Johannes Vermeer comeback provides late attraction

For those racegoers who find six races enough and slope off before the last of seven, it may be a day to think again.

This afternoon's curtain-closing 5.20 race, the Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards Darley Stakes, is one of the most intriguing of the day – and not just because it features the return of Aidan O'Brien's Group 1 winner Johannes Vermeer.

The race sponsors add spice by running the Andre Fabre-trained Ancient History and last month's Cambridgeshire runner-up Carry On Deryck, ridden by Jim Crowley, who is a week away from being crowned champion jockey.

Johannes Vermeer has not been seen since winning the Criterium International from Stormy Antarctic at Saint-Cloud last November after finishing second in the Racing Post Trophy.

O'Brien said: "He had a setback in the spring and is just ready to start back.

"It will help that he has no penalty for his Group 1 win in France late last season but we're just hoping he runs a good race and comes forward from it."

Ancient History's presence is explained by Godolphin representative Lisa-Jane Graffard, who said: "There are limited opportunities in France for him, particularly on decent ground.

"This is a big ask based on his form but he heads to Newmarket in good shape."

While Johannes Vermeer is on the comeback trail, Muffri'ha is coming to the end of her racing story.

Her trainer William Haggas said: "She's going to be retired at the end of the year, so why not have a crack at this race? She put up a career-best effort last time, although it was only a handicap."

Talking of fillies, there are 13 of them in the opening Listed visionsport.com EBF Stallions Boadicea Fillies' Stakes.

Godolphin should have a big say here with Mise En Rose, who was withdrawn after the rain came at Ascot last Saturday.

One of her rivals here, Imtiyaaz, did run in the rain at Ascot and trainer Roger Varian is upbeat about her chances.

He said: “Imtiyaaz shaped better than the bare result in the October Stakes last weekend, travelling well before just finding seven furlongs on soft ground too much of a stamina test.

“She'll be well suited by the return to six on a faster surface and there isn’t much between most of these on form.”

There may be added interest in the Godolphin Flying Start Zetland Stakes as this Listed race for juveniles was won by Hartnell three years ago.

Since winning the Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot the following year, Hartnell has made waves in Australia, with a series of impressive wins meaning he is second-favourite for the Cox Plate behind Winx.

His trainer Mark Johnston runs Bear Valley and Permian, while John Gosden is looking for his first win in the race and also runs two.

Gosden said: "Cunco is up in trip but he's always galloped out at the end of a mile as if he'll get this kind of distance.

"Coronet is running in this as there's nothing for fillies over this trip in the near future, so she has to take on the colts. We'll put her away after this with middle distances in mind for next year."