Golden Horn favoured to win over Gleneagles

CLASSIC heroes Golden Horn and Gleneagles face off in what could be the clash of the season in the Juddmonte International but the first-named is fully expected to underline his champion status at York.

Golden Horn, ridden by Frankie Dettori, leads the field to win the Coral-Eclipse Stakes. Picture: PA

It is hard to find a chink in the armour of John Gosden’s Derby-winning colt.

He arrives unbeaten in five starts, with winning course-and- distance form in the Dante back in May before he went on to impress with his three-and-a-half-length Epsom verdict.

His recent Eclipse outing momentarily proved a test as the reopposing The Grey Gatsby really served it up to Golden Horn with half a mile to run, but the three-year-old found plenty and after making all, he also proved his versatility in terms of tactics.

He will have the benefit of a pacemaker in Dick Doughtywylie, so any frailty in the stamina of Gleneagles will likely be exposed and Golden Horn should again be able to demonstrate his impressive change of gear down the long Knavesmire straight.

Tashaar was supplemented for the Betway Great Voltigeur Stakes and the hint should be taken in the Group Two affair.

Richard Hannon had reportedly hoped the Sea The Stars colt would be a type for Royal Ascot last season, but he took some time to come into his own and never actually made the track as a juvenile.

However, that patience appears to be paying off this season as Tashaar opened his account over a mile at Haydock in May before bolting up in a competitive handicap event at Goodwood.

Stepping up to 11 furlongs there, Tashaar was eased right down to win by a length and a half and although the second did not enjoy a clear passage, Frankie Dettori had plenty in reserve on the winner.

The extra furlong seems certain to suit on breeding and Tashaar could emerge as something of a dark horse for the St Leger.

Recorder can carry the Queen’s colours to victory in the Tattersalls Acomb Stakes.

An eyecatching third on his debut at Newbury last month, he came good at Newmarket just over a week later when beating Culturati by a neck over seven furlongs with Ventura Storm back in third.

That pair have since dominated the finish of another decent maiden at Headquarters, while fourth-placed Battle Pride has subsequently won at Salisbury, giving the form a very pleasing appearance.

By Galileo out of classy juvenile Memory, trainer William Haggas clearly has high hopes for this colt and his raft of Group One entries will appear logical options if he can come out on top here.

Dutch Masterpiece has shown signs of a renaissance this term and he can complete his return to form in the Symphony Group Stakes.

A Group Three winner in 2013, the application of a visor in his two most recent outings appears to have sparked his interest again and the five-year-old should surely be thereabouts judged on his narrow second at Ascot on Shergar Cup day.

At Kempton, Think Ahead can strike in the 32Red On The App Store Handicap, while Sharja Queen appears a likely winner of the British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Fillies’ Stakes at Ffos Las.

Silver Rime can score a third Carlisle success in the first division of the ApolloBet Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap, with Lilbourne Legacy the pick in the Startin Skoda Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race at Worcester.