Guest hoping to win his sister's race with evergreen veteran Mirza

Winning the 5f Lady Cecil Handicap at Nottingham (2.15) would carry extra significance for Rae Guest as the Newmarket trainer is brother to the wife of the late Sir Henry Cecil.

Carrying his hopes of victory is the oldest runner in the seven-strong field, 11-year-old sprinting veteran Mirza.

Although a multiple winner through his career including two Group 3 successes in France, Mirza has been winless since 2016. But the son of Oasis Dream retains plenty of enthusiasm and competitiveness, running well last time out at Leicester when second to Encore D'Or.

Watch Mirza's second at Leicester last month

Guest said: "I'd like to win it as it's my sister's race, that would make it extra special."

Earlier in his career Mirza preferred an easier surface, but he now thrives on quicker ground, and Guest added: "Mirza ran a great race last time. He's fit and well, likes going to the races and being in training. He'll take his chance and if he can run like he ran last time he'll be bang there."

Nothing for Appleby to be blue about at Nottingham

This week will live long in the memory of Charlie Appleby and Godolphin following Cross Counter's Melbourne Cup success, and Space Blues can keep the feel-good factor going in a division of the mile maiden (1.05) at Nottingham.

Appleby has had two juvenile runners at the course this season, and both have obliged, so the signs are encouraging for Space Blues to make a winning start.

A typically well-bred son of Dubawi, Space Blues will be partnered by James Doyle, who has also had a good season at the track, with five wins from nine rides on two-year-olds (56 per cent strike-rate).

Appleby gives Britain and Godolphin first Melbourne Cup with Cross Counter

Can Marble Moon light up Chepstow?

Evan Williams has been pleasantly surprised by Marble Moon, who has thrived on the decent jumping ground on offer, and the six-year-old goes in search of a five-timer in the 2m7½f handicap hurdle at Chepstow (2.35).

A brace of wins at Ffos Las in May and June have been supplemented by victories at Newton Abbot and Hereford last month, though Williams is mindful that the streak has to come to an end at some point.

"I'm not saying he couldn't win, but I'd be very doubtful he could," Williams said.

Slower ground could be Marble Moon's undoing as the ground was described on Tuesday at Chepstow as good, good to soft in places, with between 10-15 millimetres of rain forecast overnight and through into Wednesday morning.

Watch Marble Moon's latest victory at Hereford

"He's been remarkable and the faster ground has been a massive help," Williams added. "Chepstow has had a fair thumping of rain which could just be what he doesn't want but he's in serious order and his confidence is very high."

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