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Wednesday’s racing round-up includes the news of a major clash in France this weekend and some interesting final declarations at Doncaster…
Ambiente Friendly looks set to take on Prix du Jockey Club winner and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe favourite Look De Vega in the Qatar Prix Niel at Longchamp on Sunday.James Fanshawe's colt finished runner-up to Aidan O'Brien's superstar City Of Troy in the Derby at Epsom before going on to finish third in the Irish equivalent. He subsequently disappointed in the Juddmonte International Stakes at York but has been reported to be in good form as he attempts to bounce back in France under Christophe Soumillon, who takes over from Robert Havlin in the saddle.
Bluestocking could be in line to take on both Aidan O'Brien's Nassau Stakes winner Opera Singer and John and Thady Gosden's multiple Group 1 scorer Emily Upjohn in the Prix Vermeille at Longchamp on Sunday. Ralph Beckett's filly is 7/4 with bookmakers Paddy Power after her fourth-place finish in the Group 1 Juddmonte International at York.
Both top jockeys William Buick and Oisin Murphy will not be present at either Doncaster or Leopardstown on Saturday, as they jet off across the pond to partner their respective mounts in Canada. Buick will ride Charlie Appleby's Naval Power in the Woodbine Mile, while Murphy is set to ride Listed Stonehenge Stakes scorer New Century for his bosses Andrew Balding and Qatar Racing.
John and Thady Gosden look to have a strong hand in the Betfred Howard Wright Doncaster Cup on Friday after the Clarehaven team declared both Sweet William and Gregory. Both horses are fighting it out towards the top of the betting as they featured among a six-strong line-up for Friday's feature. The Aidan O'Brien-trained Point Lonsdale, who was behind Gregory at York last time, will be looking to bounce back to his best, while Hollie Doyle will attempt to work her magic on Trueshan just as she did to claim this prize twelve months ago.
Tracy Vigors, co-manager of Hillwood Stud, has passed away at the age of 49. Tracy was a respected and popular figure in the bloodstock industry and also played a major role in many Nicky Henderson-trained horses, with her Marlborough stud providing a summer home for the likes of Constitution Hill, Shishkin, Altior and Might Bite over the years.
