Manchester City assistant boss Juanma Lillo says he will be in continuous contact with absent manager Pep Guardiola this weekend.

Lillo is set to take charge of the champions’ next two fixtures – starting with Sunday’s trip to Sheffield United – as Guardiola recovers from back surgery in Spain.

Guardiola underwent the procedure earlier this week and is not due to return until after next month’s international break.

However, Lillo – who rejoined the City backroom staff this summer after a year away – insists all his direction will still come from his fellow Spaniard.

The 57-year-old, who took the club’s pre-match press conference, said: “The contact is continuous. Telephone, video call – everything.

“He is watching Sheffield United right now. What’s important is his health – that’s what matters – but that doesn’t keep him from being who he is.

“He’s fully focused on the team, fully focused on the match.

“We’re not going to do a video conference because he doesn’t want that. He wants us to have a face to face here but he is within the messages that are going to be relayed.”

Lillo says Guardiola is in good spirits after what the club described as an “emergency” but “routine” operation.

“What he is telling us is that the surgery has been successful, but that his recovery has to take the necessary time,” Lillo said. “He feels fine and I’m happy to see him. He’s recovering correctly.”

After winning the treble last season and starting the new campaign with back-to-back Premier League wins, the set-up Guardiola has left in Lillo’s hands seems well-tuned.

The experienced Lillo, whose coaching career has taken him to countries including Mexico, Colombia, Mexico, Japan and China, said: “If Pep is here he directs the sessions, he is focused and there are certain habits but plenty of the staff have been working here for a while and we’re trying.

“Nevertheless whenever Pep is here it’s so much better.”

City have bolstered their squad this week with the signing of highly-rated Belgium winger Jeremy Doku but Lillo is wary of expecting too much of the 21-year-old too soon.

He said: “Every time a new player arrives we think that they’re going to bring something, they’re going to help the team.

“But right now it’s not about him and placing responsibility upon him.”

Kinross will go toe-to-toe with Isaac Shelby once again as he defends his Sky Bet City of York Stakes at York on Saturday.

Ralph Beckett’s six-year-old began a four-race winning run in this contest 12 months ago, and arrives at the Knavesmire in rude health having got back to winning ways in the Lennox Stakes at Goodwood.

He had to knuckle down to repel the challenge laid down by Isaac Shelby on the Sussex Downs and things will be far from straightforward here as a strong cast of opponents have assembled to attempt to knock Kinross off his perch.

The Group Two event has a hefty £500,000 prize fund and Jamie McCalmont, racing manager for Kinross’ owner Marc Chan, believes York racecourse should be rewarded for providing such a valuable opportunity to participants.

He said: “It’s amazing that York can put up that much prize-money for a Group Two race. They deserve the race to get upgraded to a Group One when they can come up with that sort of money.

“It’s a competitive race for sure, but the win at Goodwood will have given him some confidence.

“He certainly doesn’t owe us anything right now, but as Frankie says, he’s like an ATM machine so let’s hope that will continue.

“It’s a very exciting day for Marc to have three horses (Kinross, Lezoo and Angel Bleu) of that quality running at three different meetings.”

Meanwhile Kinross’ vanquished Goodwood rival is reported to have bounced out of the Lennox Stakes in peak condition and although Isaac Shelby has already achieved a great deal in his short career to date, trainer Brian Meehan thinks the best is still to come.

He said: “He came out of Goodwood in tremendous shape and we’re very much looking forward to it.

“I guess Kinross will be the one to beat, but Sacred is in the race as well and Al Suhail, there are a number with chances and it’s quite rightly a well-supported race as it’s very valuable.

“He is in great shape, he came out of Goodwood the best he has come out any race so far and he’s really starting to mature now. Whatever ground turns up on the day isn’t going to inconvenience him and we’re very happy.”

Sacred failed to land a blow when sent off favourite for this race 12 months ago, but William Haggas’ five-year-old produced a fine effort in defeat when second in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot.

However, having elected to head here over last week’s Hungerford Stakes on account of ground conditions, connections could be left frustrated once again if forecast showers alter the state of things underfoot.

“I’m a little bit worried by the forecast of rain which wouldn’t suit her because the last time she ran at York she didn’t act on the loose surface. It would be frustrating as we had to miss Newbury,” explained Chris Richardson, managing director for owners Cheveley Park Stud.

“She’s in great form but we’re getting a little bit of a kick in the teeth every time we try to get her conditions.

“Her track record here isn’t ideal. She’s a very talented and maybe a year older she may handle things a bit better. She seems in good heart and the intention is to run, but if we had a deluge we may review it.”

Further down the field behind Sacred at Royal Ascot was Charlie Appleby’s Al Suhail who is a Group Two winner at this distance and will be suited by the return to further, while Charlie Hills’ Mutasaabeq drops back in trip having failed to sparkle in two runs since landing the Group Two bet 365 Mile earlier this term.

Olivia Maralda (fifth) and Covey (ninth) have both been on the sidelines since running in the Jersey Stakes at Ascot, with the later one of two in the race for John and Thady Gosden alongside Audience.

The son of Frankel was sent off favourite when flopping in that Group Three event at the Royal meeting, but Barry Mahon, European racing manager for owners Juddmonte, is hoping for a different outcome this time.

He said: “He’s had a nice break from Ascot, it just didn’t pan out for him that day. He went too quick, he went too free on the front end. It’s a big step into a Group Two but John and Thady are happy with him and we’re looking forward to seeing what he can do over a fast seven (furlongs).

“He got too warm beforehand and Frankie (Dettori) said he just hit the gate and was running too free, hopefully we’ll be able to be a little bit more patient with him on Saturday and he’ll show up a bit better.”

Lake Forest highlighted his potential star quality when storming to Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Gimcrack Stakes at York.

William Haggas’ charge was sent off 16-1 for the Group Two contest, but he arrived at the Knavesmire with some smart form in the book having finished second to Jasour in the July Stakes earlier in the season.

Archie Watson’s Action Point had led the field along for the majority of the six-furlong event, but it was those on the near side that came to the fore in the closing stages with the son of No Nay Never and Aidan O’Brien’s Windsor Castle second Johannes Brahms bursting clear to dispute the outcome.

It was Tom Marquand’s mount who pulled out extra and powered home to score by a length from the Ballydoyle challenger, with Ralph Beckett’s King’s Gamble a further length back in third. Kylian was the strong-travelling 9-4 favourite, and while ultimately disappointing he twice found trouble in running.

It was the Somerville Lodge handler’s second juvenile winner of the week following Relief Rally’s Lowther success on Thursday and Lake Forest was cut to 10-1 by both Paddy Power and Betfair for the Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket next month.

Tottenham are set to have James Maddison fit for Saturday’s trip to Bournemouth, but head coach Ange Postecoglou has fired a warning to the players on the fringes of his bloated squad.

Maddison trained for the first time this week on Friday after he sat out a number of sessions with a sore ankle sustained during last weekend’s impressive 2-0 win over Manchester United.

Spurs have handed minutes to 18 members of their squad during the opening two Premier League games of the season but face a busy final week of the summer transfer window, with outgoings a priority for the club.

Offers will be listened to for former captain Hugo Lloris, Djed Spence, Eric Dier, Japhet Tanganga, Sergio Reguilon and Tanguy Ndombele while Davinson Sanchez, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Bryan Gil could exit if the right bid comes in.

Youngsters Alfie Devine and Troy Parrott have departed on loan to Port Vale and Excelsior Rotterdam respectively during the past 24 hours, but Tottenham still have 31 players aged 21 or over and will need to submit a list of 25 to the Premier League on September 13.

“At the moment you can see by doing the maths, we have got too many players,” Postecoglou said.

“In terms of when we submit our final list, there will be guys here who won’t be on that list if nothing changes so I am pretty sure that will change.

“From now until the end of the window I am sure there will be some movement.”

Postecoglou was asked specifically if Lloris could remain at the club despite the Frenchman stating back in June his desire for a new challenge.

The Australian did not completely rule it out but referenced the fact Guglielmo Vicario is his number one and Fraser Forster will be his back-up goalkeeper.

He added: “You can’t just have any number of players you want. There is a list and it is unlikely we will have three goalkeepers on our final Premier League list.”

Spurs look set to be boosted by Maddison’s presence for the Saturday lunchtime kick-off at Bournemouth despite fears of a potential injury lay-off.

The summer signing left Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on crutches and in a protective boot last Saturday night after he took a blow to his ankle during a challenge with Manchester United’s Antony in the second-half.

But Postecoglou said: “Madders trained today unrestricted. We’ll see how he pulls up but at this stage it looks like he will be available. We’ll assess how he feels but, yeah, he trained.

“I think it was the incident when (Cristian) Romero got brought down. He had a shot and it was a block-tackle. His ankle was a bit sore after that but the medical team looked after him.

“There was no real push to have him available. It was down to him.

“People would have seen him in a moon boot but it was more precautionary. He has felt good and probably could have trained yesterday.

“He trained today unrestricted, so obviously nothing serious.”

Coltrane gained Royal Ascot revenge on Courage Mon Ami as he delivered a decisive blow in the Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup Stakes.

A standing dish in the top staying contests, Andrew Balding’s Sagaro Stakes winner had to play second fiddle to John and Thady Gosden’s new staying star in the Gold Cup at Ascot, but came home strongest this time around to go one better than last year.

Both Coltrane and Courage Mon Ami had no answer to front-running Quickthorn in the Goodwood Cup most recently and the defending Lonsdale Cup champion found himself in his customary position at the head of affairs as the runners rounded the first bend.

Although Frankie Dettori had Courage Mon Ami anchored in rear, the field as a whole were keen not to give Hughie Morrison’s charge too much rope on this occasion and Oisin Murphy in particular took up a stalking position travelling smoothly in mid-division.

Tom Marquand upped the tempo aboard Quickthorn swinging the turn for home but the pack were wise to the move and soon a whole host of contenders emerged to lay down their challenge.

Murphy hit the front abroad Coltrane (11-4) passing the two-furlong pole and although Yorkshire Cup winner Giavellotto and Courage Mon Ami refused dug deep in the closing stages, Coltrane finished full of running to register a one-and-a-half-length success over the staying-on Gold Cup winner, who edged out Marco Botti’s four-year-old for the runner-up spot.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has called for the Saudi Pro League transfer window to close in line with Europe’s – but refused to rule out selling players beyond September 1.

Some of football’s top names have made the move to Saudi Arabia this summer as PIF investment in four of the country’s top clubs has allowed for a vast increase in transfer fees.

Arsenal host Fulham in the Premier League on Saturday and, while the Gunners have not lost any of their squad to Saudi, their visitors will be without talismanic forward Aleksandar Mitrovic, who moved to Al-Hilal last week.

Head coach Marco Silva rejected overtures from the Gulf before the start of the new season while winger Willian was also unsettled by transfer speculation.

The Premier League window closes next Friday but Saudi clubs will be able to sign and register new players until September 20, something Arteta believes needs to be addressed.

Asked if the extra two and a half weeks to conclude business was fair, the Spaniard replied: “No, because it is a competitor now. No, I think we have to change that.”

Pushed on whether the Pro League deadline should fall in line with Europe, Arteta continued: “That is my opinion, yes.

“It is another competitor and it brings other opportunities for players, for managers and for people that work in the industry to decide.

“In the end, we are free to decide when clubs, players or whoever has to agree to something, you have to have the intention to go and find agreements, that is why there are contracts.

“If people agree to go it is because someone agrees to go there but that someone agreed to sell him, so it goes two or three different ways.”

No Arsenal players have headed to the Middle East this summer but there has been reported interest from Saudi clubs in both Gabriel Magalhaes and Thomas Partey.

While he wants to see a uniform transfer deadline, Arteta stopped short of saying Arsenal will refuse to sell players beyond the Premier League’s window closing on September 1.

“Well, the principle would be that (we would not consider offers),” he said.

“But I cannot make the decision for the club. It is a lot of people involved in that process and they would have for sure a say, the ownership, would do the same.

“It would be on the table like with any offer and you have to look at it. The only thing I’m saying is it’s not ideal because they are a competitor.”

Asked if losing a player after the window closed would be destabilising, he added: “Yes, very much. Yes.”

Arsenal welcome their London rivals having won their first two league games and could welcome Gabriel Jesus back from knee surgery to play a part on Saturday.

The Brazil forward went under the knife for a minor procedure before the start of the campaign but Arteta is hopeful he could feature against Fulham.

“It was a big blow for him after the pre-season he had to have another surgery. He’s looking really sharp. He trained the full week good. He’s ready to go, that is great,” he added.

Michael Beale may have revamped his Rangers squad but he still sees Tom Lawrence and Kemar Roofe having key parts to play this season.

The Gers boss, who has recruited nine new players this summer, welcomed back the duo for the cinch Premiership game against Ross County in Dingwall on Saturday.

Lawrence signed from Derby last summer but the 29-year-old attacker has only recently recovered from a knee injury which has kept him out since the 4-0 win over the Staggies at Ibrox last August.

Striker Roofe, 30, has been impacted by injuries since he signed from Anderlecht in 2020 but is fit again, he has made two substitute appearances this season against Kilmarnock and Morton.

Asked how close he was to a preferred starting side, the Gers boss was unequivocal.

“Tom and Kemar are really in my thoughts for that,” said Beale, who revealed Glen Kamara is the closest of two players who could leave this week with Leeds linked with the midfielder.

“Not having them since I have been here has been a big frustration for me. Those two are in my thoughts as starters, not as back-up players.

“Every team needs three number nines and at the moment we have Cyril Desserts, Danilo and Kemar.

“We have other people who can play there. Abdallah Siam’s strongest position is probably a number nine but he can play both sides. Sam Lammers has played there as well.

“Kemar has shown it in training, but we have to make a call. He will not be able to be involved in three games a week right now so the call is the domestic games at the weekend that he is involved in and we will deal with Europe depending on what competition we are in and we will pick a squad then.

“Tom has obviously been out for 11 months, he has had a couple of behind-closed-doors training games.

“He played in the B team this week and he is ready to be involved. He is not ready to play 90 minutes right now but by the time we come back from the international break, Tom is ready to go as well. What a boost that is going to be to everybody.”

Romania international Ianis Hagi could also be on his way out of the club in the search for more game time.

Beale said: “Glen is the one who is closest. We had an honest conversation when I came back into the club about his future. There has been no fall-out.

“We were expecting Glen to move this summer. It was his wish as well. I wasn’t in the mood to persuade anyone to play for Rangers.

“It has to be the right club and valuation. He has been an excellent signing, but I want different here.

“There has been a lot of hot air around Ianis in the last week or so. It was a logical conversation. He has missed a year of football and we are very loaded in the positions he plays and he wants to know if is a main starter.

“We will see. It’s got to be right for Ianis and I am not dismissing Ianis being an important player either.”

There was to be no fairytale ending for Paul Hanagan at York on Friday as the dual champion jockey bowed out aboard Wootton’Sun in the opening race on the penultimate afternoon of the Ebor Festival.

The 42-year-old announced on Wednesday he had decided to bring his distinguished riding career to an end and it was fitting his long-time ally Richard Fahey provided him with his farewell mount.

The crowds packed around the parade ring to give Hanagan a warm reception as he left the weighing room for the final time and he was clearly emotional as he received a guard of honour from his fellow riders.

Hopes were high the Warrington-born champion of 2010 and 2011 could go out on a high aboard Wootton’Sun, whose sire Wootton Bassett provided Hanagan with his first Group One winner in the 2010 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere, but it was not to be.

The four-year-old brought strong form claims to the table in the Sky Bet Handicap, having won the Old Newton Cup at Haydock last month before being beaten a short head by Scampi in a similarly valuable handicap at Ascot a fortnight ago.

But while he travelled well for the first half of the mile-and-a-half contest, he was unable to pick up when asked for maximum effort and he was ultimately well beaten, finishing 12th of 14 runners.

Hanagan said: “Oh wow, it’s very surreal. I’m still in shock with the ovation I got off the crowd round the paddock. It was a ‘wow’ moment and a very, very proud moment for me.

“It wasn’t to be with the last ride, but we all know horse racing isn’t straightforward the whole time and it was just nice to go out like that, and for Richard as well – I owe him a lot.

“I’m going to celebrate with the family. I’m just a bit lost for words and very emotional.

“I’ve been crying my eyes out, I’m not going to lie. I walked the track earlier with my two boys and that was very emotional. They realised the whole magnitude of it all.

“I keep putting it into younger kids that you might be going through a bad time and it might be tough, but if you work really hard it can pay off. That’s certainly what happened to me.

“I think work ethic and a good attitude can get you a long way.”

Among the well wishers in the parade ring was Angus Gold, long-standing racing manager for the Shadwell operation.

Hanagan enjoyed a five-year association as retained rider for the late Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum, a spell which saw him claim Classic glory aboard Taghrooda in the 2014 Oaks at Epsom before the duo went on to land the King George and finish third to Treve in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

“I couldn’t speak highly enough of the man,” said Gold. “A brilliant jockey and for me the best guy to work with – loyal, hard working, a great work rider and team member and a joy to work with, plus the biggest gentleman to ever step foot in the weighing room.

“I think he rode nearly 1,000 winners for Richard – extraordinary statistics.

“We were lucky enough to get him and he did a fabulous job for us, with probably Taghrooda and Muhaarar being the highlights, as well as Mukhadram in the Eclipse.

“For me, above everything else, he’s just the most decent man, a superstar and we wish him all the best.”

Ryan Moore was victorious aboard Marhaba The Champ in Hanagan’s farewell race, and told ITV Racing: “Paul started a couple of years before me and he’s had a wonderful career.

“He’s been champion jockey twice and he’s won Classics and had a great career. It will be sad to see him go, but it looks like he’s ready and I wish him well for the future.”

Erik ten Hag sidestepped questions about Mason Greenwood as the Manchester United manager spoke for the first time since it was agreed that the forward will leave Old Trafford.

The 21-year-old has been suspended by the club since January 30, 2022 over allegations relating to a young woman after images and videos were posted online.

Greenwood was facing charges including attempted rape and assault until the Crown Prosecution Service announced six and a half months ago that the case had been discontinued.

Reports that United were planning to retain him following an internal investigation were met by public outcry, with the club announcing on Monday that it had been mutually agreed for him to leave.

Ten Hag spoke for the first time since that decision at Friday’s press conference previewing the Premier League clash with Nottingham Forest, but did not want to discuss the process or outcome.

“Look, we are not where we want to be with our team,” the United boss said when asked about Greenwood.

“I have a lot of work, I have a lot of focus on my team, so I focus on the players who are available.”

Greenwood said in a statement that he “did not do the things I was accused of” but acknowledged he had “made mistakes” and United are working with his family to help find the right move for the forward.

The PA news agency understands United have received multiple expressions of interest in the 21-year-old, with clubs in Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Italy and even Albania reported to be interested.

Asked if he expected or wanted Greenwood to return, Ten Hag said: “As I said, I only have statements about our performance, our squad, where we have to improve because it’s clear we have to improve.

“I have to put every effort in to get the team (to) perform.”

Ten Hag again pointed to his focus on United’s current squad when asked whether he had spoken to Greenwood and if he understood why fans wanted to hear his thoughts on the matter.

United have started the season sluggishly, with the unconvincing 1-0 win against Wolves in their Premier League opener followed by a disappointing 2-0 defeat at Tottenham last weekend.

The Red Devils’ performances have been alarming and there have been setbacks ahead of the Forest game, with Mason Mount and Luke Shaw both ruled out through injury.

“We can’t do (exact details), that personal in these days,” Ten Hag said.

“For some period they will be absent, where Luke will be longer (than) Mason.”

Shaw’s injury looks particularly troublesome given back-up Tyrell Malacia remains out for “a few weeks” and fellow left-back Brandon Williams joined Ipswich on loan on Thursday.

Diogo Dalot can fill in there and another option is 20-year-old Alvaro Fernandez, who spent last season at Preston and has yet to make his competitive debut for United.

“Definitely we have the solutions in our squad to cope with that,” Ten Hag said.

“We thought before the season about this scenario, what could happen.

“You hope to avoid this scenario, that’s also clear, but if it happens, you have to be ready for it and we are ready to deal with it.”

Kobbie Mainoo, Amad Diallo and Tom Heaton also remain injured for United, whose fans will have to wait to get their first glimpse of summer signing Rasmus Hojlund.

The 20-year-old striker joined in a £64million deal rising to £72m from Atalanta but has been dealing with a back issue.

“Not for tomorrow, (but) near,” Ten Hag added. “Today the first time he came into team training.

“So, next week we expect him to do a full week with all the team training, so he’s very near to make the squad.”

Frankie Dettori links up with Willie Mullins as the Closutton handler unleashes a two-pronged assault on the Sky Bet Ebor at York on Saturday.

Mullins won the prestigious handicap in 2009 and although always having the race circled on his calendar, has been out of luck on subsequent visits to the Knavesmire.

This year it is Royal Ascot runner-up Absurde and one-time Group Three scorer Jackfinbar that carry the hopes of the multiple champion National Hunt trainer, and he has called up a crack team of jockeys with Dettori set to reunite with Absurde for his York swansong, while William Buick will be aboard the latter.

“Both horses are in good shape and I’m very happy them,” said Mullins.

“We have one inside and one outside after the draw. Both jockeys are in good form and we’re looking forward to the race.

“It’s a race a race we look at every year if we have something good enough and qualified to go for it, so we’re hoping for a good run.”

The Ebor serves as a ‘win in you’re in’ for the Melbourne Cup and even though Mullins already has Flemington favourite Vauban safely tucked away at Closutton, he is not ruling out being mob-handed in ‘the race that stops the nation’ on November 7.

“It would be very interesting if we had that problem,” added Mullins, when asked if Vauban could have company for the trip to Australia.

“I imagine they could and I’m sure both owners would be keen to crack at a race like that, they certainly would.”

Sweet William has seen his reputation grow throughout the summer and will now seek a fantastic four-timer in his stiffest test yet.

The progressive four-year-old made it three straight victories at the Qatar Goodwood Festival, finds himself of warm order as he bids to give John and Thady Gosden back-to-back wins in the £500,000 event.

“He’s obviously progressed well through the year, winning from a mile and a half to two miles and half a furlong.” said Thady Gosden.

“He’s running over the same trip he won well over at Goodwood last time out and he’s been in good form since then.”

Sweet William, who is owned by the renowned owner-breeder Philipa Cooper under the Normandie Stud banner, was at one stage sweating on his place in the final line-up, while the owner herself was hesitant about running in the race.

However, his big-race claims are obvious despite a competitive field and Gosden is keen to take part in one of the season’s most valuable handicap contest.

“The Ebor is a premier staying handicap in the UK and of course one of the features of the Ebor Festival,” he added.

“He is versatile with regards to ground.”

Second to Sweet William at Goodwood was Michael Bell’s Adjuvant, who was the last to sneak into the race after declarations on Thursday morning.

The four-year-old finished third in the Melrose on this card last year and his handler is hopeful of another solid showing on the Knavesmire.

Bell said: “He ran a very nice race at Goodwood and appears to be in very good form this year. I think he has definitely improved from three to four. He ran a nice race in the Melrose at York last year but the form book suggests he’s taken a nice step forward.

“We were surprised to get in and it is very race for a horse rated 95 to get in. Obviously we are delighted to get in and we’ve got a bit of a pull at the weights with Sweet William, but arguably he won with a bit more up his sleeve so we may be up against it. But he heads there in really good order.”

At the opposite end of the scale, Saeed bin Suroor’s Live Your Dream carries top-weight and the classy Godolphin-owned operator, who was a winner at Newmarket last time, is yet to finish outside the top three since returning from a long absence earlier this summer.

“After he won at Newmarket he had an easy time and now he is doing well and has been working well,” said Bin Suroor.

“He’s in good form, but it’s a tough race with some good horses in it and he has to carry a heavy weight.

“I’m happy with him and a mile and six is the best trip for him and I think the track will suit him.”

Andrew Balding’s Scampi booked his ticket when winning the track’s Jorvik handicap earlier this season and could be a popular selection having added to his season’s tally at the Shergar Cup recently.

His owners RaceShare have big ambitions of taking their charge to Australia later in the year, but first the Yorkshire-based operation are hoping their star performer can provide them with a fitting home success.

“Scampi has been brilliantly placed by trainer Andrew Balding and our owners love that he is such a character and so well liked by Andrew’s staff at Kingsclere,” said managing director Lucy Delaney.

“We have plenty of local Yorkshire owners attending too so it’s nice to have an in-form Yorkshire-based jockey in Jason Hart on board. It is all very exciting.”

Sir Michael Stoute’s Real Dream was third behind Scampi here in May and has since advertised his big-race credentials with a taking victory over the Ebor trip at Ascot.

“It’s been the target for a long time, but we didn’t know if he was going to be high enough to get in at one stage. Obviously after his win at Ascot that just put him there right,” said Philip Robinson, assistant racing manager for owner Saeed Suhail.

“The trip’s ideal and everything is good. He worked brilliantly the other morning and really strode out well, so we’re very hopeful.”

Milton Harris will be studying tapes of Dettori’s ride aboard Trawlerman 12 months ago Scriptwriter bids to go one better than his track-and-trip second to Hamish in the John Smith’s Silver Cup from a wide draw in stall 20.

He said: “The horse is in great form and everything has gone well with his preparation. Ground conditions are fine and we have no concerns there, but the draw is really unhelpful.

“We’ll have to go forward I suppose, I’m going to have to talk to the jockey and formulate some sort of plan, but I couldn’t be happier with the horse.

“He had a terrible draw at Ascot when he ran a really nice race and now we’ve got another bad draw in a really competitive race, so the draw gods aren’t smiling upon us I’m afraid.

“We’ll have to find a way and no doubt we will have a watch of what Frankie did last year. It’s not impossible and Clifford (Lee) is a good jockey who has ridden around York plenty of times.

“He has been bought by some people in Australia and is going to race over there and this has been his target before he goes.

“He ran a tremendous race over course and distance last time at York and I have no concerns whatsoever about his well-being, I couldn’t be happier with the horse and I won’t be able to offer the well-being of the horse as any excuse.”

Epictetus bids for back-to-back big-race wins at Goodwood in the William Hill Celebration Mile.

Having chased home Auguste Rodin in Group One company at Doncaster at the end of his juvenile campaign, connections justifiably had Classic aspirations at the start of this season.

But while a comeback win in the Blue Riband Trial at Epsom kept that particular dream alive, he could finish only fifth in both the Dante at York and the French Derby and was disappointing in the Hampton Court Stakes at Royal Ascot.

John and Thady Gosden elected to revert to a mile in Goodwood’s Group Three Bonhams Thoroughbred Stakes three weeks ago and having inflicted a surprise defeat on the exciting Nostrum, a return to the track for this weekend’s Group Two feature is an obvious next port of call.

“He was obviously a course and distance winner last time out in a good field. He’s stepping up in grade again on Saturday, but the drop down to a mile has suited him well and he’s been in good order since his last run,” said Thady Gosden.

“I don’t think he necessarily needs soft ground – he’s relatively versatile as regards to ground.”

Roger Varian’s Charyn and William Haggas’ Aldaary finished fourth and fifth respectively when faced with the mammoth task of taking on Paddington in the Sussex Stakes and now drop to a slightly easier level, while Ed Walker’s consistent mare Random Harvest steps up and takes on the boys having registered a Group Three victory in the Valiant Stakes at Ascot.

Walker said: “I think this is a good opportunity for a Group Two for her and we’re hoping the rain stays away.

“She’s in cracking form and I’m hoping for another big run.”

Simon and Ed Crisford have won this twice in the last three years thanks to Century Dream in 2020 and Jadoomi 12 months ago and fresh from breaking their Group One duck at Deauville last Sunday, will be hoping to enhance their fine race record with Knight.

He looked to possess some real class when winning the Horris Hill last season and enjoyed a first taste of the mile distance when not disgraced over track and trip behind Epictetus earlier this month.

Knight was fourth on that occasion, with Charlie Hills’ Galeron a place ahead in third, while Andrew Balding’s Holguin and Ralph Beckett’s Angel Bleu complete the line-up for this competitive heat.