This Group 3 contest has thrown up some smart performers over the years, most notably Best Of The Bests who went on the win the Group 1 Prix d'Ispahan, and last year's winner Raven's Pass The latter has proved to be among the best three-year-old milers in Europe this season, filling second spot in the St James's Palace Stakes, Prix Jean Prat and Sussex Stakes.

Cry Of Freedom still has a long way to go before emulating those efforts, but he won the Listed Washington Singer Stakes at Newbury earlier this month with a degree of authority and his stable is not renowned for tilting at windmills. On this occasion, however, he may be worth opposing with Parisian Art.

Not too much should be gleaned from the fact that Jeremy Noseda's colt has already been equipped with blinkers as it is a ploy that the stable have used to good effect in the past to help immature two-year-olds concentrate. At first glance, the form of his Newmarket debut success does not look as strong as that of some of today's rivals, but both placed horses have run well since and this relatively expensive purchase can only improve as he gains experience.

Also at Sandown, Richard Whitaker's Tabaret could be worth an interest in the McGee Group Handicap. The five-year-old has responded well to the fitting of cheekpieces recently, winning at Redcar in June before bustling up an in-form Crimson Fern over this C&D last month.

Weighted to reverse that form with his old rival, Tabaret can be forgiven a subsequent run behind Tom's Laughter at Ascot where he had no chance from a high draw, but still kept on in excellent fashion having shown early speed. Stall five here is not ideal, but at least he should avoid any traffic problems and may well be allowed to start at generous odds.

Chester's card sets a few posers, but Viva Ronaldo looks a good bet to add to his York success in the Corbett Charity Donation Nightingale House EBF Conditions Stakes.

Richard Fahey's colt, an honourable fourth in the July Stakes at Newmarket last time, has the plum draw here and should not be inconvenienced by a return to the minimum trip.

Ripon hosts its second meeting of the week with the Ripon Cathedral City Of The Dales Handicap taking centre stage. As is the norm in decent sprint handicaps, Dandy Nicholls has a strong hand with the potentially well-handicapped Machinist arguably the pick of his quartet. Inter Vision always seems to run well here, however, and could reward each-way support despite the lack of a recent outing.

Trainer Mick Channon is to remain in hospital until next week following a successful operation on Thursday night. The former England footballer is being treated for serious injuries sustained in a car crash on Wednesday afternoon, in which his long-time friend, bloodstock agent and racehorse owner Tim Corby, died.

Channon, 59, has broken ribs, a broken arm, a fractured jaw and a punctured lung.

"It was an operation to wire his jaw and he remains in intensive care," said a spokesman at Channon's West Ilsley stables. The operation was a success and he is in good spirits, but he is desperate to get out of hospital."

Channon was on his way home to Berkshire from a day at Doncaster Sales with Corby and Channon's 15-year-old son, Jack.

The incident took place on a stretch of the M1 motorway near Kegworth in Leicestershire.

Channon and his youngest son were taken to the Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham by air ambulance.

Jack Channon was left "battered and bruised", but was not seriously injured.