The stage is set for an exciting day of racing at Brighton, where Silca Bay and Sea Suite are among the top contenders for the Sapporo Japanese Premium Lager Brighton Mile Challenge Handicap. Silca Bay comes into the race on the back of a narrow victory at Newmarket last month and is expected to improve, having won by more than the official margin suggests. His trainer, Eve Johnson Houghton, has a strong record in this event, having won the past two renewals. Sea Suite, a two-time winner this year, has finished runner-up in his previous two starts and could continue to hold his form despite a 4lb rise in the weights.
Ceren Fallon regains the ride for James Owen, whose team is currently on an upward trajectory. Other notable runners in the field include Glen Nevis, who drops in grade, and course and distance winner Play Me, who warrants respect for Jim Boyle and Donagh Murphy. Here I Bow goes for top honors off a mark of 80, having had a wind operation following two disappointing efforts since switching to Oli Rix. Meanwhile, at Yarmouth, Dubai Charm and Dowman contest a tricky edition of the Strawberry Fields Stud Nursery Handicap.
Dubai Charm, representing Richard Hughes and Neil Callan, looks to hold excellent claims, having dominated a race at this track and trip 28 days ago. She appears capable of stepping up on that form, and this daughter of Blackbeard might be tough to beat. Dowman finished strongly when opening his account over this trip at Windsor back in June and has his first start after undergoing a gelding operation.
An opening mark of 73 looks fair, and he can go well under Billy Loughnane, who is chasing winners as he attempts to land the jockeys' championship for the first time. Beauty Box makes her handicap debut with a hood added, while Wait Geordie ran with credit in the Super Sprint Stakes at Newbury and cannot be ruled out. In other racing news, Lady Of Hay and Speed Of Sound headline ten runners for a competitive British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Fillies' Stakes. Richard Spencer's Speed Of Sound has run two cracking races in defeat, finishing a close third on debut at Newmarket before chasing home Sorrengail in a warm event at Ascot.
That form should be good enough to win a race, and he will be popular under Saffie Osborne. Lady Of Hay made a pleasing debut when sixth at Newbury on her racecourse debut last month, and her trainer Andrew Balding reaches for a hood. A half-sister to the useful Anna Swan, she should be sharper for that initial experience and rates a big danger. Babzini and Minkaas complete the shortlist, with the latter hampered when going well on her first start for TJ Kent last time out.
Back at Brighton, recent winners It's Life and Buckland Belle clash in the Monty Bennetts 18th Birthday Handicap before attention shifts Stateside to the Saratoga's Grade 1 A. P. Smithwick Memorial Handicap Hurdle. Fil Dor and McTigue line up here, alongside Roja Redemption.