Walker backs Starman for Sprint Cup glory

Trainer Ed Walker is confident Starman will "get the job done" in the Betfair Sprint Cup at Haydock on Saturday.

The four-year-old is looking to add the Group One contest to his growing list of accolades, following on from his victory in the July Cup at Newmarket over the summer.

That triumph at Headquarters saw Starman leave the likes of Creative Force and Glen Shiel in his wake, and Walker is convinced that if his colt can replicate that form, then he will emerge victorious on Saturday as well.

"It looks a great opportunity for him," Walker told reporters.

"You can never be confident going into any race as anything can happen with horses, but you would think in similar form, on a track that would suit him better, on ground that we know he loves, he hopefully will get the job done."

Champagne date for Reach For The Moon

Reach For The Moon, who is owned by the Queen, is expected to return to action in the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster on Saturday week.

The John and Thady Gosden-trained two-year-old was runner-up to Aidan O'Brien's star juvenile Point Lonsdale in the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot, but he has since claimed notable victories at Newbury and Sandown.

John Warren, the Queen's racing manager, has certainly been impressed by the colt, and he has now confirmed that a run at Doncaster is likely to be his next port of call.

"Reach For The Moon is in really good form," Warren said. "He's got an entry in the Champagne Stakes next week, so I think we'll be looking strongly at that to see whether or not that's where he ought to go next."

Hannon says Snow Lantern has "nothing to lose"

Richard Hannon says Snow Lantern has nothing to lose when taking on the unbeaten Baaeed in Sunday's Prix du Moulin at ParisLongchamp.

Snow Lantern is expected to be the nearest rival to Baaeed, as she has already proven herself at the top level with victory in the Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket this season, which came either side of placed efforts at Royal Ascot and Goodwood.

Meanwhile, the William Haggas-trained Baaeed is the red-hot favourite to continue his winning streak when making the step up to Group One level.

Hannon is full of respect for Baaeed, but he believes his filly can go into the race in a relaxed fashion.

"You can't be frightened of one horse. Baaeed has looked very good, and I'm sure he'll take a lot of beating," Hannon said. "I'm sure it will be a good race, and I'm looking forward to it — we have nothing to lose."

Poetic Flare to swerve Prix du Moulin

Jim Bolger has confirmed Poetic Flare will not run in Sunday's Prix du Moulin at ParisLongchamp and will instead head for next week's Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown.

Poetic Flare had been on course for a run in the Moulin following Group One successes earlier this year in the 2000 Guineas and St James's Palace Stakes.

However, the colt's involvement in the race had always been dependent on the weather, with Bolger now confirming a lack of rain has meant he has had to alter his plans, with Poetic Flare now expected to run at Leopardstown on Saturday week.

Bolger told Nick Luck's Daily Podcast: "I've got the weather forecast for the week, (and) while it's going to rain, I don't think it will be enough to produce soft ground, so I'm taking a chance, and at this stage, we're saying we're going to Leopardstown."