Kew Gardens to bloom again in Voltigeur Stakes at York
– Kew Gardens can strengthen his St Leger profile today by winning the Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes at York.
Aidan O'Brien's utterly likeable colt is already ante-post favourite for the final Classic of the season, having won the Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot and a Group 1 in France.
And though he is burdened with a 2kg penalty at York, there is a distinct likelihood Kew Gardens will prove much too good for the rest of them.
There are, of course, issues with the well-being of the O'Brien yard, and that should need consideration.
But the Ballydoyle handler seems fairly confident his team are back on the up and, quite simply, he would not be sending Kew Gardens to England if he felt there were any fitness worries.
This Galileo colt is making great progress this season, and this looks a perfect race for him.
The Juddmonte International Stakes later on the card looks an absolute belter, with slight preference for Poet's Word.
Sir Michael Stoute's five-yearold has been one of the true stars of the Flat season, having won the Prince Of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot and then the King George last month.
Dangers abound in what could be a race for the ages, but Poet's Word seems almost certain to run his race and is as reliable and tough as they get.
There is a heck of a lot more to come from Watan, who looks the solution to the Tattersalls Acomb Stakes.
This young son of Toronado handsomely defeated a clutch of lovely horses on his debut and he almost certainly falls into the could-be-anything category.
Victory in this Group 3 would certainly go a long way to proving that theory.
Culturati get can punters off to a flying start with victory in the Sky Bet And Symphony Group Handicap.
He went out like a light at York in July, when sent off the 7-4 favourite in a 1400m handicap.
But Culturati was found to have been slightly lame in the aftermath of that defeat, so perhaps that run is best forgotten.
Either way, a return to sprinting should work the proverbial oracle for this unexposed son of Dubawi.
Either way, a return to sprinting should work the proverbial oracle for this unexposed son of Dubawi.
Excellent trainer Ian Williams can be trusted to have Ascot winner Speedo Boy good to go in the Sky Bet Handicap, while courseand-distance scorer Hesslewood could be the one in the Sky Bet Nursery Handicap. – Press Association