The Main Attraction

As Newmarket's July festival opens on Thursday, the name on everyone's lips ahead of the G2 Princess of Wales's Arqana Racing Club S. is the unbeaten 4-year-old Mahsoob (GB) (Dansili {GB}). Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum's progressive colt has won fans with his no-nonsense consistency so far this term, overcoming wide draws to win 10-furlong handicaps at Newbury Apr. 18 and York May 13 prior to taking the Listed Wolferton H. at Royal Ascot over that trip last time June 20. On each occasion, the homebred looked in need of this extra distance and connections are already looking ahead to taking on his stable companion Golden Horn (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}) in the G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth S. back at Ascot July 25. “I think we're looking forward to seeing how he gets on at this level and over this trip. It will be interesting,” the owner-breeder's racing manager Angus Gold said. “John [Gosden] has been very pleased with him since Ascot and tells me he came out of that race very well. Hopefully he can continue his upward swing.”

Gold added, “The King George was an idea we had after the Wolferton, but John thinks the horse is very well and takes quite a lot of work, so it makes sense to try and let him win a pattern race and see how he goes over a mile and a half.”

Last year's G2 Jockey Club S. and G2 Yorkshire Cup winner Gospel Choir (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) flies the flag for local favorites Cheveley Park Stud and Sir Michael Stoute, and he was resolute on his winning return in the Listed Fred Archer S. over this track and trip 12 days ago. His trainer is looking for a 10th renewal and also relies on Sir Evelyn de Rothschild's GI Canadian International hero Hillstar (GB) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), who was second in this 12 months ago and should strip fitter for his comeback fifth in the G2 Hardwicke S. at Royal Ascot June 20.

Also representing a leading Newmarket stable is Merry Fox Stud's Second Step (Ire) (Dalakhani {Ire}), the Luca Cumani-trained 4-year-old who downed Telescope (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the latest renewal of the G2 Jockey Club S. on the Rowley Mile May 2. “Second Step is in good form; he has been working very well and we are happy with him, but he is up against some decent horses on Thursday and has to carry a three-pound penalty, so it will be difficult,” Cumani commented. “He hasn't run for more than two months, simply because of the lack of suitable races. He improved a great deal at the end of last year and I always thought that he could improve further as a 4-year-old. He's entered in the Irish St Leger, but I am not sure what will end up being his best trip–we are just taking it one race at a time.”