RACING: Kieren Fallon has not had the best of times recently for one reason or another but the six-times champion can set up a memorable few days by landing the final Group One event of the season in Britain at Doncaster today.
Fallon gets the leg up on Motivator in the Racing Post Trophy, just a week before he partners dual Classic heroine Ouija Board in her quest for Breeders' Cup glory at Lone Star Park in Texas.
And he has an outstanding chance of landing the first leg of the double with Michael Bell's once-raced colt, who certainly looked the part when trotting up on soft ground at Newmarket.
This race has had a significant bearing on the following season's Classics in recent years with High Chaparral, Brian Boru and American Post all going on to take top honours as three-year-olds.
Hopes are high that the son of the brilliant Montjeu can join that roll of honour, with connections - who see him very much as a Derby horse in the making - being particularly bullish over the last few days.
He faces seven rivals in the one-mile showpiece as he bids to build on that highly-impressive racecourse bow on the July course in August, where he absolutely trotted up.
He had a full six lengths to spare over Godolphin's Sunday Symphony, who has paid his conqueror a handsome compliment since with two victories of his own.
Testing conditions will be the order of the day but that clearly holds no fears, which is a major plus, and he could well end up favourite for next year's blue riband if he does the business in the manner expected.
Cornus looks the one to beat in the At The Races Red Button Betting Doncaster Stakes.
The Richard Hannon-trained juvenile ran a blinder to chase home Castelletto in the rescheduled Cornwallis Stakes at Newmarket, having been off since the spring. He kept on as well as anything and looks to be crying out for today's step up to six furlongs.
Keep a close eye on Cold Turkey in the Racing Post Handicap.
A multiple winner on the all-weather at Lingfield, conditions were far too quick for the four-year-old on his return from a near four-month break at Epsom last month. He won with loads of authority on the soft at Epsom in April and will strip much fitter this time.
Asian Heights can defy yet another lengthy absence to take the Stan James St Simon Stakes at Newbury.
The Geoff Wragg-trained six-year-old was once a leading contender for Derby honours himself but has been plagued by injury and today will be only the eighth start of his career. He has won after a year off in the past, so fitness is not too much of a worry.
