Headlines

Frankie Dettori confirmed what we pretty much knew all along, that his last meeting in the UK and Europe will be at Champions Day.

Constitution Hill looks likely to stay over hurdles, with owner Michael Buckley claiming he can’t see his prized horse going two-mile chasing.

The Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh on Saturday is shaping up very nicely, with the Royal Ascot winners River Tiber, Porta Fortuna and Valiant Force still in the line-up for the G1.

Ones to watch

There are a few very classy-looking 2YOs at Kempton this evening for Godolphin. Classic Encounter, a son of Shamerdal, looks very good on paper and can strike on debut despite being drawn the widest. His drift from 6/4 to 9/4 is a bit concerning, however.

The other is Important Role and he’s shortening up big time. The son of Dubawi cost a huge 625,000gns as a yearling and this well-bred colt can also make a winning start on debut. He’s available at best price evens.

Ryan Moore also rides two 2YOs at Pontefract, which are his only bookings of the day. The first is Royal Zabeel, who is taken to improve on his seventh of 12 runners of C&D here on debut, but isn’t worth backing anymore now he’s gone from 9/4 to 8/13 due to two NRs.

The other is Point Given for Sir Michael Stoute. He is worth taking on at evens in the 15:20 after he was fourth on debut at Doncaster. He’s a half-brother to 2YO G1 winner Toormore and should come on from his maiden run with plenty of scope for improvement. Win should be on the cards.

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First up is Crow’s Nest in the opener at Brighton. He missed out on the hat-trick attempt when stepped up to six furlongs at Newmarket lto. He’s back down to 5.5f and off the same mark over this shorter trip as he looks to strike again for George Boughey under Kevin Stott at 9/4.

Let Life Happen is knocking at the door and could be let into the winner’s enclosure following the 20:00 at Kempton tonight. She was beaten here by dual winner La Isla Mujeres on debut and followed home Fifth Harmonic lto. She’s ready to open her account for Stoute and is 2/1 for that contest.

The final pick is Haaf A Diamond in the 17:15 at Bath. There’s nothing to separate her and Lunar Landscape at the fore of the market, but the Kevin Frost horse has ran well in her last two contests against Astronomica and can win again at 2/1 off a 2lb higher mark.