Williams confirms York appearance

Trainer Stuart Williams has revealed Desert Dreamer will be heading to York next for a shot at the Lowther Stakes on August 19.

The filly made a terrific start to 2021 and picked up back-to-back wins at Newmarket but could only manage a disappointing 10th in the Queen Mary Stakes at Ascot on her next appearance. 

She has put that run behind her and recorded three consecutive runner-up finishes, claiming the silver medal twice at racing's headquarters and then at Ascot. 

In the hope of snapping this near-miss streak, Williams has now confirmed the two-year-old will be going to York next for the Lowther Stakes. 

He said: "She's fine, she's come out of the race in really good form — and the plan is to go straight to the Lowther now.

"She tries very hard and she's so professional — she's sure to run a good race." 

Oscula in line for further French trips

Trainer George Boughey has revealed Oscula will be heading back to France at the end of this month following her victory in the Prix Six Perfections at Deauville on Tuesday. 

Having chalked up triumphs at Brighton and Epsom, Oscula recorded her third success of the season with a fine performance in France, beating Zellie by one-and-a-quarter lengths. 

The two-year-old will be heading back to the scene of her most recent triumph at the end of August, while Boughey also confirmed his charge is likely to be entered into other French races later in the year. 

He said: "She's in the Prix du Calvados back at Deauville at the end of the month.

"She's travelled well and takes her racing very well. She could be going back to France later in the year. There's the Prix Marcel Boussac on Arc day, which is often run on slow ground. 

"She likes soft ground. It was pretty clear in the Duchess of Cambridge at Newmarket that she didn't go on the very fast ground." 

Baaeed preparing for Paris outing

Trainer William Haggas has suggested Baaeed will be heading to ParisLongchamp next for a tilt at the Prix du Moulin. 

It has been a remarkable rise to stardom for the horse, who has gone from being an unraced colt to one of the most promising charges around in the space of just two months. 

The three-year-old started off with a win at Leicester before racking up back-to-back victories at Newmarket, with Dane O'Neill in the saddle for the first two and Jim Crowley aboard for the most recent. 

Crowley then kept the ride for the next outing at Goodwood and it was a dominant performance from Baaeed, who won the Bonhams Thoroughbred Stakes by a mighty six-and-a-half lengths. 

Haggas, speaking on Nick Luck's Daily Podcast, said: "There's the Jacques le Marois, which I think is too quick, so it's the Moulin on September 5 or the back-up is the Celebration Mile [at Goodwood on August 28]. But I really want to go for a Group One race with him now. 

"We have to go to France and that's complicated in its own way. If all goes well in Paris, it's the QEII [at Ascot] or nothing — if it's bottomless at Ascot he probably won't go." 

Snowden agrees with Sefton change

Trainer Jamie Snowden claims the decision to switch the Grand Sefton Handicap Chase from December to November is a "sensible move". 

The Grand Sefton is one of five races staged over the famous National fences during the season and, until now, it had taken place in December on the same card as the Becher Handicap Chase. 

But the date has now been changed to Aintree's November meeting and Snowden has agreed with the tweak to the schedule.

He said: "This is a sensible move as it will now be possible to run a horse in the Grand Sefton and then go on to the Becher the following month."