Varian aiming to be in Knavesmire shake-up with improving Sheikha Reika

Sheikha ReikaRoger Varian
Named after Varian's youngest daughter, the three-year-old had the luxury of being first up the reopened trial ground on the Limekilns, which many locals regard as being the best gallop in Europe. Not surprisingly, there is a £45 supplement to use the mile strip and Andrea Atzeni made sure owner Sheikh Obaid got his money's worth when pushing the recent Newmarket winner right out. The filly heads to a Listed contest at York next week.

Sun MaidenSir Michael Stoute
This daughter of Frankel was well named given the weather over on the round gallop on the Limekilns, where she impressed over a mile under Ted Durcan. The three-year-old could not be better bred as she's a half-sister to six-time Group 1 winner Midday, who used to excel on the same facility in her days with Sir Henry Cecil.

NarodowaDavid Lanigan
Lanigan wears sunglasses whatever the weather so was well equipped for the bright sunshine over on Racecourse Side, where he had much of the recently reopened peat moss gallop to himself. This daughter of Iffraaj was on top under Stevie Donohoe from Heavens Align (Pat Cosgrave) and Balgowla over seven furlongs and could be well treated off a mark of 69 in a handicap at Windsor on Monday.