Haggas: I'm really looking forward to stepping Dal Harraild up in trip

Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup (Group 2) 2m56y, 3yo+ | ITV/RUK

The Hardwicke Stakes at Ascot over a mile and a half looks the place to start in terms of class form in this race, with both fourth-placed Dartmouth and Dal Harraild, who finished three quarters of a length further back, boasting strong credentials.

Success over 1m6f at York in May was a second Listed win for Dal Harraild and William Haggas is now keen to explore staying races with this relatively lightly campaigned son of Champs Elysees.

"I'm really looking forward to stepping him up in trip," said Haggas. "I think he's been crying out for it for some time and I hope he runs well. I think the ground will dry up which will suit him well and it will be no excuse."

Dartmouth could arguably have benefited from a stronger pace on the quick ground at Ascot but only lost second to Idaho close home, while stamina wasn't an issue when defeating Simple Verse in a blanket finish to the Yorkshire Cup in May.

Melbourne calling for Prescott and Mullins

St Michel has had Australia's biggest race on his agenda for some time and trainer Sir Mark Prescott was emboldened in his plan when his charge only found Red Cardinal too strong in the Belmont Gold Cup in June.

His conqueror didn't run up to form in a slowly-run Prix Kergorlay at Deauville last Sunday, but even on the basis of St Michel's placed effort as a three-year-old in the Doncaster Cup last September, the promising stayer would have a leading chance.

"He ran very well in America and just got beat," said Prescott. "The winner didn't enhance the form at the weekend. He would like firm ground, better than he's going to get. He has won on easier ground but his forte is very quick ground, which is why he'll go to Australia for the Melbourne Cup."

A trip to Flemington was also under consideration for Thomas Hobson after his heroics at the royal meeting, where only veteran Oriental Fox denied him completing the Ascot Stakes-Queen Alexandra double.

Willie Mullins said: "He’s in good form having had a break since Royal Ascot. We’re hoping he can get into the money but it’s a big step up in class. If he can run well at this level then it opens up more options."

Sheikh well recovered after chasing Orange at Goodwood

Sheikhzayedroad: finished last season in brilliant formCredit: Mark Cranham

Sheikhzayedroad landed both the Doncaster Cup and Long Distance Cup at Ascot last autumn and was the only one of those up with Big Orange at the head of a fast-run Goodwood Cup last time to have not completely faded from view late on.

None of Prince Of Arran, Higher Power or High Jinx failed to land a serious blow at Goodwood at the start of the month, while Chester Cup winner Montaly took another step forward when chasing home Nearly Caught in a Listed race on Coral-Eclipse day, form which was partly boosted when the winner ran respectably to be fourth in the Kergorlay at the weekend.

What they say

James Fanshawe, trainer of Higher Power
Tom [Queally] never felt he was on an even keel around Goodwood but he seems to have been in good form since. This is a very competitive race but he's in good form and I just hope the ground doesn’t dry out too much.

Charlie Fellowes, trainer of Prince Of Arran
He's a quirky customer and didn’t like Goodwood. The moment he doesn’t take to something he sticks two fingers up which is why we’ve put cheekpieces on. I was all ready to go for the Ebor but I saw the Lonsdale was probably going to be quite a small field where they might go a bit slower, which I think he'll like. The happier he is mid-race the better and if he produces either of his Ascot runs he has a shout.

David Simcock, trainer of Sheikhzayedroad
He's in excellent order and the track will suit him. It looks competitive without being outstanding. I expect a better show than I saw at Ascot - where the ground was probably a bit quick for him - or at Goodwood and hopefully he'll run very well.

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