Ed Chamberlin and co. will be on our screens for another three years after agreeing an extension to their current contract earlier in the week, a deal which is celebrated in the opening race of the day.
The feature contests come later on in the afternoon however, with the Rose of Lancaster and the Sweet Solera taking pride of place on a seven-race card.
There may be only one televised race from Newmarket this Saturday but it’s shaping up to be a red-hot contest, with some of the most promising two-year-old fillies going to post over 7f.
Fly Miss Helen looks set to go off as the favourite after the money came for her on debut at Newbury, and while that was a taking performance, this could go to Godolphin hopeful Danilova.
Charlie Appleby’s charge got off the mark at the second time of asking with a cosy victory over course and distance last week, posting an impressive speed figure of 99 in the process.
She backs up quickly here which suggests connections must be happy with her, and with Charlie Appleby operating a 33% strike-rate this month prior to Friday, the yard couldn’t be in better nick.
The daughter of Dubawi can put it up to Fly Miss Helen, with Dubai Fountain also expected to challenge for a trainer in Mark Johnston who has won this race in each of the last three seasons.
You can make a case for six of the seven runners in the Rose of Lancaster, with the fast-improving Global Giant seen as the likely favourite by our traders.
The five-year-old was a Group 3 runner-up in France in 2018 and has shown further progress since joining John Gosden, winning two out of three for the yard so far.
His most recent success in a Listed contest ahead of Extra Elusive, who re-opposes here, looks a good piece of form and he holds leading claims back up in trip.
Zaaki looks to be his closest challenger based on the fact he won twice at this level last season, although it’s Certain Lad who could prove interesting at the prices.
Andrew Balding’s inmate is a two-time winner around Haydock, while three of his four career victories have come on good-to-firm ground.
He was only narrowly beaten in the John Smith’s Cup at York three weeks ago, too, and with regular jockey Ben Curtis in the saddle, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him run a big race.
No other horse in the race can touch Veracious based on her career so far. Sir Michael Stoute’s mare mixed it with the best of the best as a three-year-old and won the Group 1 Falmouth Stakes as a four-year-old last season.
The runner-up that day subsequently went on to win a Group 1 of her own in France and just last week dished out a pasting to a good selection of younger fillies in the Oak Tree at Goodwood.
That’s the sort of company Veracious holds, and after a wind-op in May, the Cheveley Park-owned miler should have what it takes to land the odds if she’s anywhere near her best.
In the event she’s not herself, then Final Song, Festive Star and Farzeen will be on hand to pick up the pieces.
SATURDAY 8TH AUGUST, ITV RACING SCHEDULE
13:50 Ascot– ITV Home of Terrestrial Racing Handicap
14:05 Haydock – Dick Hern Stakes (Listed)
14:25 Ascot – Shergar Cup Celebration Handicap
14:40 Haydock – Rose of Lancaster Stakes (Group 3)
