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Irish Group action plus potential return for Mohaafeth as Royal Ascot approaches

Jim Crowley riding Mohaafeth win The Hampton Court Stakes at Royal Ascot
Mohaafeth: top-class colt could run this weekCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Monday

Windsor's evening card is the centre of attention for many, after afternoon action at Southwell and Lingfield in Britain and Listowel and Kilbeggan in Ireland.

There is Group 2 action further afield in Cologne, which stages the 187th Sparkasse KolnBonn Union-Rennen (3.55).

The race is an important stepping stone for many top-class German runners, with winners Novellist, Ivanhowe, Sea The Moon, Weltstar and Laccario all going on to Group 1 glory in the last decade.

Tuesday

Veterans Boom The Groom and Doc Sportello could be star attractions in the 6f handicap (2.00) at Brighton.

Fresh from winning his sixth Derby, Sir Michael Stoute has some interesting entries at Salisbury, including the Niarchos family-owned Sunrise Valley in a decent fillies' handicap (3.45) with Ryan Moore booked to ride.

The £25,000 Racing With Pride Handicap (7.20) is the feature event at Chelmsford and it could include runners from the yards of John and Thady Gosden, Hugo Palmer and Archie Watson.

Wednesday

The Group 3 Munster Oaks (7.10) at Cork is a key opportunity for fillies and mares to achieve black type and this year's race could see the prolific La Petite Coco reappear. Stablemate Rosscarbery is also interesting, while the Ger Lyons-trained Cairde Go Deo looks a three-year-old on the up.

La Petite Coco: could be in action on Cork's Wednesday card
La Petite Coco: could be in action on Cork's Wednesday cardCredit: David Keane (racingpost.com/photos)

On the same card, speedsters Gustavus Weston, Logo Hunter and Make A Challenge could clash in the Listed Midsummer Sprint Stakes (6.40).

In Britain, the cards at Haydock and Yarmouth should be informative and could throw up Royal Ascot-bound juveniles.

Thursday

The pick of the day's racing comes from Ireland again as Leopardstown stages the Group 3 Ballycorus Stakes (6.15). Last year's winner Real Appeal could take on Phoenix Stakes second Dr Zempf and Pretreville, who landed the Group 3 Amethyst Stakes last time out.

Group 1 winners Great Heavens, Speedy Boarding and Sea Of Class landed the Listed Greatwood British EBF Stakes (2.40) as three-year-olds and several well-bred fillies will be bidding to follow in their footsteps at Newbury.

Elegant Verse, who is by Galileo and out of Special Duty, is just one of those entered, while other hopefuls include stablemate Judith, the exciting Golden Lyra and Godolphin's Life Of Dreams, who was runner-up behind Emily Upjohn in the Musidora Stakes.

Friday

The Listed Ganton Stakes (3.30) at York could include some last-minute Royal Ascot candidates. The most interesting entrant is Mohaafeth, who was last seen running in the Group 1 Dubai Turf behind Lord North and Panthalassa. Three-time winner Valiant Prince will need to bounce back from a disappointing effort at Ascot.

Mahaafeth: holds an entry in the Listed Ganton Stakes on Friday
Mahaafeth: holds an entry in the Listed Ganton Stakes on FridayCredit: Edward Whitaker

It is also worth keeping an eye on the 7f maiden (1.45) at Sandown, where many unraced two-year-olds are looking to strike in a contest which marked the debut of Native Trial and Royal Patronage last year.

Saturday

Racing in Britain is without a Group contest this Saturday as the Flat season braces for a star line-up at Royal Ascot next week.

The Sky Bet Race To The Ebor Grand Cup (3.05) at York and Scurry Stakes (2.50) at Sandown are interesting Listed contests, while Graded action can be found in France with jump racing at Auteuil.

Sunday

Salisbury hosts a seven-race Flat card headlined by the Listed British Stallion Studs EBF Cathedral Stakes (3.50).

More Flat action comes from Doncaster and Gowran, while the sole jumps fixture of the day is at Downpatrick.


Read more:

'He's a top-class three-year-old' - Cazoo Derby performances analysed

Quotes of the week: 'He could walk on water; he could get people eating out of his hands'

'We can't get him off the bridle at home' - Cole out for more Ascot juvenile joy


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