Eye Of Dubai will attempt to make it three consecutive wins in the feature Ripon Cathedral City Of The Dales Handicap. The five-year-old, trained by John and Sean Quinn, returned to form in last weekend’s Ayr Bronze Cup. A 5lb rise makes the task tougher, but his record at Ripon keeps him in contention.
Dark Thirty is prominent after finishing third at the Curragh. The handicapper has dropped him 2lb, and Jake Dickson’s 5lb claim further reduces his burden. Trefor, a course-and-distance winner, is closely matched with Indian Run on their Windsor one-two-three in August; both have each-way claims, though Trefor’s recent form has been inconsistent. Yes I’m Mali won over the track and trip on his penultimate start and has Conor Whiteley claiming 5lb.
Southwell’s maiden stakes feature Juddmonte colt Pyramid, second at Wolverhampton on his July debut after being held up before finding room. The winner has since placed in Listed company and the third has won. Kashooda, trained by Andrew Balding, has placed on both starts and was runner-up at Kempton. Roxy Power and Oliver Cole’s debutant Pepperazzi are also noted.
The seven-runner Joe Hirsch Stakes is the day’s Grade 1 feature. El Cordobes was third in the race last year and later third in the Breeders’ Cup Turf; he has not raced since the H.H. The Amir Trophy in February. Pride Of Arras arrives after winning the Group 3 September Stakes at Kempton. Far Bridge and Fort George also have claims on their form. The schedule additionally includes the Golden Rose at Rosehill, Auteuil’s Prix de Maisons-Laffitte, and races at Ripon, Southwell, Belmont and Santa Anita.