Get up for cup with Pallasator

tips: Seven-year-old still has ability to win

PALLASATOR can enjoy his moment in the sun at one of the big summer festivals by claiming the Qatar Goodwood Cup on day three at the Sussex track.

The seven-year-old appeared to hold at least solid place claims in the Gold Cup following a thoroughly impressive victory in the Henry II Stakes at Sandown on his reappearance in May.

However, he failed to fire at all on the big day and it appeared as though his stamina deserted him in the straight, with 2½miles in testing conditions proving beyond him.

Sir Mark Prescott was clearly eager not to let that defeat fester, though, as he turned him out again for a Listed event on Eclipse day, dropping right back in trip to an extended two miles.

Pallasator was understandably well supported on that occasion despite conceding upwards of 5lb all round, but he endured a far from ideal passage and, after eventually getting some space, he made up plenty of ground to be beaten just over a length in fourth.

With a clear run he would likely have been arriving here on the back of a win so Pallasator obviously still possesses the ability and will to win, even if he is sometimes a tricky customer on the way to the start.

MEHMAS can confirm Newmarket form with Intelligence Cross in the Qatar Richmond Stakes.

Moved back up to six in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot, Mehmas lost little in defeat when going down by 2¼ lengths to Caravaggio, who appears to be one of the leading lights of his generation at this stage.

Richard Hannon has made no secret of the fact he views this three-time winner as an out-and-out two-year-old and he is keen to get as many wins in the bag before the other juveniles catch up towards the end of the year.

Mehmas won each of his first two starts but slipped up when switched to Listed company in the National Stakes at Sandown in May, likely finding the five-furlong trip too sharp on that occasion.

YARROW can graduate to Group Three winner status in the Markel Insurance Fillies’ Stakes.

A half-sister to top-class performers Golan and Tartan Bearer, Yarrow scored some valuable black type when finishing second in a Pontefract Listed heat last month, going to some way to compensate for a lamentable showing at Goodwood on her return.

Meanwhile, the likely prospects at Nottingham this afternoon include CELTIC SIXPENCE in the 4.00. SELECTIONS: GOODWOOD: 2.00 Top Beak, 2.35 Mehmas, 3.10 PALLASATOR (NAP), 3.45 Yarrow, 4.20 Manama, 4.55 Bear Valley, 5.30 Kassia.

NOTTINGHAM: 2.20 Kendamara, 2.55 Enfolding, 3.25 Best Laid Plans, 4.00 Celtic Sixpence, 4.35 Fidaawy, 5.10 Indian Tinker, 5.45 Tyrell.

DOUBLE: Pallasator and Mehmas.