Richard Fahey aims Sands of Mali at Newmarket test

After making all at York under Paul Hanagan, Sands Of Mali has done nothing but please his trainer since and remains on track for the prestigious Group One on September 30.

“The Middle Park Stakes is the target for Sands Of Mali, who is really well,” said the Malton handler.

“I am very happy with him and wouldn’t swap him for anything else in the race

“He put up a solid performance in the Gimcrack and that race has done him the world of good.

“It’s helped him grow up and he’s exactly where we want him at the moment.

“In the long run, I don’t necessarily see Sands Of Mali as a sprinter. He’s a big, strong, galloping horse who is just talented.

“He will go on any ground and it wouldn’t worry me if it rode soft at Newmarket because he won at Nottingham on quite testing ground.”

Karl Burke’s speedy duo Unfortunately and Havana Grey, first and second in the Prix Morny, are other major contenders, the latter declared for Doncaster’s Flying Childers Stakes tomorrow.

Montaly will face eight rivals as he aims to add tomorrow’s Doncaster Cup on Friday to his recent successes.

Andrew Balding’s stayer won the Chester Cup in May and also came with a late rattle to take the Lonsdale Cup at York under PJ McDonald.

Balding’s stable jockey Oisin Murphy, victorious at Chester, resumes riding duties.

David Simcock’s Sheikhzayedroad and the Sir Mark Prescott-trained Pallasator, the last two winners of the race, also feature.

Hugo Palmer is represented by four of the 81 entries in the Racing Post Trophy which takes places at Doncaster on October 28. The final Group One of the British Flat season has a good record of unearthing Classic contenders and the trainer hopes his prospect, who made a winning debut at Haydock, is up to the task.