fabre, her trainer, had dampened down expectations with his pre-race comments and she should do better on another day.

Slow Pace (33-1) was second, giving Freddy Head the one-two.

Re the chances of Mutual Trust in the Marois, I note that Fabre is now 0/20 over the past fortnight, with losers at Evens, 13-10, 6-4, 6-4, 2-1, 2-1 and 3-1.

Today's best bets, by Will Hayler

No doubt about the best racing today. Unfortunately it's in France, but apparently it's a Bank Holiday there, which is why they've put such a brilliant card on at Deauville. I remember when we used to have good racing on Bank Holidays too . . .

You won't find a bigger fan of Goldikova than me and I still think she was a bit unlucky to meet defeat at the hands of Canford Cliffs at Royal Ascot, where her pacemaker was just never able to go fast enough for her. If she makes it to the Breeders' Cup again this year then I am going to have to seriously think about dipping in to the savings to be there this year. (If my editor is reading this, can he consider it as a holiday request?)

But, although exact going reports are thin on the ground this morning, we know it will be on the soft side for today's Prix Jacques Le Marois (it was officially 'holding to soft' for racing at the track yesterday) and that won't be in Goldikova's favour. She was beaten by Makfi in this race last year and there's every chance that the opposition 12 months on is even stronger.

Considering that Strong Suit pretty much had his own way in front in last month's Prix Jean Prat, Mutual Trust (2.55) emerged with plenty of credit in being able to cut him down and that form certainly doesn't look any worse after Strong Suit's recent effortless victory at Goodwood. I fancy him to maintain his unbeaten record, although I wouldn't put off anyone from having a few shillings each-way on Immortal Verse, who drew some rich praise from Robert Collet after her Coronation Stakes victory and is more certain to appreciate conditions than most.

The Prix Guillaume d'Ornano at 2.20 is a re-match between the Prix de Diane first and second, Golden Lilac and Galikova. Although some felt that Olivier Peslier gave Goldikova's half-sister too much to do that day, I would have expected the placings to be confirmed but for an interesting warning quote from Golden Lilac's trainer Andr� Fabre that "this is not her main target". With the German Derby winner Waldpark also in the line-up, dropping back to a mile and a quarter, this promises to be another fascinating contest.

Both Deauville races will be screened on ATR and Racing UK.

Some of the recent momentum seems to have gone from Silvestre de Sousa's jockeys' championship challenge, thanks in the main to a series of suspensions which have restricted his riding opportunities in recent days. But Miss Rosie (3.30) could put him back on the right track at Kempton today.

This filly's victory over the admirably consistent but undeniably modest First Fast Now has seen her handed only a lowly rating for her handicap debut, but the third has franked the form by winning since and Miss Rosie remains open to plenty of further improvement on just the third start of her career. In contrast, most of her rivals here have had plenty of chances and proven only that they are extremely limited performers.

Having cruised into the lead two furlongs out, Ted's Brother (4.45) looked to get lonely in front and ultimately only scrambled home by a short-head at Doncaster on Saturday. But that was his first start after a break of more than six weeks and, given the way that Richard Guest likes to keep his team busy, there must be a decent chance that he will have come on for the outing. If his potent turn of foot is used a little later in today's race, a quick follow-up looks on the cards at Thirsk.

Tipping competition ? a new week

Congratulations to factormax, who won last week's competition on a final score of +30.88, despite picking three losers on Friday, when jaygee1 briefly threatened to challenge with a 7-1 winner. Factormax wins a copy of 'Kiwis, Canaries and Monkeys: 500 Extraordinary Racing Stories', the latest volume from Graham Sharpe, with entertaining tales of racing-related oddities and calamities.

This week's prize is a pack of the brand new card game for racing fans, 'Collectacard', produced by Racing For Change in the style of the old Top Trumps games. There are 30-odd cards, each featuring a current Flat racehorse. RFC are pondering a jumps version (which would surely be at least as popular) later in the year.

To kick things off, we'd like your tips, please, for these races: 2.55 Deauville (to Goldi or not to Goldi), 4.15 Thirsk, 5.00 Kempton.

As ever, our champion will be the tipster who returns the best profit to notional level stakes of �1 at starting price on our nominated races, of which there will be three each day up until Friday. Non-runners count as losers.

In the event of a tie at the end of the week, the winner will be the tipster who, from among those tied on the highest score, posted their tips earliest on the final day.

For terms and conditions click here.

Good luck!

Click here for all the day's racecards, form, stats and results.

And post your tips and racing-related comments below.

Will Hayler

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