A quality field is set to go to post for the £60,000 Tripleprint Celebration Mile at Goodwood today.
Muhtathir, winner of the Hungerford Stakes at Newbury on his latest start is the likely favourite. However, this time he will have to play second fiddle to Lovers Knot, who is taken to recover recent French losses in this Group Two contest.
Michael Stoute's filly was very impressive when landing the Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket last month. Denied a clear run until switched approaching the final furlong she looked really special when quickening up in great style to draw three lengths clear of 12 useful sorts.
But next time at Deauville she proved a disappointment, weakening over a furlong out to finish a well-beaten sixth of eight. The soft going that day can be blamed for her dismal showing and now with more suitable ground conditions at the Sussex track Lovers Knot can restore her reputation with a victory over some top milers.
Masha-Il appeals as a sound wager in the Ladbroke Racing Sprint Handicap. Run over six furlongs this highly-competitive affair gives horses beaten in the Stewards' Cup the chance of a consolation prize - and John Gosden's three-year-old ran particularly well in this year's race which was staged at the beginning of this month.
Drawn 16, Masha-Il raced down the centre and kept on well from two furlongs out but had no chance with those on the far side and finished seventh of 29, beaten three and a half lengths behind Superior Premium.
Five weeks earlier the son of Danehill had shown he was going the right way when running on strongly to score by one and a half lengths from Resist The Force over today's course and distance.
And judged on his Stewards' Cup run Masha-Il is still progressing which earns him the nap vote to win this £20,000added contest.
Generous Terms gets his chance to boost his St Leger claims in the Sport On 5 March Stakes over one mile and six furlongs. A son of owner Fahd Salman's 1991 Derby winner Generous, he is out of Time Charter, winner of the Oaks and the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes.
Like Time Charter he is trained by Henry Candy, who has had to take a patient approach with the colt. He was only seen out once last season when 11th to Border Arrow at Newmarket. However, he has done nothing wrong in his two racecourse appearances this term.
He broke his duck in a maiden over an extended 11 furlongs at Leicester at the beginning of June when despite being slow to get into his stride he had enough in reserve to beat Generous Rosi by two lengths.
