Russian Rhythm to run in 1000 Guineas
The Sir Michael Stoute-trained daughter of Kingmambo was in action, under Kieren Fallon, on the Limekilns trial ground in Newmarket at the weekend but her performance brought a mixed reaction from work watchers, prompting speculation that she would not be ready for Sunday.
"As far as we are concerned, unless there is a problem, which I don't believe there is, she will be in the line-up," said Chris Stoute also has Hector's Girl in the 1000 Guineas, for which 28 fillies stood their ground yesterday.
Champion trainer Aidan O'Brien and Godolphin each have four entries.
O'Brien, who supplied last year's first and second in the 2000 Guineas, has six horses in Saturday's £320,000 20000 Guineas headed by hot ante-post favourite Hold That Tiger.
Dermot Weld has confirmed the entry for his unbeaten colt Refuse To Bend as well as stable companion Evolving Tactics in the 2000 Guineas.
Richard Hughes has been booked to ride Saturn for Michael Bell in the race.
A major expansion of the fixture list to include a three-tier racing system was among 76 recommendations made in part one of the British Horseracing Board's Racing Review Committee proposals announced yesterday.
The introduction of the three tiers Premier, National and Regional racing - could be introduced in season 2005 if the proposals set to go before the board of the BHB at next month's meeting receive the go-ahead.
However, Regional racing, catering principally for horses with a handicap rating of 45 or below could be in force by next season on a test basis.
Premier racing, which is unlikely to get underway before 2005, will be primarily a branding and marketing tool with courses fulfilling a certain criteria as to the quality of the races it stages, the level of prize money and the standard of the racecourse.
No more than 100 Premier Flat fixtures and 50 over the jumps would be staged, representing less than 10% of the proposed fixture list.
The vast majority of fixtures would come under the banner of National racing with the 1,000 to 1,100 meetings having similar characteristics to racing at present with a mix of race types.
On handicapping the committee felt that the handicapping system required a major overhaul with all Flat handicaps for three-year-olds and over, rated 46 and above run as narrow banded handicaps with a 10-15lb weight range in classes 1-4. They should be Banded Stakes rather than Flat Handicaps.
The exception to this is a limited number of high profile, traditional handicaps such as the Stewards' Cup, the Lincoln and Ayr Gold Cup which should continue to run, providing they fulfil certain criteria.
The new handicap system will not apply to National Hunt racing which will maintain existing race values for 0-75 rated jumpers by not introducing Regional racing for jumpers.
Other plans for jumping include the introduction of a winter Triple Crown and Grand Slam, an international invitational race in early December and plans to build two more weekend jumping festivals in addition to the existing Cheltenham Festivals in November and March.
Reigning champion jump jockey Tony McCoy got the defence of his crown off to a winning start on Wensley Blue at Hexham yesterday but picked up a two-day ban in the process.
