Dettori and Godolphin for a champagne celebration

Oude can give Godolphin and Frankie Dettori yet another big win in the SGB Champagne Stakes at Doncaster tomorrow.

This £90,000 contest has a rich tradition for producing high-class milers, and Oude has plenty going for him as he bids to add his name to its roll of honour.

Firstly, he's a son of the late Dubai Millennium, an outstanding racehorse who has made a huge impact with his first crop of juveniles.

Secondly, he hails from a yard who are in commanding form, with over 40 juvenile winners at a strike rate of one winner to every three runners. And thirdly, Oude has already shown smart form while leaving the impression that his best is yet to come.

First time out he showed an impressive turn of foot to beat a useful rival cosily in a Newmarket maiden.

Then it was on to York for the Acomb Stakes. Connections were concerned that soft ground would be against him, and to a certain extent their worries were vindicated as Oude went down by a neck to Elliots World.

Elliots World reopposes tomorrow and is clearly on the up, though his tendency to sweat and pull hard is a worry ahead of his stiffest assignment.

Iceman is another live contender after his strong-finishing-success in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot, while the Barry Hills-trained Etlaala bolted up at Newbury on his debut and is from a stable with a long tradition of aiming its best colts at this race.

However, Oude (nap) can prove too strong for all of them. Reports suggest he has thrived since York and, if that's the case, then Dettori could be preparing for another flying dismount.

Dettori's pursuit of Kieren Fallon at the top of the jockeys' table continues aboard Fantastic Love in the totepool Mallard Handicap, but for once the exuberant Italian might have to settle for a minor role. Lost Soldier Three could be a warm order after his emphatic York success, but with the ground riding fast the reliable Sergeant Cecil looks solid each-way value to confirm the promise of a fine effort in a hot handicap at Haydock last weekend.

John Dunlop's recent revival means some punters will look to Big Bad Bob to form in the Gilbey Brothers Silver Microphone Stakes. This freewheeling front-runner is tough to peg back when on song, but Red Fort (nb) has improved massively and looks the one to beat after following his runaway Royal Ascot win with a highly creditable fourth in York's John Smith's Cup.

Day one of the Leger meeting led many pundits to conclude that those drawn high have the edge in sprints, but the fact that Texas Gold ran so well from trap one in the Portland Handicap suggests there can't be much in it. Don't be surprised if the so-called bias evens out as the meeting progresses.

And don't be surprised if Richard Fahey's impressive Ripon winner Breaking Shadow goes close in a wide open DBS St Leger Yearling Stakes.

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