Sir Michael Stoute`s Little Rock and John Gosden`s Commander Collins are to renew their rivalry in the Grand Prix de Deauville in France tomorrow.
The pair met in the Princess of Wales`s Stakes at Newmarket in July in which the victorious Little Rock had the Gosden runner over three lengths away in third. Little Rock picks up a 3lb penalty for that win.
Pat Eddery and Jimmy Fortune are the respective riders of the British pair in the French Group Two event over an extended mile and a half.
There are seven declared runners with Daring Miss, second to Montjeu in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, spearheading the home team.
The Group Three sprint, the Prix de Meautry over six furlongs, will be contested by the British pair, Gosden`s Mount Abu (Fortune) and John Dunlop`s Three Points (Eddery).
ISLAND SANDS SECOND ON COMEBACK
Last year`s Sagitta 2000 Guineas hero Island Sands made a meritorious return to action when finishing second in the Group Three PrixQuincey over a mile at Deauville.
Making a belated reappearance since finishing fifth in the Irish 2000 Guineas last May, Frankie Dettori`s mount set out to make all.
However, the supplemented Pascal Bary-trained filly Penny`s Gold smoothly made the transition from Listed class, swamping the raider close home under Thierry Thuliez.
Island Sands bravely held second place by a short-neck from Leave Us Leap.
TIMAHS FAILS TO SPARKLE IN GERMANY
Godolphin`s Timahs failed to impress his German rivals at Baden-Baden where he could finish only eighth in the Group Three Preis Der Dadischen Sparkassen over one mile and two furlongs.
Off the track since March, the four-year-old led the ten-strong field from the start under Daragh O`Donohoe but faded rapidly in the straight.
The race was won by the favourite Elle Danzig trained by Andreas Schutz and ridden by Andrasch Starke, who came from way back to score by one and a half lengths.
TREGONING`S WINDSOR WEATHER WATCH
Albarahin`s participation at Windsor tonight is dependent upon the weather.
Marcus Tregoning`s charge is set to take his place in the line-up for the Group Three Winter Hill Stakes.
But the trainer warned: 'There will have to be rain at the track for him to run. I will walk the course before racing and if I`m not happy, then he won`t be risked.'
Godolphin, who sent out Annus Mirabilis to win the race three years in a row from 1996 to 1998, rely on Rhythm Band. Frankie Dettori, in action at Goodwood during the afternoon, will travel up to ride him.
Tregoning also had news of Rose of Lancaster Stakes winner Ekraar, who bypasses the Celebration Mile at Goodwood and could have his next race at the Sussex track on September 9 in the Group Three Select Stakes.
BIG BRITISH BREEDERS BID
British trainers launch their annual raid on the Tattersalls Breeders Stakes at the Curragh today when they make up more thanhalfof the 25-runner field for the IR#98,000 prize.
Raiding stables have been responsible for seven of the last 10 winners in the race.
Richard Hannon saddles Miss Domuch (to be ridden by Eddie Ahern) and Blue Goddess (David Harrison) in his bid to land the race for a remarkable fifth consecutive year.
Hannon tried to play down his chances. 'I`m not going over with the strongest team this time,' he said.
'I haven`t really had the chance to study the race properly but they are drawn 17 and 11 and the runners will be spread right across the track so anything could happen.'
GODOLPHIN PLOT GOODWOOD CELEBRATION
Godolphin will be doubly-represented in today`s Group Two Celebration Mile as they bid to land the #80,000 event for the third time in five years.
Both French and Irish 2000 Guineas winner Bachir and Pacino will take their place in the seven-runner field.
Bachir will be partnered by Frankie Dettori, who rides at the course for the first time since he was injured in a plane crash en route to Goodwood on June 1, with Richard Hills on Pacino.
The Italian`s mount has been off the track since disappointing at Royal Ascot in June.
Godolphin`s trainer Saeed bin Suroor said: 'I think we have got a good chance tomorrow, they are both well and in good form.
'Bachir came back lame from Ascot but he is okay now and Frankie rides him. Pacino is in good form and he will like to be up at the front tomorrow.'
CURULE GOES FOR MIDSUMMER GLORY
Godolphin`s Curule has been put in at 6-1 on the morning line for the Grade One Travers Stakes, better known as the Midsummer Derby, at Saratoga tomorrow.
Dixie Union, the Haskell Invitational winner, has been made 5-2 favourite. Milwaukee Brew (3-1) and Unshaded (7-2) come next in the betting.
Curule, due to be ridden by Mike Smith in the US1million prize over a mile and a quarter, will be having his fifth start in North America.
SUMMERREACHES GOODWOOD
Summer Symphony will carry high hopes when she steps up in class at Goodwood tomorrow.
The recent Newmarket maiden winner takes on five rivals in the Group Three ATS Euromaster Prestige Stakes.
And her trainer Luca Cumani said: 'She is in good form and I see no reason why she will not be suited by Goodwood because she is a well-balanced filly.
'I am hoping that she is able to step up to Group Three class because she is a promising filly who did it well at Newmarket. She has to take the step up somewhere and this looks a justifiable target.'
FENTON TREBLE
Mick Fenton completed an 85-1 treble at Newcastle on Night Haven (15-8), Sloane (6-4) and Eastern Prophets (11-1).
His first two winners were for Newmarket trainer Michael Bell and he rounded off with victory on Eastern Prophets for Darlington trainer Michael Dods.
