Frankie Dettori will surely know what he must do if he is to win the Celebration Mile at Goodwood today. Whereas a number of other elite riders seem happiest adopting waiting tactics, Dettori has always been comfortable when dictating the pace from the front.
However, there must be a major doubt as to whether Delegator (3.10) wants anything other than to be delivered as late as possible, given the quirks he has shown in a finish. He can hang left and flatten out once in the lead but that is more than compensated for by his turn of foot, and a repeat of the form he showed when second in the St James's Palace Stakes will see him beat Zacinto here.
Bella Swan (3.45) has experience on her side and can go well at a price in the Prestige Stakes, while King Of Wands (2.35) looks the value call against Urban Poet and the untrustworthy Mourilyan in the March Stakes.
Pintura (2.50) has been crying out for the move up to seven furlongs and should offer some each-way value in a competitive contest at Newmarket.
But my strongest fancy is Spin Cycle (3.35), who had little chance from his draw at Goodwood last time and had previously bitten off more than he could chew in the King's Stand Stakes.
Back at a much more realistic level in the Beverley Bullet, and from a favourably high stall, he can track Masta Plasta and Noble Storm before pouncing close home.
Horse sense
King Of Wands (2.35) gives the impression at home and on the track that he hasn't finished improving yet and he offers some value to turn over the market-leaders in the March Stakes at Goodwood today.
Urban Poet, who could be added to the Ladbrokes St Leger field if he shows up well on his debut for Godolphin, and useful stayer Mourilyan will help make the market for the John Dunlop-trained three-year-old, who steps up from handicap company here but keeps progressing as he gains experience.
Some potentially classy fillies line up in the Prestige Stakes, but the Walter Swinburn-trained Bella Swan (3.45) is very well regarded at home and could go well at a decent price. She has improved since winning at Newmarket's July festival meeting.
Michael Jarvis has not enjoyed the best of health recently but Dhushan (3.00) could give the popular trainer a tonic in the £40,000 mile-and-a-quarter handicap at Beverley.
The son of Rainbow Quest was sent off favourite for the Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot only to prove far too free in the early stages and then showed nothing when held up in the Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket last month. However, he is highly thought of and the application of blinkers could prove the key to keeping him tractable.
Godolphin may take Goodwood's Celebration Mile with Delegator, but at the prices the stable's Dafeef (1.50) looks a more interesting bet at Newmarket. His lack of experience was highlighted when hanging his chance away on his debut at Salisbury, but all the signs are that he has come on for that outing.
Strike The Deal (3.25) has been showing up well in his recent work and holds Tamagin on Polytrack form in May.
It looks significant that Richard Hills has chosen to ride at Newmarket instead of partnering Mudaaraah in the fillies' Group Three at Goodwood. Marcus Tregoning's highly regarded Tafaool (4.00) may have something to do with that decision.
Seen and heard
Not everyone has taken the return to having to pay for their Racing UK pictures in good spirits. Indeed, the predictably negative response to the end of the free-to-air period that has lasted since Setanta UK went into administration in June has left some of their racecourse positions used for outside broadcasts looking more than a little vulnerable.
When working at tracks such as Thirsk, Pontefract and Catterick where the public can easily gain access to the presenters and pundits, some of the station's leading names have found themselves spending time between broadcasts having to justify the re-introduction of the £20 per month [as opposed to £12.99 per month when part of Setanta's package which included football and golf channels] charge to some of their more vocal customers.
Yorkshire trainer Bryan Smart has lost a dozen horses, including Queen Mary Stakes third Ceedwell, after owners Prime Equestrian decided to alter their operations. It is believed that Ceedwell could be heading to France to join the stable of Thomas Demeaulte, who looks after a number of horses for the same owners.
British racing yesterday got a taste of what may be to come when Horse Racing Ireland confirmed dramatically reduced prize money levels for next year's Classics. Prize money for the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby is to be reduced from €1.5m (£1.3m) to €1.25m, while the Irish Oaks and Guineas will be reduced by €75,000.
This year's Epsom Derby, sponsored for the first time by Investec, carried total prize money of £1.25m.
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