JOHN GOSDEN has bigger fish to fry this weekend but his promising filly FRENCH DRESSING can give the stable a confidence boost in the British Stallion Studs EBF Lyric Fillies Stakes at York.
With Golden Horn bidding to join the greats at Ascot a few hours later on Saturday afternoon, it is doubtful Gosden will be on the Knavesmire to watch French Dressing have her second outing, especially as there promises to be a massive crowd due to Tom Jones appearing after racing. That should not detract from the fact this filly rates as an extremely exciting prospect.
She hails from an excellent family as her dam, Foodbroker Fancy, was a Listed winner and has produced a couple of useful types already herself.
Given this one is by Sea The Stars, though, expectations were always going to be higher.
She won a 10-furlong Ascot maiden in May with the minimum of fuss, with the runner-up winning next time out.
Despite running green and looking a bit clueless in the early stages, she had stamped her authority on the race in no uncertain terms.
On paper this looks a three-horse race with Oaks flop Crystal Zvedza and Ribblesdale third Pamona the main dangers but given the promise the selection showed on her debut, there is a chance she has plenty more in the locker.
Veteran sprinter ANCIENT CROSS has slipped to his lowest mark for five years ahead of the Clifton Park York's Specialist Orthopaedic Hospital Stakes and is worth one more chance to see if he can land a decent prize.
There was promise in his first couple of runs this season at Doncaster and Beverley, but he has been well held of late.
Connections would love nothing better than to get one more win at his favourite track, though, and this is easier than his last couple of assignments.
Gosden could be celebrating a Listed race across-the-card double as YASMEEN faces a much easier task in the Carraig Insurance EBF Stallions Valiant Stakes at Ascot.