Thursday, Cork, Ireland, post time: 19:22, IRISH STALLION FARMS EBF GIVE THANKS STAKES-G3, €39,000, 3yo/up, f/m, 12f 0y
Field: Ameerat Jumaira (GB) (Australia {GB}), Chorus (GB) (Kingman {GB}), Elana Osario (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Elizabeth Jane (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), Royal Entry (Ire) (Fracas {Ire}), Uluru (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}), Calrissiana (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}), Island Hopping (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Medici Venus (Tiz The Law).
TDN Verdict: The Dermot Weld stable has dominated this contest, with a record eight renewals since its 2003 inception, and is represented by last term's G1 Irish Oaks fourth and TDN Rising Star Elizabeth Jane. She gets another chance at opening her pattern-race account stepping back up to 12 furlongs for the first time since that Classic outing. Aidan O'Brien seeks a sixth edition and sends forth Medici Venus and last month's G1 Irish Oaks third Island Hopping, the latter being Ballydoyle's first string here. Fittocks Stud's consistent William Haggas nominee Chorus is the lone overseas challenger, while the Paddy Twomey-trained duo Royal Entry and Elana Osario should not be discounted. [Sean Cronin]
Friday, Clairefontaine, France, post time: 14:33, PRIX GENYBET SPORT – GRAND PRIX DE CLAIREFONTAINE-Listed, €50,300, 3yo, 12fT
Field: Jenilat Bright (Fr) (Birchwood {Ire}), Parachutiste (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), Think Giant (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Waldnebel (Ger) (Reliable Man {GB}), Square D'Alboni (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}), Spanish Breeze Cen (Ire) (Too Darn Hot {GB}).
TDN Verdict: Francis Graffard trainee and G1 Prix du Jockey Club close-up 10th Parachutiste finished under three lengths adrift of Daryz when sixth in June's G3 Prix Eugene Adam and is presented with the opportunity of making a black-type breakthrough here. Waldnebel is another with unplaced Classic form and returns to action coming back off a 4 1/2-length eighth in last month's G1 Deutsches Derby. Eckhard Sauren's G3 Preis des Winterfavoriten second Think Giant was last seen running third in Compiegne's Listed Prix Pelleas and, like Parachutiste, steps up to 12 furlongs for the first time. British raider Square D'Alboni is the only contender with a black-type victory in the books and represents the storied G3 Chester Vase form, but it must be noted he ran last of eight in that Roodeye contest. [Sean Cronin].
Friday, Newbury, post time: 16:45, THE SEQUOIA HAIR & SPIRIT ST HUGH'S STAKES-Listed, £45,000, 2yo, f, 5f 34yT
Field: Daneh Of Dandy (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}), Duskaura (Ire) (Twilight Son {GB}), Entailed (GB) (Harry Angel {Ire}), Flowerhead (Ire) (Starman {GB}), Hollywood Treasure (Ire) (Gregorian {Ire}), Killavia (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}), Little Jaybee (GB) (Due Diligence), Lope El Fuego (Ire) (Lope Y Fernandez {Ire}), Novelette (Ire) (Sioux Nation), Our Cody (Ire) (Kodi Bear {Ire}), Palmeira (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}), Sapphire Steps (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), Solana Rose (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), Wateen (Ire) (Profitable {Ire}).
TDN Verdict: Starman has been the story of the season as far as the two-year-olds are concerned and the Queen Mary runner-up Flowerhead is just one of his several smart representatives. Fifth in the six-furlong Princess Margaret, she will be more at home back over the minimum. Entailed looked useful at Sandown and the fact Andrew Balding has her back out again eight days later is significant, with her owner-breeders Cheveley Park looking to break their duck in this race. [Tom Frary].
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