Conditions at Newmarket today for the re-scheduled Juddmonte International are in stark contrast to what was in store for these Group One horses at soggy York earlier this week. It should be advantage Duke Of Marmalade, whose high-class fast-ground form can give him a vital edge over the Derby winner, New Approach.
While New Approach has plenty of form on fast ground too, a softer surface might have been better for Jim Bolger's colt on his delayed return to action. He had to miss the Irish Derby after suffering soreness in his near-hind hoof and leg muscles.
For a horse who has had his own leg problems, Duke Of Marmalade (3.35) is remarkably effective on fast ground. He is bidding for his fifth consecutive Group One victory, which includes a resounding defeat of Phoenix Tower and Pipedreamer at Royal Ascot.
Aidan O'Brien's four-year-old is a tremendous battler, as he showed in the King George last time, and the drop back to 10 furlongs should not be a problem, with stablemate Red Rock Canyon such an effective pacemaker.
Newmarket 2.00 Luca Cumani's lightly raced Credit Swap could be dangerous, but Relative Order has strong claims on his Goodwood third behind Blue Sky Basin from a bad draw.
Goodwood 2.10 With Aidan O'Brien having pulled out his runners from the re-scheduled Great Voltigeur, the way looks clear for Patkai to reinforce his St Leger claims.
Beverley 2.20 Though he was left standing by the well-handicapped Perks at Haydock, Drill Sergeant has a good chance of going one better. He was clear of the rest and runs off the same mark here.
Newmarket 2.35 See tip of the day panel.
Goodwood 2.45 Tungsten Strike enjoyed an easy lead before Yeats assumed control in the Goodwood Cup and he can be picked off this time by Sanbuch, who has won on two of his three visits here.
Newmarket 3.05 One of last season's fastest juveniles, Winker Watson has had his problems this year but there was a lot to like about his latest effort in the Sussex Stakes. The return to sprinting can see him back in business.
Goodwood 3.15 Unless the heavens open, Bankable will surely find it hard to live with Raven's Pass, whose sights are lowered after a series of smart performances at the highest level. He was clear of the third horse when touched off by Henrythenavigator here last time.
Goodwood 3.45 The form of her Newmarket win may be nothing special, but Fantasia looked a fair prospect as she drew away to win by over three lengths. An entry for the Group One Fillies' Mile at Ascot suggests trainer Luca Cumani is hopeful she will make the grade.
Horse sense
Winker team eyeing big win in Newmarket sprint
A sparkling piece of work at Newmarket on Tuesday was proof that Winker Watson (3.05) is back in business. The return to sprinting at his local track today can see Peter Chapple-Hyam's colt victorious - he failed to stay 1m when fourth in last month's Sussex Stakes.
Brian Meehan, who has high hopes for Gallagher in tomorrow's Prix Morny at Deauville, can take the opening race at Newmarket with Absent Pleasure (12.50). This colt has come on a lot for his first run.
The nursery on the Newmarket card is decidedly competitive, but the Paul Cole team expect to go close with Sultans Way (2.35). William Muir's Defector (4.10) is reckoned capable of better than he has shown so far and there is a deal of improvement in Mawatheeq (4.45), who travelled strongly on his Kempton debut before inexperience found him out.
Roger Charlton sends Unbreak My Heart (2.20) to Beverley for a valuable handicap and this colt will relish the testing ground. Despite recent disappointments, there is confidence behind Hoh Mike (3.20) in the sprint.
Frankie Dettori, who rode work for Gerard Butler at Newmarket this week, won on Pachattack (3.45) for the stable at Glorious Goodwood. He can go close again on this promising filly in today's Prestige Stakes at the Sussex track.
Clive Cox thinks a lot of Piazza San Pietro (5.20) and his two-year-old can give Brae Hill something to think about in Windsor's opener. Jeremy Noseda's progressive Grande Annee (7.20) is fancied to defy the handicapper again.
Wikaala (2.10), Superduper (2.45) and Quirina (3.20) are recommended on tomorrow's Goodwood card, while Luca Cumani's Riggins (5.40) is reported in good shape for his return to action at Kempton on Monday.
Seen and heard
Moscow's racing officials just had to grin and bear it when the first four home in last Saturday's Russian Derby were all American-bred. The Mineshaft colt Monomakh scooped the millon-rouble first prize, but the eyecatcher in fourth place was Racecar Rhapsody, who had occupied the same position behind Big Brown in the Preakness Stakes. He is now owned by Chechnya's president, Ramzan Kadyrov, who was also responsible for seventh-placed The Riddler - last seen here plying his trade on the all-weather for Jamie Osborne.
Nicky Henderson's visit to Newmarket last weekend included an early-morning stint on the gallops watching the Godolphin horses. Given the low-down by Godolphin's Diana Cooper, Henderson may well have seen some prospective jumpers in action. Newcastle's "Fighting Fifth" Hurdle is a long way off, but already the Henderson camp are relishing a clash between their Punjabi and Binocular, with Barry Geraghty riding Punjabi and Tony McCoy on his JP McManus-owned rival.
