LUXEMBOURG can win the Qatar Prix De L’Arc De Triomphe (3.05pm) at ParisLongchamp on Sunday. While in Saturday’s big Group One contest, the Royal Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes (British Champions Series) (2.42pm), HOMELESS SONGS can come out on top.
Aidan O’Brien’s rising star can step up in distance and land another Group prize in France on Sunday.
The three-year-old son of Camelot had been winter favourite for the Cazoo Derby on the back on three juvenile successes, most impressively his near two-length victory in the Group One Vertem Futurity Trophy at Doncaster last October.
He was also among the leading fancies when making his return in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket in May – and his fine third-placed finish behind Coroebus in the mile Classic hinted that he would take high rank at middle distances this season.
An injury scuppered his Classic chances as he missed the Epsom Derby and Irish version.
But the Ballydoyle maestro has been patient with him and having returned to action following his lay-off with a workmanlike win in the Group Three Royal Whip Stakes at the Curragh in August, Luxembourg finally delivered on his huge potential at Leopardstown.
He beat a high-class field – a number of those in behind will resume rivalries in the Arc – when taking the Group One Irish Champion Stakes last month. He showed plenty of class and battling qualities to beat the reopposing Onesto by a half a length over 1m2f.
Luxembourg promised to be be even better stepping up again in trip to 1m4f in the autumn middle distance championship contest. He is still improving and can show his ability with his biggest career success in the Arc.
He can get the better of principally Ralph Beckett’s Irish Derby hero Westover and the Sir Mark Prescott-trained Alphinista .
At Newmarket on Saturday Dermot Weld’s HOMELESS SONGS may reverse form from the Matron Stakes with favourite Saffron Beach .
Weld’s daughter of Frankel won the Irish 1,000 Guineas in fine style in May, but was disappointing when sent off favourite for the Matron Stakes last month. The three-year-old was fourth behind shock winner Pearls Galore with Saffron Beach ahead of her in second.
That was Homeless Songs’ first run since her Guineas win and she can come on for that and come out on top this time.
There are some interesting newcomers in both the Prestige Vehicles British EBF Maiden Stakes (GBB Race) (3.17pm) and the Discover Newmarket Maiden Stakes (GBB Race) (3.52pm) and Godolphin may hold the key to both. The Charlie Appleby-trained IMPERIAL EMPEROR and MILITARY ORDER respectively may both make winning debuts under Liverpool FC fan and jockey William Buick.
Buick may also win on George Boughey’s hat-trick-seeking I'LL BE THERE in the British EBF Premier Fillies’ Handicap (1.31pm).
Other winners at Newmarket could be Ed Dunlop’s RED TREASURE in the £150,000 Tattersalls October Auction Stakes (GBB Race) (2.06pm); the William Haggas-trained MELLOW YELLOW in the British EBF Premier Fillies’ Handicap (2.06pm); and INTERNATIONAL GIRL , from the Richard Fahey stable, in the Racing TV Fillies’ Handicap (5.02pm).
At Ascot Michael Dods’ in-form filly GALE FORCE MAYA may be the answer to a hugely-competitive Group Three John Guest Racing Bengough Stakes (3pm).
The six-year-old has won five times this season in handicaps and Listed contests and may take the step up to Group company in her stride. She is bidding for a hat-trick and could grab it in her current mood.
A chance is taken on O’Brien’s HIGH DEFINITION to bounce back to form in the Group Three Peroni Nastro Azzurro Cumberland Lodge Stakes (2.25pm).
The four-year-old son of Galileo has not lived up to his early promise but has mixed it at the top level with some decent efforts. Back down to Group Three company he may finally land a first win since his juvenile days.
James Fanshawe’s FRESH bids for a course and distance hat-trick in the Peroni Nastro Azzurro Challenge Cup (Heritage Handicap) (3.36pm). And the five-year-old looks like he can bring up the treble ahead of chiefly Hugo Palmer’s Ever Given and the David O’Meara-trained duo Blue For You and Rhoscolyn .
Others who can win at Ascot are the Andrew Balding-trained KING'S LYNN – a winner at Haydock Park earlier in the season for the late Queen and now carrying the colours of King Charles III – in the Listed Oakman Inns Rous Stakes (1.51pm); Boughey’s ROMANTIC RIVAL in the Listed Peroni Nastro Azzurro British EBF Stakes (Registered As The October Stakes) (4.10pm); and Michael Appleby’s KING OF STARS in the finale, the Peroni Nastro Azzurro Handicap (4.45pm).
At Redcar another seeking a hat-trick of wins, the Fahey-trained BAREFOOT ANGEL , can take the Listed William Hill Two Year Old Trophy (3.27pm).
Mark and Charlie Johnston’s in-form I’M A GAMBLER – under Scouser and Liverpool FC fan Franny Norton – can win the Listed Racing TV EBF Stallions Guisborough Stakes (2.47pm).
Others winners at Redcar could be O’Meara’s STAR SHIELD in the Racing TV Straight-Mile Series Final Handicap (3.57pm) and BROCTUNE RED in the Play Paddys Pick 5 At racingtv.com Handicap (Div 2) (4.32pm).
Back at ParisLongchamp on Sunday RAASEL can win the Group One Prix de l’Abbaye de Longchamp Longines (4.25pm).
Michael Applebys five-year-old has not quite go on at Group One level after a fine season. But he is given another chance to land a first win at the top level ahead of Roger Varian’s Mitbaahy .
Irish trainer O’Brien has a number of chances in the Group One contests away from the Arc for winners. And while all may not triumph THE ANARCTIC in the Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere (Grand Criterium) (1.15pm); Cazoo Oaks heroine TUESDAY Prix de l’Opera Longines (3YO+ Fillies & Mares) (3.50pm); and NEVER ENDING STORY in the Qatar Prix Marcel Boussac – Criterium Des Pouliches (1.50pm) all have good chances of victory.
Wright Ones
NEWMARKET
1.31pm I’ll Be There
2.06pm Red Treasure
2.42pm Homeless Songs
3.17pm Imperial Emperor
3.52pm Military Order
4.27pm Mellow Yellow
5.02pm Fashion Love
REDCAR
1.36pm Ararat
2.12pm Tele Red
2.47pm I’m A Gambler
3.21pm Barefoot Angel
3.57pm Star Shield
4.32pm Broctune Red
5.07pm Billy No Mates
5.37pm Lotus Rose
ASCOT
1.51pm King’s Lynn
2.25pm High Definition
3pm Gale Force Maya (NAP)
3.36pm Fresh
4.10pm Romantic Rival
4.45pm King Of Stars
FONTWELL
1.25pm Paris Dixie
2pm Red Windsor
2.35pm Huelgoat
3.10pm Shut The Box
3.45pm Chapmanshype
4.20pm Special Buddy
4.55pm El Muchacho
WOLVERHAMPTON
5pm Ruskin Red
5.30pm Solitary Trees
6pm Blue Universe
6.30pm Rock Girl
7pm Newyorkstateofmind
7.30pm Strike Red
8pm Diamond Jill
8.30pm Curley Rose
PARISLONGCHAMP (SUNDAY)
1.15pm The Antarctic
1.50pm Never Ending Story
3.05pm Luxembourg
3.50pm Tuesday
4.25pm Raasel
5pm Kinross
SUNDAY’S NAP: Bobby Socks (Uttoxeter 1.08pm)
