Amazingly, despite its ferociously competitive nature, six of the last 10 runnings have fallen to horses from the county and it could have been even better.

Last year's second and third, Borderlescott and Knot In Wood, renew rivalry and, with the latter seemingly having the better of the draw, he can confirm his return to form by taking the lucrative sprint for his local connections.

Richard Fahey's fine sprinter bounced right back to his best at Hamiliton last time, the race he won last year before his tremendous run in today's big event. With his high draw and Jamie Moriarty claiming a an invaluable 3lbs, Knot In Wood gets the vote to go two better than a year ago.

Borderlescott, who won the event in 2006, almost made it a double last year and Robin Bastiman's stable star would have been the selection but for doubts over his stall one draw.

There are numerous others with chances, including any one of Dandy Nicholls's quintet, and hopefully the big prize can be heading back to Yorkshire where it belongs.

Goodwood's Nassau Stakes, a Group 1 for fillies, has attracted a cracking field, including Musidora and Coronation Stakes winner Lush Lashes.

Jim Bolger's filly, who found Epsom's Oaks too demanding in between her two victories, has been saved for the race by her handler and may just have the edge on the Irish 1000 Guineas winner Halfway To Heaven, going for an incredible 17th Group 1 victory this season for Aidan O'Brien.

The form of the French 2000 Guineas was given a boost by the victory earlier in the week of Paco Boy and River Proud, who had finished in front of him at Longchamp, can take the Listed Blue Square Premier Stakes.

Paul Cole's colt is a bit of a 'nutcase' and was almost withdrawn in France after his antics in the stalls and he can pull very hard, but Richard Hughes should get him settled and this looks well within his capabilities.

Both Doncaster and Thirsk stage competitive racing, but the very progressive Checklow looks a stand-out bet in the Unison Positively Public Handicap at Town Moor.

Prolific made it third-time lucky on the Group Two stage with a deserved win in the Sir Tristram Ricketts Memorial Richmond Stakes at Glorious Goodwood.

The nippy juvenile had run with credit for the third in both the Norfolk at Royal Ascot and the July Stakes at Newmarket, but conditions proved ideal on this occasion with rattling quick ground and a sound six furlongs.

All the money spoke for Brian Meehan's Gallagher, the 7-2 favourite, and for a moment inside the distance his determined run looked decisive.

However, Prolific (5-1) and Richard Hughes would not yield the prize and held on by a neck with Reve de Soleil a further head behind.

The Richmond has an undignified roll of honour in recent years, but Richard Hannon hopes the Compton Place colt can buck the trend.

"He's been a very good horse from the word go,'' said the Marlborough trainer.

"He wasn't right when he ran at Windsor earlier in the year and at Newmarket last time the ground went against him.

"He wants it fast. I suppose now we can look at the Prix Morny in France – he won't have a penalty – and there is the Gimcrack Stakes too.

"He could be a top-class sprinter next year, but we might try him at seven too.''

Jimmy Fortune, rider of the runner-up, got a one-day whip ban (August 15).

The same team found the winning formula again 30 minutes later as Sohcahtoa (100-30) got himself out of a little bother to take the RSA Nursery.

This event saw another one-day ban handed to Jim Crowley for a similar offence.



Johnny Murtagh collected winner number six of the week as 100-30 favourite Sixties Icon proved he is returning to his best form in the Group Three Coutts Glorious Stakes.

Jeremy Noseda's 2006 St Leger winner moved up to challenge for the lead soon after turning for home and kept finding more in front and held on to score by one length from the fast-finishing Galactic Star.

Owner Paul Roy said: "This is very emotional as he's had his problems and it's great to see him come back.

"We almost pulled him out though and if the ground had been any firmer we would have done.''