Bookies suspend betting for Irish Champion Stakes

APPARENTLY we live in an age of the information superhighway, but as an old fogey who rates getting from one end of the M8 to the other without mishap a major feat, I'll have to take someone else's word for that.

But what experience has taught me is that, sometimes, the old-fashioned intelligence-gathering methods are hard to beat, particularly when the book-making industry is involved.

The bookies have long had the reputation of knowing something was about to happen before the rest of us, so the fact most leading firms have suspended betting on Saturday's Irish Champion Stakes looks to mean only one thing – Duke Of Marmalade won't be putting in an appearance at Leopardstown.

The Duke had been long odds-on to land his sixth Group 1 success in a row at the Dublin venue but a rush of money for his principal rival New Approach saw Aidan O'Brien's colt go for a very long walk in the market, at one stage available at 3-1 on the betting exchanges.

"It could well be a false move, and we are certainly not talking big sums here, but a drift to 3-1 is obviously worrying for his weekend supporters," said Betfair spokesman Tony Calvin.

Other layers also expressed their disquiet over the betting patterns. "Between 9.00am and 9.30am this morning we took several four-figure wagers on New Approach, and at that stage we decided it was in everyone's interest to suspend the market," admitted William Hill's Irish spokesman Tony Kenny.

"The Champion Stakes looks like a match and it would turn the market on its head if either Duke Of Marmalade or New Approach were withdrawn."

Unfortunately, the one man who could have put an end to all the speculation, Aidan O'Brien, was unavailable for comment.

Yesterday also brought news on the Ayr Gold Cup, and it was bad for those who hoped Linlithgow's Borderlescott might add a welcome tartan touch to the big race on 20 September. Trainer Robin Bastiman has decided against giving the Nunthorpe winner a chance to go one better than he did when runner-up two years ago, and a trip to France is now the preferred option for the six-year-old.

"He's just got too much weight at Ayr really so we'll head for the Prix de l'Abbaye," explained the Wetherby handler.

All is not lost from a Scottish point of view as the fancied pair of Big Timer and Hogmaneigh could still fly the flag for the home team later this month.

For the time being, of course, this afternoon is rather more important, and Matterofact is napped at Salisbury.

This may not sound gallant, but Malcolm Saunders' mare is of a vintage which could now be termed experienced, although she's far from a spent force.

Her four career wins have all come at the minimum trip and she'll enjoy coming back to that distance after running well over six furlongs at Bath last month.