Late news: Workforce runs in

It has been confirmed this morning that Sir Michael Stoute´ s Workforce, impressive record-breaking winner of the Epsom Derby but a flop in the King George on his only start since, will after all run in Sunday´s Prix de l´Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp. The 3yo owned by Khalid Abdullah worked well on Thursday morning and was given the green light to run in Paris afterwards. He is certain to be one of the favourites, despite his trainer´s relatively poor record in this race.

Start of Newmarket´s Cambridgeshire meeting

Today sees the start of the 3 day Cambridgeshire meeting at Newmarket, and although the best races are run on Friday and Saturday, today´s card is also highly interesting. Main feature is the Group Three Somerville Tattersall Stakes for 2yo´s over 7 furlongs at 16.45 CET. Clive Brittain´s Zaidan (Seb Sanders) is arguably the form choice here, having won at Royal Ascot, but the stable has gone off the boil since and we feel that soft ground will in any case be against him. We are however expecting a roýal result, as the Queen´s Royal Exchange (Richard Hannon/ Richard Hughes) who has won his last 3 races in good style and seems to act on any going is the selection. The Paddyman (William Haggas/ Philip Robinson), 4th in a Group Two last time, looks the main threat. Haggas also has a chance with Harris Tweed (Liam Jones) in the listed race over 1 3/4 mlles for 3yo´s at 16.10 after easily winning a similar race last time at Chester. However here we prefer Ted Spread (Mark Tompkins / Kieren Fallon), who had no chance in the St. Leger, but who will be suited by the soft ground and against this easier opposition.

The listed event over 5 furlongs at 17.20 could go to Tangerine Trees (Bryan Smart/ Tom Eaves) who showed much improved form to win at 33/1 at Beverley last time. Consistent oldtimer Tax Free (David and Adrian Nicholls) was the beaten favourite then and can never be left out of calculations, while Hamish McGonagall (Tim Easterby/ David Allen), twice behind the smart Astrophysical Jet, must also be considered in this grade.

Easterby also has chances of winning the main event at Warwick, a handicap over 1 mile 7 furlongs at 18.05, with Bollin Judith (Derek Nolan), who comes from a family that stay well and like soft going. At Ayr the main event is also a handicap over a long distance at 18.15 and looks to lie between Chilly Filly (Mark Johnston/ Joe Fanning) and Cosmic Sun (Richard Fahey/ Paul Hanagan), a CD winner last time out. Even if Hanagan wins here, his narrow lead in the jockeys´ championship could well shrink even further today as his main rival Richard Hughes, after a winner (or two?) at Newmarket, travels on to Kempton´s all-weather evening meeting, where he has rides in 7 races and several winning chances.

There is jumping at Ireland at Sligo. Ruby Walsh, back in top form after his long injury layoff, won the last race here yesterday and can repeat the feat on his father´s Mountmassey in the beginners chase at 19.15.

Autumn in the air

Today´s 5 meetings in the U.K. and Ireland have a very autumnal look, with 8 races at each meeting and some large fields, especially in the 2yo races. The two exceptions are the two supposedly better races at Salisbury at 16.05 CET (7 furlongs) and 17.15 (6 furlongs), both with tiny fields. Richard Hannon and Mick Channon supply almost all the runners, and the former can score with Big Issue (Richard Hughes) in the earlier event, and Channon with Galtymore Lad (Kieren Fallon) in the later one.

Channon also had Jinky entered here, but he nows runs in the 6 furlongs race for 2yo maidens at 15.20 instead, with Sam Hitchcott in the saddle, and the hint should be taken. Also at Nottingham the well-bred newcomer Devastation (by Montjeu out of Attaction) should be watched in the race for maiden fillies at 17.00, while Frankie Dettori rides Godolphin´s Quick Wit (Saeed bin Suroor) in the 3yo handicap at 16.25; this promising colt showed good form last October but has not been seen out since.

He is the only Godolphin runner at the East Midlands track, while Parlour Games (Mahmoud al Zarooni/ Ahmed Ajtebi) is their only runner at Newcastle; he runs in the opening 2yo maiden at 15.10 and probably has only Jalors (Mark Johnston/ Joe Fanning) to beat. There is also one Godolphin runner at Kempton´ s evening meeting, Cross Examination (bin Suroor/ Dettori?) in the race for 2yo maiden fillies at 19.50, where Henry Cecil´s debutant Loving Thought (Tom Queally) is expected to run well. Queally also has prospects of winning the 2yo handicap at 20.50 with top-weight Handsome Jack for Robert Mills.

In Ireland, there is a mixed meeting (5 flat races and 3 over fences) at Sligo. The most interesting flat race is the 10 furlongs maiden for 4yo´s and older horses at 16.35; smart bumper horse Tornado Shay makes his debut in a regular flat race here. Last time out he was third in the Grade One bumper at Punchestown in April, and although this trip is on the short side, he must have a great chance here. Dazzle Dancer (Willie Mullins/ Pat Smullen) is recommended on recent form. Over jumps Prince Erik (Dermot Weld/ Ruby Walsh) is the class act. This smart hurdler runs in the beginners chase at 19.15; so far his jumping has been shaky, but he has the right man on board today.