Hannon wary of improving Hurricane Fly

Richard Hannon feels Hurricane Fly may still be improving ahead of Saturday's St Leger at Doncaster.

The Charlie Appleby-trained three-year-old is among 13 confirmations for the final Classic of the year and he is the overwhelming favourite, following recent Group One successes in the Irish Derby at the Curragh and the Grand Prix De Paris at ParisLongchamp.

Hannon has Mojo Star heading to Town Moor to rival Hurricane Fly this weekend but the 45-year-old feels all the contenders may face an uphill task in stopping the favourite.

He said: "Charlie [Appleby] has done an excellent job with his horse and he's one of the most gorgeous horses I've ever seen.  

"He appears, unfortunately, to be improving which will make him very hard to beat."

Reach For The Moon confirmed for Champagne Stakes

The Queen-owned Reach For The Moon is the headline name among 11 contenders for Saturday's Champagne Stakes at Doncaster.

The John and Thady Gosden-owned colt narrowly missed out on Royal Ascot success when finishing second to Point Lonsdale in the Chesham Stakes.

But impressive wins in a maiden at Newbury and the Group Three Solario Stakes at Sandown have since followed.

Reach For The Moon will now face another stern test of his credentials this weekend, with the Richard Hannon-trained Lusail perhaps being his main rival, as he will be going in search of a hat-trick of victories at Group Two level.

Dubawi Legend could also challenge for trainer Hugo Palmer despite a disappointing showing at York last month, while Native Trail is unbeaten in two for Charlie Appleby.

Potential Palace Pier and Baaeed clash excites Dettori

Frankie Dettori is relishing the prospect of Palace Pier and Baaeed going head-to-head in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot on Champions Day.

The Italian jockey has been in the saddle for all but one of Palace Pier's 10 races to date, with the duo's only defeat coming in testing conditions during last year's QEII.

John and Thady Gosden's charge is also four from four so far this season, including three Group One successes, but he could face his sternest test to date against Baaeed, who extended his unbeaten career with victory in Sunday's Prix Moulin De Longchamp.

Dettori is certainly relishing the prospect of the duo going head-to-head on Champions Day, as he knows the top races always attract the best horses.

He said: "Baaeed looked very impressive in the Moulin. 

"The races are there. If you've got the horses you go for the same races. I'm sure he will turn up.

"They will all be there. There is nowhere to hide this time of year. You have to take the gloves off and go for it."

Wincanton the target for Bravemansgame

Paul Nicholls says exciting novice chaser Bravemansgame is likely to make his seasonal reappearance at Wincanton in November.

The Grade One Challow Hurdle winner was one of the stars of Nicholls' yard last season, winning three races on the bounce before placing at Cheltenham and Aintree in the spring. 

Chepstow was where Bravemansgame began his campaign last year but Nicholls has confirmed they will not be taking the same approach this season, with the six-year-old instead likely to return to action in the Grade Two Rising Stars Novices' Chase at Wincanton in early November. 

Nicholls said: "We're not going to run him at Chepstow like we did last year, we'll wait until we get plenty of rain and better ground. 

"Something like the Rising Stars at Wincanton would suit him well."