Rain to decide Maiden plans

Soft ground specialist Indian Maiden is unlikely to take her chance in the Miles And Morrison October Stakes on Sunday’s Newmarket fixture-list unless there is cut in the ground.

Her trainer Malcolm Saunders, mindful of the fact that the mare loves to get her toe in, is resisting the temptation to go for the Listed contest, which would be her first attempt at seven furlongs.

Saunders said: “I’ll wait before making a final decision but she will only run if it’s good to soft and we desperately need the rain that’s forecast at the end of the week.”

Indian Maiden revelled in the testing conditions when scoring at Chester on her latest outing and has now won four Listed races this season.