Alpha Centauri set for Fillies' Mile unless ground is testing

Jessica Harrington is aiming her exciting two-year-old Alpha Centauri at the Group 1 bet365 Fillies' Mile at Newmarket on Friday, October 13.

Twice successful over six furlongs at Naas in May, including in Listed company, Alpha Centauri lost out by only a neck to Different League in the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot.

The daughter of Mastercraftsman finished only fifth in the Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh on her most recent start but Harrington feels conditions didn't play to her strengths. She said: "Alpha Centauri got bogged down in the testing ground in the Moyglare. She was last off the bridle but couldn't quicken up in the ground.

"The Fillies' Mile is the plan once the ground is suitable. If it's too testing we'll probably put her away until next year and let her strengthen up over the winter."

Geraghty set for Saturday return

Barry Geraghty, sidelined since suffering a hairline fracture of a shoulder blade in a fall at Killarney on August 26, expects to resume at Navan on Saturday.

He said on Wednesday: "Things are coming along well and I should be fine to start back at Navan. I rode out yesterday and I'm still getting plenty of physio, but I'm feeling good and looking forward to starting back."

Geraghty was out of action with a serious arm injury sustained in the Irish Grand National in April until returning at the Galway festival where he landed Ireland's richest hurdle race, the Guinness Galway Hurdle, on Tigris River.

His latest injury came when his mount, Cook Islands, was brought down at the final hurdle in a novice event at Killarney.

Navan Saturday entries

Findlay makes William Hill book prize list

The autobiography of Harry Findlay, legendary punter and co-owner of the Gold Cup winner Denman, has made the long list for the William Hill sports book of the year.

Gambling For Life (Trinity Mirror Sport Media), which was featured in an excerpt in last Sunday's Racing Post supplement and is available from our book shop, is one of two racing stories in the field of 16 to make the long list.

The other is Centaur, the story of top jump jockey Declan Murphy and his miraculous recovery from the fall that should have killed him, brought to life by writer Ami Rao.

Other books on the list for what has become known as 'The Bookie Prize' feature World number one Andy Murray's mother Judy's story and former England cricket captain Mike Brearley.