The clock is running down to this Sunday (4th October) when the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe will be run over 12 furlongs at Longchamp. This is the greatest flat race in Europe and is always won by a very good horse. We are all hoping that Sea the Stars will be able to run and win and prove what a great horse he is. The comparisons are already being made with Dancing Brave, Mill Reef and Sea Bird II (pictured at the start of the 1965 English Derby). For us old timers Sea Bird II's performances in the Derby and the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe were breathtaking. He won the Derby without coming off the bit. I can still see him striding up the Epsom straight with his head in his chest. In the Arc de Triomphe he made a high class field look very ordinary and won by six lengths showing a tremendous turn of foot. The margin would have been more had he not drifted across the course in the last furlong. Sea the Stars is already a great horse, having won over 8 furlongs, 10 furlongs and 12 furlongs. Like Sea Bird II he has got physically stronger as the season has progressed and I am sure we will be talking of him in the same breath as the great Sea Bird II after the Arc de Triomphe. For all the runners and riders with the jockey's colours go to Paddy Power and click on "Horse Racing".

The Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes will be run over 1 mile at Ascot on Saturday. This race for three year olds and above has been won by some great horses over the years, none more so than Brigadier Gerard and Dubai Millennium. This years race worth £250,000.00 looks to be set up for Rip Van Winkle. There are likely to be only four runners and Delegator from the Godolphin team will be the biggest danger. Rip Van Winkle (pictured) was very impressive in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood. He stays beyond a mile and I expect he will make all the running and stretch Delegator's stamina to the limit. I should be able to hear a commentary of the race as I drive to Ipswich for the game against Newcastle. It will be an emotional afternoon as the North Stand will be renamed the Sir Bobby Robson Stand in a ceremony at half time. For all the runners and riders with the jockey's colours go to Paddy Power and click on "Horse Racing".

We are at Day 4 of the Doncaster St.Leger meeting already and I must confess that I have had to make do with watching recordings of racing in the evenings as I have been on "grandfather" duties. The Ladbrokes St.Leger is the oldest classic in the world and this years race does look a fairly open affair. The race is worth £500,000.00 and is for 3 year olds only and run over 1 mile 7 furlongs. Changingoftheguard was an unlucky loser of the the Ebor where he took on the older horses. Two years ago Honolulu,when a three year old, ran a great race to be second in the Ebor to Purple Moon but subsequently disappointed in the St.Leger when favourite. Johnny Murtagh had originally chosen Age of Aquarius as his mount before that horse was withdrawn. Godolphin purchased Kite Wood at the end of last season. He is a big strong powerhouse of a horse and a resolute galloper. Connections have some concern about the ground but there is only one St Leger and I hope Frankie Dettori will be riding yet another St Leger winner. For all the runners and riders with the jockey's colours go to Paddy Power and click on "Horse Racing".

The Group 1 Tattersalls Millions Irish Champion Stakes will be run tomorrow at Leopardstown over 1 mile 2 furlongs. The race is worth 1,000,000 euros and is open to 3 year olds and above. I would imagine we are all hoping that Sea the Stars takes his chance, if he does I am sure the outcome will be the same as when he met Fame and Glory in the Epsom Derby. Sea the Stars is a great horse effective over one mile, ten furlongs and one and a half miles. He did win at Leopardstown in August 2008 as a two year old on soft to heavy ground so I am not sure what all the fuss is about as regards the going. Great horses will act on any going in my humble opinion. Lets hope he is allowed to run. Also on the card is the Group 1 Coolmore Fusaichi Pegasus Matron Stakes for 3 year old and above fillies and mares. The race is worth 215,000 euros and will be run over 1 mile. It would be good to see Rainbow View finally win a race this season after all the expectations at the beginning of the Flat season. Perhaps a mile on soft ground will be what she needs. For all the runners and riders with the jockey's colours go to Paddy Power and click on "Horse Racing".

The Group 1 Betfred Sprint Cup will be run over 6 furlongs at Haydock on Saturday. The race is for 3 year olds and above and is worth £275,000.00. The likely favourite is High Standing who will have the Kieren Fallon factor. If the ground gets too soft Fleeting Spirit and Finjaan will probably not run. Main Aim has been very well supported in the antepost market and will like the soft going. Corryborough (pictured) comes into the race a fresh horse. His trainer, Henry Candy, is hopeful of a big run. At 10/1 he looks the each way value in what should be a cracking sprint. For all the runners and riders with the jockey's colours go to Paddy Power and click on "Horse Racing".

The Injured Jockeys Fund annual newsletter has arrived together with their gift ideas for Christmas. As usual the Christmas card takes centre stage and can be ordered online by clicking on Christmas Card. The Newsletter from John Oaksey describes how Oaksey House in Lambourn has now been completed with a number of retired jockeys already moved in. The Injured Jockeys Fund does a tremendous job in supporting and helping jockeys injured in the sport we all love to watch. For all the runners and riders with the jockey's colours go to Paddy Power and click on "Horse Racing".

Kieren Fallon returns to race riding in Britain for the first time since July 2006. I am sure he will be in great demand by trainers and owners. With so many top jockeys having lengthy bans he is sure to pick up some tasty rides. He resumes his riding career on Friday 4th September. It was while he was able to ride in Ireland and on the Continent that he rode his last big winner on Dylan Thomas when he won the Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe in a photo finish from Youmzain (also survived a thirty-five minute stewards' enquiry) in 2007. He subsequently received an eighteen month ban imposed by the French racing authorities at the beginning of 2008 for failing a drug test. He gets the ride on Youmzain in this years Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe. Would it not be strange if Youmzain got his head in front this year ? Kieren Fallon is still only 44 (Mick Kinane is 50 and still going strong) so I am positive he has a lot more winners in him over the next few seasons. For all the runners and riders with the jockey's colours go to Paddy Power and click on "Horse Racing".

It was good to see Delegator have a confidence building win upholding the classic form after his second to Sea the Stars in the 2000 Guineas and his second to Mastercraftsman in that epic dual at Royal Ascot in the St James's Palace Stakes. Frankie Dettori produced Delegator on the outside and he won quite easily. The win gave all the Godolphin team something to smile about and it would seem that the next port of call will be the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot on the 26th September. For all the runners and riders with the jockey's colours go to Paddy Power and click on "Horse Racing".