THE WORLDS MOST FAMOUS HORSE RACE by FROSTY

On the first weekend in June,anually the worlds greatest horse race takes place at Epsom Downs in Surrey England.The Derby was originally concieved in 1779 during an after race party following that years Oaks. Edward Smith-Stanley and Sir Charles Bunbury decided to set up a race for Englands top thoroughbreds and spun a coin to decide who would have the race named after them, Smith-Stanley (the 12th Earl of Derby) won the toss,the race so easily could of been called the Bunbury! Originally the race was run over a mile but was amended to 1 mile 4 furlongs in 1784 and changed to its present distance of 1 mile 4 furlongs and 10 yards in 1991. The most contraversial race in Derby history is undoubtably the race of 1913. Emily Davison a well known suffragette (a campaigner for the right for women to vote) threw herself in front of the Kings horse and later died from head injuries. The winner of the 1913 Derby was a horse named Craganour who was then disqualified and the result was awarded to Aboyeur who was a 100/1 shot. The disqualification of Craganour was shrouded in controversy,the horse was owned by Bower Ismay who was the brother of the then infamous Bruce Ismay a man who had been accused of disguising himself as a woman to enable himself a place on a lifeboat to escape the sinking Titanic. In 1991 the race was won by the widest winning margin ever, 10 lengths, by Shergar who was later to be abducted by the IRA and whose body has never been recovered. The great Lester Piggott holds the record for the most Derby wins with 9, only one woman, Alex Greaves, has ridden in the Derby to date. The fastest winner was Lammtara in 1991 and the 1838 winner Amato never raced before or after his win. There are few races that capture the imagination of the racing public quite like the English Derby, for over two hundred years the best thoroughbreds of their generation have showed their best at the Epsom course, long may it continue. Crowded House is this years current favourite if you would like to bet on the race or look at this years runners visit www.betrite.co.uk.

2009 World Hurdle Preview

The World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival looks set to be won for the third time by the French trainer Francois Doumen who will be saddling hot favourite Kasbah Bliss. Doumen won the race twice previously with the brilliant Baracouda in 2002 and 2003, who was also second in the race twice. Kasbah Bliss was second himself last year just failing to overcome the formidable Inglis Drever in the final run in. But Doumen has entered his charge again knowing that he probably has the best horse in the race this year; particularly if the form he showed in the recent Blue Square Hurdle at Haydock Park is anything to go by.

He won that race in blistering fashion by eight lengths from Hills Of Arran with previous World Hurdle fancy, Duc De Regniere back in third. Trained by Nicky Henderson, high hopes were held on Duc De Regniere to take on the French raider, but he was simply blown away by the lightening quick finish of Kasbah Bliss who has obviously improved considerably from twelve months ago.

Henderson however does have another outstanding staying hurdler in the race in Punchestowns. He has looked in great form all season and has never been out of the first two in the betting for this great race. He looks on paper as the only horse capable of preventing a French victory but he will have to be at his very best to do so.

Paul Nicholls has Big Bucks in the race who had been racing over fences this season. He returned to hurdles in great style however in the Cleeve Hurdle in January powering home under jockey Ruby Walsh, to defeat none other than Punchestowns and earn his place as third favourite in the betting. In fairness to Punchestowns, he was giving Big Bucks 8lbs and it would have been much closer at level weights. That said, Nicholls believes that Big Bucks, who is only six, will come on strongly for that race and is a genuine contender for the honours at Cheltenham.

Others worthy of note who still hold an entry are the perennial Festival runner, Blazing Bailey, who is still probably capable of getting a place if he runs at his best. The David Pipe trained Lough Derg, who has been so tough this season could have one more big run in him, but his odds of 33-1 probably speak with more clarity as to his realistic chances of getting the better of any of the top three in the betting.

It looks like a win for the French in this race so much so that Kasbah Bliss could well be regarded as one of the bankers of the meeting. by James Smith