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G1 Investec Epsom Derby hero Harzand (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) remains on course in his bid to make it a Derby double by lining up in Saturday's G1 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at The Curragh. Harzand is trained by Dermot Weld whose stables are located just a couple of 100 metres from The Curragh racecourse and sustained rain in the area on Sunday should help provide the optimum conditions necessary for the Aga Khan homebred to take his chance. One person obviously keen to see him lineup is...

1.50 Chantilly, Cond, €29,000, 3yo, 8fT PABOUCHE (IRE) (Dubawi {Ire}) bids to build on a debut success in a hot contest at Maisons-Laffitte last month for the Godolphin-Henri-Alex Pantall connection. The 450,000gns TATFOA daughter of the 2009 G1 Epsom Oaks third High Heeled (GB) (High Chaparral {Ire}) takes on a colt with similarly powerful connections in OTI Management Pty Ltd and Susan Magnier's Fastnet Cyclone (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), a John Hammond-trained full-brother to the 2014 G1 Dewhurst S. third Smuggler's Cove (Ire) from the family of High Chaparral (Ire)...

Unpenalised in the structure of Sunday's G3 Prix Bertrand du Breuil Longines at Chantilly, Territories (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) has been found a perfect opportunity to restore confidence ahead of some major midsummer and autumn targets for Godolphin and Andre Fabre. Only third on his seasonal bow in the G3 Prix du Palais-Royal over seven furlongs at Deauville last time June 4, last year's G1 Prix Jean Prat hero and G1 2000 Guineas runner-up was entitled to need that first outing since finishing seventh in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II...

With the G1 Grand Prix de Paris looming on the horizon, Sunday's G3 Prix du Lys Longines at Chantilly serves as the main prep for that Bastille Day highlight staged this year at Saint-Cloud, and as usual it is to Andre Fabre that all must look at first hand. He boasts an astounding record 15 successes here and 13 in the Grand Prix itself, with the Juddmonte pair of Rail Link (GB) and Flintshire (GB) completing the double in 2006 and 2013, respectively, and it is the stable's lightly raced...

Unbeaten for trainer Christian Sprengel, Boscaccio (Ger) (Mount Nelson {GB}) takes to Cologne on Sunday to defend that tag in the prestigious G2 Oppenheim-Union-Rennen. Having taken Hanover's Listed Derby Trial by three lengths over this trip last time May 16, the bay is likely to be a warm order to lay down a marker for the G1 Deutsches Derby at Hamburg July 10. As ever, Stall Ullmann's representative requires close scrutiny, and Savoir Vivre (Ire) (Adlerflug {Ger}) carries that distinction. Only fourth when expected to collect at Mulheim last time...

Now that the form of the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches has been boosted by Friday's G1 Coronation S. winner Qemah (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), the stage is set for the fellow Jean-Claude Rouget-trained La Cressonniere (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}) to attempt a Classic double in Sunday's G1 Prix de Diane at Chantilly. The jump from the Pouliches to the Diane is just 2 1/2 furlongs, unlike the half-mile that is required for the English Guineas winner to add the Oaks to her tally, so it has always been a...

THE TWILIGHT ZONE In a blanket four-horse finish to a pulsating renewal of Royal Ascot's G1 Diamond Jubilee S., it was Godfrey Wilson and Cheveley Park Stud's G1 Haydock Sprint Cup hero Twilight Son (GB) (Kyllachy {GB}) who emerged on top to regain the winning thread he had lost on his last two starts. Breaking best before being settled behind the leader Signs of Blessing (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) by Ryan Moore, the 7-2 shot worked his way past that rival inside the last 50 yards to win by a...

A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT Two of Royal Ascot's legendary figures, The Queen and Sir Michael Stoute, have been significant presences at the meeting since the 1950s and 1970s respectively and fittingly combined to cap a stellar week of racing with Saturday's G2 Hardwicke S. hero Dartmouth (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), who had to emerge from a tussle with Highland Reel (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and a subsequent stewards's inquiry to deliver a landmark result. Brought to the boil perfectly by his trainer, the steadily progressive 4-year-old who took the G3 Ormonde...

G Force (Ire) (Tamayuz {GB}), the 2014 G1 Haydock Sprint Cup winner who was returned to training earlier this year after experiencing fertility issues at stud, is expected to make his return in the Listed Dubai Duty Free Dash S. on the Irish Derby undercard at The Curragh June 25. G Force was previously trained by David O'Meara for Middleham Park Racing, but was purchased by Equinegrowthpartners Syndicate after his attempt at stud and is now trained by Adrian Keatley. That owner/trainer duo won last month's G1 Irish 1000 Guineas...

Churchill's grandiose title gave a clue as to his reputation at Ballydoyle and he duly delivered a debut performance full of encouragement when a staying-on third to Godolphin's subsequent acquisition Van Der Decken (GB) (Dutch Art {GB}), who went on to run fifth in Tuesday's G2 Coventry S. here, over what is probably an inadequate six-furlong trip at The Curragh May 22. Heavily-supported for this unique contest restricted to progeny of sires who won over 10 furlongs or more, the imposing bay made sure the favourite-backers received their pay-out despite...

Favourite with the bookies is Churchill, who has to improve markedly on his debut third over six furlongs at The Curragh May 22, but who obviously carries a big reputation from Ballydoyle. Frankel (GB) has two shots to fire at this, with the May 13 Newbury maiden winner Cunco from the Gosden yard and Frankuus, a Mark Johnston trainee who also scored on debut over this trip at Haydock nine days ago. Gosden said of the former, "I don't know about the ground. We are in the dark about how...

4.00 Newmarket, £8,500, Mdn, 3yo, 8fT Al Shaqab Racing's ZWAYYAN (GB) (Pivotal {GB}), a 380,000gns Tattersalls October purchase, is a sibling of four winners out of 2002 G1 Moyglare Stud S. victress Mail the Desert (Ire) (Desert Prince {Ire}) and represents local trainer William Haggas in this unveiling. His 10 rivals include the Godolphin pair Istiqlaal (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) and Great Order (Distorted Humor). The former, who was a late scratching for the Charlie Appleby yard in his intended debut at Wolverhampton last month, is out of 2001 G2...