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Horse Racing

Midnight Mile looks made for Haydock test

August 2023

Midnight Mile can take another step up the ladder with victory in the Betfred Rose of Lancaster Stakes at Haydock.

Winner of the Group Three Oh So Sharp Stakes as a juvenile last year, the No Nay Never filly turned in an excellent effort to finish fourth at the Breeders' Cup meeting, with that Group One effort prompting connections to aim high this term.

Richard Fahey opted to tackle the Musidora first time up and while Midnight Mile proved no match for eventual Oaks winner Soul Sister, there was plenty to like about her fourth place, with her trainer expecting a huge leap forward for the run.

A try over a mile and a half (2400m) at Royal Ascot ended in Ribblesdale disappointment, but dropped back to a mile and a quarter (2000m)  at York, Midnight Mile returned to form in style with a cosy Listed success at the backend of last month, with slightly easier ground also working in her favour.

Midnight Mile is likely to encounter similar conditions on Merseyside as she runs over the same extended 10-furlong (2000m) trip, with her fillies' allowance further enhancing confidence.

Breege makes a swift return to action in the British Stallion Studs EBF Dick Hern Stakes after a near miss at Goodwood last week.

Second on quick ground in the Sandringham at Royal Ascot, she filled the same position on soft ground in the Group Three Oak Tree Stakes at the Sussex track.

Beaten just under a length by a rival who arguably had a more favourable position on the course, Breege lost little in defeat and dropping back to Listed level here could give her the confidence-boosting win she deserves.

Charlie Appleby is not enjoying a stellar season judged on his own high standards, but he continues to send out a stream of juvenile winners and Wild Goddess looks another ready to take a nice prize.

A beaten favourite when only fourth on her racecourse bow, Wild Goddess kicked up a gear next time to run out a four-length winner of a Newmarket novice at the end of last month, seemingly thriving for the move to seven furlongs (1400m) from six (1200m).

Appleby sticks to that same course and distance for the Molson Coors Sweet Solera Stakes, with the Camelot filly sure to be in the frame.

Ascot hosts the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup, with the annual team contest again drawing some highly competitive fields.

Quinault lines up in the six-furlong (1200m) Sprint division in search of a seventh successive victory and it would be foolish to take on Stuart Williams' in-form charge.

While his mark has shot up from 59 to his current perch of 97, Quinault has kept finding the required extra when asked, with his most recent win at Newmarket getting a huge boost when runner-up Mill Stream subsequently claimed a French Listed event.

Tees Spirit drops back in company for the opening Dash over five furlongs (1000m).

A five-times winner last term, including in Listed company, it is easy to understand why Adrian Nicholls has kept to that sort of level - albeit unsuccessfully - so far this year.

However, with a revised mark of 99 again making handicaps an option, this could be a nice opportunity to regain the winning thread. - Press Association

TAB is betting on 6 UK meetings today. Here are the tips.

ASCOT: Race 1: 14.35 Tees Spirit, Race 2: 15.10 The Very Man, Race 3: 15.45 La Yakel, Race 4: 16.20 Fox Tal, Race 5: 16.55 Intinso, Race 6: 17.30 Quinault.

NEWMARKET: Race 1: 14.55 Colour Code, Race 2: 15.30 Sleven, Race 3: 16.05 Edge Of Darkness, Race 4: 16.40 Wild Goddess, Race 5: 17.15 Sir Winston, Race 6: 17.50 Sniper's Eye.

REDCAR: Race 1: 15.03 Hamlet, Race 2: 15.38 Star Player, Race 3: 16.13 Vondelpark, Race 4: 16.48 Fast And Loose, Race 5: 17.24 The Grey Lass, Race 6: 18.02 Fortuitous Star, Race 7: 18.35 Michael's Pledge.

HAYDOCK: Race 1: 15.25 Kathab, Race 2: 16.00 MIDNIGHT MILE (NAP), Race 3: 16.35 Leap Year Lad, Race 4: 17.10 Breege, Race 5: 17.45 Harlem Nights, Race 6: 18.20 Tobetso, Race 7: 18.50 Flatley.

LINGFIELD: Race 1: 18.15 Amathus, Race 2: 18.45 Hot Fashion, Race 3: 19.15 Eight Mile, Race 4: 19.45 Wonderwall, Race 5: 20.15 Robusto, Race 6: 20.45 Native Melody.

AYR: Race 1: 19.07 Ski Angel, Race 2: 19.37 Ayr Poet, Race 3: 20.07 Rich Harry, Race 4: 20.37 One Last Hug, Race 5: 21.07 Slippin Jimmy, Race 6: 21.37 Jaminoz.

ALL TO COME: Midnight Mile (Haydock, Race 2) and Wild Goddess (Newmarket, Race 4).

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