Ascot preview: Librettist boasts a 100 per cent record this term and he is fancied to extend that unbeaten run, and secure a Group One hat-trick, in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot today.
The four-year-old has suffered just one defeat in his eight-race career, that when a respectable fifth in the 2004 Dewhurst Stakes won by the brilliant Shamardal.
He had no chance to avenge that loss last year when a setback kept him out for the entire campaign but he has wasted no time in making up for that misfortune.
After promising wins at Nottingham and Windsor, the Danzig colt took a French Group Three event in such good style that connections decided to up his sights to Group One company.
And he did not disappoint, landing the Jacques Le Marois in fine fashion before seeing off an ultra-competitive field in the Prix du Moulin.
Librettist arrives here in top form and with Frankie Dettori aboard, he can see off George Washington to land another tactical front-running win.
English Ballet suffered a surprise defeat at York but she can gain her revenge on Simply Perfect in the Meon Valley Stud Fillies' Mile.
Having narrowly won a six-furlong Windsor maiden on her racecourse debut in July, Barry Hills' filly clearly relished the extra furlong when winning the Sweet Solera Stakes at Newmarket.
That success warranted a step up in grade for the May Hill Stakes but, under a 3lb penalty, she was unable to hold the late challenge of Simply Perfect.
Now renewing rivalry with Jeremy Noseda's filly on level terms, English Ballet is fancied to turn that form around and maintain her progressive profile.
Halicarnassus should appreciate the step up to a mile in the Juddmonte Royal Lodge Stakes.
An unexpected 33 to 1 winner of the Superlative Stakes at Newmarket, trainer Mick Channon has brought this colt along slowly and his patience can pay off.
Stepping up to 14 furlongs should suit the progressive Corum who is expected to take all the beating in Haydock's Brian Chadwick 40th Birthday Celebration Handicap.
n Timmy Murphy has lodged a provisional appeal with the Horseracing Regulatory Authority against the 14-day ban he received over the running and riding of Go Commercial at Perth.
A 25 to 1 shot, the gelding was beaten about 50 lengths in eighth place behind Millennium Hall in the Retail Maiden Hurdle on Wednesday.
The jump jockey and his advisors are going to study the race video over the weekend before deciding whether to confirm the appeal on Monday.
"I've put in a provisional appeal until we look at the video. Today is the last day to make an appeal so I've put in a provisional one. I only got the proper video yesterday," said Murphy. 2.00 - Desert Chief
2.35 - Halicarnassus
3.10 - English Ballet (double)
3.45 - Dream Theme
4.20 - Librettist (nap)
4.50 - Indian Steppes
5.25 - Fair Along
