Double delight at Deauville for Palace Pier

Palace Pier joined an elite group of horses after making it back-to-back wins in the Group 1 Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville on Sunday. 

The John Gosden-trained colt had impressed when winning last year's renewal of the race but he had to dig deep this time around, edging out 2,000 Guineas and St James's Palace Stakes winner Poetic Flare. 

The four-year-old has now joined Spinning World and the great Miesque by winning the race in successive years. 

And Gosden was quick to hail his star after the race, while also pointing out he achieved the victory despite not being fully fit following a recent setback. 

He said; "I've made no secret of the fact I lost a lot of time with him and that he had a blood disorder.

"I'll be absolutely frank with you, we've come here on the bare minimum of work but his class got him through." 

Easterby talks up Winter Power's Nunthorpe hopes

Trainer Tim Easterby believes there is no reason Winter Power cannot upset market leaders Golden Pal and Suesa to win Friday's Nunthorpe Stakes at York. 

Easterby's charge has already won twice on the Knavesmire this season, while her only setback came when she finished ninth in the King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot back in June. 

The three-year-old filly's most recent victory saw her finish ahead of last year's Nunthorpe third Moss Gill and Easterby is certainly convinced she can mount a serious challenge in this year's renewal of the Group One feature. 

Easterby said: "She's in very good order and we know she likes it there.

"She did a little piece of work on Saturday and went very well. She's in great form." 

Murtagh planning dual Ebor challenge

Johnny Murtagh is planning to run two horses in Saturday's Ebor at York, with Mirann and Sonnyboyliston both holding entries. 

It has already been an impressive season for Murtagh, who has enjoyed winners at both Royal Ascot and Glorious Goodwood and is now targeting a second Ebor success following his victory with Mutual Regard in 2014. 

Mirann, who finished fourth in the Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes at Royal Ascot, is expected to head to Australia following Saturday's race, while Sonnyboyliston also holds an entry Down Under in the Melbourne Cup. 

But Murtagh's focus for the pair remains firmly on Saturday's trip to the Knavesmire. 

He said: "Both horses are going and are training very well. We've been thinking about the race for a while. Both horses are ready for the Ebor." 

York options for Princess Zoe

Trainer Tony Mullins has confirmed ground conditions will dictate whether Princess Zoe runs in Friday's Lonsdale Cup at York or the Ebor the following day. 

She finished second in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot in June and once again had to make do with a runner-up placing on her return to action in the Irish St Leger Trial at the Curragh on Friday. 

It now looks like being a swift turnaround for the six-year-old, who will be heading to York this week, but Mullins is not yet sure which race she will be running in just yet. 

He said: "I was happy with the run and she's come out of it perfect. She's out in the paddock this morning and is in great form.

"It depends on the weather forecast now. At the moment it is purely the weather that is going to make our decision. 

"It leaves us as open to going for the Ebor as the Lonsdale Cup."