Other wildcards include Wednesday's French listed winner Surrey Mist (Fr) (Kendargent {Fr}) (lot 754F) from Jamie Railton; Ed Walker consigns Tattersalls October Auction S. and Tattersalls Somerville Auction S. hero Amichi (Ire) (Gutaifan {Ire}) (lot 1139A); Godolphin's multiple Group 1-placed Finest Sound (Ire) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}) (lot 1011A) has been entered; the winner Flag Flying (GB) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) (lot 1102A) is part of the Juddmonte draft; lot 754E, G3 Mercury S. winner The Highway Rat (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}) is consigned by Stragrane House Stables; dual scorer Chairman (Fr) (Almanzor {Fr}) (lot 304A) is part of The Castlebridge Consignment; and Richard Hughes's Weathercock House Stables will send lot 304B, Space Tracker (Ire) (Havana Gold {Ire}), a three-time winner, through the ring.

For the complete catalogue, please click here.

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The Knavesmire Appreciation Society

   Betting on the Juddmonte International is of no consequence this year, as it was in 2012 when all who gathered on York's expanse were there just to witness the passing through of the one of the modern racing greats. After the Southern tracks have had their fill, it is time for Shadwell's best performer beyond sprint trips for some time to grace the renowned Yorkshire venue and provide the county with the opportunity to bear witness to his prowess.

There is nothing in this flat, speed-favouring terrain that should hold any fears to a performer who has been able to explode into life on the undulations of Goodwood and Newmarket and over the stiffer concourse of Ascot. If anything, his effort in the May 14 G1 Lockinge S. at the similarly even track of Newbury was his most deadly to date and York could be his ideal playing field.

Where Are the Weaknesses?

William Haggas is right to point to the similarities between Baaeed and Sea The Stars, with the father and son identical in the way they could and can turn it on at any point. Bred to be a mile-and-a-half-plus horse, the current world leader is also armed with an abundance of fast-twitch fibres which have served him so well over a mile. His sectionals at Royal Ascot were astonishing, but there is going to be rain from Tuesday evening onwards and there is also the fact that two of his stablemates Maljoom (Ire) (Caravaggio) and Alenquer (Fr) (Adlerflug {Ger}) have returned dirty scopes in the last few days. Angus Gold is taking a step back from undue worry. “I've heard they've had two and a half millimetres and unless they have a three-hour storm, I can't see it is going to make too much difference to the ground and we'll take what we're given,” he said. “As far as I know, when I spoke to William last he's fine. They scoped him and he's clear. Like you and I though, if something is brewing, you're not going to perform at your best. So hopefully it is not, but until we know otherwise there's no point making a thing about that. So far, all the tests have been good and he goes there in as good form as we can have him.”

Mishriff Magic Or Misdemeanour?

Twelve months ago, Prince Faisal's Mishriff (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}) was in domineering mood here for his finest hour on turf and, while his four subsequent runs have yielded only one up-to-standard effort, it could be that this track brings out the very best in him. Along with that, the 5-year-old has developed a tendency to give away ground at the start which almost certainly cost him the Eclipse and ruined any conceivable chance in the King George. Thady Gosden is keen to be part of the combined stress test for Baaeed in this new discipline. “It's interesting and Baaeed is obviously brilliantly talented. He relaxes well and you would be shocked if he didn't get the trip, but he's taking on top class mile-and-a-quarter horses and I think it's fair to say that it's a stronger division than the miling division at the moment,” he said. “Mishriff seems to be in similar form now as he was when he went to York last year. He ran a huge race in the Eclipse and was perhaps unlucky there. His work gives us a pretty good measure of where he's at and he's in very good form. Whatever happens, it's going to be an exceptional race.”

How Will It Play Out?

   Stamina will be required on Wednesday, with Ballydoyle's High Definition (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) on hand to try and draw the sting from his rivals on the front end as he almost did at The Curragh when narrowly denied in the May 22 G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup. That performance suggests the once much-vaunted 4-year-old is not too far below this level and if gifted too much of a lead may prove difficult to reel in at a track which has always favoured front-runners. Native Trail (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) would probably be best-served by being placed near the front, with his stride length particularly advantageous at this track. Trainer Charlie Appleby, who suffered a disappointing reversal on Sunday as Coroebus (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) dipped below his best in the G1 Prix Jacques le Marois, has a direct line to Baaeed through the G1 Sussex S. runner-up Modern Games (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). “Baaeed is top-class with an outstanding profile, who holds everything in front of him, but we feel we have the right horse to take him on and make a race of it,” he said. “Native Trail's work has been great. The condition of this horse is second to none. He is thriving, you can see that in him as an individual. You ask, and he delivers.”

Classic Dreams At Stake

   With the St Leger just over three weeks away, the time is nigh for any latecomers on to the scene for the Doncaster Classic to show their wares. York's G2 Sky Bet Great Voltigeur S. is a select affair this time, with Godolphin looking to strengthen their hand having already enjoyed G3 Gordon S. success with the ante-post favourite New London (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). Fellow Charlie Appleby trainee Secret State (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), a son of the demoted 1000 Guineas winner Jacqueline Quest (Ire) (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}) and half to the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf winner Line Of Duty (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), has achieved the notable feat of winning the kind of 3-year-old handicaps at Royal Ascot and Goodwood that are hotbeds for future pattern-race performers. The re-opposing Deauville Legend (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), who was getting four pounds from him when a head second in the Royal meeting's King George V S. June 16, has since been runner-up under a penalty to New London at Goodwood but Appleby is keen to wait and see when it comes to Secret State's Leger credentials. “We are lucky to have New London, who is currently favourite for the St Leger, which has always been his target. As for Secret State, we will make a decision regarding his trip after the Voltigeur,” he explained. “There's a question mark over whether he would get a strong one-mile-six. We will see in time.”

El Bodegon Back On Home Soil

James Ferguson may have Deauville Legend, but he is also in the enviable position of saddling El Bodegon (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) in the Voltigeur and any significant rain will aid his cause. Five of his last six starts have come in France, with wins in the G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud and G3 Prix de Conde last term followed by placings in the G1 Prix du Jockey Club and G1 Grand Prix de Paris. “He hasn't won in England since Sandown and people forget what happens abroad,” his trainer said of the flagbearer, whose one outing in that period resulted in a deflating seventh in the G2 Dante S. here May 12. “His last two runs have been very solid and back up to the level we know of him. He is very tough and he proved last time out in the Grand Prix de Paris that he stays a mile and a half no problem. He has been good from day one, while Deauville Legend has been getting progressively better and better and at the moment the plans are for them both to end the season down in Australia and this is the perfect stepping stone for both of them.”

Acomb Appetiser

There is a fascinating renewal of the G3 Tattersalls Acomb S. before the big two races on day one, with Godolphin's TDN Rising Star Local Dynasty (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) in action just 12 days after his impressive debut over this seven-furlong trip at Newmarket. A relative of the sire's Yibir (GB), who came to the fore in the Voltigeur last year, and Wild Illusion (GB), he showed he was able to run fast in the closing stages of his racecourse bow but has no soft touch here. Even faster is the July 7 Doncaster maiden winner Mill Stream (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}), who gave Local Dynasty's TDN Rising Star stablemate Noble Style (GB) (Kingman {GB}) a scare also over six furlongs at Newmarket July 29. A half-brother to the speedy Asymmetric (Ire) (Showcasing {GB}) from the family of Wunders Dream (Ire) (Averti {Ire}), he could be a pure sprinter and this test will tell Jane Chapple-Hyam more.

Classic Prospects On Trial

The Acomb has at least three other juveniles who could conceivably shape up into Guineas types, with Juddmonte's Chaldean (GB) (Frankel {GB}) particularly appealing after beating three subsequent winners over this trip at Newbury July 15. Juddmonte racing manager Barry Mahon said of the Andrew Balding-trained 550,000gns half-brother to the G2 Mill Reef S. scorer Alkumait (GB) (Showcasing {GB}), “He is a horse that Andrew likes. This has been the plan since he won his maiden. He is quite a late foal, so he is still developing and hopefully there is a bit more improvement to come. He is not a big horse, but he is progressing and I would imagine in the second half of the season he is hopefully going to be rocking and rolling.” Edward Bethell has a big week ahead and it starts with Fiona Carmichael and Ballylinch Stud's exciting Oviedo (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), who showed the kind of gears needed for this level when scoring on his sole start over this trip at Doncaster July 21. One of a few with stamina in his pedigree, his dam is a half to two talents in Chriselliam (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}) and Lope De Vega's Very Special (Ire).

A Hectic Start?

Also in the mix for the Acomb is Highclere's July 16 Newbury six-furlong novice winner Hectic (GB) (Massaat {Ire}), an imposing Richard Hannon-trained colt running in the same colours as last year's surprise winner Royal Patronage (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}). “I watched him work at the weekend and he worked very nicely and looked great,” Highclere's managing director Harry Herbert said. “It's a race we won last year with Royal Patronage and were second in the year before with Spycatcher–we know when you go there you're taking on some very highly-regarded rivals. We will throw him in the deep end and hope he runs well, certainly his home work has been impressive and his debut was outstanding when he made all at Newbury and went away again when they pressed him. He's always been considered a very nice horse and we're excited to see him move up to this level.”

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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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'TDN Rising Star' High Definition (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) is one of six for the Coolmore partners and Aidan O'Brien. The 2020 G2 Beresford S. victor was the winter book favourite for the Derby, but has yet to fully live up to that potential this season and exits the G2 Great Voltigeur S. with a sixth on Aug. 18. Second in that York Classic pointer was The Mediterranea (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), two better than stablemate Sir Lucan (Ire) (Camelot {GB}). The three-for-four Leopardstown listed winner Interpretation (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), and winners Carlisle Bay (Ire) (Gaileo {Ire}), third in a Group 3 at two, and King Of The Castle (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) make up the sextet.

Runner-up at Epsom, Mojo Star (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) takes part for Richard Hannon, while Johnny Murtagh sends out G3 Gordon S. hero Ottoman Emperor (Ire) (Excelebration {Ire}) and Andrew Balding saddles Youth Spirit (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), third in the Great Voltigeur. Listed winner and Group 3-placed Fernando Vichi (Ire) (Australia {GB}) represents Donnacha O'Brien. The field is rounded out by Ralph Beckett trainee and listed-placed Scope (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) and Roger Varian's listed heroine Save A Forest (Ire) (Kingman {GB}), who ran fourth in the G1 Cazoo Oaks.

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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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Named a 'TDN Rising Star' after breaking his maiden at first asking at The Curragh last August, the bay saluted by 3/4 of a length in the G2 Beresford Memorial S. there on Sept. 26 and was shelved for the winter. An unsatisfactory blood test ruled the colt out of the Listed Lingfield Derby Trial in early May, and he returned to run third behind Irish Derby hero Hurricane Lane (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) in the G2 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante S. at York on May 13.

“After two furlongs he clipped heels and nearly came down. Ryan [Moore] said he got disorganised then and he couldn't get him going after that,” said O'Brien. “Maybe he frightened himself, he got on to the wrong leg and he couldn't get him back. He could never click him into gear and it was a non-event really.

“When he ran against the winner in York it looked like another two furlongs was going to be right up his alley and he had run around the Curragh twice before. We'll just put a line through it, probably give him a little rest and have him back in the autumn.”

He added, “He obviously hasn't done anything since, but he seems grand. He'll do a little bit tomorrow. He was in a lovely position, cantering away but the moment it happened he just clicked out of gear.”

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Since 2006, Ballydoyle have been denied on only four occasions, with the biggest gap between victories coming from 2014 to 2017 while the operation have also enjoyed an amazing seven clean sweeps of the first three places including in the last two renewals. It falls on Van Gogh (American Pharoah) and the aforementioned Wordsworth to attempt a repeat this time, with the two outsiders Arturo Toscanini (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Matchless (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) thrown in for good measure. Van Gogh was third behind Mac Swiney (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}) in the G1 Irish 2000 Guineas here May 22 before finishing 10th under Colin Keane in the G1 Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly June 6, while Wordsworth is backed up 10 days after his second in the G2 Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot.

“It's Van Gogh's first time over a mile and a half. We were happy with his run in France–he didn't have a good draw, but we thought he ran very well,” O'Brien added. “Wordsworth is in good form. He only ran in Ascot last week, but he seems to have come out of the race well. We always thought he would stay well. It was the first time he ran over that distance in Ascot and obviously his brother [Kew Gardens] stayed very well.”

Unusually, none of the Ballydoyle representatives were in action at Epsom, with Bolshoi Ballet (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) tasked to go it alone. In the June 5 Derby, Amo Racing's Mojo Star (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) was clear of Godolphin's Hurricane Lane (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) and Mac Swiney, but Hurricane Lane holds High Definition on the form of his Dante success and he lost both front shoes at Epsom. Since 2000, there have been 15 winners of this that came from the Derby and Charlie Appleby is hoping that Hurricane Lane can continue to build on his early promise. “We were pleased with Hurricane Lane's effort at Epsom Downs and he has more experience under his belt going into this,” he said. “He was an inexperienced horse going into the Derby and it may have found him out slightly, but he has definitely sharpened up for the run. The style of the track at the Curragh should suit him better and, if he can repeat his Derby effort, it will certainly make him very competitive.”

Jim Bolger feels that Mac Swiney has more to offer than he did in the Derby and said, “I don't believe we saw the best of him at Epsom.  It was just one of those runs, that I don't think on the day he was on top of his game so I'm hopeful he can reverse the placings with the ones that finished in front of him. It won't be easily-won, but we feel we have a fighter on our hands and hopefully he'll be 100 per-cent on Saturday. If he is, I don't expect him to be too far away.”

Since 1994, there has been only one British-trained winner in Jack Hobbs (GB) (Halling) which does not bode well for Ballylinch Stud and Aquis Farm's Lone Eagle (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), but the Martyn Meade representative is more than worthy of his place in this line-up. Fourth when considered under-par in the notorious Apr. 23 G3 Sandown Classic Trial, he went on to give that race's runner-up Yibir (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) five pounds and a four-length beating in Goodwood's Listed Cocked Hat S. over an extended 11 furlongs May 21. Denied his opportunity at Epsom due to a dirty scope, he is a fascinating contender here. “We couldn't be happier with him,” Meade said. “It's not easy with all the travelling and everything, but he's going in as a fresh horse, having missed Epsom and we've got a good man on his back to run against the Irish. What will be will be, but it would be nice to think if he runs up to his best he should have a really good chance.”

Elsewhere on the card, the G2 GAIN Railway S. sees Craig Bernick and Antony Beck's Castle Star (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) bid to confirm the form of his ready defeat of Masseto (GB) (Territories {Ire}) in the course-and-distance G3 Marble Hill S. May 22. The runner-up has since franked the form by finishing 1 3/4-lengths fourth in the G2 Coventry S. at Royal Ascot last Tuesday, where the re-opposing The Acropolis (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}) was ninth. Castle Star's trainer Fozzy Stack said, “It looks a strong renewal, but he's got a nice draw and he seems in good order, so we're hopeful of a good run. The ground won't be as soft as it was in the Marble Hill, but I don't see that being a problem for him.”

Aidan O'Brien, who has saddled 13 winners of this, needs one more to equal the record of Dr Vincent O'Brien and along with The Acropolis also has a key contender in Cadamosto (Ire) (No Nay Never). He was fourth in last Thursday's G2 Norfolk S. at Royal Ascot and is the pick of Ryan Moore. “The Ascot run was Cadamosto's first for a good while and he seems to have taken it well,” the trainer said. “The Acropolis ran well at Ascot. He just got a little bit hampered about a furlong and a half down, but he ran well.” Moore added, “He has plenty of pace, but the step up to six furlongs should be fine here given the way he finished off his race at Ascot. The Acropolis's run in the Coventry can also be marked up given he was not ideally drawn there and it wouldn't surprise me at all if he were to run very well.”

David Loughnane pitches the Norfolk runner-up Go Bears Go (Ire) (Kodi Bear {Ire}) back into action and he said, “He came out of Ascot really well, so we said we'd take a crack at it. If he turns up in the same form as he went to Ascot, I think he'll put up a big show. I still very much believe he's the best we've trained and I think we've plenty to look forward to with him.” Given the strength in depth of this edition, Peter Brant's TDN Rising Star Dr Zempf (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}) will have to be every bit as good as looked on his winning debut over this track and trip June 2. The form of that contest has subsequently been boosted and jockey Colin Keane is expecting a bold show. “He looked nice on his first start–he was a good winner I thought on the day,” he said. “He seems to be training well for the race. It looks a very good renewal, but hopefully he can give a good account of himself. Siskin had won his maiden and the Marble Hill en route to the Railway, whereas this horse has only had the one run. We'll know where we stand after Saturday, I think.”

In the G3 ARM Holding International S., Jessie Harrington relaunches Cadillac (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) after his lengthy absence. Fourth in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf at Keeneland in November, Alpha Racing's G2 Champions Juvenile S. winner is upped in trip to 10 furlongs to meets two smart older fillies and mares in Newtown Anner Stud Farm's June 9 G3 Munster Oaks winner Thunder Kiss (Ire) (Night of Thunder {Ire}) and the May 23 G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup third True Self (Ire) (Oscar {Ire}).

There is also group action on Newcastle's Northumberland Plate card, with Friday's G1 Commonwealth Cup withdrawal Diligent Harry (GB) (Due Diligence) taking on his elders in the six-furlong G3 William Hill Chipchase S. on the Tapeta. Runner-up to the subsequent G3 Pavilion S., G2 Sandy Lane S. and Wokingham H. winner Rohaan (Ire) (Mayson {GB}) at Lingfield Mar. 10, the 3-year-old went on to capture the Apr. 2 3-Year-Old All-Weather Championships Conditions S. there and trainer Clive Cox believes he has what it takes to take a hand in competitive sprints like this. “Conditions didn't allow us to run at Ascot and that was it,” he said. “He's in good form. He's proven on the all-weather and it's a good step to take at this point.”

Diligent Harry meets two smart Shadwell performers in last year's G3 Hackwood S. winner Tabdeed (GB) (Havana Gold {Ire}) and Khuzaam (Kitten's Joy), who impressed when winning the Apr. 2 All-Weather Mile Championships Conditions S. at Lingfield before finishing last of four in the Apr. 23 G3 Sandown Mile. The latter's trainer Roger Varian is dropping him back in trip and said, “He has loads of pace. He won over seven furlongs at Chelmsford before stepping up to the mile at Lingfield. His work is as good as ever and a stiff six furlongs at Newcastle on the Tapeta should suit him. It's an experiment, but it's an interesting one.”

Newmarket's July Course is in full swing again and Saturday's action sees the 2019 G1 St Leger hero Logician (GB) (Frankel {GB}) bid to get back to winning ways in the Listed Fred Archer S. Frankie is in action at The Curragh, so Rab Havlin takes the mount on the 5-year-old and he said, “It is great to get back on him and he is a nice horse to pick up. I rode him on Wednesday and he felt in great shape and has come on since the last day. He is a big horse that is hard to get fit and the whole way through it has always taken a run to get him right. He seems to have come out of his race the right way. It is well-documented that he nearly died. The fact they managed to get him back and keep him alive is a massive achievement, let alone to get him back racing. If there was any time that he didn't want to race again, we wouldn't have risked it but he is showing great enthusiasm for the game again and let's hope it continues. There are a few horses in there that are decent on their day but he is clear on ratings and we are hoping for a big run.”

In the seven-furlong G3 Criterion S., TDN Rising Star Kinross (GB) (Kingman {GB}) looks to defy a three-pound penalty for his success in the G3 John of Gaunt S. at Haydock May 29 and trainer Ralph Beckett is hoping he has finally got the talented 4-year-old on track. “Kinross is in great shape. It is a race that he has got a penalty in, but it is a race that really suits him,” he commented. “I've been very happy with him since Haydock, where he looked back to his old self. He did it really well the last day and we will be sticking to seven furlongs with him. I think gelding him has been a significant help. Hopefully this is a stepping stone to bigger and better things.” Charlie Appleby saddles the similarly smart Royal Crusade (GB) (Shamardal), who beat Glen Shiel (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) in the six-furlong G3 Prix de Ris-Orangis at Deauville last July and was last seen finishing seventh in the Mar. 27 G1 Al Quoz Sprint. “Royal Crusade was a little disappointing in Dubai, but has definitely been training better since coming back to Newmarket,” he said. “It's his first time over this distance since his two-year-old days but, if you look at the pick of his form, he should be bang there. We hoped that he would be a real out-and-out sprinter, but he doesn't seem to have that natural dash about him and looks like a seven-furlong horse these days.”

In the Listed Maureen Brittain Memorial Empress Fillies' S., Abdullah Saeed Al Naboodah's impressive June 15 Thirsk novice scorer Najat (GB) (Ardad {Ire}) takes on the likes of Highclere Thoroughbred Racing's TDN Rising Star Cachet (Ire) (Aclaim {Ire}).  Fifth and not disgraced in Friday's G3 Albany S. at Royal Ascot, the latter is back over the six-furlong trip of her impressive winning debut on the Rowley Mile course May 15 and trainer George Boughey said, “It is a quick turnaround from Royal Ascot, but she has come out of that race in great shape. I walked the track on Thursday and it is far quicker than at Ascot where it was an extreme of ground. It probably found her out and it was only her ability that got her home. She has got a great attitude and she showed that on debut when quickening away well on better ground on the Rowley Mile and the ground is closer to that here. She will improve when she goes up to seven, but hopefully she can get some black-type here.”

Ed Crisford said of Najat, “She won very well first time up at Thirsk and she is deserving of her place in a stakes race and this looked a suitable option. She was breezing nicely before her debut, but I like the way she put the race to bed quickly at Thirsk. The way she won, there could be a lot of upsides to her.”

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With Frankie Dettori no longer required by Ballydoyle, the 50-year-old who was widely expected to be on High Definition instead gets the call-up for TDN Rising Star John Leeper (Ire) (Frankel {GB}). Cristina Patino's May 15 Listed Fairway S. winner was due to be ridden by Adam Kirby, but the owner-breeder was intent on snaring the jockey who steered Snow Fairy (Ire) (Intikhab) to glory in the 2012 G1 Irish Champion S. “Frankie was the first choice and was approached quite a while ago, but he has been riding a lot for Aidan in England and that was going to happen until the bolt out of the blue from Ballydoyle this afternoon,” trainer Ed Dunlop explained to the Racing Post. “There are no negatives with Frankie riding in the Derby and the horse's work is all done now. He's done everything we've wanted him to do so far and, touch wood, everything is going well going into the race. The news today came a bit out of the blue, but once Mrs Patino heard she was very keen and instructed us to see if Frankie was available.”

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He said, “He got an injury last year so we took our time with him and we had him nearly ready to run again in the spring, but he went a little bit off on us again.

“We had to back off him again. He's done very well physically and I'd imagine he's six weeks away from running. We're looking at the second half or quarter of the season.”

Innisfree does hold entries for the June 27 G2 Comer Group International Curragh Cup, Sandown's G1 Coral-Eclipse on July 3 and the G1 Irish Champion S. at Leopardstown on Sept. 11. The 4-year-old bay has also been entered in the G1 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in October.

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