Smart Call will need the run

– Smart Call's return to competitive action in the Group 2 Middleton Stakes (3.55pm SA time) is one of the highlights of the week, though her new trainer, Sir Michael Stoute, believes she will need the outing and after 16 months without a run that is understandable.

She was trained in SA by Alec Laird and is owned by Jessica Slack.

Nothing would please us more than to see the 2016 Met winner prove connections wrong but a more likely winner is her stablemate, QUEEN'S TRUST.

This filly has looked better each year she has raced and after ending 2016 with a dramatic triumph in the Breeders' Cup Filly And Mare Turf at Santa Anita is ready under Ryan Moore to pick up where she left off.

Apart from that memorable win in California she ran consistently well in all the major distaff races, including when third to Seventh Heaven in the Yorkshire oaks at this venue.

BRIAN THE SNAIL can provide further evidence that he is the most inappropriately named horse in the UK by preserving his unbeaten record and stretching his winning sequence to four at York today.

The Godolphin-owned colt has shown a liking for the Yorkshire air as his previous triumphs have happened at Pontefract (twice) and Catterick.

In the British Stallion Studs EBF Westow Stakes he can again swoop to conquer under William Buick.

There is much to like about the profile of Brian The Snail whose trainer Richard Fahey has an excellent record on the Knavesmire and especially with this type of horse. He laughed at his rivals when stepping up to 1200m last time and has the speed to effectively revert to 1000m and continue his fine run.

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