Sunday's Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe Preview

Ante-post favourite Sarafina and last year's winner Workforce feature among a list of 19 entries for Sunday's Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

Alain de Royer-Dupre's Sarafina finished a luckless third in Europe's premier middle-distance prize a year ago, while Sir Michael Stoute's Workforce needs to bounce back, having been beaten in the King George at Ascot on his latest appearance.


All the other major initial entries have stood their ground, with So You Think and St Nicholas Abbey among a team of six for Aidan O'Brien. The others are Treasure Beach, Regent Street, Seville and Wonder Of Wonders.


Ed Dunlop's star filly Snow Fairy is another entry, but Godolphin do not intend to run Casamento, who went some way to repairing his reputation when successful at the track earlier this month.

Royer-Dupre has a strong hand with Reliable Man and Shareta also in the mix, while Japanese raiders Hiruno D'Amour and Nakayama Festa are other intriguing contenders.


There is still the chance for horses to be supplemented for the race, but connections of those runners will have to stump up 100,000 euros by Thursday. John Gosden's King George hero Nathaniel falls into this bracket.

The Clarehaven handler's racing secretary, Peter Shoemark, said: "If he's going to run he'll have to be supplemented on Thursday, but we're monitoring the weather."

Even if Nathaniel does not take his chance, Gosden could still be represented by Arctic Cosmos, who has not been seen since winning last year's St Leger.

Shoemark added: "He's been left in at this stage. We want to have a look at it. He's in the Arc and also in the Cumberland Lodge at Ascot on Saturday, so hopefully he runs somewhere this weekend."

The other horse prominent in ante-post lists who would need to be supplemented is Meandre, who could bid to give Andre Fabre a remarkable eighth Arc victory, while German raider Danedream could also be added to the field.

Jockeys To Face Stiffer Penalties

Jockeys will face stiffer penalties for use of the whip in new rules being introduced in two weeks' time following a 10-month review by the British Horseracing Authority.

Riders are being further restricted as to how many times they can use the whip in a race, as well as being handed out stiffer punishments for using it with excessive frequency.

Frequency guidelines have been removed and replaced by strict and easily understood limits on whip use. The whip can only be used a maximum of seven times in a Flat race, and eight times in a jumps race (and only five times in the last furlong/after the last obstacle).

This is roughly half the amount of times a whip could be used previously before being in breach of the rules of racing.


Increased entry-point penalties are being implemented, with a five-day minimum suspension for not adhering to the frequency limits. The previous minimum penalty was a caution. A jockey who incurs a whip ban of three days or more will forfeit his riding fee and prize-money percentage.

Penalties will increase for those who breach the rules on more than one occasion, and the second offence will be double that of a first offence. The new guidelines and penalties will come into effect on Monday, October 10.

The BHA announced the changes on Tuesday morning after leading the review, compiled with input from recognised animal welfare bodies, including the RSPCA.

Use of the whip was the subject of much scrutiny when Jason Maguire was found to have struck Ballabriggs 17 times when winning the John Smith's Grand National at Aintree in April. Maguire was suspended for five days.


Ballabriggs' trainer Donald McCain said: "I've been involved in a couple of meetings and it was obvious something needed doing. I think it needed to be a sensible enough number (of whip strokes) so that people can't make mistakes. I'd like to think now that everything has been done in the best interests of racing and the horse."

Professor Tim Morris, director of equine science and welfare for the BHA, added: "Safeguarding the welfare of racehorses is a priority and we are committed to ensuring and enhancing horse welfare. The thoroughness of this review, and the conclusions it reaches, are yet further demonstrations of this commitment."

Shock 40-1 Winner And Godolphin Hat Trick

Prince Of Johanne ran out a shock 40-1 winner of the Betfred Cambridgeshire at Newmarket for trainer Tom Tate.

The field split into two big groups from the off with those drawn high, including Prince Of Johanne, sticking to the near side and many of the fancied runners racing down the centre of the track.

It looked to be pretty even at halfway but when the runners started to converge John Fahy set sail for home, and though it looked as though he may be swamped a furlong out, Prince Of Johanne was game and held on by a length and three-quarters from Stevie Thunder, with Proponent third.

Fahy said: "He's really tough. The ground has been key to him - he handled the quick ground well. It's happy days. It's pretty special, to be honest."

Tate added: "It's a great day. I could tell you I'd laid him out for this all season but it wouldn't be true. He's been consistent, so I suppose the form was there, but the ground has really helped him.

"What a way to get off the 'cold' list. I thought he came too soon, but he kept it up.

"I was thinking the handicapper may have got to grips with him, but he's always very consistent and has run nothing but good races - he needs fast ground. John was very confident and courageous - he's a good fellow."


Godolphin are usually dangerous in nurseries, and Frankie Dettori guided 11-4 favourite Pimpernel to win the EBF 'Dansili' Jersey Lily Fillies' event.

Dettori and Godolphin then doubled their advantage when Anatolian (11-10 favourite) brought home the hat-trick in the TurfTV Handicap.

Footballer Scott Parker was involved in Tottenham's victory at Wigan, so he was unable to witness a victory for his horse Golden Desert (16-1) in the Betfred The Bonus King Handicap.

1-2-3 For Aidan O'Brien

Daddy Long Legs put up a brave front-running performance to lead home a 1-2-3 for Aidan O'Brien in the Juddmonte Royal Lodge Stakes at Newmarket.

Colm O'Donoghue was smartly away aboard the 11-4 shot and set a nice gallop up front in the Group Two contest, with Farhaan sitting on his heels before briefly threatening to take a hand in the finish.

Daddy Long Legs had plenty in the tank and kicked on to put daylight between himself and the rest of the field, comfortably holding the late runs of stablemates Tenth Star and Wrote to score by three and a quarter lengths.

O'Donoghue said: "He's very straightforward. He jumped great and travelled really good. He's a big horse with a great action and a great temperament. He's a nice horse and is improving."


O'Brien added: "They're three young colts and they all ran nice races. This horse was very green in Doncaster (when fourth in the Champagne Stakes), but he liked the fast ground and we're delighted.

"We were just discussing things and everything is open. You would have to look at the Racing Post Trophy and Derrick (Smith, co-owner) said the Breeders' Cup could be a possible, although nothing has been decided yet.

"The other two would be possibles for all those races."

Sahpresa Reigns Supreme

Sahpresa reigned supreme in the Kingdom Of Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes yet again as the resilient French mare became the first to win the Newmarket Group One three times.

Although the distance, conditions and age restrictions have been tinkered with over the years, this was still a substantial achievement by trainer Rod Collet and his stable star, who was exceeding Free Guest's two titles from the mid-80s in a race that generally favours the Classic generation.

Sahpresa and Collet were both virtual unknowns when she opened her account here at 16-1 in 2009, but she has become a familiar sight from regular trips across the water and went off the 13-8 favourite.


Christophe Lemaire was criticised for leaving it too late when second in the Falmouth Stakes during the summer, but he has since steered her to placed efforts in two strong French Group Ones.

Perfectly settled in a prominent position, she quickened into the lead and made it a hat-trick without much fuss, keeping a comfortable length between herself and Chachamaidee.

Premio Loco To Add To Tally

Chris Wall's stable stalwart Premio Loco will face six rivals as he bids to add to his Group-race tally in Friday's Nayef Joel Stakes at Newmarket.

The 12-time winner finally opened his account for 2011 with a determined victory in the Park Stakes at Doncaster earlier this month, but the one they would all have to beat if returning to last year's form is Godolphin's Poet's Voice.


Saeed bin Suroor's colt edged out Rip Van Winkle to land the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes this time last season, but now has something to prove following a disappointing return at Goodwood.

Bin Suroor also saddles Emerald Commander, while Glorious Goodwood winner Libranno is a player for champion trainer Richard Hannon.

The Sir Michael Stoute-trained Tazahum, Ransom Note from the Charlie Hills yard and likely rank outsider Karam Albaari complete the seven-runner line-up.

Newmarket Preview

Jim Bolger hopes Zip Top can bounce back from a disappointing effort at the Curragh when he encounters faster ground in the Somerville Tattersalls Stakes at Newmarket on Thursday.

Owned by Sheikh Mohammed, the youngster created a favourable impression on his debut, justifying favouritism and making all the running at Leopardstown, before disappointing in the Anglesey Stakes at the Curragh.

Bolger said: "He is over in Newmarket already and I'm happy with him. I think the ground was too soft for him at the Curragh and I'm hoping he'll run a good race. He's a horse we like a lot."

Meanwhile Vincent Ward hopes his two runners in the Jockey Club Rose Bowl at Newmarket on Thursday produce another good run before they head off to the sales.


Fictional Account was only narrowly beaten by Saddler's Rock and Fame And Glory on her penultimate run in the Irish St Leger Trial before the ground went against her in the Classic itself, while End Of The Affair is currently rated as highly as she ever has been, despite being a seven-year-old.

Ward said: "The ground should suit them both, that's why we've gone. It's their last hurrah and then they've finished with me. End Of The Affair ran a very good race the last day. I was going to retire her then but she was in such good form we carried on."

He added: "There's nothing for them in Ireland, though, as I don't want them lugging top weight around giving 2st to three-year-olds. I'm trying to get a bit of black type for End Of The Affair before she goes to Newmarket and if she finished in the first three I'd be delighted.

"She's got headgear again but the trip was too short last time as she galloped all the way to the line.

"Fictional Account is in fair order after the Curragh. The difference in the ground for her is unbelievable. She's such a heavy mare that if there's any ease in it she just can't go through it.

"They've been in since January but this is their final destination and hopefully they give a good account of themselves."


John Gosden's Nehaam returns to two miles after running a cracker to finish second in the Old Newton Cup last time.

Angus Gold, owner Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum's racing manager, said: "He ran a great race at Haydock. He's been very consistent this season and he's come back well since his time off. We've been delighted with him.

"Obviously he's stepping back up to two miles but we think he'll stay, although he's shown that he's effective over shorter."

Somerville Stakes Preview

Roger Varian is keen to make the most of what he hopes will be fast conditions as Farraaj steps up to Pattern company for the first time in the Somerville Tattersall Stakes at Newmarket on Thursday.

A highly encouraging debut second at Sandown in July has been supplemented by a couple of victories, most recently scoring decisively back at Sandown just over a week ago.

Varian said: "He's done nothing wrong. He didn't get a hard race last week and has come out if quite well. I'm conscious we might lose the fast ground in October so we are turning him out again quite quickly, but he seems fresh well and I'm looking forward to running him."


Colm O'Donoghue partners Curragh maiden winner Crusade for Aidan O'Brien.

"He improved a lot from his first run at York and won nicely in the Curragh. Hopefully he can continue to progress," said O'Donoghue.

"This is a nice step up for him but hopefully he'll be up to it. Fast ground won't be a problem for him if that's how it ends up. He's a good-moving horse."

Following a string of fine efforts in defeat, Storming Bernard has eventually found the winning thread, opening his account in a Brighton maiden before following up in impressive fashion at Ayr a week ago.

His trainer, Alan Bailey, said: "It's a big step up for him from a novice race to a Group Three but he has been well in himself since Ayr and we'll see how he gets on. There's actually been a bit of rain around this morning, so it might end up being a bit softer than it is at the moment.

"We think he's an improving horse."

Deacon Blues Impresses Again

Deacon Blues is an increasingly impressive young sprinter and he took the Dubai International World Trophy at Newbury with ease.

The Wokingham winner has successfully stepped up to Group class in the Hackwood Stakes on this course and in the Phoenix Sprint at the Curragh, but James Fanshawe was forced to drop the 5-4 favourite down to five furlongs for the first time here.

Frankie Dettori played it cool, swooping late to pass Masamah by a length.

"That was a relief really as he had a bit of a setback before the Sprint Cup at Haydock and it wasn't ideal to go five furlongs," said Fanshawe.

"I needed to give him another race before the British Champions Sprint at Ascot next month. Society Rock will go for the same race too."

Fallon Pounces Late

A late pounce by Kieren Fallon in Newbury's Dubai Duty Free Arc Trial saw Green Destiny confirmed for a Group One assignment.

Sent off the 2-1 favourite after a good win at York last time, William Haggas' charge was some way adrift of Roger Charlton's pair Al Kazeem and Sea Of Heartbreak but motored down the wide outside to score by half a length from the former.

"He'll probably have a dart at the Champion Stakes now," said Haggas.

"My view was that if he could carry a penalty in this race against good horses, he'd be doing well. This is a good horse."

Silver Cup Review

Cheveton (12-1) landed the Bronze Cup at Ayr's Western meeting 12 months ago, and improved on that to lift the William Hill Ayr Silver Cup, giving Ebor-winning apprentice Dale Swift another big handicap success.

Racing with the group on the stands side from his draw in 21, the Richard Price-trained seven-year-old found an extra gear deep inside the final furlong to beat Marvellous Value by half a length.

A further one and a quarter lengths back in third was the Ryan-trained Advanced, who ran a huge race having been on his own in the centre of the track for most of the six-furlong contest.

Price said: "We were as confident as you can be in a race like this, because the draw can be a lottery. You really don't know. But the ground came right for him, we knew we had him right and he has done it well.

"He won the Bronze Cup last year, so we were hoping to go for the Silver Cup, and fortunately he just crept in. He has not had his ground so far this season really, but on the other hand I wasn't quite sure how he would handle ground as soft as this.

"Dale gets on so well with him, when others ride him he rears up in the stalls and misses the break."

Ayr Gold Cup Review

Our Jonathan gave owner Dr Marwan Koukash back-to-back victories in the William Hill Gold Cup at Ayr.

Trained in North Yorkshire by Kevin Ryan, the four-year-old had long promised to deliver in a big race, and could be called the winner from some way out. Sent off an 11-1 chance, Franny Norton elected to go to the far side from his middle draw in stall 12, and it was to prove a shrewd move.

His mount hit top gear approaching the last of the six furlongs and strode out powerfully, with two lengths the margin of victory over heavily-backed favourite Eton Rifles, who led home the runners on the stands rail.

Son Of The Cat, who also raced on the far side, was one and a half lengths back in third, with Colonel Mak fourth home from the near side.

A delighted Norton, a veteran of the weighing room, said: "I've been on two horses in the past that I've been meant to ride and they have gone on to win, so this is great. This horse is special to Marwan too, so it's double delight really."

Ryan said: "He has been threatening all season, but he has been gradually coming to hand all the time and he has really been sparkling in the last 10 days.
"When the ground came as testing as it is, I was pleased because he has form over seven furlongs and for a race like this you need a staying sprinter. We really had him in good order and I wasn't really concerned about the draw."

Koukash said: "It is great to win the race again. He is a very good horse, he had good form as a two-year-old - he lost his way a bit last season, but he is now back to his best. There is a seven-furlong race at Ascot which is a possibility, Redford won it after this race last year, and then there is a Listed race at Doncaster on the last day of the season.

"Franny rode the horse very well at Chester and he has missed out on this race on a couple of occasions, so it is great to give him a big winner."

Ayr Bronze Cup Review

Coolminx pipped stable companion Jeannie Galloway to give trainer Richard Fahey a notable one-two in the William Hill Ayr Bronze Cup.

The pair were separated by the width of the track and it was the far side runner Coolminx (12-1), who broke from stall three, who landed the spoils by a short head in the hands of Barry McHugh.


Champion jockey Paul Hanagan was agonisingly out of luck on Jeannie Galloway, the 13-2 favourite, racing from stall 15 towards the stands' side of the course.

Fahey said: "It should have been a dead-heat, that would have been better. I just feel sorry for the owners of the second. As you can see there's not much between them and it looked that way at home."


Fahey believes the race showed there is no difference between low and high numbers in the draw ahead of Saturday's Gold and Silver Cups over the same course and distance.

"The result shows there is no draw bias on the near side or the far side. The one place you don't want to be is down the middle," he added.

Ayr Silver Cup Preview

Adrian Nicholls is looking forward to Tax Free making amends for an unlucky run at Doncaster in the William Hill Ayr Silver Cup.

The jockey felt the nine-year-old would have finished closer than his final position of eighth behind Nocturnal Affair but for suffering interference at a crucial stage of the Portland Handicap.

Nicholls said: "He ran a blinder in the Portland. I don't think I'd have won, but I definitely would have been in the placings. I got hampered when I was making my run, got stopped in my tracks and he came home really strong."

He added: "He ran a blinder in the Stewards' Cup. Second to Hoof It was a cracking run and he's an old legend. Whatever he does, he owes us nothing. I thought he was very unlucky in the Portland so if he can run like that again, he'd have a shout.

"He's probably the gamest horse we've got in training. If he gets into a battle and he's there at the furlong marker, it will take a good one to pass him."


The rider's trainer/father David Nicholls has three others in the consolation race - Nasri, Capone and Joseph Henry.

"Nasri's a very nice horse. It's tough he just missed the cut for the Gold Cup. He'd a have a good chance. Everything we send up here has a big shout. All you need is a bit of luck."

Mirza goes for Silver honours in good form, having won at Haydock last month and finished second to Gold Cup fancy Colonel Mark at Ffos Las on his latest start.

His trainer Rae Guest said: "He's in good form and plenty of rain would help him. Hopefully we are drawn well (in stall 22) and we expect a big run."

Ayr Gold Cup Preview

James Fanshawe is hoping Mac's Power can give him a memorable success in the William Hill Ayr Gold Cup.

The 5yo has been running creditably in defeat this term, including finishing third in the Stewards' Cup at Goodwood and in a hot Ascot handicap.

"I don't think I've ever had a winner at Ayr, so hopefully we can turn things around," said Fanshawe.

"We came out of the draw fairly early and we decided we were going to go six, eight or 10. Unfortunately all the pace appears to have gone to the stands side. I hope it's not going to affect us too much. We'll just see just who is the best judge - Dandy Nicholls or Richard Fahey. One has gone one side and one has gone the other.

"In these big sprints you need a lot of luck even if you have got the best horse in the race."


David O'Meara is hoping Pepper Lane can maintain her fine form this season with a big run in the William Hill Ayr Gold Cup.

The four-year-old has exceeded all expectations this term, wining four of her six starts and rising in the ratings from 74 to a current mark of 103, including her recent victory in the Great St Wilfrid at Ripon last month.

The handler said: "She seems in good form and hopefully she can repeat her run in the Great St Wilfrid. It would give her a great chance. We would have preferred to have been drawn nearer one rail or the other, but Mac's Power and the Irish horse that is fancied a bit (Croisultan) are near to us so that helps."

He added: "She has surprised us all. Hopefully she will break well and get a clean passage through."

BHA And Levy Board Update

The Levy Board has reiterated its support for the Government in its attempt to get off-shore betting operators to contribute to racing's coffers.

In its annual report, Levy Board chairman Paul Lee confirms its backing for the Government in its intention to address off-shore betting issues.

Lee stresses that the current structure "is not a level playing field for on-shore operators and that a Levy contribution from those off-shore would 'transform' Levy yield".

The Levy Board's accounts show that the total yield for the 49th Levy Scheme (2010/11) was £59.5milllion, a fall from £75.4m for the 48th scheme, which was itself a reduction on the 47th yield of £90.6m.


Lee points out the Board's sensible and prudent response to a challenging year due to the significant fall in income as well as to its commitment to setting a balanced budget in the current year.

Meanwhile, announcement of next year's racing fixtures has been further delayed at the request of the Racecourse Association and the Horsemen's Group.

It had been hoped to announce the programme for 2012 no later than September 30, but that will not now happen.

Publication of the fixture list had originally been delayed because of discussions about funding from the Levy Board.


The fixture allocation process had been suspended since early June, but funding was expected to be confirmed at the next Levy Board meeting on September 14, after which the total number had been due to be finalised.

It had already been decided to cut the number of racing fixtures in Britain by at least 80 after the British Horseracing Authority decided to cap the number at 1,400.

A statement from the BHA read: "At the request of its stakeholders - the Racecourse Association and Horsemen's Group - the British Horseracing Authority has agreed to further delay publishing the 2012 fixture list until after September 30.

"The Authority remains deeply concerned about the downgrading of the race programme, the declining horse population and the associated impact on competitiveness levels in 2012, all of which are the result of a Levy system that is failing the sport."

Census Still Fancied

Connections of Census believe the best is yet to come from the colt, who they feel underperformed in the Ladbrokes St Leger.

Census failed to end his season on a high note when only fifth to Masked Marvel in the world's oldest Classic at Doncaster on Saturday, yet Richard Hannon's charge had run that horse to a head when they met in the Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket in July.

A plan of campaign for 2012 is already being mapped out for the Highclere Thoroughbred Racing-owned colt that could culminate in a crack at the Melbourne Cup.

"Census is better than his finishing position of fifth suggests. There had only been a head between him and Masked Marvel in the Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket in July, so we know he can do better," the Marlborough trainer told www.richardhannonracing.tv.


"Richard Hughes had to give him a few slaps early on in the race, and Census was clearly not happy on the fast ground. He would not let himself down, and, though he did find his rhythm and cam there looking promising in the straight, he got a bump from Brown Panther and that was that.

"You have to remember that Census only started to blossom after Ascot. Hughesie had said when he won earlier at Newbury that he was maybe too immature for the Royal meeting, and, though he ran well there and again at Newmarket, he only really began to come to himself when he won the Geoffrey Freer Stakes back at Newbury.


"Census went weak on us as a two-year-old and went back to Highclere to strengthen up, and we have always thought of him as a long-term prospect. We will probably put him away now, and next year when he has filled his frame he could be something special.

"We won a Yorkshire Cup and a Doncaster Cup with Assessor in the early 90s, but Census would have more speed.

"He could well be one for the Ascot Gold Cup, but I know Harry Herbert (Highclere racing manager) is keen to keep the Melbourne Cup in mind and Flemington is a left-handed course, which seems to suit him well, so there are still plenty of positives there."

Rubys Back

Ruby Walsh made a low-key return to action after two months out through injury.

The top jump jockey finished last of four on the Tony Martin-trained Salute Him behind Plan A in the Kerrymaid Hurdle on his only ride at Listowel.

Walsh crushed a vertebra in his neck and tore a ligament when his mount Friendly Society fell at the first flight in a handicap hurdle at Killarney in July.

Prix de L`Arc Preview

Sarafina strengthened her position as favourite for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe as she overcame trouble to run out a narrow winner of the Qatar Prix Foy at Longchamp.

Christophe Lemaire was content to sit last of the four runners behind a steady early gallop set by last year's Arc runner-up Nakayama Festa from Japan, and Aidan O'Brien's St Nicholas Abbey briefly hit the front over a furlong out.

Lemaire suddenly had nowhere to go as the second Japanese challenger, Hiruno D'Amour, hemmed him in, but he forced his mount through a small gap and she showed plenty of courage to take the opportunity. Hiruno D'Amour finished second.

Installed Arc favourite when Derby winner Pour Moi had to be retired, Sarafina was cut to 3-1 by Coral, Ladbrokes and Stan James, and to 7-2 by Betfred.

Godolphin Bullish!

Blue Bunting will be chasing a rare 'Triple Crown' of sorts today when she seeks to add the Ladbrokes St Leger to her victories in the 1000 Guineas and the Irish Oaks.

Frankie Dettori's mount, who took the Yorkshire Oaks last time, will be joined by two other members of the Godolphin team in Rumh and Genius Beast as she tries to become the first filly to win the Doncaster Classic since User Friendly back in 1992.

"Ever since Blue Bunting was competitive as a two-year-old, when winning a Listed race at Newmarket very well, we knew she was a very good filly," said Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford.


"She had a small flake taken out of an ankle after that, which was why she stayed in Newmarket over the winter.

"Leading up to the Guineas, we felt then that a longer trip than a mile would suit her much better, but she was brilliant that day on fast ground.

"That sent us straight to Epsom and she has done nothing but please us through this whole campaign. She is super tough and very resolute - she gives everything she has though she wins her races by a narrow margin.

"She has held on to her condition throughout a tough and busy campaign and is as robust and healthy as she was back in May, which is why she is going for the Leger.


"Her sex allowance will be incredibly important and hopefully will give her every chance of beating the colts."

He added: "Rumh will act as a pacemaker and Genius Beast is a nice horse, a Group Three winner who we do think will stay quite well. He definitely deserves to take his chance and will give a good account of himself. However, he does need to be 8lb better to win."

Doncaster Cup Preview

Michael Bell is hopeful Tactician can cope with the step up in class and trip when he lines up for the Stobart Doncaster Cup on Town Moor.

The Queen's likeable stayer has already made giant strides this term and only went down by a length to Moyenne Corniche after making most of the running in the Ebor at York last month. However, he has an extra half-mile to travel this time and is stepping up to Group Two company.

"It's obviously a big step up in class and trip, but the horse looks as though he will stay and every run this year he has improved. With a little bit more improvement it will put him in the mix," said Bell.


Tastahil was second in the corresponding race 12 months ago and Charlie Hills is praying the ground is suitable for him, telling At The Races: "He normally comes good at this time of year. He ran a great race here a year ago. He looks well in himself and we'll just keep an eye on the ground."

Blue Bajan appeared not to act on the ground at York last month when well beaten by Opinion Poll in the Lonsdale Cup. That was a rare blip for David O'Meara's nine-year-old, who has shown smart form, particularly when lifting the Henry II Stakes at Sandown in May.

"Maybe he didn't quite handle the ground at York. A lot of people complained about it afterwards. Hopefully conditions will be OK for him at Doncaster. The quicker the going the better for him," said O'Meara.

Connections of Opinion Poll are expecting a big run from the in-form stayer, who has won the Goodwood Cup and Lonsdale Cup at York already this summer.


"Opinion Poll heads to Doncaster in good form. We had the option of going for the Irish St Leger on Saturday but we decided to stay in England with him," trainer Mahmood Al Zarooni told www.godolphin.com.

"Two and a quarter miles will suit him well and I think that the ground will be no problem - he won on good to firm at Goodwood and good going at York. I expect him to be there or thereabouts once again."

Frankie Dettori is excited about teaming up with an old favourite, adding on At The Races: "He's a model of consistency and he never runs a bad race. He's one of those Cup horses I enjoy riding. He always gives 100% and I'm expecting another good run."

Doncaster Preview

Sir Michael Stoute is happy with the current condition of red-hot favourite Sea Moon ahead of the Ladbrokes St Leger at Doncaster on Saturday.

The son of Beat Hollow heads the market for the Town Moor Classic after his devastating eight-length victory in the always informative Great Voltigeur Stakes at York.

Stoute provided an update on the colt at a press event in London on Monday, reporting: "He won a handicap at York off a mark of 92 and had been progressing very nicely in his preparation for the Voltigeur but he needed to, otherwise we would not have contemplated going there."

The trainer added: "He obviously liked the conditions on the Knavesmire - the ground was springy and dead - but it might be very different at Doncaster. We'd be happy if he was in the same shape as at York and the vibes are quite good."

Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford confirmed Rumh had been supplemented to set the pace for second-favourite Blue Bunting, winner of the 1000 Guineas, Irish and Yorkshire Oaks, as well as for Genius Beast.

Crisford said: "Genius Beast is an interesting horse but he does need to improve six or seven pounds to get into the mix.


"Sheikh Mohammed came to watch Blue Bunting work on Saturday and he was pleased she was her usual self. She has kept her form since May despite a tough campaign and we just felt that she deserved a chance against the colts."

Blue Bunting could be allowed to further her record as a four-year-old, with Crisford adding: "For as long as she seems to enjoy racing, there is every chance she will stay in training."

Richard Hannon, trainer of Census, and John Gosden, the three-time Leger-winning trainer responsible for Masked Marvel and front-runner Buthelezi, said their respective runners were doing well at home, too.

Tuesday is likely to be a crucial day in defining likely conditions for the four-day meeting, with Doncaster's clerk of the course Jon Pullin saying: "There is a significant band of rain due for Tuesday, which could be five or six millimetres. There could be more showers on Wednesday, but Tuesday is the key. If we get that amount of rain, I expect us to see good ground."


Tom Dascombe spoke of the heart-wrenching decision taken to replace Richard Kingscote with Kieren Fallon for the ride on Brown Panther in Saturday's Ladbrokes St Leger.

Kingscote has been with Dascombe since the early days in Lambourn and has remained his first jockey after the trainer upped sticks to footballer Michael Owen's stable in Cheshire.

Kingscote has been on board for each of Brown Panther's seven starts, from a good win in the King George V Handicap at Royal Ascot to a luckless run in the German Derby, and in his most recent outing, when second to weekend rival Census in the Geoffrey Freer at Newbury.

The Leger is the only one of the British Classics Fallon has not collected, managing two seconds from five previous attempts, but his big-race know-how was the cause of the change in plan.

Dascombe said: "It has been a very tough, hard decision to make, but I spoke to Michael at length and it was decided on this occasion to go for a more experienced jockey. It has not been an easy decision, but it is the one we have come to. Richard has done a very good job for me, we just thought on this occasion that you don't get too many chances to win a Classic."


Fallon will head to Town Moor on Saturday in good spirits after having also been confirmed to ride Red Duke in the Champagne Stakes and York Glory in the Portland Handicap.

Brown Panther, meanwhile, was one of 11 horses remaining at the five-day stage, with a surprising three left in from Aidan O'Brien, who was expected to only field Seville. O'Brien, whose most recent of three Leger wins came with Scorpion in 2005, has left in Investec Oaks runner-up Wonder Of Wonders and lightly-raced maiden winner Freedom.


O'Brien, who did not reveal any jockey bookings, said: "Seville was always the most likely one we were going to go with, but the filly (Wonder Of Wonders) ran a good race in the Yorkshire Oaks.

"We thought she wanted better ground, but we are going to wait and see as she also has the option of dropping back to a mile and a quarter at Longchamp.

"Misty For Me might go back for that race (Prix de l'Opera), so we'll have a look later in the week and see. She's only a possible. With Freedom, we were going to see how the race made up and see if there was enough pace for everyone. It looks like there will be plenty of pace so he might not go, but that's by no means certain."