The Lowdown: going updates, racecards, news and tips for today's racing

Today's news

• MAGIC TOUCH: Donnacha O'Brien is relishing the big-race ride on Magical in Sunday's Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and is aiming high, saying: "If you offered me third I wouldn't take it – it's about winning."
  
  
• PARIS DREAM: Japanese trainer Katsuhiko Sumii, who saddles Kiseki in the Arc, has been using his experience of French racing to plot a perfect prep for his runner.
  
  
• APPLEBY RAIDER: While gearing up for some French treats this weekend, there's a Group 3 at Saint-Cloud (3.06) on Friday, and Charlie Appleby runs King's Command and Royal Crusade, who looks first choice with stable jockey William Buick riding.
  
  
• FAMILIAR FACES:Gowran's feature is a Listed mares' hurdle () and it could fall to Gigginstown and Gordon Elliott as they are represented by likely favourite Surin.

Key links

Today's racecards
Today's non-runners
Today's free racing tipsLatest free bets

Today's meetings

**STAR MEETING**
Ascot (first race 2.00)
Ascot may play second fiddle tomorrow with Group 1s at Newmarket and Longchamp, but it provides the tastiest action on Friday and features the Listed Londonmetric Noel Murless Stakes, which could be a stepping stone for a smart stayer or two for next year. (2.00: racecard | preview).
Going Straight: Soft, Round: Soft, heavy in places
SPOTLIGHT TIP: Hereby (2.00)

Gowran Park (2.05)
Going Good to yielding, yielding in places

Hexham (2.15)
Going Soft, heavy in places

Fontwell (2.25)
Going Good, good to soft in places

Dundalk (5.10)
Going Standard

Southwell (5.25)
Going Standard

Keep up to speed with today's non-runners and the latest changes with Raceday Live

Today's tips

Keith Melrose's top tip

Orioninverness (4.35 Hexham)
Not the best jumper, but that has rarely held him back over these soft fences and he's improved since last running here 18 months ago. Yard have had a few winners of late, including a couple after a break.

Live Tipster
Pietro Innocenzi leads our team of experts providing live insight through the day on Raceday Live.

Today's video

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