The prolific Hamish landed the rescheduled Betfred St Simon Stakes to round off an unbeaten campaign, and star in a treble for trainer William Haggas on the penultimate day of the Newmarket season.
The seven-year-old had won nine of his 17 previous starts for the Somerville Lodge handler in the colours of his father, Brian, with his clear preference for testing conditions meaning he has been raced sparingly over the course of his career.
An ambitious tilt at the King George at Ascot was considered in the summer before the ground went against him and he lined up on the Rowley Mile bidding to make it four from four for 2023 following previous wins this season at Chester, York and Goodwood.
Hamish was the 5-4 favourite to secure a seventh victory at Group Three level in the hands of Richard Kingscote – and those who took the cramped odds will have had few concerns as the market leader travelled powerfully and found plenty for pressure to beat Al Qareem by length and three-quarters.
Maureen Haggas, assistant to her husband, said: “He has had a good year, he’s been great. It is never easy when you have a horse that needs that slow ground. He has had his problems so we have to look after him and I think he has lasted this long because we look after him.
“He can be quite difficult. He got really naughty as a three-year-old and he wouldn’t go anywhere so I started riding him and I’ve ridden him ever since.
“I ride him every day and I know him back to front, but he hates Newbury so I wasn’t too displeased with the race not being down there and being here instead. He is just very argumentative, and you could spend all day arguing with him! I love him to bits, but he barely tolerates me! He is just a real star.
“I hope we see him back next year. As long as he stays in one piece he has got nothing else to do except be a racehorse, then he is going to have to be my hack, so I think he would rather be a racehorse for a while.”
Charlie Appleby’s Romantic Style (3-1) impressed in the Irish EBF “Bosra Sham” Fillies’ Stakes.
A winner on her second start at Yarmouth in September, the daughter of Night Of Thunder took a step up to Listed class in her stride as she extended a length and three-quarters clear of Adaay In Devon in the hands of Danny Tudhope.
“She did it nicely. She travelled into it very well and I thought she did it quite easily,” said Appleby’s assistant Alex Merriam.
“She has got lots of speed. She got a little bit tired at the end, but she was entitled to, as that ground was hard work. It was nice to see her step up on her last run.
“I think after her last run she was entitled to have a go at a bit of black type and she has got that now. We will put her away and see what we have got next year.”
Although Paddy Power introduced Romantic Style at 25-1 for next year’s 1000 Guineas, Merriam feels a sprinting campaign in 2024 is much more likely at this stage.
Merriam added: “I think six furlongs is her trip for the time being. She is a bonny little thing that is straightforward, and she just goes through the motions at home.
“That was only her third run so she is entitled to improve. She has won that now and she is one to look forward to next year.”
Ralph Beckett and Rob Hornby teamed up to win division one of the Betfred ‘Double Delight’ British EBF Novice Stakes with the exciting Zoum Zoum.
The gelded son of Zoustar was the 11-8 favourite to supplement a debut victory at Kempton last month and did so by two and a half lengths.
The runner-up Kikkuli, a half-brother to the great Frankel by Kingman, shaped with significant promise on his eagerly-awaited debut in second.
The Haggas team landed division two with Cieren Fallon-ridden newcomer The Reverend (9-2), while Fallon was also on board his stablemate Laafi, who struck at 20-1 in the Betfred ‘Hat Trick Heaven’ Handicap.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has revealed he has spoken to Sir Jim Ratcliffe about joining his bid to purchase a stake in Manchester United.
Ratcliffe, is set to buy a 25 per cent shareholding in the Old Trafford club, with the deal expected to see the 71-year-old billionaire have a significant say in sporting matters.
Ineos founder Ratcliffe, along with Wolff, 51, and Ola Kallenius own a third of the Mercedes Formula One team. Mercedes team principal Wolff has overseen six of Lewis Hamilton’s seven world championships.
Speaking to the PA news agency ahead of this weekend’s Brazilian Grand Prix in Sao Paulo, Wolff, a close ally and business partner of Ratcliffe’s, said: “Jim has shared the trajectory with me.
“I very much respect his values and we trust each other. If we felt it would make sense to be part of the investment group then I would certainly look at it.”
Austrian Wolff bought a share in Williams in 2009 before leaving the British team to become an executive director of Mercedes four years later. He spearheaded the team’s record of eight consecutive constructors’ world championships between 2014 and 2021.
He added: “I have never aimed for trophy investments but I like the competitiveness of the Premier League.
“Jim and Manchester United is a love story because he is born there. Our personal relationship is strong and with Ola Kallenius, they call us the Three Amigos because we live in the no bulls*** world.
“If felt I could contribute then I would consider joining him at Manchester United.”
George North says he is not contemplating following the likes of fellow Wales stars Leigh Halfpenny and Dan Biggar into international retirement.
Halfpenny, Alun Wyn Jones and Justin Tipuric are the centre of attention when Wales face Principality Stadium opponents the Barbarians on Saturday.
Jones, who made a world record 158 Test match appearances for Wales, captains a Barbarians team that features 93 times-capped flanker Tipuric among his colleagues.
And full-back Halfpenny, with 101 caps under his belt, is set for a final Wales outing before moving to the southern hemisphere, where he is expected to join Super Rugby giants the Crusaders.
Fly-half Biggar, meanwhile, left the international stage following Wales’ World Cup campaign in France and continues to play for Top 14 club Toulon.
At 31, centre North can reflect on a Wales career that has yielded 118 caps and 47 tries, but his appetite for more remains firmly intact.
“I felt like I was really happy with my performance in the World Cup,” said North, who will partner Johnny Williams in Wales’ midfield this weekend.
“(I am) still competing, so for me, I am very much still wanting to play and compete for that jersey. It is still a huge part of me and a big driver for me.
“If the boss (Wales head coach Warren Gatland) keeps picking me, I will keep doing the best I can.
“It is obviously a sad day to be losing them. They are big characters and big players for us and have delivered on numerous occasions in big games that people still talk about now.
“But that is the evolution of rugby and you have got to keep up with the curve.
“I think we saw in the World Cup a number of younger players putting their hands up and taking a step forward. It is time for these boys to get that exposure and get into Test match rugby.”
North, meanwhile, has paid glowing tributes to Jones, Tipuric and Halfpenny as he prepares to share a big-match stage with them for a final time.
“Al is a guy I’ve known for many years and played alongside,” he added.
“He is an absolute Trojan horse, what he has given to Welsh rugby over the, what is it, 25-30 years he has been playing! For Al to have his last game at home, playing against Wales, is special for him.
“I think Justin is probably one of the best players I’ve played with, his understanding of the game, how best to apply himself and one of the fittest players.
“He could play anywhere. Some people say he could play from full-back to back-row and I am sure he could do a better job than most of us.
“Leigh is another awesome servant of Welsh rugby, a close friend of mine and a brother in arms.
“He literally leaves no stone unturned and he goes out of his way to help anyone and everyone. For Leigh to finish at home is special for him and his family and he has got an exciting next step as well.”
Philippe Clement railed against the notion that his side could be extra motivated by the prospect of winning a trophy ahead of their Viaplay Cup semi-final against Hearts.
The Light Blues have not won the competition since March 2011 and if they get past the Jambos at Hampden Park on Sunday they will face either Aberdeen or Hibernian in the December final, where the first piece of silverware of the season will be up for grabs.
Clement, unbeaten in three games since taking over as boss from Michael Beale last month, had no time for the idea that his players will have additional hunger when they come up against a side that, coincidentally, they beat 2-1 in the cinch Premiership at Ibrox last weekend.
“I hate this ‘extra motivation’,” said the Belgian. “I want that they are motivated for everything. So, if I think, ‘oh, now they are motivated for the semi-final because we can win a cup’, it’s totally the wrong message.
“They need to be motivated every day, every game to show the best of themselves.
“A football career is so short for them, it goes so fast that they need to be motivated to take the best out if every day, they have the best life in the world and that’s what I want to see from my players. And then the other things follow.”
Clement revealed that defender Ben Davies remains a doubt with a “small problem” after missing the 5-0 win at Dundee in midweek and “there is a chance but no guarantee” that attacker Tom Lawrence will return, while John Souttar, Nico Raskin, Rabbi Matondo and Kemar Roofe remain out.
He also repeated his message to the Rangers fans to leave the “dangerous” pyrotechnics at home in future.
The match at Dundee on Wednesday night was delayed by 45 minutes after the Rangers team bus was held up in traffic and then suspended for 18 minutes after Gers supporters let off a large number of flares that triggered fire alarms under the stand.
The Scottish Professional Football League will liaise with police over the “very concerning” pyrotechnic display and the former Genk, Club Brugge and Monaco boss reiterated his thoughts on the matter.
He said: “I was clear what I said after the game but I will repeat it a last time.
“I loved when we came outside for the warm-up in Dundee, you see a lot of Rangers supporters, a lot of atmosphere, songs, chants, support for the team.
“It gives the team energy. The pyro thing we don’t need. It doesn’t give something extra. It is dangerous. So if they give all the other things I will be a very satisfied manager.
“It is good that there is rules because it is such a dangerous thing. I have seen it a lot in the past but it is good that there are strict rules because we need to avoid danger for people.”
Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino is unsure if reuniting with former club Tottenham will feel like bumping into an ex-girlfriend because he cannot remember having one.
Pochettino enjoyed five full seasons in charge of Spurs between 2014 and 2019 but is poised to return for the first time as manager of one of their fiercest rivals.
The Argentinian, who believes Tottenham are genuine Premier League title contenders this term, is uncertain how he will be greeted by home supporters on Monday evening.
Yet he insisted a negative response would not tarnish his memories as he laughed off an analogy referencing his love life.
“My goodness,” he replied with a hearty chuckle when the situation was compared to meeting a former girlfriend.
“It’s difficult because I think I am nearly 32 years with my wife and I don’t know even if I had a girlfriend before my wife.
“That’s why it’s difficult to answer that question because I don’t know how you can feel.”
Pochettino led Tottenham to a second-placed Premier League finish in 2017 but was unable to end their long wait for silverware and was sacked five months after reaching the 2019 Champions League final.
Speaking about the reception he expects, the 51-year-old continued: “I’m not going to say nothing at the moment because until Monday we cannot guess what is going to happen then.
“The most important thing is people know that we cannot forget all that we lived together, amazing memories there.
“I am going to respect the people, how(ever) they are going to express, but it’s not going to change my emotion, my view, my feelings about a club that I think we spend an unbelievable journey (with).
“(It is) really special because I am back after four years in a place that we have amazing memories, we created amazing memories together. I think it’s special, I’m not going to lie.”
While Chelsea are languishing in mid-table 10 games into the campaign, unbeaten Tottenham top the table under Ange Postecoglou.
Pochettino feels the north London side are capable of remaining in that position and ending the season as champions.
“Yes, I think so,” he said.
“Ange and the coaching staff, they are doing a fantastic job and then of course very good players, very good team. You can feel they can be a contender.
“Of course it’s early in the season but they are showing the quality to be contenders.”
Newcastle sporting director Dan Ashworth admits the investigation into Sandro Tonali has been “a whirlwind” and a “massive shock” following the midfielder’s ban from football.
Just before the Magpies’ trip to Wolves last Saturday, the Italian was handed a 10-month ban by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) – which was subsequently ratified by FIFA after he agreed a plea bargain as part of an investigation into illegal betting activity.
Tonali found himself at the centre of the investigation during last month’s international break and Ashworth revealed how quickly it unfolded.
“It was a massive shock, a massive surprise. Dealing with it was new to all of us. It came from nowhere,” he said.
“We first became aware of it when was there a potential allegation on social media. I spoke with his representatives and it just happened really quickly.
“Our first thought was to protect our player, he is part of our family, and to give him the help and support he needed. We wanted to understand exactly what had happened and work transparently with the authorities.
“Sandro wanted to do that from the off as well. It was a bit of a whirlwind really. We got to where we were on Friday (before the Wolves game) where the ban had been signed off and agreed with the Italian federation, FIFA and our own Football Association.”
The ban means that Tonali, who arrived on Tyneside from AC Milan for £55million in the summer, will not be eligible to return to competitive action until August 27, 2024 and Ashworth knows he will be a big miss to the squad.
“Like any player we will miss him of course, he is a top player and a big signing. To contextualise it, it could have been an ACL,” Ashworth said.
“These things happen in football, but obviously when it happens in this context it’s not something you expect. For me, from the minute it happened, you look at yourself.
“What could we have done better? What could I have done better? What are the lessons learned from this? Could we have known? Should we have known? You look at your processes.
“I’ve been doing this for 16 years and nothing like this has happened before. We pride ourselves on due diligence and getting the right characters.
“You have all seen the culture and cohesion in the group is extremely strong, and that’s not by chance.
“We spend an immense amount of time looking at the character as well as the athlete. We have and will continue to review what we have done in the past and will do going forward.”
In addition to his ban, Tonali was fined 20,000 euros and will undergo eight months of therapy as well as carrying out a series of public appearances and manager Eddie Howe confirmed that the 23-year-old is in training.
In his Friday press conference, Howe said: “(Tonali) is training with us and he’s started that lonely – I say lonely, he’s around his team-mates – but we’re playing so many games at the moment that a lot of his sessions will be individual or small numbers.
“He’s started that journey into the 10 months so it’s going to be a real mental test for him to try and come through that period and become a better player, which is definitely our objective as coaches to try and help him.
“It’s going to be difficult for him for sure.”
Ashworth echoed Howe’s sentiments, adding: “Our first port of call is to look after and support him. It’s probably more difficult for him than anyone else.
“We have a programme to support him and thankfully he’s able to train with the team, which is great for his mental well-being.
“We’re putting together a programme of what he can and can’t do over the coming months to get him back flying in August.”
Derek Fox is relishing the prospect of reuniting with Ahoy Senor in the bet365 Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby.
Lucinda Russell’s star chaser was bitterly disappointing and finished last when sent off the 11-10 favourite for the Grade Two event last season but would go on to prove any doubters wrong in the second half of the campaign.
Having won the Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham in January, he was putting up a bold show when a faller six out in the Cheltenham Gold Cup and showed no ill effects when quickly backing that performance up to finish a fine second to Shishkin in the Bowl at Aintree.
Lying in wait once again for Ahoy Senor is a familiar face in defending champion Bravemansgame and Fox is thrilled to be able to take the ride having successfully appealed a 10-day ban picked up at the track last month, which would have left him sat on the sidelines on Saturday afternoon.
He said: “I’m delighted I’m able to ride him, it’s all systems go and we’re looking forward to getting him out again.
“I’ve rode him out and we’re all happy with him – he’s in good form and all seems well.
“He might have needed it (the run) a bit last year. I actually don’t think he ran that badly, he was just a bit free and got a bit tired.”
The Charlie Hall is set to be run in testing conditions with Wetherby abandoning racing at the track on Friday.
However, Fox is happy his mount will be OK on the ground despite it not being connections’ preferred going for his West Yorkshire return.
He added: “He’s handled heavy ground before. Probably for the first day out for the season, ideally you wouldn’t have it so heavy, but it’s the same for them all and he handles any ground.
“We’re going there hopeful that he’s in good order at home and hoping he’ll do well.”
Those sentiments were echoed by Russell’s partner and assistant Peter Scudamore, who said: “We’ve obviously discussed it and Derek doesn’t see it as an issue.
“It was very tacky and dead ground the day he won at Cheltenham. He’s a free-going sort, but I don’t see it being too big an issue.”
Scudamore is no stranger to top-class staying chasers and the former champion jockey is looking forward to seeing Ahoy Senor kick off his new campaign.
“You are always nervous when you run a horse like that,” said Scudamore.
“We really fancied him last year (in the race) and it all went wrong, but he picked himself up from that and was able to run some really nice races.
“To be fair to the horse, he had a bad start to last season but then he ran some fabulous races, the two Cheltenham runs and Aintree, so we just need to have him back to that level.
“I’m a little bit more relaxed than I was and I just hope he jumps sensibly and then we can look at the Coral Gold Cup for him.
“This isn’t the be-all and end-all of the season, but we’re looking forward to it.”
Following victory in this race 12 months ago, Bravemansgame would go on to add the King George VI Chase at Christmas before brave efforts in defeat at both the Cheltenham and Punchestown Festivals in the spring.
Trainer Paul Nicholls was originally keen to point his Gold Cup runner-up towards Haydock’s Betfair Chase, but concerned about bottomless ground on Merseyside later this month, has elected for Bravemansgame to defend his Charlie Hall crown before returning to Kempton on Boxing Day.
Nicholls told Betfair: “He enjoyed an amazing time last season and I couldn’t be happier with him as he bids to win the Charlie Hall for the second year running.
“I was leaning towards taking him to Haydock in three weeks’ time for his seasonal debut in the Betfair Chase but changed my mind after all the rain we’ve had. The way things are at the moment conditions could be bottomless at Haydock by the end of the month which would be far from ideal for Bravemansgame over almost three and a quarter miles first time out.
“It makes sense to go for the Charlie Hall with only three opponents declared against him. He won this race easily a year ago and the race comes at the right time for him ahead of the King George VI Chase at Kempton.”
Dan Skelton’s Midnight River successfully stepped up in trip when winning a big handicap at Aintree on Grand National Day and will ply his trade once again over a staying distance, while Mouse Morris will saddle the sole Irish challenger Gentlemansgame.
Morris has enjoyed success at Wetherby in the past, with the Tony McCoy-ridden Boss Doyle finishing second to Strath Royal in the 1998 Charlie Hall before going on to win back-to-back runnings of the West Yorkshire Hurdle in 2000 and 2001. He also filled the runner-up spot in the same race when bidding for the hat-trick in 2002.
Morris will now bid to enhance that record with the strapping seven-year-old who makes just his third appearance over fences.
“He’s travelled over and he’s in good shape so hopefully it’s on now, that’s the main thing,” said the Irishman.
“He ran well in Gowran and we just need to get a bit of experience into him. He’s being thrown in at the deep end on Saturday, but as long as he gives a good account of himself I’ll be happy.
“I don’t think the ground or the trip will be a problem, but you can’t beat experience in life.”
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has warned that no club is immune from the sort of crisis that has enveloped rivals Manchester United in recent weeks.
City cruised to a 3-0 derby win at Old Trafford last Sunday, and the pressure on Erik ten Hag was then ramped up further after a 3-0 home loss to Newcastle in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday made it eight defeats from their opening 15 games in all competitions.
Guardiola’s side appeared in complete control of the derby as Erling Haaland scored a first-half penalty and then doubled City’s lead just four minutes into the second half, later teeing up Phil Foden to complete the scoring.
But the 52-year-old insisted the win had not been as straightforward as many thought.
“It was not easy,” Guardiola said. “It helped us to score the second goal early (in the second half) and then we had control but it’s never easy. I have a lot of respect for Manchester United.
“The period they have now, we can have it. Nobody is away from these kind of situations. We won the game but that’s all.”
Having been knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Newcastle in September, City had a rare midweek off this week, which allowed a large delegation to travel to Paris for Monday’s Ballon d’Or ceremony, where they had seven players shortlisted after last season’s treble-winning heroics.
Haaland was beaten to the main prize by Lionel Messi but took the Gerd Muller trophy as the main striker, while City were named club of the year.
Asked if Haaland had been frustrated to miss out on the Ballon d’Or itself, Guardiola said: “I saw him so happy to be a contender, close to Messi, (Kylian) Mbappe and the rest. It was a good night for Manchester City.
“Big congratulations for Messi. Manchester City was there, it is so important because we have not been there many times. We were important there. (Haaland) has all his career ahead of him so he has to see it as a challenge and think he can be back there next year if he helps the team.”
Since returning to Manchester focus has shifted to Saturday’s match against Bournemouth, an opportunity for City to go top, at least temporarily, with Arsenal at Newcastle later in the day and current leaders Tottenham not in action until they face Chelsea on Monday night.
City start the weekend two points off the summit but Guardiola is not worrying about the table at this early stage of the campaign.
“Every season is tougher from when I arrived,” he said. “Better managers, better teams, but this is the challenge,” he said. “What is important is we are still there after 10 games. There are still 28 to play and there is a lot to happen, but the way we are playing we are getting better.”
The Cherries ended their long wait for a first Premier League win of the season with victory over Burnley last weekend and Guardiola said he enjoyed the style of Andoni Iraola’s side and the way they approached Wednesday’s Carabao Cup tie at home to Liverpool, a 2-1 defeat.
“Of course always after the win they are confident,” Guardiola said. “They competed really well against Liverpool. Andoni is an incredibly well-respected manager in Spain playing in an offensive style. They don’t sit back.
“In Spain he is one of the youngest managers and joining the Premier League is an incredible success. Hopefully he will continue with a good performance.”
Bayern Munich coach Thomas Tuchel insists no one is blaming each other for the shock German Cup exit to third division Saarbrucken but accepts it will take a while to process.
The Bundesliga champions head to Borussia Dortmund for Der Klassiker on Saturday and Tuchel admits their midweek embarrassment “doesn’t make everyday life any easier”.
“It takes some time to digest it. There is no reason to be resigned and point fingers at each other,” he said.
“We were obviously very disappointed. Nobody was shouting or blaming others. We were very disappointed because our goals were clear. We need to put it behind us.
“It is important that we stay together and keep calm. Criticism we have to endure. We know what we’re doing.”
Tuchel brushed off criticism aimed at him and his relationship with the squad.
“You can’t expect eulogies. You obviously get criticism. When you sign on at Bayern, you do so to compete for every title,” he added.
“We know where we are and that we want to be better. I take defeats very personally. We have to stand together and keep going.
“I’m part of a team and a great club. I’m a part of it when we win and a part of it when we lose.
“It’s all good with the internal relationship, otherwise we wouldn’t be capable of playing a season like we’re doing now.
“And a defeat, no matter how painful, won’t change that now. It’s about staying together.”
Tuchel has a number of selection problems to cope with as his second-placed side attempt to extend their two-point advantage over their long-term rivals, currently fourth.
A knee problem sustained by Matthijs de Ligt on Wednesday means he could be short at centre-back with Dayot Upamecano not match fit having not played for a month because of a hamstring injury.
Leon Goretzka is undergoing surgery on a broken hand a fortnight ago, while forward Thomas Muller is suspended.
Tuchel explained: “Despite the importance of the match it is not a Champions League semi-final. We’ve got to think about the season as a whole,” said the former Dortmund coach.
“There’s no thinking about bringing in other people right now. We’ll nurse Upa and hope that he’s back in action quickly. The loss of Matthijs de Ligt really hurts.”
Nevertheless, Dortmund coach Edin Terzic is wary of the threat Bayern still pose.
“I have rarely seen two bad games or two disappointing performances from Bayern in a row,” he said.
“Against us, their senses are always a little sharper than perhaps against one or two opponents in the Bundesliga. Now there’s probably a little bit of anger added to it.”
Barcelona boss Xavi admits he and his players are “raging inside” after losing El Clasico, but is determined to get back on track against Real Sociedad.
Jude Bellingham scored twice – including a dramatic stoppage-time winner – as Real Madrid came from behind to beat Barca 2-1 last weekend.
The England midfielder struck a stunning equaliser after 68 minutes at the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium and then settled his first El Clasico with a close-range volley in the dying moments.
The home side had led at the interval through former Manchester City captain Ilkay Gundogan’s early goal, but the defeat dropped them four points behind their fierce rivals, who top LaLiga on goal difference from Girona.
Xavi’s men face a tough task to return to winning ways when they travel to fifth-placed Sociedad, who have won seven of their last nine games in all competitions.
“This will be a difficult test,” Xavi said in quotes reported on the club’s official website.
“(Sociedad manager) Imanol Alguacil does a wonderful job, he gets intensity and good football out of his players. As for us, we need to make higher demands of ourselves and keep humbly working to cut down the four-point difference on the leaders.
“And this game is the ideal scenario to demonstrate that we can do it. We always pursue excellence. FC Barcelona never settles for anything else.
”We need to reset at a difficult ground. We’re angry, we’re raging inside, but we have to make amends for our mistakes. It’s the small details that matter, we can’t afford to have any more lapses in concentration.”
Xavi will be boosted by the return to fitness of midfielder Pedri following a hamstring problem, the Spain international having not featured since scoring in the 2-0 win over Cadiz on August 20.
“We have a healthy squad,” Xavi added. “I am happy with the work and willingness of all the players. We have players that are hungry to win.
“And having Pedri back is really good news for the team. He is a capital player for getting us to play the way we want to.
“We have so many different options in this team. (Ronald) Araujo and (Jules) Kounde can both play, but I’m very happy with (Joao) Cancelo. He is a physically and mentally strong player.
“Raphinha and (Robert) Lewandowski are both looking good. But Frenkie de Jong is still feeling pain despite being able to train with the group.”
John Gosden believes fast ground and Santa Anita’s tight turns will help Inspiral see out 10 furlongs for the first time in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf.
With her being so good over a mile there has never been any need to test the Cheveley Park Stud star over a mile and a quarter in Europe.
But given how important a good draw can be in the Mile, Gosden thought it would be safer to opt for the longer race – that is of course after the initial plan to run on Champions Day was scuppered by soft ground.
“We were originally going to run her in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot and it would have been perfect the weekend before, when they had good ground, but the week of the race, we had a massive amount of rain in the days leading up to Champions Weekend and we were left with no alternative but not to enter her there and bring her here,” said Gosden.
“She’s been enjoying going out there with the pony cantering on the turf and is very well and happy in herself. She has a strong mind of her own. The only time she left the country she flew and vanned to France but she’s travelled fine and is happy and bright in herself.
“American horses break faster than ours, and if you get a wide draw in a race like the Mile you need the leaders to implode. We’re going for the longer race and I don’t think she’ll have any problems with the trip.
“We think she’ll get the distance well. As I’ve said with Mostahdaf (Turf), it’s firm ground and the first part is downhill, with tight bends, so I don’t worry too much about her ability to handle a mile and a quarter.”
He added: “Inspiral is likely to stay in training. Mrs (Patricia) Thompson (owner) has indicated that.”
Perhaps Inspiral’s biggest danger is the Mark Casse-trained Fev Rover, no stranger to European racegoers due to her exploits as a younger horse with Richard Fahey.
While the two never met, Fev Rover did run in plenty of big races for Fahey and finished third in the 1000 Guineas two years ago.
And since being based in the US, she has emerged as one of the best in class.
“She has beaten most of the best horses in the US. Now she has to deal with Europe. This will be a little different,” said Casse.
“I came away from the Diana (at Saratoga) thinking that, with a little better trip, she could have won it. We saw the real Fev Rover in the E.P. Taylor.
“(Can she win) Honestly? I don’t know. She is as good as she is gonna be, but this is a tall task.
“For sure I am optimistic. I have taken some good horses to the Breeders’ Cup. And this one is a happy girl.”
Aidan O’Brien won the race with Tuesday last year and will attempt to go back-to-back with his Yorkshire Oaks and Prix Vermeille heroine Warm Heart.
The daughter of Galileo has proven to be ultra-tough in her Group One triumphs and the Ballydoyle team appear set to make plenty of use of her stamina as she drops back in distance.
“She has a nice draw and she has speed and gets the trip really well,” said O’Brien.
“I imagine Ryan (Moore) will go forward on her and probably whatever comes to beat her will have to get the trip well.
“I would say he will probably go early on her and she does get it well, she doesn’t lie down and she does fight.”
Charlie Appleby’s With The Moonlight chased home Fev Rover in the E.P. Taylor and has just over two lengths to find.
“With The Moonlight is having her final race,” said Appleby.
“I’m pleased with her. She went to New York in the spring where they had some fires and they closed the track. She had a couple of nasty scopes.
“She didn’t enjoy the ground in Canada, but here she has nothing to lose. She has a nice draw (three) and is a player.”
Elliott Whitehead will retire from international rugby league following England’s final Test match with Tonga on Saturday.
Bradford-born Whitehead will call time on his England days after his 27th and final cap at Headingley on Saturday, after he decided to extend his international career following last year’s World Cup semi-final heartbreak.
The 34-year-old will now bow out on positive terms no matter the result on Saturday, after England already sealed a series victory over Tonga, going 2-0 up in the three-match series with a 14-4 win at Huddersfield last week.
Whitehead thinks now is the right time to step aside and let England look to the future.
He said: “It had to come to an end at some point and I wanted it on my terms so after winning that series I thought it was time.
“I’ve probably come to that age now, I’ll probably be done with my whole career next year with Canberra so I just thought it was the right time.
“Good timing for me, I’ll be 35 come next year and it’s time to probably start building for the World Cup so stepping aside gives a chance for one of the young kids to step up and take the opportunity.
“England have to move, I have to move on and let the young kids come through and take England forward.”
Whitehead was ready to hang up his boots on the international stage last year but those plans were put on ice after England were beaten by Samoa in the World Cup semi-final.
After making his debut in 2014 and playing in two World Cup finals, Whitehead now feels content walking away from the side.
He added: “I owed it to the coach, we did not accomplish what we wanted to accomplish last year and he (Shaun Wane) is a great man, a great coach and a great leader and he’s got a good set of young boys mixed with some older boys that are going to go through to the World Cup.
“I just thought coming back and helping him win this Test series is good for him as well myself.
“If we got to the World Cup final and pushed Australia I probably would have called it a day then but after having such a good camp last year with Wane and to play under him again I thought I’d give it one more shot.”
Whitehead started his career with Bradford before moving to the Catalan Dragons and later joined NRL side Canberra Raiders ahead of the 2016 season.
Despite walking away from the the Test arena, Whitehead intends to play one more season at club level.
He continued: “Back when I was 18 I never thought I would play Super League, never mind NRL, play games for England and Great Britain.
“I’ve won Test series’ with England and the World Cup final before pulling up short there, I would have liked to win that but I feel like I’ve had a good international career.
“I’m proud of my achievements in rugby league altogether. As a young kid at 17 or 18 when Bradford knocked me back I probably wouldn’t think I’d be where I’m sat today so I’m proud of obviously going over to the NRL and I’m up to nearly 200 games.
“But I’ve got another year at Raiders where I’ll be doing my best to win the Premiership that everyone wants to win.”
Officials at Wetherby admit they are playing “a waiting game” after calling a 7am inspection ahead of the track’s most high-profile fixture of the season on Saturday.
Rain during the week has seen river levels rise markedly at the West Yorkshire venue, leading to pressure on the track’s drainage system and leaving standing water in places.
With the course unraceable, clerk of the course Jonjo Sanderson was left with no option but to call off day one of the bet365 Charlie Hall Chase fixture on Friday morning.
And while by Friday lunchtime Sanderson was able to report a small improvement in conditions, he appears more hopeful than confident that Saturday’s card – due to feature a clash between Bravemansgame and Ahoy Senor and the Charlie Hall itself – will get the go-ahead.
“I honestly couldn’t tell you what our chances are as it’s just a waiting and watching game – it’s like watching a pan of water trying to boil,” he said.
“As we stand at the minute the water on the track is still there. The dykes are receding moderately and it’s just a question of what comes first – the inspection and the time of the racing meeting or the clearing of the track.
“As it’s all elements of things out of my control off-site, I honestly couldn’t say whether our chances of racing are 50-50, 70-30 or 20-80.
“Today is a beautiful day, what a day it would have been to be racing on. It’s due to be a dry day and while there is rain forecast for tomorrow afternoon, what that will not do is suddenly raise our dykes in an hour, so the rain tomorrow is insignificant in terms of racing going ahead.
“We’ve got everything in our favour at the minute and it’s just a question of nature taking its course.”
Thyme Hill and Dashel Drasher lock horns in the bet365 West Yorkshire Hurdle at Wetherby on Saturday.
Thyme Hill, now trained in partnership by Philip Hobbs and his long-time assistant Johnson White, has been a regular in major staying hurdles over the past few years and rarely runs a bad race.
Last season connections elected to embark on a novice campaign over fences, but while he managed a Grade One win in the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at Kempton, he disappointed in the Brown Advisory at the Cheltenham Festival in March and reverts to the smaller obstacles for his reappearance.
The son of Kayf Tara is approaching the twilight of his career as a nine-year-old, but Hobbs feels the fire still burns bright judged on what he is seeing on the gallops at his Somerset base.
“He’s very well indeed, we’re well happy with him,” he said.
“Maybe his confidence wasn’t great over fences, so we thought we’d start back over hurdles and he handles very soft ground.”
Dashel Drasher has similarly been a fine servant to his trainer Jeremy Scott, proving himself a top-level operator both over hurdles and over fences.
The 10-year-old made a successful start to last season in a small field conditions race at Aintree before finishing second in the Many Clouds Chase, the Relkeel Hurdle, the Cleeve Hurdle and the Stayers’ Hurdle.
An outing at Aintree’s Grand National meeting proved one too many, but Scott is looking forward to her stable star’s return to action.
He said: “He looks a picture. Like a lot of horses he may well need the run, he usually does need the run on his first outing anyway, but he looks very well and looks stronger than ever, so we’ll see how we get on.
“He won at Aintree over two and a half first time out last season. We didn’t feel we had him at his best then and I think he’s probably be in a better place than we did this time last year, anyway.
“It will be soft old ground – it’ll be testing. He does go on that ground, whether it ekes out his stamina a bit much, I don’t know.”
Gary Moore’s Botox Has was two places behind Dashel Drasher when fourth in the Cleeve Hurdle in January and makes his first competitive appearance since this weekend.
Jamie Snowden’s Paddy Power Gold Cup hero Ga Law, Peter Fahey’s Irish raider Ambitious Fellow and the Paul Nicholls-trained Red Risk complete the line-up.
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