Nighttime

Following a remarkable Chester May meeting, Ballydoyle will look to continue their momentum into the weekend, with two Classics at stake on Sunday. Heading the baker's dozen going forward for ParisLongchamp's G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains is the yard's Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere and Criterium International hero Puerto Rico (Wootton Bassett), while their Prix Marcel Boussac heroine Diamond Necklace (St Mark's Basilica) is heavily favoured for the 15-strong G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches. Puerto Rico (Wootton Bassett), who will be accompanied by the G3 Killavullan Stakes and Goffs Million winner Dorset...

Is there an adequate Japanese proverb that conveys the nation's unflinching endeavour to win the G1 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe? Perhaps "Ishi no ue ni mo san nen", to sit patiently on a cold stone for three years which relates to the power of perseverance, or "Nana korobi ya oki", to fall seven times and get up eight, or "Mateba kairo no hiyori ari". The latter points to waiting out the unpredictable to choose the right route and ultimately prevail. Since the country's first real go in 1999...

Unbridled joy was present in bundles at Hamburg on Sunday as recent amateur-turned-apprentice Nina Baltromei urged Hochkoenig to victory on the line in the 156th Deutsches Derby, denying the Karl Burke-trained Convergent (Fascinating Rock) by the merest of margins. Hochkoenig is by the Lomitas stallion Polish Vulcano, who stands at the Darboven family's Gestuet Idee, which sponsors the Derby and is where the 17-year-old was bred. We'll be hearing from the stallion's breeder Albert Darboven in tomorrow's TDN, but for the breeders of Hochkoenig, racing photographers Marc and Gabi Ruehl,...