Ribchester to take centre stage

The Cashel Man did us a good turn in the Cesarewitch, finishing a good fourth at 9/1. He was certainly available at bigger prices during the week, when it would not have been hard to find some 16/1. Incidentally, I take all the points about the winner being very well handicapped, though this particular race is all about the ability keep on galloping over a marathon trip. Going through the weights is always worthwhile, but if we were going to rely on the Doncaster Cup form it’s worth pointing out that St Michel finished two places in front of Sweet Selection but finished well adrift last week.

It looks a superb card at Ascot on Champions Day. In the end I was quite happy when Aidan O’Brien chose the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes for Minding because it helped make the market for RIBCHESTER. Godolphin can land a much-needed Group 1 with this very talented three- year-old, who might well have won the Sussex Stakes with a little further to travel. Successful since then in France, he has had a light campaign and will not mind any juice in the ground. Minding will be dropping back to a mile from ten furlongs and has a bit to prove after a rather laboured success in the Nassau at Goodwood followed by a fair third in Ireland.

Richard Fahey can have a good day because THIRD TIME LUCKY has each-way claims in the closing red-hot handicap, while James Fanshawe’s THE TIN MAN is the overlooked horse in the Sprint. He has only a small margin to find with Quiet Reflection on Haydock running.

The tough mare DEMORA has a very good chance under top weight in the Catterick Dash if the ‘bounce’ factor does not apply following her promising return at Doncaster. She was in excellent fettle at this time last year.