'I think this will be her swansong' - Inspiral bidding to bow out at the top with back-to-back wins in the Sun Chariot Stakes
Inspiral, who often blossoms in autumn, is being aimed at back-to-back wins in the fillies' feature on her final outing before she retires to the local paddocks of her owners Cheveley Park Stud.
The last multiple winner of the race was the French filly Sahpresa (2009-11) and Inspiral, trained by John and Thady Gosden, looks primed for a winning lap of honour after a gallop on the Rowley Mile last week.
Robert Havlin gets the call to replace Ryan Moore on the six-time Group 1 winner at a venue where the jockey registered his first Group 1 win on Commissioning two years ago. Havlin doubled that when steering Audience to glory in the Cheveley Park colours in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury in May.
Inspiral has not been at her best this term but she has proved to be an autumn filly in the past and has done plenty of stalls work at home since her slow start in the Prix Jacques Le Marois at Deauville last time, where she finished third to Charyn.
Chris Richardson, racing manager to the owners, said: "This is the time of year when Inspiral comes into herself and she likes Newmarket. Obviously she has her quirks as regards leaving the stalls but I understand the team have been working hard on this issue since her last run at Deauville.
"Ryan Moore was taken with her when he rode her in a racecourse gallop last week and felt she was in a good place and hopefully she can put her best foot forward this time. Rab Havlin is available to ride her and he knows her well from riding plenty of work on her over the last few years."
On the future he said: "I think this will be her swansong. I don't think going to the Breeders' Cup is a realistic option this year as the track will be a bit too sharp for her at Del Mar. We did it with Queen's Trust and it didn't work out the following year. I think we'll enjoy her in the paddocks after this. She has done us proud, winning six Group 1 races. Let's hope she can make it a lucky seven."
Nashwa not Trueshan for Doyle
Hollie Doyle misses out on one Group 1 assignment in France on Trueshan to make another bid for top-level success on Nashwa, who makes her first outing since March and gives John and Thady Gosden a strong hand in the six-runner field.
The daughter of Frankel is likely to improve for this run back after appearing in a racecourse gallop at the track last week but may well outrun her odds.
Doyle said: "It's been a blow having Nashwa out of action for most of the season and her return has been a long time coming, but these things happen. I've only sat on her once since Dubai, and that was last week, when she felt great.
"In the past she's taken a few runs to come to herself, but I was pleased with her and whatever happens here we hopefully have British Champions Day at Ascot to look forward to."
On her split loyalties she said: "It's just such a shame my two superstars are running at different tracks on the same day, but I can't be in two places at once. When I missed Trueshan in the Cadran three years ago it was through suspension and James [Doyle] won on him. That was a heartbreaking day, but I can't complain too much this time."
What they say
Roger Varian, trainer of Elmalka
We're looking forward to seeing her back over a mile and in fairness to her she hasn't done much wrong since winning the Guineas. She ran well at Royal Ascot and then at Goodwood. Both of those were on fast ground and I think she'll be more comfortable getting her toe in here.
Oisin Murphy, rider of See The Fire
She won very well at York last time and seems to have come out of that well. She has experience of the track and finished third in the Fillies' Mile there last year. It was fast ground at York, so hopefully the ground continues to dry out on the Rowley Mile.
David Menuisier, trainer of Tamfana
She's had a good prep, with plenty of time to recuperate between her races, and she ran probably her best race of the season over the course and distance in the 1,000 Guineas. She goes on any ground, so soft going won't be a problem for her.
Read more Saturday previews:
Can the mighty Kyprios complete another perfect season with a second Cadran demolition job?
Henry de Bromhead bids for first Group 1 with 'improving' Term Of Endearment in Prix de Royallieu
'The race could set up well for him' - trainers on their runners in the big handicap at Ascot
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