Approach to hit international heights
New Approach can win the battle of the generations in the rescheduled Juddmonte International at Newmarket.
The 10-furlong mid-summer highlight has been saved after York turned into a quagmire this week and as no three-year-old turned up in the King George, we will finally get to see how good the Classic generation are against their elders.
There is no doubting that Duke Of Marmalade is a formidable opponent for the Derby winner but New Approach has the benefit of coming into the race a fresher horse.
Aidan O’Brien’s superstar may have rattled off four Group One victories in a row this season, culminating in the King George, but Papal Bull pushed him all the way and he had a very hard race.
In contrast, New Approach has had a break since Epsom and although that absence was partly due to an injury, the Montjeu colt will be a rejuvenated runner.
This may also turn out to be his best trip even though he has yet to run over it.
Raven’s Pass can gain an overdue success in the totesport Celebration Mile at Goodwood.
He has banged his head against the brick wall that is Henrythenavigator on more then one occasion this season and last time in the Sussex Stakes he nearly got the better of his exalted rival.
John Gosden’s three-year-old needs to come from off the pace and in this small field he may find that tricky.
But he is quite simply in a different league to these rivals.
The Ladbrokes Great Voltigeur Stakes, a major trial for the St Leger, has been rescued from York also and takes place at Goodwood.
Sir Michael Stoute has a fine record in this race, even if he has yet to win the Leger itself, and Patkai should have no trouble taking this.
Faraway Flower is bred in the purple and she looks a likely type in the toteswinger Prestige Stakes.
It is a big jump to Group Three class here but Barry Hills is not known to tilt at windmills and she deserves the utmost respect.
The feature of Goodwood’s seven-race card on Sunday is the Listed EBF Alice Keppel Stakes – from which Icon Project can gain a deserved bit of black type.
The daughter of Empire Maker was left trailing in the wake of Dar Re Mi on her Sandown debut in the spring, but has since won a maiden at Haydock and posted two highly-creditable performances in classy company.
Her latest one-length third to old foe Dar Re Mi in a Listed heat at Newmarket is a clear reflection of how far she has come.
Indeed, she was also arguably a little unfortunate when a staying-on fourth to Michita in the Group Two Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot on her penultimate outing.
Genuinely testing ground would be a slight worry for Brian Meehan’s American-bred filly, but she appeared to handle ease underfoot on her racecourse bow and the weather forecast bodes well.
Little White Lie has yet to run a bad race since joining the John Jenkins yard earlier this year and he can add to his tally in the TurfTV.co.uk Stakes.
After chasing home the promising Bushman on his first outing for his new yard at Sandown in May, the four-year-old battled gamely to land a valuable handicap at Epsom on Derby day.
He also demonstrated the same qualities when defeating Lovelace by a head in the Bunbury Cup.
Little White Lie put up another brave fight when third under top weight on rain-softened ground at Newmarket earlier this month and could be worth another chance to defy a career-high handicap mark.
