Formerly trained by William Haggas for M.M Stables, the 4-year-old colt won the G3 Winter Derby this February and was a game victor of the G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh in May. In his latest effort, he was ninth in the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in the wake of Alpinista (GB) (Frankel {GB}).

“Delighted to announce that in conjunction with Ballymore Stables we have secured high-class European Group 1 winner Alenquer to race in Australia,” Moroney tweeted on Thursday morning. “[He] heads south next month to aim for the Sydney autumn carnival.”

Bred by Gestut Romerhof, the February foal was an €18,000 Arqana December weanling turned 80,000gns Tattersalls October yearling. He won both the G2 King Edward VII S. and G3 Classic Trial S. and was placed in both the G1 Grand Prix de Paris and G1 International S. in 2021. His record stands at 13-5-2-1 and $1,035,568 in earnings.

He is one of two winners from three to race for the winning Wild Blossom, herself a daughter of Wind In Her Hair (Ger) (Turtle Island {Ire}), also the dam of the stakes winner Wilder Wein (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}).

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“He did a bit of work with me last week with Alenquer (Fr) (Adlerflug {Ger}), who runs in the Arc, and then he did a bit of work with Michael and Dubai Honour (Ire) (Pride of Dubai {Aus}) two days ago,” said Hills, speaking from Newmarket. “We're all on target and he's in good form. We're all happy.”

Baaeed kicked off his 4-year-old season with a victory May 14 in the G1 Al Shaqab Longines S., and added the June 14 G1 Queen Anne S. at Royal Ascot on June 14. He added the G1 Qatar Sussex S. at Goodwood in July and was last seen devastating the G1 Juddmonte International S. by 6 1/2 lengths over Sunday's Arc entry Mishriff (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}) on Aug. 17.

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Marking The Occasion

If Vadeni is to reward his supplementary entry with victory, he will also be bridging a 70-year gap since The Aga Khan III registered the third of his three successes with the brilliant Tulyar. There is a sense that the unorthodox move from connections has been orchestrated due partly to this landmark year but mostly as a result of the colt's raw material. Still a work in progress, we might not have seen the best of the homebred whose relatives include the English Group 1 winner Valixir (Ire) (Trempolino) and the GI Breeders' Cup Mile hero Val Royal (Fr) (Royal Academy).

Georges Rimaud, Racing Manager to The Aga Khan, said, “We are celebrating 100 years of the Aga Khan Studs and have a few things planned later in the year. It is an honour to be able to celebrate this and if we have some good winners this year it would be great. It takes a lot of commitment from the owner and I know that His Highness is obviously very pleased with how things are going.”

The Haggas Factor

William Haggas's stable is bursting with good health and has continued to thrive this week and defy the logic that their early-summer purple patch must come to an end. In M M Stables' 4-year-old Alenquer (Fr) (Adlerflug {Ger}), the yard have a strong contender in this renewal with his recent record boasting a defeat of the Prince of Wales's hero State Of Rest (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), Lord North (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and the Hardwicke hero Broome (Ire) (Australia {GB}) in The Curragh's G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup May 22. Add to that the fact that he was the winner of a vintage renewal of the course-and-distance G3 Sandown Classic Trial last April and showed impressive pace when putting Lord North to the sword in the Feb. 22 G3 Winter Derby and it is clear he is a genuine player here.

Speaking at Sandown on Friday, Maureen Haggas was playing down his chance. “He ran a brilliant race in Ireland, but he likes dig in the ground and a mile and a quarter on soft is the ideal,” she said. “He is an absolute star and is as tough as old boots–he'll give his all, as he always does, but on this ground it is a big ask.” William seemed to be more confident as he said, “He beat a [G1] Derby winner and a Breeders' Cup winner the last time he went to Sandown and he won the Tattersalls Gold Cup, beating a [G1] Cox Plate and [G1] Prince of Wales's winner. Some may think he's an outsider, but I don't–he's a good horse.”

A Proven Trail

Even before Charlie Appleby took off, he was saddling the 3-year-old Hawkbill (Kitten's Joy) to cause a minor upset as his first runner in the Eclipse in 2016. Hawkbill was fourth two years later as his second representative, while his third was the 2020 winner Ghaiyyath (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). That is some tally, so the pressure is on last year's champion juvenile and G1 Irish 2000 Guineas hero Native Trail (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) to uphold the stable's enviable record. Impressive on his sole visit here when handing a four-length beating to Royal Patronage (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) on his debut last June, his subsequent tally of three Group 1 wins means that he enters his first battle with the older horses as one the race's most accomplished in that sphere. His stamina has to be taken on trust, however, with Distant Music (Distant View) being the only true middle-distance performer relatively close-up on the dam's side.

Appleby is not entirely convinced he will see out this tough mile and a quarter. “The question mark is the mile and a quarter trip, but you can take a few pieces out of his pedigree which suggest he has a chance of staying,” he said. “At the end of the day, in the Irish Guineas he was doing his best work in the last 200 yards, so we are confident within ourselves he can go the mile and a quarter. More importantly, he is a strong 3-year-old who won't look out of place against his elders.”

Free Pass

At Haydock on Saturday, the G2 bet365 Lancashire Oaks looks a strong contest with George Strawbridge's impressive G2 Park Hill S. winner Free Wind (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) making her seasonal bow on her first start since that seven-length success at Doncaster's St Leger meeting. John Gosden has won this five times since 2011 and holds the record of eight wins, so it is fair to say he knows what it takes and the exciting homebred 4-year-old has genuine talent. Clarehaven's representatives usually require a run to get up to speed, even if Inspiral (GB) (Frankel {GB}) proved the exception to the rule last month, so a win on this reintroduction will augur well for her prospects this term. Last year's G1 QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares S. winner Eshaada (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}) has had a pipe-opener in 2022, while Sunderland Holdings' Sea La Rosa (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) comes into this on the back of success in the course-and-distance G3 Pinnacle S. May 28.

Alert And Ready

While 3-year-old representation in this has been numerically small in recent years and the ones that have been pitched into battle have hardly been the cream of the Classic crop, it is notable that since 2012 all of that age that have tried have not succeeded and most have been soundly beaten. Looking to buck the trend and exploit a generous 12-pound weight-for-age allowance this time are Kirsten Rausing's Oaks fifth Kawida (GB) (Sir Percy {GB}) and Ben and Sir Martyn Arbib's June 9 Listed Abingdon S. scorer Stay Alert (GB) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), with the latter sure to appreciate the step up in trip.

“I think it is competitive enough and there is a strong group of older horses,” the latter's trainer Hughie Morrison said. “The exciting thing she showed at Newbury was she had a turn of foot. She can only get better over time and she has had quite a busy year. Whatever she achieves now through the rest of the year is going to be great, but she will be serious next year. Martyn Arbib is not getting any younger and he wants to have a go at the St Leger-we can pretend and dream about it, can't we?”

What Next From Torquator Tasso?

Hamburg's Derby meeting on Saturday sees the second outing in 2022 of Torquator Tasso (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}), with Marcel Weiss hoping that Gestut Auenquelle's reigning Arc hero shows much more of his sparkle in the G2 wettstar.de Grosser Hansa-Preis. A shadow of the performer that turned up at ParisLongchamp in October when sixth behind the re-opposing Alter Adler (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}) in the May 29 G2 Grosser Preis der Badischen Wirtschaft, he has some serious ground to cover if he is to return to his pomp.

Hurricane Blows In

As far as the Arc is concerned, Sunday is a big day with the G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud attracting a star cast headed by Hurricane Lane (Ire) (Frankel {GB}). Tackling Kirsten Rausing's triple Group 1 winner Alpinista (GB) (Frankel {GB}), Ballydoyle's High Definition (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), Ballylinch Stud and Aquis Farm's Lone Eagle (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Gestut Schlenderhan's Mare Australis (Ire) (Australia {GB}), this is no easy second step for Godolphin's Irish Derby, Grand Prix de Paris and St Leger hero.

“There's a bit of rain forecast, so it looks like being on the slower side of good for sure. Any quicker and it might have raised concerns,” Charlie Appleby said on Friday. “He'll have one more prep run before the Arc and whether that will be in Ireland, England or France, we'll make that decision closer to the time.”

Click here for the group fields.

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America's Life Is Good (Into Mischief) and crack sprinter Nature Strip (Aus) (Nicconi {Aus}) share second at 124, while Speaker's Corner (Street Sense) sits fourth just one point below. It is a four-way tie for fifth at 122, with Hong Kong wunderkind Golden Sixty (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro) joined by G1 Cazoo Derby In Memory Of Lester Piggott winner Desert Crown (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}), G3 Brigadier Gerard S. hero Bay Bridge (GB) (New Bay {GB}) and G1 Qatar Prix du Jockey Club winner Valdeni (Fr) (Churchill {Ire}). Hukum (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), the full-brother to Baaeed and a recent winner of the G1 DahlBury Coronation Cup, has been ranked at 121. Three horses were rated 120 in the past month-G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup scorer Alenquer (Fr) (Adlerflug {Ger}), G1 Tokyo Yushun hero Do Deuce (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) and G1 Tattersalls Irish 1000 Guineas victress Homeless Songs (Ire) (Frankel {GB}).

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Brilliant finish to a thrilling @Tattersalls1766 Gold Cup!

Alenquer strikes for the red-hot William Haggas and @TomMarquand combination in a race to remember at @curraghrace pic.twitter.com/DHtd13G1Vq

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 22, 2022

“We had hoped he had this in the tank and came here with barely an inch to find with the top horses–there were a couple of little things that didn't go our way in Dubai and we had valid excuses and this is testament to his attitude,” Marquand said after his first ride in Ireland. “At the two pole, I was more worried about Lord North than High Definition but there was a question mark about his stamina and in the end it was no mean task pegging back the runner-up. He really had to dig deep there and it is a stiff last furlong. It is wonderful for William Haggas and the team at home, because he is not the easiest.”

Alenquer may have entered the G3 Sandown Classic Trial last April a 25-1 shot, but he emerged to make a mockery of those odds by beating Adayar (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), Yibir (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Lone Eagle (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in what has come to represent one of those races that was foretelling a big story. Left out of the Derby mix, he was sent to Royal Ascot to garner the King Edward prior to missing the break and finishing a distant third to Hurricane Lane (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) in the G1 Grand Prix de Paris in July. Again well adrift of a bigwig when six-lengths second to Mishriff (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}) in York's G1 Juddmonte International the next month, the bay was sent to the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe but wound up ninth after trying to force the issue from the front.

Having been dogged by testing ground for most of his 3-year-old campaign, Alenquer showed the kind of pace and strength that connections had always believed was there on his comeback when putting Lord North to the sword in the Winter Derby on Polytrack. Beaten only just over a length in the Sheema Classic racing on three plates, he had ideal conditions returning to Europe in this hot contest and ultimately again had too much stamina for the Gosdens' dual G1 Dubai Turf hero, too much pace for the GI Saratoga Derby Invitational, G1 Cox Plate and G1 Prix Ganay winner State of Rest and a smidgen more class on the day than the revitalised TDN Rising Star High Definition. Putting the performance in context, last year's winner Helvic Dream (Ire) (Power {GB}) was last, beaten over 11 lengths, while the 2021 runner-up Broome (Ire) (Australia {GB}) could only manage fifth.

William and Maureen Haggas are operating at a near 50% strike-rate at the moment and have now won nine black-type races since the previous Saturday when Baaeed (GB) took Newbury by storm. Maureen had the pleasure of representing Somerville Lodge and said, “He was ridden beautifully by Tom. He knows him really well and the horse is as hard as nails. The more you ask the more he gives. He's always been a nice horse, but he keeps surprising us a bit. I think ground is important and it is on the slow side here. He won over a mile and a half at Ascot last year, but his top-class form is over a mile and a quarter. I thought he had a hard enough race today, but looking at him there is not a bother on him.”

Alenquer, who was a super-find by Armando Duarte at only 80,000gns at the 2019 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Book 1, further advertises the prowess of his late sire for whom he was the sixth group 1 winner. He is the second foal out of Wild Blossom (Ger) (Areion {Ger}), a half-sister to the Listed Junioren-Preis winner Wilder Wein (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}) from a family replete with black-type winners. The third dam is the influential Waitotara (Ire) (Habitat), ancestress of Hong Kong's champion stayer Mr Medici (Ire) (Medicean {GB}), the G3 Prix Miesque winner and G1 Preis der Diana runner-up White Rose (Ger) (Platini {Ger}), the G2 EuropaChampionat winner Wild Side (Ger) (Sternkonig {Ire}) and her triple group-winning daughter Wild Coco (Ger) (Shirocco {Ger}). Wild Blossom also has an unraced 3-year-old filly by Zarak (Fr), a 2-year-old colt by Galiway (GB) bought for €100,000 by Haras de Meautry at the 2020 Arqana December Breeding Stock Sale, and a yearling colt by The Grey Gatsby (Ire).

Sunday, The Curragh, Ireland
TATTERSALLS GOLD CUP-G1, €400,000, Curragh, 5-22, 4yo/up, 10f 110yT, 2:11.44, gd.
1–ALENQUER (FR), 131, c, 4, by Adlerflug (Ger)
     1st Dam: Wild Blossom (Ger), by Areion (Ger)
     2nd Dam: Wind In her Hair (Ger), by Turtle Island (Ire)
     3rd Dam: Waitotara (Ire), by Habitat
1ST GROUP 1 WIN. (€18,000 Wlg '18 ARQDE; 80,000gns Ylg '19 TATOCT). O-M M Stables; B-Gestut Romerhof (FR); T-William Haggas; J-Tom Marquand. €240,000. Lifetime Record: MGSW & G1SP-Eng, G1SP-Fr, 10-5-2-1, $1,016,838. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–High Definition (Ire), 131, c, 4, Galileo (Ire)–Palace (Ire), by Fastnet Rock (Aus).
1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. O-D Smith,Mrs J Magnier,M Tabor,Westerberg; B-Whisperview Trading Ltd (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien. €80,000.
3–State of Rest (Ire), 131, c, 4, Starspangledbanner (Aus)–Repose, by Quiet American.
(45,000gns Wlg '18 TATFOA; 60,000gns Ylg '19 TATOCT). O-State of Rest Partnership; B-Tinnakill Bloodstock Ltd (IRE); T-Joseph O'Brien. €40,000.
Margins: NK, NK, 1 1/4. Odds: 3.50, 20.00, 2.00.
Also Ran: Lord North (Ire), Broome (Ire), Bear Story (Ire), Mac Swiney (Ire), Helvic Dream (Ire). Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

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“Lord North is fine, but he has been off for so long we didn't think sending him all the way to Saudi [Arabia] for his first run in nearly a year was the way forward,” explained John Gosden.

The 2020 G1 Prince of Wales's S. hero is joined by stablemate Forest of Dean (GB) (Iffraaj {GB}), who has failed to add to his tally in two starts since winning this contest last year.

Rivals also include G2 King Edward VII S. victor Alenquer (Fr) (Adlerflug {Ger}), who placed in both G1 Grand Prix de Paris and G1 Juddmonte International since that Royal Ascot high, and the Richard Hannon-trained Fancy Man (Ire) (Pride of Dubai {Aus}), who defeated the consistent handicapper King of the South (Ire) (Kingman {GB}) over course and distance in the Listed Winter Derby Trial earlier this month.

“Fancy Man has come out of the trial well and I am told he did a good piece of work while I was away in Qatar last week,” said rider Sean Levey. “I thought he was impressive in the trial and I had a nice breeze on him the other day. We thought he was going to be a very nice horse, but he was found wanting at the backend of a lot of his races last year. He was not finding that turn of foot in the closing stages whereas in the trial he put in some very good fractions for the final three furlongs.

“Ordinarily, I thought we would be going into the Winter Derby with a favourite's chance, but we have six pounds to find with Alenquer and a further eight pounds with Lord North. Even though our horse has improved from the trial, it is going to be very difficult.

“I would like to think that Fancy Man could potentially be better than a Group 3 horse. The calendar holds plenty of nice races where he won't be running into the likes of Lord North and this race should help us determine his level going forward.”

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With Ballydoyle's intended number one St Mark's Basilica (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) sidelined due to a late setback, Aidan O'Brien has rerouted this term's G1 Prince of Wales's S. winner and G1 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth S. third Love (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) to take his place in the day one feature. Last term's G1 1000 Guineas, G1 Epsom Oaks and G1 Yorkshire Oaks heroine was initially targetting Sunday's G1 Prix Jean Romanet at Deauville, but will fill the supersub role in a contest for the ages.

“It's four or five days earlier than we'd planned for her–the plan was to go for the Romanet on Sunday–but when St Mark's came out we decided we'd let her run here instead,” the trainer explained. “The King George was a little bit of a mess and we thought it would be an strongly run race, but it probably wasn't. The pace wasn't very fast for her, she likes an even pace and her racing tempo is much higher than they went. She still ran very well and Ryan [Moore] was very happy with her run. We saw all the things that went wrong for her, but she came out of the race well and, ideally, she wants an end-to-end gallop to see the best of her.

“She's in good form and the ground is important to her as she's such a beautiful mover, but we wouldn't like to run her on soft ground. She has a big, long stride and gallops with her head out. Usually, those type of horses can't quicken instantly as they need a big rhythm into the last four of five furlongs to see them at their best.”

Coolmore's homebred 4-year-old faces no easy task with several in opposition holding valid claims. Chief among them is Prince A A Faisal's King George runner-up Mishriff (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}), who finished 1 3/4 lengths ahead of her in that 12-furlong test having previously run third to St Mark's Basilica in Sandown's G1 Coral-Eclipse. Last term's G1 Prix du Jockey Club hero had previously plundered monster pots in the Feb. 20 Saudi Cup and Mar. 27 G1 Dubai Sheema Classic, and having conceded 11 pounds to the Classic generation at Ascot, is now tasked with a more amenable seven-pound weight-for-age pull.

“One horse isn't going to make a horse race and, even without St Mark's Basilica, it's still a very strong field and we have a lot of good opposition to take on,” said big-race jockey David Egan. “I was really pleased with how he progressed from the Eclipse to the King George and I thought the King George run was a fantastic run, finishing behind an absolute monster in Adayar, giving him so much weight.

“We don't need to give the 3-year-olds as much weight here and I think dropping my lad back to a mile-and-a-quarter will only play to his strengths. If Mishriff can improve as much as he did from the Eclipse to the King George, he's going to be hard to beat.”

Jeff Smith's Arabian Queen (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) caused a 50-1 shock when becoming the first to lower the colours of Golden Horn (GB) (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}) in the 2015 edition of this event and is represented by G1 Cheveley Park S., G1 Coronation S. and G1 Nassau S. heroine Alcohol Free (Ire) (No Nay Never) this time around.

“She came out of Goodwood really well, I'll speak to Jeff and Andrew [Balding], but the key is to try to relax and follow for as long as possible,” said rider Oisin Murphy. “This is a completely different test and I have massive respect for Mishriff and Love.

“The Juddmonte International is often the highest-rated race in the world, this is a good renewal and I'm looking forward to it. I was fortunate to win it on a world champion 3-year-old in Roaring Lion and it would be nice to win it again. The owner is a brilliant sportsman and I'm sure he's very excited, as am I.”

Newmarket conditioner William Haggas is doubly represented and sends forth G2 King Edward VII S. victor Alenquer (Fr) (Adlerflug {Ger}) and G3 Hampton Court S. scorer Mohaafeth (Ire) (Frankel {GB}). Both are coming back off their first defeats of the campaign, with Alenquer returning off a third in the July 14 G1 Grand Prix de Paris and Mohaafeth lining up off a third in the July 24 G2 York S. at this venue.

“The pacemaker went too slow and Jim [Crowley] was too far back,” Haggas said of the latter's latest run. “It was a mess, and you can put a line through it. Angus [Gold] felt that if you ignore that run and concentrated on the good bits he was well worth his chance here. The trip is fine and the ground should be okay too. He's got a bit to find, but he's useful.”

Turning to Alenquer, the trainer added, “The owners felt that as he had already won a Group 2 there was no point running in another one. They want to test him against the best, and he's very well. He's improving and you can put a line through his latest run at Longchamp as he was way too far back and never got into it at all. I don't think he's the soft or heavy ground horse that some have him down as, but he might just want a bit further. He's not a bad horse. It's an ambitious route for both horses, but they'll both run a good race. Whether they are good enough is another matter.”

Jim Bolger's G1 Futurity Trophy winner Mac Swiney (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}) finished off the board in both G1 Epsom Derby and G1 Irish Derby after annexing the Curragh's May 22 G1 Irish 2000 Guineas and tries this intermediate distance for first time since running fourth in the May 9 Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial on seasonal return. Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum's Listed Wolferton S. winner Juan Elcano (GB) (Frankel (GB), who finished one place ahead of the reopposing Mohaafeth when second in the G2 York S., completes the field.

Great Voltigeur a Classic Pointer

Elsewhere on the card, Godolphin's G2 Queen's Vase victor Kemari (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) will seek to dent the G1 St Leger aspirations of most of his seven rivals in the G2 Sky Bet Great Voltigeur S. and will bid to record a second renewal for Charlie Appleby. He is accompanied by stablemate and fellow gelding Yibir (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), who backed up a win in Newmarket's July 8 G3 Bahrain Trophy with a free-running sixth in the July 29 G3 Gordon S. at Goodwood.

Aidan O'Brien outstrips the Appleby representation by one and has nominated a trio of G1 St Leger entries for this £150,000 contest. It is headed by last term's G2 Beresford S. winner High Definition (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who is on a retrieval mission after running third here in the May 13 G2 Dante S. and coming back off a compromised effort when 10th of 11 in the June 26 G1 Irish Derby.

“This will be a nice start back for him and we're looking forward to it,” the trainer said. “I suppose the year has been a bit of a mess for him and everything we've tried to do has gone wrong. He barely made it to the Dante and then we were going to run him in the [G1 Epsom] Derby, but didn't, and that probably broke his rhythm a bit by that happening. We then had to wait for the Curragh and he cut a heel in the race. He nearly went down, which lost his confidence, but we think, and hope, he should leave that run well behind him.

“He looks like a horse that would get a mile-and-a-half well as he was coming home very well in the Dante. He had a break after The Curragh, he's ready to start again and will improve. He's a big, powerful horse and I'd say there is no doubt he is still out of the top drawer. He will be a horse to look forward to next year and we think he has the class to be a top middle-distance horse yet.”

O'Brien has also nominated G1 Grand Prix de Paris fourth The Mediterranean (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and G3 Gordon S. runner-up Sir Lucan (Ire) (Camelot {GB}). “Sir Lucan had a very good run at Goodwood. It was his first run back after a break and Frankie [Dettori] rode him patiently. He came from the back and just got beat and has come out of that race well,” he added.

The Gordon S. reunion also features Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum's G1 Epsom Derby fifth Third Realm (GB) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) and Ahmad Al Shaikh's G1 Epsom Derby eighth Youth Spirit (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) representing Roger Varian and Andrew Balding, respectively.

Quintet of Acomb Contenders

The first pattern race of the week, the £100,000 G3 Tattersalls Acomb S., is a competitive affair albeit with just five contenders set for the seven-furlong test.

Dr. Ali Ridha's Dubawi Legend (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) makes his eagerly awaited return after earning 'TDN Rising Star' status with a five-length rout over this trip at Doncaster last month.

“We're obviously hopeful and he's a horse we've always held in high regard,” said trainer Hugo Palmer. “I'd have been disappointed if he hadn't won the way he did at Doncaster, we were hoping he would do something like that first time and he didn't disappoint. It's a race that is typical of the conditions of the Acomb and it's going to be a question of which maiden winner in the second half of July was the better one.

“His work on watered ground in Newmarket has been very pleasing and I would have thought anywhere between firm and good-to-soft and he'll be fine. It's just the second run of his life and two or three of the others have got more experience, but he hasn't missed a beat since Doncaster and goes there in great nick. Hopefully, he can run a big race.”

Godolphin's Newmarket maiden winner Noble Truth (Fr) (Kingman {GB}) ran third to subsequent G2 July S. victor Lusail (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) in his June 19 debut and sports headgear once more for his third start here.

“Noble Truth progressed from his first start to win his maiden and has done well physically since,” said trainer Charlie Appleby. “This will tell us the level we will be campaigning him at for the rest of the season.”

Opposition also includes Shadwell's 'TDN Rising Star' Ehraz (GB) (Showcasing {GB}), who encountered a race-fit Noble Truth when running on for a two-length second in his July 9 debut tackling seven furlongs at Newmarket.

“He ran very well first time at Newmarket and was impressive at Ascot,” commented racing manager Angus Gold. “He's done everything right so far, [trainer] Richard [Hannon] is very happy with the horse and he's giving him all the right signs at home.

“Obviously, it's a trappy little contest, but I think they feel Ehraz is above average on his home work and, all being well, he's a nice horse in the making. Like always, you've got to see them go and do it on the track.”

The line-up is completed by unbeaten Goodwood maiden scorer Imperial Fighter (Ire) (The Gurkha {Ire}) representing Andrew Balding, and Mark Johnston trainee Royal Patronage (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), who return's off a five-length score at Epsom last month.

Yorkshire Oaks Field Takes Shape

Thursday's G1 Darley Yorkshire Oaks has attracted a select field of seven with a mouthwatering clash of the generations in store on day two of York's Ebor Festival.

Coolmore's Snowfall (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) is set to go postward at short odds and bids to provide trainer Aidan O'Brien with a sixth renewal of the £400,000 contest. She has drawn stall three for her attempt at emulating the G1 Epsom Oaks, G1 Irish Oaks and G1 Yorkshire Oaks treble of Enable (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) and returns to the scene of her May 12 G3 Musidora S. triumph. O'Brien will also oversee outsiders Divinely (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and La Joconde (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), who will break in tandem from boxes five and six.

Rivals also include Christopher Wright's G1 Prix de Royallieu and G1 British Champions Fillies & Mares heroine Wonderful Tonight (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}), who is drawn alongside the likely favourite in gate two.

“Obviously I'm hoping there's a bit more rain, but if the ground is good we'll give it a go,” revealed David Menuisier. “I've been in Deauville for four or five days and I've found that the ground is pretty chopped up. The weather forecast is not that positive for downpours and I'm sure the ground will be better in York than it is in Deauville.”

The trainer had initially booked Olivier Peslier to partner this term's G2 Hardwicke S. and G2 Lillie Langtry S. victrix, but the rider has undergone knee surgery and William Buick continues in the plate.

“William has been riding her and Olivier just had a little operation to get a chip removed in his knee,” he added. “Olivier is sidelined for a week to 10 days and I'm delighted to have William on board on Thursday.”

Kirsten Rausing's Albaflora (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}), the only other 4-year-old in the contest, renews rivalry with Wonderful Tonight in her third visit to the Knavesmire and the Ralph Beckett trainee is allocated stall seven. Lordship Stud's Loving Dream (GB) (Gleneagles {Ire}) and Shadwell's Eshaada (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}) cross swords once more, having finished first and second in Royal Ascot's June 17 G2 Ribblesdale S., and will exit gates four and one, respectively.

Click here for the group fields.

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“Yesterday morning he lost a front shoe and it came back and hit his hind leg–his near-hind joint,” the Ballydoyle handler explained on Monday. “We didn't think a lot of it, but this morning there was a little bit of swelling in it and when we took bloods off him, his bloods came back and it was a little bit infected. We were a bit taken aback when we saw it this morning, but when we did the bloods then we didn't have any choice as he needs to go on antibiotics and the antibiotics that he's going to go on obviously he couldn't run on. Hopefully we'll be back on target towards the end of this week and if we are, we'll be able to train him for the Irish Champion.”

Of Love, O'Brien added, “It's four or five days earlier than we'd planned for her–the plan was to go for the [G1 Prix Jean] Romanet on Sunday. When St Mark's came out, we decided we'd let her run here instead.”

Seven will go to post for the extended 10-furlong feature, with dual Group 1 winner Mishriff (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}) for John and Thady Gosden, Andrew Balding trainee Alcohol Free (Ire) (No Nay Never), who won the July 28 G1 Sussex S., and G1 Irish 2000 Guineas scorer Mac Swiney (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}) for Jim Bolger three other star names. The field is rounded out by William Haggas's pair of G2 King Edward VII S. winner and G1 Grand Prix de Paris third Alenquer (Fr) (Adlerflug {Ger}) and G3 Hampton Court S. victor Mohaafeth (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), as well as stakes winner Juan Elcano (GB) (Frankel {GB}), who was second in the July 24 G2 York S. for trainer Kevin Ryan.

Mishriff's jockey David Egan reacted to the news of the withdrawal of his mount's G1 Eclipse S. conqueror later on Monday. “St Mark's Basilica has been outstanding this season. It's unfortunate what's happened–nobody wants that,” he said. “We want the best horses going for these big races. One horse isn't going to make a horse race. Even without St Mark's Basilica, it's still a very strong field and we have a lot of good opposition to take on.”

Mishriff may have come up short behind St Mark's Basilica when third in the July 3 Sandown feature, but he has subsequently run second to Adayar (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), with Love 1 3/4 lengths in arrears, in Ascot's G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Qipco S. July 24. That gives Prince Faisal's homebred G1 Prix du Jockey Club and G1 Dubai Sheema Classic hero the edge on form, but Egan is taking nothing for granted.

“Love is a very special filly. Although she did finish third last time, her previous form is not to be overlooked,” he added. “She was an unbelievable filly at three and looked like a real superstar and I still think she is. She possibly underperformed in the King George and we have to give a weight allowance to a filly that's very, very good, which is not going to be easy. We saw with Enable how strong these top-class fillies can be against the colts. Love is definitely going to bounce back and give us a good race.”

“Everything has gone smoothly–his preparation has been good,” Egan continued. “I was really pleased with how he progressed from the Eclipse to the King George. I thought the King George run was a fantastic run, finishing behind an absolute monster in Adayar, giving him so much weight. We don't need to give the 3-year-olds as much weight in the Juddmonte and I think dropping my lad back to a mile and a quarter will only play to his strengths. If Mishriff can improve as much as he did from the Eclipse to the King George, he's going to be hard to beat.”

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Alenquer, who was also second in the Listed Ascendant S. on testing ground at Haydock in September, could yet be Classic-bound according to Maureen Haggas. “He could easily be a [Sept. 11 G1] St Leger horse, but it's hard to know really,” she said. “He wasn't stopping here, so I think we will just see how it goes. He didn't do much wrong last year, but he was probably a bit immature still. He surprised us a little bit at Sandown, but he's more grown up this year. He's a bit of a boy at home, but at the races this year he's been really professional and focused and he's definitely going the right way.”

“I think he was a bit fresh though, a little bit keen the first furlong, but once Tom had him in behind and settled, he was great. To be honest, we didn't know whether the ground would suit or not, but this horse is German and German horses often go in the slow ground, so we thought we'd give it a go and find out. I think he is pretty versatile–just a thoroughly nice, tough, genuine horse and a good guy to have around. He's got a pretty good action on him–I wouldn't say he was ground-dependent.” William added, “He isn't in the [G1] Grand Prix de Paris, but we could go there. It is such a pain getting to France at the minute, but it's on July 14, so it's pretty good timing. We could supplement, because it's a good race. He's not a 'today' horse–he's very much for the longer term as well, so we've lots of exciting options.”

Sir Mark Todd said of Tasman Bay, “That was a super run. He is such a lovely horse–he is huge, with a massive stride. He is lovely to ride. He just got a bit keen early on, but when he kicked I thought he might have had it but the other horse just came at him. He is a beautiful mover and seems to act on anything.”

Alenquer is the second foal out of Wild Blossom (Ger) (Areion {Ger}), who is a half-sister to the Listed Junioren-Preis winner Wilder Wein (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}) and a granddaughter of the influential Waitotara (Ire) (Habitat). The second dam of Hong Kong's champion stayer Mr Medici (Ire) (Medicean {GB}) and the excellent producer Wild Romance (Ger) (Alkalde {Ger}), she is therefore the ancestress of the likes of the G3 Prix Miesque winner and G1 Preis der Diana runner-up White Rose (Ger) (Platini {Ger}), the G2 EuropaChampionat winner Wild Side (Ger) (Sternkonig {Ire}), her triple group-winning daughter Wild Coco (Ger) (Shirocco {Ger}) and the G2 Oettingen-Rennen scorer Vintager (GB) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}). Wild Blossom also has a 2-year-old filly by Zarak (Fr) and a yearling colt by Galiway (GB) bought for €100,000 by Haras de Meautry at the Arqana December Breeding Stock Sale.

Friday, Royal Ascot, Britain
KING EDWARD VII S.-G2, £173,400, Ascot, 6-18, 3yo, c/g, 11f 211yT, 2:41.31, hy.
1–ALENQUER (FR), 126, c, 3, by Adlerflug (Ger)
1st Dam: Wild Blossom (Ger), by Areion (Ger)
2nd Dam: Wind in her Hair (Ger), by Turtle Island (Ire)
3rd Dam: Waitotara (Ire), by Habitat
(€18,000 Wlg '18 ARQDE; 80,000gns Ylg '19 TATOCT). O-M M Stables; B-Gestut Romerhof (FR); T-William Haggas; J-Tom Marquand. £98,335. Lifetime Record: 4-3-1-0, $183,498. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Tasman Bay (Fr), 126, c, 3, Le Havre (Ire)–Purely Priceless (Ire), by Galileo (Ire). (€220,000 Ylg '19 ARAUG). O-Sir Peter Vela; B-SARL de Chambure, Haras d'Etreham & SARL Ecurie des Charmes (FR); T-Sir Mark Todd. £37,281.
3–Title (Ire), 126, c, 3, Camelot (GB)–Danehill's Dream (Ire), by Danehill. (€175,000 Ylg '19 GOFOR). O-Highclere Thoroughbred Racing (Charles Church); B-Llang Bloodstock (IRE); T-Roger Varian. £18,658.
Margins: 1HF, 2HF, 3/4. Odds: 1.63, 10.00, 5.00.
Also Ran: The Mediterranean (Ire), Gear Up (Ire), Belloccio (Fr). Scratched: Gloucestershire, Yibir (GB). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by TVG.

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