Chapple-Hyam and Weld on Sun Chariot stars Saffron Beach and Homeless Songs

Saturday: 2.42 Newmarket
Royal Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes (Group 1) | 1m | 3yo+ fillies & mares | ITV4/RTV

Saffron Beach bids to become the first back-to-back winner of the fillies and mares' feature since it was moved to its current slot in 2014.

Previously, French mare Sahpresa was a scorer in the mile test when winning it three times (2009-11), but Saffron Beach will not be able to match that for current connections as she is to be offered at the Tattersalls December Sales next month.

The daughter of New Bay registered her first Group 1 win in the contest a year ago since when she has doubled her tally at the highest level when landing the Prix Rothschild at Deauville in August.

Jockey William Buick is unbeaten on Saffron Beach and is back on board after being unavailable due to Godolphin commitments when she finished second in the Group 1 Matron Stakes at Leopardstown last time.

Trainer Jane Chapple-Hyam said: "William is back on board Saffron Beach and they are a good winning combination. I'm sure he wants to win another Sun Chariot as much as Abington Place [Chapple-Hyam's stables] so I'm sure he will be doing his best.

"Saffron Beach loves the Rowley Mile, and as we have seen in all of her previous runs whether she is first or second or whether it's a Guineas, Oh So Sharp or Sun Chariot, she always tries her hardest."

Weld expects better from Homeless Songs

Dermot Weld expects an improved display from Homeless Songs, who surrendered her unbeaten seasonal record in the Matron Stakes at Leopardstown last time when only fourth of nine to Pearls Galore despite being sent off a warm favourite.

That was her first start since an explosive victory in the Irish 1,000 Guineas at the Curragh in May where she was handed a Racing Post Rating of 123 and became the highest-rated three-year-old trained in Ireland with a mark of 120. Arc favourite Luxembourg has since been handed that baton.

It will be Homeless Songs' first trip outside of Ireland, but Weld is hopeful of a big run as he seeks to win the Sun Chariot for a second time following the victory of Dress To Thrill under the late Pat Smullen in 2002.

Weld said: "I think you will see an improved performance from the filly. You go into every race hoping you can win it, but she came into the Matron Stakes after a long break following a dry summer.

"I knew she would progress from the race and she seems to be in very good form since. I think she will show improvement, I'm very happy with her and looking forward to it."

Havlin hoping for first Group 1

Robert Havlin has a live chance to register a coveted first Group 1 win on the supplemented Laurel, who is one of two runners for the John and Thady Gosden stable.

The Scot, who has achieved many Group 2 wins but never at the highest level, knows plenty about his mount as he steered her to a belated debut success in a mile novice on Newmarket's July course back in July.

Owned by Juddmonte and well related being out of Promising Lead, Laurel backed up that victory with a win under a penalty on the all-weather at Kempton only ten days go.

Thady Gosden said: "Laurel has won her two novice races very well and is a filly who has always shown a lot of ability at home. Obviously it's a huge step up in class, but this is the last Group 1 of the season over a mile for fillies and mares so we're keen to give it a go."

Newmarket was awaiting rain on Friday evening but does not expecting a drastic change to the good going.

"The forecast is for 10mm of rain between 4pm and midnight," said clerk of the course Michael Prosser at 5.30pm on Friday. "I think the track is in a good place to take the rain, so I think we'll end up on the slow side of good or good to soft, somewhere in that region. It's largely dry tomorrow."

What they say

Chris Richardson, racing manager to Cheveley Park Stud, owners of Lights On
We can put a line through her run in Ireland last time as she got upset as the horse next to her reared at the start and the handler slipped over which resulted in her hood coming off. This will be her last run and if they get some rain she's not without a chance.

Hughie Morrison, trainer of Mrs Fitzherbert
It was only 13 days ago we were in France so this is pretty quick, but this is our last throw of the dice this season and we thought we'd have a go. If she fires she'll run a big race, but we've done nothing with her for two weeks except get her to the racecourse.

Thady Gosden, joint-trainer of Grande Dame
She's run consistently well all year including when second in the Atalanta Stakes at Sandown last time. She's well in herself and should handle the ground if any of the forecast rain arrives.

Rob Hornby, rider of Prosperous Voyage
The straight track is crucial, I think, and the stiff mile on both Newmarket courses plays to her strengths as she's a strong stayer at a mile. On official ratings I think we are only 2lb behind Saffron Beach, who is a very talented filly and has done Jane and her team proud, so on our best form we ought to have a good chance.

Sun Chariot analysis: What to make of Laurel? Keith Melrose assesses the buzz horse in the Sun Chariot (£)

Saturday previews:

3.00 Ascot: 'It looks winnable' - David Evans drawn to Group 3 for star sprinter Rohaan

3.21 Redcar: 'If Cold Case runs to the form he showed at Doncaster he's the one to beat'

3.25 Longchamp: Aidan O'Brien: 'Kyprios is a good-moving horse, so hopefully it's not too soft'

3.36 Ascot: 'We may be in business' - whose turn is it to land another big Ascot handicap?

Longchamp Saturday: Can Arc absentee Verry Elleegant bounce back from disappointment in Royallieu?

4.02 Gowran Park: Track and trip ideal for Easy Game with stablemate Franco posing biggest threat

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