Trainer Dean Smith has his runners in very good shape and star sprinter Cruise Control looks the right one in Race 7, the Betway Cradock Place Stakes over 1200m. The seven-year-old gelding won the first leg of the Nelson Mandela Bay Polytrack Challenge over 1200m a few weeks back but was a noticeable absentee from the second leg last Friday. Smith clearly felt the 1400m of that second leg would have stretched the Querari gelding, but it is worth noting Cruise Control has been impressive on the Polytrack. He is no slouch on the grass either and his record is very good. He has won 16 of his 34 starts, including nine of 23 on turf, and his course-and-distance record reads one win, one second and one third from just four races. Surprisingly, it is not stable jockey Craig Zackey aboard the gelding this time, with Callan Murray getting his first ride on him. Cruise Control is at level weights with three of his rivals, and it is only stable companion and Zackey-ridden Astronomical Boy to whom he has to give chunks of weight. That should make Cruise Control hard to beat. There are only seven runners carded for this, and he faces three possible dangers. Astronomical Boy showed talent but was unreliable when trained in the Western Cape and arrived at his current yard with a record of two wins from seven starts. The well-bred Gimmethegreenlight gelding won on his local debut. It was a narrow win, but he was well backed, and it is interesting to note that the runner-up that day, Kwagga Blitz, did win his next start. That win of his was over this course and distance, and the quicker they go, the more he will enjoy it, as he packs a strong late kick. Trainer Kelly Mitchley continues to have a steady stream of winners, and she has done a very good job with Anushka’s World. This gelding has won five of 31 starts, but his last two wins were this year and over this course and distance. Trainer Alan Greeff’s runners must always be considered at this track, and Fairy Knight gets to represent him under Richard Fourie. He has not been at his best of late but was still not far behind in those performances and is well suited to this track and trip. On the day, it will probably see some more winners for the Greeff-Fourie combination, as Kleinzee will be defending an unbeaten run of six starts for the yard in Race 5. All those wins for Greeff have been on the Polytrack, but she did win on the grass twice in the Western Cape, so she cannot be faulted on that ground. In the last race, it might be a Greeff 1-2 finish, as the bang-in-form Wild Fig may have to dig deep to fight off Silvan Mistress.   Clive Robinson

Walker is open to keeping one eye on the Breeders’ Cup Turf later in the autumn.

It is a familiar feeling for Ed Walker as he looks to the skies and prays for rain ahead of Almaqam’s intended outing in the Qatar Racing Champion Stakes next month.

Three-time French champion won the race on Waldgeist in 2019.

British Champions Day has become a fitting final act to the British Flat season. Stayers, sprinters, milers and middle-distance stars gather at Ascot in October, often with a championship still to settle or one last race to define a career. The meeting began in 2011. Some of its feature races are much older: the Champion Stakes was first run at Newmarket in 1877 before moving to Ascot as the centrepiece of the new fixture. The Queen Elizabeth II Stakes also brought an established reputation to the card. Champions Day put those races alongside major contests for stayers, sprinters and fillies and mares on one afternoon. Frankel gives the meeting its defining moment The new fixture could hardly have asked for a better early ambassador. Frankel won the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at the inaugural meeting in 2011, then returned a year later for the final start of his unbeaten career. Rain had softened the ground before the 2012 Champion Stakes, adding one last question for Sir Henry Cecil’s champion. Frankel answered it with his 14th victory from 14 starts, beating Cirrus des Aigles before an Ascot crowd that knew it was watching a farewell. There was a poignant sequel in 2014. Frankel’s younger brother Noble Mission, trained by Lady Jane Cecil after Sir Henry’s death, fought off Al Kazeem to win the Champion Stakes. Two brothers had now claimed the meeting’s main event, each with a different story attached to the victory. Champions keep returning A victory on Champions Day can settle an argument about a season. Winning there twice gives a horse a place of its own in the meeting’s history. Cracksman achieved that in the Champion Stakes in 2017 and 2018, both times with Frankie Dettori aboard for John Gosden. His commanding wins made him the first horse to retain the race since its move to Ascot. The staying races have produced their own enduring names. Stradivarius added the 2018 Long Distance Cup to a remarkable campaign, while Kyprios rounded off an unbeaten seven-race season by winning the same contest in 2024. Trawlerman had beaten Kyprios in a memorable 2023 finish and returned to win again in 2025, by which time the Long Distance Cup had been promoted to Group 1 status. The days that did not follow the script The promise of a champion does not guarantee a coronation. Baaeed arrived for the 2022 Champion Stakes unbeaten and expected to finish his career with another victory. Instead, Bay Bridge won for Sir Michael Stoute, bringing one of the sport’s great winning sequences to an unexpected end. Two years later, Anmaat caught Calandagan close to the line to take the 2024 Champion Stakes at long odds. In 2025, the same race belonged to Calandagan, who returned to Ascot and beat Ombudsman decisively. His victory gave French trainer Francis-Henri Graffard the meeting’s headline prize and completed a rare same-season double with the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes. The 2025 card also showed just how unpredictable the supporting races could be. Powerful Glory sprang a 200-1 upset in the British Champions Sprint, while Cicero’s Gift won the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at 100-1. Later, Kalpana brought some order back to proceedings by winning the Fillies & Mares Stakes for the second consecutive year. Dettori’s Ascot farewell Few people have given Champions Day more theatre than Frankie Dettori. The 2023 meeting was billed as his final day riding in Britain, and he delivered a finish worthy of the occasion. Dettori won the Long Distance Cup on Trawlerman, then produced a late surge on King Of Steel to claim the Champion Stakes. For a jockey so closely associated with Ascot, it was an extraordinary way to say goodbye to a British crowd. Champion Stakes winners since British Champions Day began The Champion Stakes has been the meeting’s headline race since 2011. Its winners trace much of the story, from Frankel’s farewell to Calandagan’s return to the top in 2025.

Year	Winner	Trainer	Jockey
2011	Cirrus des Aigles	Corine Barande-Barbe	Christophe Soumillon
2012	Frankel	Sir Henry Cecil	Tom Queally
2013	Farhh	Saeed bin Suroor	Silvestre de Sousa
2014	Noble Mission	Jane Cecil	James Doyle
2015	Fascinating Rock	Dermot Weld	Pat Smullen
2016	Almanzor	Jean-Claude Rouget	Christophe Soumillon
2017	Cracksman	John Gosden	Frankie Dettori
2018	Cracksman	John Gosden	Frankie Dettori
2019	Magical	Aidan O’Brien	Donnacha O’Brien
2020	Addeybb	William Haggas	Tom Marquand
2021	Sealiway	Cédric Rossi	Mickaël Barzalona
2022	Bay Bridge	Sir Michael Stoute	Richard Kingscote
2023	King Of Steel	Roger Varian	Frankie Dettori
2024	Anmaat	Owen Burrows	Jim Crowley
2025	Calandagan	Francis-Henri Graffard	Mickaël Barzalona

As British Champions Day approaches its 16th edition, its appeal remains simple: the biggest names arrive with reputations made during the season, then Ascot gives them one more chance to strengthen them. Sometimes, as Frankel and Cracksman showed, the champion delivers. Sometimes Bay Bridge or Anmaat changes the story altogether. By Scott Bailey  

Bettors seeking an edge to Thursday’s 1 October Vaal fixture have plenty to work with as there are several enticing betting propositions throughout the card – with two Mike and Mathew de Kock-trained fillies, a pair of Drakenstein Stud homebreds, and a potential double for champion jockey Craig Zackey all worthy of betting interest. De Kock-trained Vision Of Gold could set the tone in Race 1 over 1200m. The well-related Gold Standard filly, a half-sister to Horse-Of-The-Year See It Again, returns from a 14-week break having shown promise when fourth over this same distance on debut as a two-year-old. That experience should stand her in good stead, and natural improvement could make her a worthwhile bet on her reappearance. Zackey will partner Clinton Binda’s Whatsdamatterwithu for the first time in Race 3, also over 1200m, and could make the most of the opportunity. The progressive Fire Away gelding has really turned the corner since being gelded and remains open to further improvement. He won’t need to find much to go one better after finishing second in a similar contest last time off the same mark. Zackey has another strong chance in Race 5 over 1000m when he takes over from the injured Gavin Lerena aboard Mike Azzie’s Taking A Risk. This Fire Away filly has filled the runner-up berth in each of her last three starts, all off her current rating, and another honest performance could finally see her rewarded. Returning Future Gamble provides an appealing each-way alternative in Race 6 over 1500m. The Drakenstein-bred-and-owned Futura filly progressed through the divisions during her three-year-old campaign with James Crawford and could be even better in the care of Sean Tarry. While the trip is shorter than ideal, she is probably better than her rating suggests so looks well weighted under just 52kg. Her 112-day absence could also ensure an attractive price, making a speculative each-way wager worth considering. The De Kocks take the wraps off a three-year-old exciting prospect in Race 7 over 1600m, in the shape of Feast Of Berries – a R3-million Vercingetorix filly bred for the big time, being a daughter out of Grade 1 Garden Province Stakes winner Redberry Lane. Feast Of Berries improved with every juvenile appearance, progressing from a debut fourth over 1160m to finish second over 1600m before getting off the mark in determined fashion over the same trip on Turffontein’s Inside track. Given 93 days to strengthen and mature, she should have plenty more to offer this season and makes considerable appeal on her handicap debut, especially as the form of her last-start victory has received a significant boost by runner-up Me And You winning both subsequent outings. There is enough quality and upside here to make the Vaal card a punter’s playground rather than a guessing game. Follow the De Kock fillies, keep Zackey firmly onside, and don’t ignore the value angles where fresh legs and lenient weights could turn promise into profit.   Clive Robinson

The field for Sunday’s Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (2400m) is taking shape, with 19 horses remaining after Monday’s first forfeit stage at ParisLongchamp. Defending champion Daryz heads the list. Trained by Francis-Henri Graffard, he returned to winning form over the Arc course and distance in the Prix Foy after a below-par run at Royal Ascot. A second victory on Sunday would put him among the race’s rare back-to-back winners. Graffard also has Varandir, who won the Prix Niel on Arc Trials Day. The three-year-old has lost only once, when favourite for the Grand Prix de Paris, and gives the Aga Khan Studs another serious chance. Stablemate Sunly remains entered but is expected to run in Saturday’s Prix Royallieu instead. Britain’s challenge is led by Maltese Cross and Kalpana. William Haggas-trained Maltese Cross finished second in the Derby before winning the Grand Prix de Paris over Sunday’s course and distance. He then added the Great Voltigeur Stakes at York, giving him two wins from two starts since Epsom. Kalpana has put together an outstanding season for Andrew Balding. Her victory over Calandagan in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes was followed by another Group 1 success in the Yorkshire Oaks. She now has the chance to add Europe’s biggest middle-distance prize to that record. Aidan O’Brien has reduced his Arc team to three: last year’s runner-up Minnie Hauk, Irish Derby winner Benvenuto Cellini and Diamond Necklace. Minnie Hauk came closest to Daryz 12 months ago, while Benvenuto Cellini will need to improve on his fifth in the Prix Niel. Diamond Necklace brings a different point of interest. The French Oaks and Nassau Stakes winner has yet to race over 2400m, and the Prix de l’Opéra remains an alternative target. O’Brien’s stated intention is to run all three in the Arc, with the ground likely to influence the final decision on Diamond Necklace. His son Joseph O’Brien has left Oaks heroine Thundering On in the race. She would welcome some ease in the ground, making the weather an important part of her connections’ decision in the days ahead. The British-trained group also includes Bay City Roller, whose emphatic Coronation Cup victory marked him as a top-class stayer, Roger Varian’s recent German Group 1 winner Saddadd, and Ralph Beckett’s Tattycoram. Japan has two remaining hopes in Admire Terra and Meisho Tabaru, while Germany could be represented by Bright Light. Among the French entries is Arrow Eagle, who is set to give Jean-Claude Rouget a final runner in the race before the trainer ends his long career. There may yet be another name added. Friendly Soul earned a free supplementary entry with her Prix Vermeille victory, and her connections have until Wednesday to decide whether she will take her place. The barrier draw will be conducted on Thursday, October 1, at 8:45pm local Paris time. Before then, supplementary entries and decisions shaped by the weather will determine exactly which of the 19 remaining contenders meet Daryz on Sunday. By Scott Bailey

Diamond Necklace looks set to spearhead the Ballydoyle challenge in the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe with last year’s runner-up Minnie Hauk and Benvenuto Cellini joining her at ParisLongchamp on Sunday.

Polytrack racing at Fairview has another meeting on Wednesday, and most of the races look highly competitive. Two weeks ago, trainer Dean Smith had six winners in the eight races and last Friday Alan Greeff led in a number of winners. This meeting could be shared between a few of them but perhaps it is the turn of Kelly Mitchley to shine. She does not have the numbers in her yard as the other two trainers, but she does have a steady flow of winners and a decent strike rate. There are four runners from her yard on which we will concentrate for the purpose of this preview. They are Highway Code in Race 1, Soundsofsymphonies in Race 4, Warofdynamite in Race 5 and Vila Vicosa in Race 8. Gold Standard gelding Highway Code has his first run for her, and it is also his first taste of the Polytrack. The three-year-old was gelded in April after having been placed in two of his three starts. His two runs since that operation have been below-par, but often a break after that operation is beneficial. Stable jockey Muzi Yeni gets the ride, and blinkers are tried on him. Soundsofsymphonies, a Master Of My Fate colt, had two unplaced runs in the Western Cape before making his debut for the yard. Mitchley put him on the Polytrack for his debut with her, and he ran out a 12.25-length winner. He impressed in that victory, and she decided to take a crack at a feature race in KwaZulu-Natal, but he hung badly and had problems with his bit, so was well beaten. A return to his home track and his first time in a handicap may well see him prove ahead of the handicapper. Yeni gets his first ride on the three-year-old col and he will definitely be trying to prove a point with his next mount, Warofdynamite. This very consistent gelding has been runner-up four times this year under him. The Declarationofpeace gelding also looked the likely winner of his most recent start but was worried out of it at the finish to finish third. Vila Vicosa has only won three of his 17 starts, but two of those wins have come in his last three starts, with both of them being over this particular course and distance. Yeni does get the best out of him, as he was runner-up in his first start under him.   Clive Robinson

The Everest & Caulfield Cup will command Australia’s attention on Saturday, October 17. As the evening arrives, the focus shifts to Ascot, where Qatar Racing British Champions Day brings together some of Europe’s best horses for the finale to the British Flat season. The seven-race programme carries £4.35 million in prize money and features five Group 1 races. Four span the distances from six furlongs to two miles: the British Champions Sprint, Fillies & Mares Stakes, Long Distance Cup and Champion Stakes. The Queen Elizabeth II Stakes adds a fifth Group 1 for the milers. The fields are still taking shape, but the early entries have already raised the possibility of returning champions, fresh rivalries and another international showdown. Fillies and mares: Kalpana’s hat-trick bid The British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes (2400m) could give Kalpana the chance to win the race for a third consecutive year. Andrew Balding’s mare was an emphatic winner in 2024 and 2025, quickening clear of Estrange in last year’s renewal. She has since added the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes to her record, making her one of the most accomplished horses among the early entries. Estrange, Minnie Hauk, Thundering On and Johanna Walsh were also entered, though their autumn plans will determine whether they meet at Ascot. For Kalpana, the prospect of a hat-trick gives the race a compelling story before declarations are made. Stayers: another chapter for Trawlerman and Scandinavia? Promoted to Group 1 level in 2025, the British Champions Long Distance Cup (3200m) has become a fitting final test for the season’s leading stayers. Trawlerman won the race in 2023 after a memorable duel with Kyprios, then returned to take its first Group 1 running last year. He beat stablemate Sweet William on that occasion to cap a campaign that also included the Ascot Gold Cup. Scandinavia, Caballo De Mar and Limestone feature among this year’s early entries. A meeting between Trawlerman and Scandinavia would bring two leading staying campaigns together, though connections still have time to settle their plans. Queen Elizabeth II Stakes: milers take centre stage The Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (1600m) will bring together the leading milers on the straight course. Last year’s running showed how unpredictable Champions Day can be. Cicero’s Gift started at 100/1 but surged through to beat a field containing some of Europe’s most highly regarded milers. It was one of two major upsets on the card, alongside Powerful Glory’s victory in the Sprint. Blue Bolt, Docklands, Gstaad, Precise and True Love are among this year’s early entries. Their paths to Ascot are still to be decided, but the race offers a final opportunity to settle the season’s mile division. With a £1.1 million prize fund, it is also the second-most valuable contest on the day behind the Champion Stakes. Sprint: expect the unexpected The British Champions Sprint Stakes (1200m) produced the day’s biggest shock in 2025 when Powerful Glory, sent off at 200/1, caught favourite Lazzat in the final strides. It was a reminder that even a race bringing together the season’s established sprinters can produce a new name at the top. This year’s early entries include Almeraq, Comanche Brave, Mission Central and Venetian Sun, all Group 1 sprint winners in Britain during 2026. The straight six furlongs should provide a sharp conclusion to a division in which no single horse has yet put the title beyond doubt. Champion Stakes: Calandagan and Ombudsman could meet again The Champion Stakes (2000m) is the £1.3 million centrepiece, and a rematch between Calandagan and Ombudsman would give the day a headline contest. Calandagan finished second in the race in 2024 before returning last year to beat Ombudsman by more than two lengths. His success completed a King George–Champion Stakes double achieved by few horses; the last to do it in the same season had been Brigadier Gerard in 1972. Ombudsman remains a possible opponent, although suitable ground will be important to his participation. Constitution River and Diamond Necklace were among the other high-profile early entries. With several major autumn races still to be run, the final shape of the Champion Stakes remains open. The race has long provided a stage for defining performances. Frankel ended his unbeaten career with victory in the 2012 Champion Stakes, while Calandagan’s win last year helped the contest earn joint top billing in the World’s Best Horse Race rankings. The Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (1600m) deserves attention too. Last year, Cicero’s Gift caused a 100/1 upset in Ascot’s championship mile. Its early entries this year include Blue Bolt, Docklands, Gstaad, Precise and True Love. From the Caulfield Cup in Melbourne to five Group 1 races at Ascot, October 17 promises to keep racing fans in the southern hemisphere engaged well into the night. The entries offer plenty to anticipate; the coming weeks will decide which of those prospective clashes make it to the starting stalls. By Scott Bailey

Officials at ParisLongchamp say they are expecting “good to soft” ground for the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. An unusually dry spell has offered the promise of much quicker conditions than can usually be expected for the European middle-distance showpiece. Giving an update in a statement on Saturday afternoon, France Galop said: “Conditions are evolving, but the weather has remained unusually dry for this time of year, with no rain since September 8, the day after the Qatar Arc trials. “As of Saturday, the forecast is for light showers on Monday followed by heavier rain overnight from Wednesday into Thursday, with further showers possible during the day on Thursday. “On Friday the going at ParisLongchamp was good to soft (3.3). The track was watered on Friday evening to maintain the going at good (3.2) through to Monday, when showers are expected. “Further watering may be carried out in the middle of next week, depending on the weather. “Charles de Cordon (clerk of the course) and his team are expecting the going to be good to soft for the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe weekend.” By Press Association Sport Reporters

From Newmarket’s juvenile Group 1s to the first major spring clashes in Australia, the weekend gave racing fans plenty to take into the months ahead. Sun Goddess strengthened her claim as Europe’s leading two-year-old filly, Warwoven announced himself in Sydney, and Jimmysstar produced the finish of the weekend at Caulfield. South Africa’s Durbanville meeting also offered an early look at contenders for the Cape summer. At Newmarket, Sun Goddess made it three Group 1 wins for the season in the Cheveley Park Stakes. Just 13 days after winning the Moyglare Stud Stakes over seven furlongs on soft ground, Aidan O’Brien’s filly dropped back to six on a much quicker surface and still proved too strong. Ryan Moore brought her through to beat Libertango, with Alwaysanangel third. The result gave O’Brien a record seventh win in the race. The Middle Park Stakes provided a sharp change of fortune for Orthodox. Clive Cox’s Norfolk Stakes winner had struggled on soft ground in the Prix Morny, but looked at home again on Newmarket’s fast turf. Rossa Ryan produced him late to catch Force Noir by a neck, while Hell Of A Spin finished third. Both Newmarket winners now head into the closing weeks of the European juvenile season with their reputations enhanced. Sydney’s Golden Rose belonged to Warwoven. Rachel King settled the Bjorn Baker-trained colt before asking him to go after the leaders at Rosehill, and he swept clear to beat St Gotthard by three and a quarter lengths, with Under Focus third. It was a commanding Group 1 follow-up to his Run To The Rose victory. The Caulfield Guineas is among the options being considered, though his next target has yet to be settled. At Caulfield on Sunday, Jimmysstar saved his best for the Manikato Stakes. Ethan Brown took his time at the rear, brought him wide into the straight and let him run down Extragalactic in the closing stages. Charm Stone was close behind in third. The last-to-first win returned the Ciaron Maher-trained sprinter to Group 1 form at an important point in the Australian spring. Maher had another familiar star to celebrate in the Group 2 Feehan Stakes. Pride Of Jenni, now nine, resumed with the bold front-running display that has made her such a draw. Declan Bates let her stride, and she held off Treasurethe Moment by a length and a half to win the Feehan for the third year running. The race was at Caulfield this time, but the change of venue did little to alter the result. There was no Group 1 on South Africa’s Durbanville card, but its two Grade 3 races carried plenty of interest for the season ahead. Four-time Group 1 winner Double Grand Slam returned with an emphatic victory over Babelicious in the Diana Stakes for Justin Snaith and Keagan de Melo. Jet Force then took the Matchem Stakes for Des McLachlan and Grant van Niekerk, edging Legal Counsel in a close finish. Newmarket supplied two young stars, Sydney produced a decisive Golden Rose winner, and Caulfield showed that Jimmysstar and Pride Of Jenni remain forces to reckon with. At Durbanville, the focus is already turning towards the Cape summer. By Scott Bailey

Race 9 – 10 NUCLEOZOR He has taken some time to find his form in Hong Kong but has shown encouraging improvement in his past two starts. After charging home strongly to finish fifth two starts ago, he made a mid-race move and stuck on fairly for fourth over 2000m last time out. Having trialled well ahead of his return, he appears well weighted and capable of making an immediate impact first-up. Race 11 – 6 CIRCUIT CHAMPION This lightly raced five-year-old has plenty of ability, but little has gone his way in his past two starts. Drawn wide on both occasions, he was crowded early before finishing a luckless third two starts ago, then endured a wide run that compromised his chances last time out. Stripping fitter second-up, he looks capable of making amends with better luck in running. Sectional Stars Race 3 – 2 DOUBLE BINGO After his last start, the trainer noted that he had settled further back than intended, yet he still made significant late ground, recording the fastest final sectional to finish fifth, only two lengths from the winner. With his recent form remaining consistent, he shapes as a strong contender this week. Race 5 – 6 BRIGHT MORTAR He caught the eye when flashing home late to finish second over 1200m on turf first-up two weeks ago, posting the fastest final sectional in 22.26 seconds. The switch back to the AWT, where his sole career win came, should suit him even better, and he can make his presence felt late.

This Saturday’s card at Rosehill is shaping up as one of the most open and hotly contested Golden Roses in recent memory and it’s just the headline act in a stacked afternoon of Group racing. The one to beat in the Group 1 Golden Rose is Golden Slipper winner Guest House, who has well and truly shaken off the “Golden Slipper curse” with an impressive rails-hugging win in the Group 3 San Domenico Stakes on his return. He steps up to 1400m for the first time on Saturday in a race that will go a long way to settling the debate over this year’s premier three-year-old. He’ll need to hold off fellow Group 1 winner Campione D’Italia, already proven at the distance, and master trainer Chris Waller’s well-stocked hand of Tron Bolt, Stormy Marco (Craig Williams), Central Europe and St Gotthard (James McDonald). It’s a genuinely open renewal which is hard to split. The World Pool is live across the full ten-race program including the HKJC Shannon Stakes. Private Eye is no stranger to big-race day success, but Skyhook arrives on the back of back-to-back wins and looms as a serious danger. The fillies and mares get their moment in the Golden Pendant, where Lazzura is poised for another victory. A strong first-up finish and a map that sees her sitting closer to the speed, paired with James McDonald back in the saddle for Chris Waller, make her one to watch closely. Saturday at Rosehill decides who’s really the best three-year-old in the country right now, on a card packed with Group-class action from start to finish. Spring is in the air, the form is red-hot, and this is one meeting you won’t want to miss.

As racing on the Rowley Mile returns it is no surprise to see Charlie Appleby at the heart of the action and before Inner City Blues goes for Middle Park glory on Saturday, Talk Of New York and Rebel’s Romance’s unbeaten brother Fortitudine take centre stage at Newmarket on Friday. Always held in the highest regard, Talk Of New York held his own against the best of his generation when third to Bow Echo at Royal Ascot, but saw momentum checked when only second at Goodwood in his most recent outing. He is primed to show his true colours in the Group Two Betway Joel Stakes back at the scene of a statement win in April and Appleby said: “I’ve been very pleased with him and I think you just have to put a line through his last run. “I’m very happy with him and he comes here in great order. I think the make-up of the race will suit him and on what he has achieved, if he is anywhere near the level he was earlier in the summer, he should be the one to beat.” Appleby will saddle half of the field in the Betway Godolphin Stakes, where regally-bred pair Fortitudine and Castlemont will both attempt to remain unbeaten, in a race also featuring Roger Varian’s improving Kokbastau seeking a four-timer. After wowing with a 21-length success at Kempton on debut, Fortitudine returned to Sunbury to readily make all on his second start and now encounters grass for the first time as he makes the leap up to Listed level. “We’ve got two, two from two horses in there and you can’t forget Roger’s horse who is on an upwards curve as well,” continued Appleby. “Fortitudine is a horse who, and you can’t get away from it, we never fancied first time out and then he went out and did what he did. Without being as impressive the second time the figures stacked up nicely and he now goes in there as one of the highest rated in the race off 105. “I think the quick ground will suit him out there and turf doesn’t worry me, if anything it brought out the best in Rebel’s Romance. It’s exciting and I’m very open minded about him.” Castlemont, meanwhile, is another brother to a Group One winner in Bay Bridge and like his stablemate arrives having done little wrong in two appearances to date. Appleby added: “He won on the turf first time at Windsor and backed it up at Southwell. He’s a stronger individual and more of a galloper. “The ground might be a little bit tighter for him, but it’s just a nice opportunity for these three-year-olds to run at this level on turf at this time of year.” By Press Association Sport Reporters

Sun Goddess, Senorita Bonita and Libertango are among six fillies declared for what could be the juvenile race of the season so far in the Tattersalls Sceptre Sessions Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday. Aidan O’Brien’s Sun Goddess is the marginal favourite to claim her third Group One success following previous wins in the Phoenix Stakes and Moyglare Stud Stakes on home soil, victories which sandwiched a stunning display in a valuable sales race at York. However, her last defeat came at the hands of Libertango in the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot and George Boughey’s filly is in opposition again after winning the Lowther at York. Simon and Ed Crisford’s Senorita Bonita also has huge claims as she beat Libertango in the Duchess of Cambridge on the July course before seeing off the colts when opening her top-level account in the Prix Morny. Sun Goddess’ stablemate Snowing, Joseph O’Brien’s Alwaysanangel and Moonrise from Andrew Balding’s yard complete the line-up. Seven colts are set to go to post for the other Group One on Cambridgeshire day, the Tattersalls Middle Park Stakes. While Aidan O’Brien has not declared ante-post favourite Great Barrier Reef, he is still doubly represented as Marco Polo and the blinkered Confucius have stood their ground, while Irish hopes are also carried by Michael O’Callaghan’s unbeaten youngster Push The Boat Out and the Robson De Aguiar-trained Force Noir. The home team is headed by Charlie Appleby’s dual winner Inner City Blues and Clive Cox’s Norfolk Stakes victor Orthodox, who bids to put a disappointing effort in the Prix Morny behind him. Adrian Keatley’s outsider Hell of A Spin completes the septet. A field of seven is also set to go to post for the Group Two Tattersalls Online Royal Lodge Stakes, with Karl Burke’s Burning Up and Appleby’s pair of First Law and Quest For Stars among the leading contenders, while the Burke-trained Thunder Run heads a 28-strong field for the bet365 Cambridgeshire. Heading the betting for the first leg of the ‘autumn double’ is John and Thady Gosden’s Gavriel. By Press Association Sport Reporters