Rain would boost Sonata

Connections of Frank Sonata are praying for heavy rain ahead of the Dubai Duty Free Arc Trial at Newbury tomorrow.

The four-year-old is reported to have thrived since finishing third behind Orcadian at Windsor three weeks ago after a three-month break.

“He’s in absolutely fantastic form but we need rain for him at Newbury and loads of it,” said Noel Quinlan, assistant to his brother, Newmarket trainer Mick Quinlan.

“We took him out of a Listed race at Doncaster last week because we didn’t think he’d get his ground. Then it rained and there were only two runners so that turned out to be the wrong call.

“He’ll definitely run tomorrow whatever as he needs a run. He’s got a couple of lovely targets in October, including the St Simon Stakes back at Newbury.

“His last run has really sharpened him up.”

In contrast, Orcadian’s trainer James Eustace is hoping there is not too much rain for his runner Welcome Stranger.

The five-year-old was beaten four and a quarter lengths when third to Notable Guest at Haydock last month and takes on his old rival again.

Eustace said: “He’s in fine form and has been running well all year. The ground was too soft for him at Windsor last time behind Eccentric but he still didn’t run too badly.

“He’s definitely a fast-ground horse. I think the ground should okay for him tomorrow. They have needed a lit bit (of rain) at Newbury to stop it becoming too firm. A drop of rain is better than watered ground.

“We’re taking on Notable Guest again. He beat us at Haydock and I suppose there’s no real reason why we should turn the tables, but we are 3lb better off.

“I just hope there’s more pace this time.

“He’s already won a Listed race at Newbury over a mile and a quarter earlier in the season so we are a course winner, and he looked as though he would get the extra furlong.”

Notable Guest, trained by Sir Michael Stoute, is likely to start favourite after his three-length win over David Junior at Haydock last month, form franked by the runner-up at Goodwood last weekend.

Godolphin took this prize with Sights On Gold 12 months ago and rely on Into The Dark this time, although the four-year-old has not raced since taking his 100 per cent record to four at Ayr last September.

A six-strong line-up is completed by Chris Wall’s Counsel’s Opinion and Compton Bolter, trained by Gerard Butler.