Nassau Stakes Preview

Midday and Snow Fairy will go head to head in the Markel Insurance Nassau Stakes at Glorious Goodwood after Misty For Me was declared a non-runner.

A fascinating three-way contest was anticipated in the 10-furlong heat with Aidan O'Brien's Irish raider Misty For Me favourite to come out on top after defeating Midday in the Pretty Polly Stakes on softer going last time.

However, the three-year-old has been taken out of the race on account of the ground, leaving Midday and Snow Fairy vying for favouritism.


Now a five-year-old, Midday holds sway over the Ed Dunlop-trained Snow Fairy so far with Sir Henry Cecil's charge finishing three lengths to the good when the pair clashed in last year's Yorkshire Oaks.

Cecil believes Midday is a better horse this year as she attempts to win the race for a third successive season, though she arrives on the back of a rare lacklustre run, when she had no answer to Misty For Me in the Pretty Polly.

Cecil would have had no qualms about running her in the King George against the colts last weekend but with Workforce already representing owner Khalid Abdullah, he decided to wait until this weekend.


"The Nassau this year is going to be a very tough race, but I think she would actually have run well in the King George on Saturday if she'd run," said Cecil.

"The pace would have suited her as she has got a turn of foot and I think there would have been a good chance at her best that she'd have been in the mix. We couldn't run her against the colt (Workforce). It would have been stupid to run the two of them.


"I don't know what happened in Ireland, something went wrong. She was in very good order, but the filly of Aidan O'Brien's just scooted away. I hope it was a one-off as she's working well and I think she's better this year than last year."

Abdullah's racing manager Teddy Grimthorpe added: "Midday ran a super race at Epsom (in the Coronation Cup). I don't know about the Curragh, she was certainly beaten by a very decent filly that day, but we were slightly scratching our heads as we expected her to run better."

Memory Retired

Memory has been retired after she yet again failed to leave the stalls in the Oak Tree Stakes at Goodwood on Friday.

Trained by Richard Hannon and owned by Highclere Thoroughbred Racing, last year's Albany and Cherry Hinton winner refused to race in the 1000 Guineas and despite breaking with the others in the Coronation Stakes, has since repeated the trick in the Falmouth and again this week.

"Memory once again decided that exiting the stalls was not her idea of fun and this time stood there with her ears pricked looking thoroughly pleased with herself!" said Harry Herbert, racing manager to the owners, on their website.

"There is nothing more to say that hasn't already been said or written, other than it is such a disappointment for a filly as talented as she to have this highly unusual quirk.

"Memory looked amazing in the parade ring and hopefully her good looks and two-year-old race performances will stand her in good stead when she heads into the sales ring at Tattersalls in December.

"She will now come back to Highclere Stud where the team will prepare her for the sales."

Sarah Dawson`s BIGGEST Winner

Clare Glen provided trainer Sarah Dawson with the biggest win of her career as she landed the Guinness Handicap, the feature event of the fifth day of the Galway Festival.

The five-year-old was sent off a 14-1 shot in the hands of Seamie Heffernan (photo) and the rider had to work hard to secure the spoils in a thrilling finish to the 12-furlong heat.

Clare Glen swooped down the outside to challenge Jumbo Rio a furlong out and the pair were virtually stride for stride before Heffernan just managed to conjure the necessary extra to gain the verdict by a head, with Celendine third and gallant top-weight Flowers Of Spring fourth.

Meeznah, Advised 10/1>6/1 WINNER!

Meeznah, (advised at 10/1 early), finally enjoyed her day in the spotlight as she claimed Goodwood's I-Shares Fillies' Stakes under Frankie Dettori.

The 6-1 chance filled the runner-up spot in the Oaks at Epsom a little over a year ago, but was disqualified after having tested positive for a banned substance. And while she has since posted a few fair efforts, David Lanigan's stable star has never quite rediscovered that level of form.

But on this occasion she travelled with real enthusiasm for her Italian rider and quickened up well to challenge for the lead heading inside the final two furlongs. Dettori then kept his mount up to her work to score by two and a half lengths from French raider Shankardeh.


Lanigan said: "She's an incredibly lazy work-horse and very hard to get fit.

"If anything, she's got worse from three to four.

"She would have hated the ground last time at Newmarket but she ran very well and I thought she would come on for it.

"She really likes quick ground and I think the Park Hill at Doncaster would be perfect for her."

Frankel...Simply The Best?

Sir Henry Cecil declared Frankel to be the greatest horse he had ever set eyes on after his colt turned the clash with Canford Cliffs into an almost hopeless mis-match in the Qipco Sussex Stakes at Goodwood.

Considering Cecil has enjoyed a fabulous training career, his assessment was in keeping with the feeling of a wide-eyed audience, who witnessed the extraordinary three-year-old quicken five lengths clear of a multiple Group One-winning miler.

This was not a replica of his remorseless front-running in the 2000 Guineas and although Frankel ended up leading the four-strong field by default, he was ridden more patiently and Tom Queally only popped the cork with just over a furlong left. The response was explosive.


Canford Cliffs, a 7-4 shot against the 8-13 favourite, tracked Frankel and was just a length adrift before Queally made his move, but was beaten within a handful of strides and then hung markedly left across the track.

"I think it's a facetious thing to say, but he's the best I've ever seen," said Cecil. "I suppose the only ones I could compare would be Shergar and Blushing Groom at his best. I can't go back to the days of Tudor Minstrel and match races, but he's the best in my lifetime."


The trainer, who looked nervous beforehand, was asked whether he was surprised by the display. "It sounds awful, but no," he replied.

"My job was done and it was a bit like going to the dentist's beforehand, just waiting for it to be over. I did think he could win very easily, but I thought I'd let the horse do the talking. I do think the world of him. He's a much better horse now than earlier in the year, he's still improving."

Owner Khalid Abdullah added: "I think he is the best I've ever had - including Dancing Brave. Even from the beginning Henry said he was the best, and I followed him. Henry thought he was going to run better than he had at any other place and he was right."


Asked if Frankel could stay in training at four, he replied with a smile: "If Henry wants him."

Queally added: "The biggest problem I had was pulling him up. You get a good feeling from riding proper Group One horses, but I'm afraid he's just out on his own. He made the other horses look ordinary and they are very good horses. It's just a fantastic day."

Meeznah To Do The Business!

David Lanigan is hoping it will finally be Meeznah's turn for glory when she runs in the I-Shares Fillies' Stakes at Goodwood.

The four-year-old has only a maiden success to her credit, but she was second past the post behind Snow Fairy in the Investec Oaks last summer and last time out was beaten just half a length by Wild Coco at Newmarket despite the ground being too soft for her. My NAP today! G` Luck!

Goodwood Review...Well Done Micky!

A deserved Goodwood Stakes win for Hollins provided Micky Hammond with his first taste of success at the Sussex course.

The multi-talented seven-year-old (20-1) has taken his Yorkshire-based trainer to many of the Festival meetings under both codes and he cut a particularly determined figure under Paul Hanagan to thwart the challenge of Seaside Sizzler by three-quarters of a length.


"He's been doing well hurdling and I just ran him back too quickly at Pontefract last time, so I gave him a break. He has given the owners tremendous fun as he has run at Royal Ascot and two Cheltenham Festivals and he was due a decent race," said the trainer.

"He just outstayed them, and he was sixth last year off a 10lb higher mark. We were actually thinking about novice chasing now, although he'll have an entry for the Cesarewitch."


Whiplash Willie (7-1) just held on to top honours in the UBS Stakes, making stealthy headway in the straight under David Probert after being held up last in the early stages. He shot to the lead in the final furlong but had just a head to spare at the line, with Arch Fire finishing with a rare rattle.

Winning trainer Andrew Balding said: "He probably could have done with a bit more cover. I think he'll be a fun horse. He has an entry in the St Leger, but it's a long shot and he's got a long way to go before he can justify that. He could be one for the Melrose Stakes."

There was a sting in the tail for Probert, who was given a suspension totalling four days (August 10-14) for his use of the whip and careless riding.

Mahmood Al Zarooni's Rakasa (11-2) made a winning debut in the Markel International Maiden Fillies' Stakes under Frankie Dettori and Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford said: "She never looked like being beaten from a furlong out and hopefully she'll go on to better things.


"Sheikh Mohammed himself saw the filly work last week and said we should go to Goodwood as she looked good enough to do herself justice. With fillies it is always nice to try your luck in Pattern company sooner rather than later, but we'll see how she comes out of the race."

Webbow (9-1) benefited from a typically power-packed ride from the front from Kieren Fallon to take the Harwoods EBF 'Hellvelyn' Classified Stakes, while the closing EBF Nayef Fillies' And Mares' Stakes was won by the David Nicholls-trained Askaud (14-1).

Goodwood : Veuve Cliquot Preview

Trainer John Quinn is hoping Red Duke's 3lb penalty does not prove a hindrance to success in the Veuve Clicquot Vintage Stakes at Goodwood on Wednesday.

The promising colt has to give weight to all his rivals, having already won a Group Two race in the Superlative Stakes at Newmarket's July meeting, when he beat Chandlery by a neck.


Quinn said: "He's in good form and we're very happy with him. He's very well and we're hoping for a good run, but obviously the penalty is a concern. He's won over the trip so that's good thing and the same rider (Kieren Fallon) back on is a plus, so we're hopeful."

There is another North Yorkshire-trained runner in the shape of Mark Johnston's Elkhart, who opened his account over seven furlongs at Beverley early this month.

The Middleham handler said: "It's a big jump up in class for him but we've got a good record in the race. Darryll Holland rode him at Beverley and said straight away afterwards that we should go to the Vintage, so that's what we're doing. We'll see how he gets on."

Chandlery's trainer Richard Hannon is responsible for four of the seven runners as he looks to follow-up last year's win in the race when he struck with King Torus.


"Chandlery won here first time out, but he looked to appreciate stepping up to seven furlongs in the Superlative at Newmarket, and we have a 3lb pull with Red Duke for a neck beating, so he has an obvious chance. He is a lovely colt," he told www.richardhannonracing.tv.

"Rockinante was impressive when making a winning debut at Newmarket and, while the second (Burano) was beaten last weekend, we like ours. Similarly, Red Seventy has done nothing wrong, winning both his races in some style. He was just warming up at the end at Ascot and being by Sakhee, should benefit from stepping up in trip.

"Minal was beaten by Red Seventy at Salisbury, but he finally broke his maiden at Lingfield and deserves a crack at some black type."


Clive Cox won this race with Xtension in 2009 and he is expecting a bold show from Lethal Force, saying: "I'm very pleased he confirmed what we thought he was at home by running a blinder in the Coventry (fourth to Power). He's continued growing and developing and that's why we've given him time before his next run. We're very much looking forward to him running."

Goodwood : Hannon "Team Handed" In Veuve Clicquot Vintage Stakes Wednesday

Master juvenile trainer Richard Hannon will saddle four of the seven runners in the Veuve Clicquot Vintage Stakes at Glorious Goodwood on Wednesday.

Stable jockey Richard Hughes will take the ride on Chandlery, who is joined by stablemates Rockinante, Minal and Red Seventy.

The John Quinn-trained Red Duke narrowly beat Chandlery in the Superlative Stakes at Newmarket's July meeting and reopposes.


Another challenger from the north is Mark Johnston's Elkhart, a winner at Beverley on his latest appearance.

The seven-runner field is completed by Clive Cox's Lethal Force, who, although still a maiden, was a highly respectable fourth in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot last time.

Goodwood : Tuesday's bet365 Molecomb Stakes Preview

Crown Dependency, who made a successful start to his career at Goodwood in May, returns to the track for a crack at the Tuesday's bet365 Molecomb Stakes.

The youngster was beaten just over two lengths by Bapak Chinta in the Norfolk Stakes last time, and represents Richard Hannon, who has won the race for the last two years with precocious sorts Monsieur Chevalier and Zebedee.


The handler told www.richardhannonracing.tv: "He broke his maiden here and course form is always a bonus, and he was a bit unlucky to finish only third in the Norfolk at Royal Ascot. He has bags of speed and won't be far away."

Vocational has been a busy filly for Mark Johnston, another trainer who loves to have a Goodwood winner, finishing second in a Listed race at York and then the Hilary Needler at Beverley before running in mid-division in the Queen Mary.

She returned to win a minor event at Chester in very easy fashion.


Johnston reported: "I think on ratings she's got a bit to find, but it's a fast five furlongs at Goodwood and that will be right up her street. She was disappointing at Ascot but it was nice to see her bounce back at Chester. She has always been aiming for this race."

It is just a week and a half since Charles The Great's pillar-to-post victory in the Super Sprint and trainer Andrew Balding believes he is feeling no ill-effects.

"There aren't many races around if you want to stick at five furlongs so we're running him again," he said.

"He seems in fine form after the race, so let's hope for another good performance."

Goodwood : Gordon Stakes Preview

Mark Johnston has declared Queen's Vase winner Namibian, as well as Dordogne and Hurricane Higgins, for the bet365 Gordon Stakes on the opening day of Glorious Goodwood.

However, it appears unlikely all three will take their chance in the race, as the ground could prove a deciding factor.

The Middleham handler said: "I don't think I'll be mob-handed and it will depend very much on the ground. If the ground is faster than good then Dordogne will be running and Namibian is unlikely to be running."

He added: "If the ground description has got the word 'soft' in it, then Dordogne will not be running.

"I wouldn't be concerned about Namibian coming back to a mile and a half (from two miles). It was a good performance at Royal Ascot. Hurricane Higgins has been so in and out I just don't know what to think of him, frankly. But, on paper, it's a good race for him.

"On his best form he would have a great chance, so we're just going to have a go and see what happens."


Slumber's form could hardly be working out better, having finished third behind Irish Derby winner Treasure Beach and Nathaniel in the Chester Vase, and filling the same position behind Pisco Sour, a winner in France on Sunday, at Royal Ascot.

Trainer Barry Hills' son and assistant Charlie said: "He should get the trip well and handle the course. He didn't do anything wrong in the old Hampton Court at Ascot and that form looks good, while Nathaniel, who was in front of him at Chester, won the King George at the weekend. His recent work has been nice."


Richard Hannon saddles Measuring Time and Moriarty, with stable jockey Richard Hughes riding the latter.

The champion trainer told his website, www.richardhannonracing.tv: "Measuring Time is a decent horse, but a couple of jockeys reckon a pair of blinkers might help him concentrate, so we have put the headgear on. However, we tried the visor on Moriarty at Royal Ascot and he ran badly, so we are leaving it off."

Frankel v Canford Cliffs

Sir Henry Cecil insists he could not be happier with Frankel as his highly-anticipated clash with Canford Cliffs looms ever closer.

The unbeaten colt had onlookers rubbing their eyes in disbelief when he produced a performance of raw power from the front in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket in May, but was not quite so spectacular in the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot.


That said, the three-year-old remains unbeaten and is now set to take on his elders for the first time in Wednesday's Qipco Sussex Stakes, with the opposition headed up by Richard Hannon's brilliant Queen Anne hero Canford Cliffs.

"At the moment the horse is in very good form and I'm very happy with him in every way at this stage," said Cecil.

"He looks well and he's working well. He's very happy in himself mentally and he's relaxed. That's all I can ask really. He had his final gallop and it's just a case of seeing him through until Wednesday now."


The fatal injury suffered by Rewilding in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes on Saturday was a cruel reminder of the perils of the sport, and the experienced Cecil knows better than most how quickly things can go wrong.

He told At The Races: "We all want to win and with horses like this there is a responsibility and every day is another day. Things can go wrong either at home or on the racecourse - look at the awful thing that happened on Saturday."

Tactics are bound to play a huge part in the mile contest, with jockey Tom Queally having come in for plenty of criticism over his Royal Ascot ride on Frankel.


"Every race is run differently and you've got to use your head. We have a plan and we'll try to stick to it, but if the race goes a different way, we'll have to try and think of an alternative," the trainer continued.

"I don't think we'll be doing what we did in the 2000 Guineas again. If he runs to what he's capable of and everything goes right, he's got a good chance. If I win I'll be thrilled and if the other horse beats me easily, I have to accept it."

News On Peddlers Cross

Peddlers Cross is back in light training, with Donald McCain relishing the prospect of his star turn embarking upon a novice chasing campaign in the autumn.

The brilliant six-year-old was unbeaten in his first seven starts under Rules and although he finally met with defeat in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham, he went down in a blaze of glory to finish second to Hurricane Fly.

It looked as though that effort had taken its toll on his final start of the campaign at Aintree, but McCain reports his pride and joy to have returned from his summer break in fine fettle.


"He's back in walking and trotting and he looks great," said McCain.

"It's very exciting at this time of year. There are some grand horses around the place and he's obviously top of the list.

"The plan is for him to go novice chasing at the moment.

"We'll play it by ear and see where we start off nearer the time.

"Let's gets him there and see how we go, but I'd have thought we'd be starting off over fences."

Stan James make Peddlers Cross the 8-1 favourite for the Arkle Trophy at Cheltenham next March.

Goodwood : Tuesday Preview

Wootton Bassett will miss the bet365 Lennox Stakes at Glorious Goodwood on Tuesday.

The Richard Fahey-trained colt must sidestep the Group Two assignment over seven furlongs after having scoped badly on Sunday morning and will now be geared towards a possible tilt at the Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville on August 7.


Fahey said: "Paul (Hanagan) rode him on Saturday, but he (Wootton Bassett) was a bit quiet and wasn't quite right. It's nothing serious, but he's got to be 100% to go down there, and we daren't take him. Hopefully we can still get him to France."

He added: "It's a shame as we've been delighted with him, but there are still plenty of races left."

The Lennox has attracted nine runners, with Delegator stepping back up in trip following a luckless run in the July Cup at Newmarket.

Although Fahey will not be saddling his stable star, he will still be represented in the race by recent Chester winner Majestic Myles.


Richard Hannon has two runners in Jersey Stakes hero Strong Suit and Libranno, while Clive Cox (image) runs Balthazaar's Gift and Beacon Lodge.

Dalghar, Doncaster Rover and Red Jazz complete the line-up.

Hoof It Wins

Hoof It, owned by top golf agent Chubby Chandler and Lee Westwood, landed a gamble in the Sky Bet Dash at York to stake a strong claim for next Saturday's Stewards' Cup at Glorious Goodwood.

The Mick Easterby-trained 3-1 favourite powered to the front on the far side in the competitive handicap, putting the race to bed in the final furlong under a strong drive from Kieren Fallon.

Tajneed was three-quarters of a length back in second with Ginger Ted third and Fathsta fourth.

Chandler also looks after last weekend's British Open champion Darren Clarke, as well as Rory McIlroy, and said: "Not quite as good as Sunday, but not far off! The idea is the Stewards' Cup now. He's a great horse and Kieren likes him.


"Lee is in the gym today, he's going to America next week and he didn't want to disrupt his routine. This is a great horse. My mate told me to sell it last year, but I said what's the point? We only do it for a bit of fun and we'd probably never find a horse as good as Hoof It.

"I just want to know why he doesn't run more often - I love it! You get quite a buzz when your horse is favourite and there's 40,000 people cheering it on. Me and Lee like to think we know what we're talking about when it comes to racing, but we don't really.


Fallon said: "I rode a bad race and he got me out of trouble. I went to the wrong side and he did well. I probably would have gone sooner if I could have done. When he gets there he idles a little bit, so the way the race was run was a blessing in disguise really.

"He probably had a harder race than I wanted to give him. The Stewards' Cup is only a week away, it depends how he comes out of this race. It wasn't ideal. He's still a big baby and I don't think you will see the best of this horse until next year."

Easterby said: "He's a hell of a horse. Chubby first got into racing when we tipped him a horse in a selling hurdle at Wetherby a few years ago. I told him I wouldn't mind training one in his colours and here we are.

"He'll go to Goodwood next week, and then the race I'd like to run him is the Portland at Doncaster. It's over five and a half furlongs and that would suit him down to the ground."

Rewilding RIP

Racing at Ascot today was heavily overshadowed by the death of the strongly-fancied Rewilding in the feature King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

Frankie Dettori's mount, winner of the Dubai Sheema Classic and Prince of Wales's Stakes, broke down badly in the straight, fracturing a cannon-bone and throwing his rider to the ground.


Dettori escaped with what was reported to be just a bruised knee, but Rewilding had to be put down.

Tim Morris, director of Equine Science and Welfare at the British Horseracing Authority, said: "Rewilding suddenly and completely unexpectedly suffered a major fracture of the lower part of his near-fore. The horse was caught and examined by the vets immediately, and the decision was made that humane euthanasia was the only option.

"That was done professionally by the vets on the scene. It is a great regret, but it was the right decision for the horse."

Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford said: "It is a tragedy, unfortunately we lost Rewilding as he had to be put down."

Ascot chief executive Charles Barnett said: "This sort of incident is terribly regrettable, especially on a flagship day like today. We express our profound sympathies to Sheikh Mohammed, the Godolphin operation, trainer Mahmood Al Zarooni and jockey Frankie Dettori."


The race was won by Nathaniel, whose trainer John Gosden attended to Rewilding and said: "It was a clean break through the cannon-bone and it's as if he was anaesthetised and didn't feel any pain. He was very calm and collected and we held him, but he had to be dealt with because the leg was completely gone.

"I've seen horses do that galloping in a paddock and it can happen at any time without warning. I was quickly out there when he pulled up by the winning post and held him and fed him some grass and he munched away. The horse was very well dealt with by the vet, it was a clean break and a quick end. It's a freakish thing, he just put the leg down wrong."

York Preview

Connections of Sajjhaa are confident a step up in trip can help the filly rediscover her best form in the EBF "Authorized" Lyric Fillies' Stakes at York tonight.
The daughter of King's Best struck in Listed company and at Group level on the continent when trained by Michael Jarvis last year.


An excellent second to multiple Group One winner Midday on her reappearance and Godolphin debut in the Middleton Stakes on the Knavesmire was full of promise.

But she was beaten into fourth when sent off favourite for the Windsor Forest Stakes over a mile at Royal Ascot. Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford hopes the return to a mile and a quarter will see her in a better light.


He said: "The mile at Ascot was a little short for her last time so the step up in trip should suit. She ran a very good race over the same course and distance in the Middleton and we are hopeful that this race can put her back on track."

Sajjhaa's six rivals include Contredanse and Myplacelater.

Howard Johnson Update

Howard Johnson's disciplinary hearing in London was adjourned without conclusion on Thursday evening.

An additional day - in August at the earliest - is required to hear outstanding evidence, with a date due to be confirmed within the next few days.

Paul Struthers, head of communications for the British Horseracing Authority, said: "Unfortunately the (disciplinary) panel were unable to hear all of the evidence in the time available."

He added: "There were unforeseen issues arising in respect of a witness before proceedings began yesterday, and whilst both sides were confident that the hearing would still conclude in time, some of the other evidence presented and witness examinations took longer than anticipated.

"There is a possibility that the hearing could reconvene in early August but if not the next available date that all parties can attend is early September. We will confirm the date once all parties have agreed on it."

Johnson could be fighting for his training career after admitting to running a horse that had undergone a palmar neurectomy under his care. The neurectomy to the horse's left-fore leg came to light following a post-mortem carried out on Striking Article after the horse was pulled up and euthanised at Musselburgh on February 7, 2010.

The procedure involves severing nervous connection to the lower leg to cause numbness. It is banned under the Rules of Racing on welfare grounds. Striking Article underwent the procedure in April 2008 yet ran eight times afterwards. Johnson claims he was unaware of the rule that states he should not have run the horse.

Johnson has also been charged under a separate investigation in relation to the administration of laurabolin, an anabolic steroid containing nandrolone, to three other horses under his care.

Johnson has for the last two days been represented by solicitor Rory Mac Neice, and the BHA by Graeme McPherson QC.

Preview of Ladbrokes St Leger at Doncaster September 10

Classic winners Treasure Beach and Blue Bunting are among a quality 36-strong entry for the Ladbrokes St Leger at Doncaster on September 10.

The former landed the Irish Derby for Aidan O'Brien after finishing second to Pour Moi in the Investec Derby, while Blue Bunting has won the Newmarket 1000 Guineas and Irish Oaks.

Treasure Beach is one of 10 from the O'Brien stable that has three St Leger wins. Also among the Ballydoyle contingent is Seville, Wonder Of Wonders and Memphis Tennessee.


Blue Bunting is one of four entries for Godolphin trainer Mahmood Al Zarooni along with Casamento, Genius Beast and French Navy. Fellow Godolphin trainer Saeed bin Suroor, has just Leicester maiden winner Laatafreet this time.

Nathaniel goes for Saturday's King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes but features among John Gosden's team, and is joined by Masked Marvel, Thimaar and Buthelezi.


Sir Michael Stoute has two possibles in King Edward VII runner-up Fiorente and Sea Moon, while Sir Henry Cecil could call upon Solar Sky and Wild Coco.

Former England stirker Michael Owen hopes to seek a first Classic victory with his home-bred colt, the Tom Dascombe-trained Brown Panther, winner of the King George V Handicap at Royal Ascot and fifth in the German Derby.


Queen's Vase victor Namibian is one of four entries from Mark Johnston's Middleham stable with Dordogne, Eternal Heart and Sadler's Risk.

It is 20 years since Toulon landed the world's oldest Classic for France and Chantilly-based Freddie Head is looking to end that barren spell with Aloeil. He carries the colours of the Wertheimer Brothers, owners of crack miler Goldikova.