Robert Havlin lands plum ride on Inspiral for mare's potential Group 1 farewell

Robert Havlin could register his second Group 1 winner of the season in the Cheveley Park Stud colours after being booked to ride Inspiral in Saturday’s Group 1 Virgin Bet Sun Chariot Stakes (2.40) at Newmarket.

Havlin stands in for the absent Ryan Moore on John and Thady Gosden’s mare as he heads to Longchamp, where his book of rides includes Kyprios in the Qatar Prix du Cadran (1.33).

Moore replaced Kieran Shoemark on Inspiral in the Group 1 Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville last time, when the pair finished third behind Charyn. With Shoemark also set to be in action in Paris on Saturday, Havlin will ride Inspiral for the first time since her winning debut at Newmarket's July course in June 2021.

John Gosden said on Thursday morning: “The plan is for Rab to ride Inspiral. It’s a busy weekend with jockeys in France and other places but Rab will be at Newmarket.”

Inspiral is priced at a general 11-4 to land back-to-back runnings of the mile feature in which she was steered to glory by Frankie Dettori a year ago.

Havlin rode the lead horse in a racecourse gallop that Inspiral featured in at Newmarket last Wednesday when the five-year-old mare was ridden by Moore.

Earlier this year, Havlin and Cheveley Park enjoyed Group 1 glory together in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury in May when Audience made all the running to score from Charyn with Inspiral back in fourth.

Inspiral faces high-class opposition in the six-strong field, including from within her own stable, with three-time Group 1 winner Nashwa making her first start since the Dubai Turf in March.

Tamfana, who made the frame in the 1,000 Guineas and Prix de Diane, is rated a bigger danger in the betting following her victory in the Group 3 Atalanta Stakes at Sandown last time.

Colin Keane has picked up the ride on Tamfana, with Oisin Murphy maintaining his association with Strensall Stakes winner See The Fire.

Elmalka, who has finished fourth in her two starts since winning the 1,000 Guineas, and outsider Darnation complete the line-up.

Sun Chariot confirmed runners and riders

Inspiral Robert Havlin
Nashwa Hollie Doyle
Darnation Sam James
Elmalka William Buick
See The Fire Oisin Murphy
Tamfana Colin Keane

Virgin Bet Sun Chariot Stakes (2.40 Newmarket, Saturday)
bet365: 5-2 Tamfana, 11-4 Inspiral, 7-2 Nashwa, 9-2 See The Fire, 7 Elmalka, 40 Darnation

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Sparkling Sun Chariot showdown on the cards as Gosdens' star mares Inspiral and Nashwa could meet for the first time 

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