Formal ready to roll in the Rockfel

Formal can further enhance her already lofty reputation by taking top honours in the Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai Rockfel Stakes at Newmarket on Friday.

The beautifully-bred daughter of Dubawi and Group One winner Veracious made a big impression when comfortably accounting for odds-on favourite Glistening on her Newbury debut.

She confirmed the promise of that success when securing a decisive novice victory at Leicester on soft ground and this step up to Group Two company looks a natural next step.

Sir Michael Stoute certainly knows what is required for Rockfel glory, having taken the inaugural running with Top Hope back in 1981 and subsequently striking with Musical Bliss and Cape Dollar.

Poker Face has had a frustrating campaign since a fine second to Charyn at Sandown in April but can hopefully come good in the Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai Joel Stakes.

Having been pulled up in the Queen Anne, he returned from a two-month break to be edged out by Ice Max in the Celebration Mile at Goodwood before finishing fourth behind Diego Velazquez at Leopardstown.

The gelding just got involved in a bit of a barging match with Lord Massusus turning for home in what was a messy race in Ireland, so the feeling is that he still has more to offer than that bare form.

Poker Face progressed throughout last term and was a Group Two ParisLongchamp scorer at around this time 12 months ago.

Sirona is another who has proven she can hold her form into the autumn, bagging late-season wins for the past two years when trained by Mark and Charlie Johnston.

Now with David Menuisier, she is coming off a narrow defeat by Mountain Song in a Listed-class ParisLongchamp event and should go well again at the same level in the Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai British EBF Rosemary Stakes.

The lightly-raced Place Of Safety can remain on an upward curve for John and Thady Gosden in the Princess Royal Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai Stakes.

After an encouraging debut fourth at Newbury, she enjoyed a confidence-boosting 5-length romp at Kempton before coping admirably with a step up in class and distance on the July Course at HQ.

Having travelled strongly, the three-year-old came through to hit the front in the Chalice Stakes under Benoit de la Sayette but just showed signs of greenness as she was overhauled by Divina Grace late on.

That felt like a solid contest at the time and the first and third have run well enough since to back up that view, so with plenty of scope for improvement, Place Of Safety is rated one to follow.

Aimeric has been plugging on gamely in small fields all season and may be suited by a stronger gallop in the Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai Godolphin Stakes.

There is a nice prize up for grabs in Worcester's Download Vickers.Bet App Fixed Brush Hurdle Series Final and Flying Fortune has plenty going for him after following up a nice win at Market Rasen with a smooth success at this venue. - Press Association

TAB is betting on 4 UK meetings on Friday. Here are the tips.

HAYDOCK: Race 1: 14.43 Laudable, Race 2: 15.15 Storm Lady, Race 3: 15.50 Sweet Fantastic, Race 4: 16.25 Nad Alshiba Green, Race 5: 17.00 Minstrel Knight, Race 6: 17.35 Billy No Mates, Race 7: 18.10 Quest For Fun, Race 8: 18.40 Flight Radar.

NEWMARKET: Race 1: 14.50 Sirona, Race 2: 15.25 Place Of Safety, Race 3: 16.00 FORMAL (NAP), Race 4: 16.35 Poker Face, Race 5: 17.10 Seaplane, Race 6: 17.45 Aimeric, Race 7: 18.20 Shamran.

WORCESTER: Race 1: 15.00 Mary, Race 2: 15.35 Hometown Boy, Race 3: 16.10 Chancycourt, Race 4: 16.45 Flying Fortune, Race 5: 17.20 Made For You, Race 6: 17.55 Bashful.

WOLVERHAMPTON: Race 1: 17.15 Enclosure, Race 2: 17.50 Daytona Lady, Race 3: 18.25 Flying Panther, Race 4: 19.00 Ultramarine, Race 5: 19.30 Catch Cunningham, Race 6: 20.00 Visibility, Race 7: 20.30 Atlantis Blue, Race 8: 21.00 Lost In Time, Race 9: 21.30 Apostle.

DOUBLE: Formal and Poker Face (Newmarket, Races 2 and 3).