Mishriff claims decisive York win

John Gosden has described Mishriff as the "finished article" following his emphatic victory in the Juddmonte International on the opening day of York's Ebor Festival on Wednesday.

Mishriff had failed to deliver on his two most recent outings in the Coral-Eclipse and the King George, but he was back on top form on the Knavesmire, scoring by a decisive six lengths from Alenquer. 

The four-year-old received special praise from Gosden after the victory, while the trainer also confirmed that runs in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and at Ascot's Champions Day are now very much on the cards. 

Gosden told the Racing Post: "At a mile and a quarter he's a brilliant horse. 

"He's done nothing wrong and has now come to his very best. I think we've seen the finished article.

"I would be inclined to look towards the Arc and Champions Day, and I would not be ruling out the Breeders' Cup either." 

Yibir delivers Voltigeur success

Yibir bounced back from a disappointing showing at Goodwood last time out to claim an impressive victory in Wednesday's Great Voltigeur Stakes at York. 

The three-year-old went into the Group Two contest as the second string for Godolphin and trainer Charlie Appleby after finishing out of the placings in the Gordon Stakes last month, with Kemari instead being seen as their leading contender. 

However, Yibir was able to defy connections pre-race thoughts, as he hit the front during the final furlong on the Knavesmire before eventually finishing ahead of The Mediterranean by a length and a quarter, while Youth Spirit held on to third despite a late challenge from Sir Lucan. 

Asked if it was a surprise to see Yibir win, Appleby said: "Everyone is asking me if it was a surprise, but the rule of thumb is I try not to run them if I don't think they're going to run well. It doesn't always work out, mind you!" 

O'Brien talks up Snowfall ahead of Yorkshire Oaks

Aidan O'Brien believes Snowfall can make it a trio of Oaks successes this season by winning Thursday's Yorkshire Oaks at York. 

It has been a standout season for the daughter of Japanese ace Deep Impact, as she has won on all three of her starts to date, following up a victory at York with successes in the Oaks at Epsom and the Irish Oaks at the Curragh. 

Snowfall will now return to York for Thursday's feature race of the Ebor Festival and O'Brien believes she is well placed to help him secure his sixth victory in the Group One contest. 

The Ballydoyle handler told Racing TV: "She looks very good at the moment.

"She's straightforward, relaxes and quickens and also looks like she gets a mile and a half very well." 

Palace Pier set for Ascot swansong

John Gosden has indicated that Palace Pier will have one more run on Champions Day at Ascot before heading off to stud. 

The four-year-old made it four successes from four this season with victory in the Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville on Sunday, taking his career record to nine wins from 10 starts. 

The only blotch on that copybook came when he finished third in last year's Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot and Gosden has now confirmed that this year's Champions Day on October 16 is likely to bring the curtain down on Palace Pier's racing career. 

Gosden confirmed to talkSPORT: "We'll see where we go, it will probably be Champions Day and then off to stud."