Luxembourg primed for comeback as one-time Derby favourite returns on Saturday

One-time Derby favourite Luxembourg will face five rivals when he makes his highly anticipated return from injury in the Fitzdares Royal Whip Stakes (4.05) at the Curragh on Saturday.

Last year's Vertem Futurity Stakes winner has not been seen since finishing third in the 2,000 Guineas in April. He remained prominent in the market for the Derby but was ruled out of the Epsom Classic after suffering a muscular injury.

The son of Camelot is set to make his return in the 1m2f Group 3 before being aimed at bigger targets, which could include the Irish Champion Stakes and the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

In the card's other Group 3, the Irish St Leger Trial (4.40), dual Irish St Leger heroine Search For A Song will face five rivals as she bids to return to winning ways after finishing down the field at Longchamp last time.

Newbury headlines the action in Britain and ten have been declared for the Group 2 BetVictor Hungerford Stakes (3.35), in which Tiber Flow will bid to bounce back following his defeat at Royal Ascot last time.

Tiber Flow (near): set for Hungerford Stakes at Newbury on SaturdayCredit: Alan Crowhurst

The William Haggas-trained three-year-old was a Listed winner at the track this year but finished eighth in the Commonwealth Cup at the royal meeting and steps back up in trip and down in class.

He is set to face Summer Mile winner Chindit and Lennox Stakes third Pogo, while classy fillies Happy Romance and Double Or Bubble are also among the opposition.

The Hungerford Stakes will be the only race at Newbury that features a double-figure field after just 47 horses were declared across the seven races.

The fixture's other feature contests, the Geoffrey Freer Stakes (2.30) and the Listed Denford Stud Stakes (1.55), have attracted just five runners each.

Newmarket, which features two races on ITV, had just 41 declarations across its seven races, with the 6f novice (2.45) the only contest paying three each-way places.

At Ripon, a field of 15 will contest the William Hill Great St Wilfrid Handicap (2.50), which has meant the consolation race, the Silver Trophy, has been cancelled.

Fitzdares Royal Whip Stakes (Curragh, 4.05 Saturday)

Paddy Power: 8-15 Luxembourg, 9-2 Insinuendo, 7 Georgeville, 10 Point Gellibrand, 12 Anchorage, 40 Realism

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