Back from his travels & ready to win

THE well-travelled Marmelo can return to the winner’s circle on more familiar shores at York today.

The five-year-old trained by Hughie Morrison (inset) has been galavanting around the globe, including trips to Australia and

France, but is back in the calmer waters now for the Sky Bet

Grand Cup Stakes

(3.00).

The excursion Down

Under took in the

Melbourne Cup where

Marmelo was far from disgraced, finishing ninth after tiring in the last few furlongs.

He reappeared at Longchamp last month in Group 2 company and only found Vazirabad a neck too good.

That form looks enough to win this listed contest with the prime opposition coming from Weekender, who ran well in a Group 3 at Sandown last time, albeit in a lesser race than Marmelo has been contesting.

If you are looking for better value elsewhere Beshaayir (3.35) could be the answer in a highly competitive six furlong handicap.

William Haggas’ three-year-old did a lot wrong at Musselbrugh last time out – missing the start, racing keenly and wandering in the final furlong. Yet, he still only finished four and half lengths behind Pepita in fifth place.

Prior to that he won at Wolverhampton and beat Foxtrot Lady at Newbury, who is the likely favourite here after shooting up the handicap on the back of two convincing wins.

Back on these shores, Cork will play host to the Munster Oaks (3.50) on Sunday where Dermot Weld could get one over old rival Aidan O’brien.

The canny handler saddles Jaega who looks to have plenty of room for improvement with only two runs to her name.

An impressive Leopardstown maiden success was followed by a two length defeat to Bye Bye Baby, who ran a fine race in third in the Epsom Oaks despite having to shoulder pacemaking duties throughout.

Aidan O’brien has a string of runners but Jaega with Leigh Roche on board looks the one to end the weekend on a winning note.