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With the G3 Thoroughbred S. winner Thikriyaat (Ire) (Azamour {Ire}) running below-par, this renewal looked up for grabs and Lightning Spear built on solid recent efforts at a higher level to register a long-overdue first black-type success. Third in the G1 Queen Anne S. on his first start for David Simcock since former trainer Olly Stevens retired at Royal Ascot June 14, the chestnut was not disgraced when subsequently sixth in the G1 Sussex S. at Goodwood July 27 and ninth in the G1 Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville...

Kilmah had shown enough on debut when seeing to the subsequently group-placed Seafront (GB) (Foxwedge {Aus}) over six furlongs at Newmarket May 13 to suggest she needed to be in black-type company and stayed at that trip thereafter with mostly commendable results. Sixth in Royal Ascot's G3 Albany S. June 17, the bay was fourth and beaten just over a half length in total in the G2 Duchess of Cambridge S. at Newmarket July 8 prior to finishing four-lengths second to Fair Eva (GB) (Frankel {GB}) in Ascot's G3 Princess...

The lineup of presenters for ITV's terrestrial coverage of British racing which kicks off in January 2017 became clearer with the news that former jockey Hayley Turner is to be appointed a full member of their racing team. Turner has been a regular presenter on At The Races since retiring from her race riding career although she did make a brief comeback to take part in the Shergar Cup challenge last month. According to The Racing Post Turner will be joined at ITV by Racing UK's Oli Bell and Sally-Ann...

Charlie Appleby has confirmed a trip to Australia is on the agenda for his recent York winner Scottish (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}). The 4-year-old, who was bought by Godolphin earlier this year from Jim and Fitri Hay, was rewarded for his consistency when beating South African Group 1 winner Yorker (SAf) (Jet Master {SAf}) in the G3 Betfred Strensall S. over nine furlongs Aug. 20. "He went up another 3lbs for his win at York and that was his ticket to Australia,” Appleby said. "He will probably head to the [G1]...

Karl Burke is looking forward to the next installment in the successful story of Quiet Reflection (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) as the 3-year-old filly builds up to her challenge for more Group 1 glory in the Sprint Cup at Haydock Sept. 3. Burke himself owns a share in the G1 Commonwealth Cup winner along with Hubert Strecker and the Ontoawinner Syndicate and he commented, "I'm happy with Quiet Reflection. She did her final piece of work this morning. She had a good blow. She'll do another light piece on Tuesday and...

Saturday's G3 Winter Hill S. at Windsor features the exciting Niarchos homebred Ulysses (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who bids to defy a four-pound penalty as a result of his win in the G3 Gordon S. over 12 furlongs at Glorious Goodwood. Sir Michael Stoute was keen afterwards to forego a tilt at the St Leger with the son of the G1 Epsom Oaks heroine Light Shift (Kingmambo) and remain over middle distances and the owner's racing manager Alan Cooper is keen to witness the next episode. “He is a highly-regarded colt,”...

As the record-holding trainer with eight successes in Goodwood's G2 Doom Bar Celebration Mile, Sir Michael Stoute understands what it takes and relies on Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum's Thikriyaat (Ire) (Azamour {Ire}) to fly the flag on Saturday. Runner-up to Ribchester (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}) in Royal Ascot's G3 Jersey S. over seven furlongs June 15, the bay went on to take the G3 Thoroughbred S. over this trip at the Glorious meeting here July 29 and is poised for his next step up the ladder. “It looks like...

The unbeaten Persuasive (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) will face her sternest test to date when she lines up for the G1 Coolmore Fastnet Rock Matron S. at Leopardstown in two weeks time. Unlike many Cheveley Park Stud runners she is not a homebred, rather a €180,000 Goffs Orby yearling purchase and she extended her winning spree to five when landing the G3 Atalanta Fillies S. at Sandown Aug 20. The John Gosden trained 3-year-old had previously announced her top level potential when winning the Listed Sandringham H. at Royal Ascot....

1st-NEW, £7,000, Mdn, 8-26, 2yo, f, 7fT, 1:25.29, g/f. SPATIAL (GB) (f, 2, New Approach {Ire}--Spacious {GB} {Hwt. Older Mare-Ire at 7-9.5f, MGSW & MG1SP-Eng, G1SP-Ire, $695,671}, by Nayef), a promising runner-up over this course and distance on debut last time Aug. 6, broke well and raced under a tight grip in a prominent second through halfway in this one. Scrubbed along passing the two pole, the 4-6 favourite seized control at the foot of the hill and was pushed out on the climb to easily account for Unforgetable Filly...

The G1 Juddmonte Middle Park S. at Newmarket Sept. 24 looks the next likely target for Godolphin's exciting juvenile Blue Point (Ire) (Shamardal). The 'TDN Rising Star' has only found Al Shaqab's Mehmas (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) too good in a four race career so far when outgunned by that Hannon colt in the G2 Qatar Richmond S. at Goodwood. He re-established his credentials when a smooth winner of the G2 ITM Gimcrack S. at York Aug 20. "We've always thought a lot of the horse and we were not disappointed...

John Gosden has struggled this season to match his stellar results that saw him crowned champion trainer in Britain last year. The retirement of Golden Horn (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}) and injuries to the likes of Jack Hobbs (GB) (Halling) and Shalaa (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) left a void in the yard that is difficult to replace. However Gosden has issued an upbeat report on last year's G1 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby winner who is nearing a return to the track. "I am very pleased with Jack Hobbs at...

3.10 Newmarket, Mdn, £7,000, 2yo, 7fT RUMMANI (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) debuts in the Godolphin silks for the Charlie Appleby stable and is a half-brother to a trio of Group 1 winners in Jakkalberry (Ire) (Storming Home {GB}), Crackerjack King (Ire) (Shamardal) and Awelmarduk (Ire) (Almutawakel {GB}). He meets Saeed Suhail's similarly unraced Splash Around (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}), a 160,000gns TATOCT Sir Michael Stoute-trained half-brother to the 2014 G3 Solario S. winner Aktabantay (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}).