All eyes on Purview in Leopardstown's Meld Stakes
Weld resisted the temptation to run him in a Classic thereafter, giving the imposing colt time to fill his frame, and he is now ready to get back to action.
'It's nice to have him for what is an excellent renewal of the race. You've got horses rated 115 and 113 in the race, so it's running at probably Group Two level rather than Group Three,' said Weld.
'You've two horses rated above him and he's a big horse that's developing all the time, that's why I waited with him, but I see him running a very nice race.
'He's grown, he's developing and he's a big horse, so I've just given him time to fill into his big frame.'
On his big-race entries in the Irish Champion Stakes and the Arc, he added: 'Let's see how he gets on and take it one day at a time. Let's see how we do on Thursday and go forward.'
Aidan O'Brien's Expanded, unplaced in both the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket and the Irish equivalent, looks to get back on track while Joseph O'Brien's Galen, who beat Coronation Cup winner Jan Brueghel in April, sets the standard.
David Loughnane's mare Sparks Fly is a doubtful runner.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scotsman
4 hours ago
- Scotsman
Storm Floris forces shutdown at Donald Trump's course in Aberdeen
Preparations for Nexo Championship hit by high winds sweeping across Scotland Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Storm Floris hit preparations for this week's Nexo Championship, the first DP World Tour event to be held at Trump International Golf Links in Aberdeenshire. As winds gusted to 60mph and over at the Menie Estate venue, players were unable to get out on the course from just before lunchtime for a practice round while the practice facilities were also closed around 2pm. 'There is nobody on the course,' reported Jonas Hedberg, the resort's director of golf, as the predicted storm swept across Scotland. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The flags were fluttering at Trump International Golf Links during last week's Staysure PGA Seniors Championship |The strong winds are expected to continue in the Aberdeen area until 4am on Tuesday morning, which still gives players two full days to get prepared for the $2.75 million event. A moderate breeze is then predicted to be blowing for the rest of the week, which will ensure a tough test on the Old Course at the Donald Trump-owned venue. In the first leg of a double-header, only two players finished under par after four rounds in last week's Staysure PGA Seniors Championship, won by American Bo Van Pelt. It was due to play at 6,237 yards before some tees were moved up on Friday, with 7,439 yards being the intended length for this week, though that will be dependent on the weather. 'I went over this morning but just to get yardage books etc - there wasn't much in the way of practice getting done,' said Aberdonian David Law, who will be among 15 Scots teeing up in Thursday's opening round. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'I think this week will be very testing. The forecast looks to be quite windy, so I can't see it being a low scoring week. There are so many different tee options for the tour to choose from, but, if we play from the back tees, it will be quite a high- scoring week, I'd imagine.' Fellow Aberdonian Richie Ramsay walked nine holes on Monday morning before retreating indoors as the rain became heavy. 'We are off site now as the winds are so high and they had to shut everything down. That put paid to any practice,' he reported. On walking the course, the four-time tour winner added: 'I feel it is quite crucial to get the lines off the tee but also see where the slopes are around the greens as it is very rippled around the greens and there are more aerial shots than you would normally have coming into the greens on a links course.' Tyrrell Hatton shows off the trophy after winning the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship for a third time last year | Getty Images Meanwhile, three-time winner Tyrrell Hatton is the first player to be confirmed for this year's Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, which takes place at Carnoustie, Kingsbarns Links and St Andrews from 2-5 October. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad
Daily Record
6 hours ago
- Daily Record
Help Armed Forces charity Poppyscotland celebrate 10 years of hugely popular Sportive
The cycling event was first held in 2014, taking a hiatus due to Covid in 2020 and 2021, with the flagship fundraising spectacular so far raising over £270,000. Lanarkshire residents are invited to help Poppyscotland celebrate 10 years of its hugely popular Sportive showcase. The Armed Forces charity first saddled up for the cycling event in 2014, taking a hiatus due to Covid in 2020 and 2021, with the flagship fundraising spectacular so far raising over £270,000. These funds have kindly been donated thanks to the 5650 cyclists who have taken part, covering hundreds of thousands of miles of cycle route, allowing Poppyscotland to support thousands of serving and ex-servicemen, women and their families who need help with issues such as housing, debt, mental health, mobility and more. With this year's event taking place on September 21, people in Lanarkshire are being encouraged to sign up now and further support Poppyscotland, whilst enjoying its 10th anniversary celebrations. Featuring four routes designed for different ability levels., it is split into two distinct types - the Classic (46, 68 and 102 miles) and the Wee Yin (22 miles). As in previous years, riders will line up at the starting point in Prestonpans, East Lothian, then head along the historic coastal route to North Berwick, where Classic route participants will face a timed hill climb before reaching the first feed station at East Linton. From there, the short route continues to Gifford, while medium and long routes head towards Garvald before splitting at Whiteadder Reservoir, with the longer challenge heading to Duns and medium returning to Gifford. All routes finish in Prestonpans. New for 2025, the Wee Yin route will take cyclists inland to Gullane before heading back towards Aberlady and then on to the coastal path. This route is largely flat and ideal for anyone wanting a family activity, looking for an easy ride, or a fun, challenging activity to do at the weekend. Richard Todd, National Poppy appeal manager for Scotland, who will be leading this year's event, said: "We are delighted to be celebrating the 10th Poppy Scotland Sportive in September. "This event has raised an astounding £273,272 over the years with over 5000 participants hitting the roads. "Not to mention the wonderful 380 volunteers and 30 mechanics in the last 10 years who have willingly given up their spare time to help and support on the day. "Once again, we would love to see as many people as possible sign up to take part this year as we celebrate our 10th anniversary, whether you are a former participant or a first timer we will be sure to give you a warm welcome, with some great encouragement on the day. "We hope to raise as much as possible in support of our Armed Forces community, and we would be delighted if those signing up to take part would also consider setting up fundraising pages and challenging themselves with a donation target. "As little as £100 goes a long way in helping us to provide much needed support to both serving and ex-servicemen, women and their families in areas like housing, debt, mental health, and mobility. "If fundraising is not for you, perhaps when you register, you'd consider adding a £10 donation per rider. It's a small gesture that can make a big difference." Entry for the Classic routes is £40 per rider (minimum age: 16). The Wee Yin route is £25 per rider or £40 per family (two adults and two children); minimum age is 12 and entry is free for riders under 16. Entry Includes: electronic timing; mechanical support; food and water stations; coffee at the start; tea and toast at the finish; 'King and Queen of The Heugh' timed hill climb; sweeper service; and a finishers gift.
South Wales Argus
a day ago
- South Wales Argus
Kalpana taking things easy before big autumn targets
Andrew Balding's star filly found just French raider Calandagan too good in Ascot's mid-summer showpiece, replicating the effort of Juddmonte's Bluestocking 12 months ago, who would go on to score in both the Prix Vermeille and Europe's richest middle-distance prize in the autumn. Kalpana is set for a short break to recover from her Ascot exertions, but as a general 7-1 favourite for the Arc could follow the 'Bluestocking route' to the French capital with the Vermeille a possibility for her return. Kempton's Unibet September Stakes on September 6, a race the daughter of Study Of Man won last season before landing Group One success on British Champions Day – and used by the great Enable to tee-up Arc glory in 2018, is another option at her disposal. 'She ran huge and the handicapper put her official rating up again which shows she ran a career best,' said Juddmonte's European racing manager Barry Mahon, reflecting on her Ascot second. 'She's so genuine and just always tries her heart out and Andrew is going to give her a little break now just to freshen her up with the autumn in mind. 'What that will look like we're not quite sure yet, but we've got the Prix Vermeille and September Stakes as the two races we will look at and hopefully, ultimately it is the Arc in October. 'Both races have lead us to Arc glory in the past so the owners will sit down with Andrew in a few weeks time and see which way they want to go.' Prior to her second to Calandagan, Kalpana has also performed with credit in two appearances at the Curragh when third in the Tattersalls Gold Cup after an interrupted passage, then runner-up to Whirl in a thrilling renewal of the Pretty Polly Stakes. Buoyed by those fine efforts in defeat on quicker going over the summer months, the Kalpana team are now excited about what could come when encountering envisaged easier conditions in the second half of the season when combined with her preferred mile and a half distance. Mahon added: 'She'll be ready to go in the autumn and hopefully there will be a little bit more juice in the ground which we know she likes and will suit her. She's shown such a high level of form on good and good to firm that we feel there is a bit more to come on softer ground. 'She's favourite for the Arc and I don't know if that indicates much or not but it is one of Europe's premier middle-distance races and definitely the type of races Juddmonte want to be competing in.'
