Elm park returns to action - Gesture appeal underway

The Andrew Balding-trained colt (pictured) raced too freely and was not suited by the quick ground and undulations at Epsom, but today faces a much easier assignment, the Racehorse Sanctuary Remembers Moorcroft Boy Fortune Stakes (15.20), a race which, if all goes well, should tee him up for a start at QIPCO British Champions Day on October 17 at Ascot. His targets there would be the QIPCO Champions Stakes over ten furlongs, or the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes over a mile.

Although Elm Park won the Gr.1 Racing Post Trophy last year he avoids a penalty in today's race, and a repeat of his excellent run behind Golden Horn and Jack Hobbs in May's Dante Stakes would give him a fine chance, irrespective of the form he showed at two.

Today's race is run over a mile, a drop in trip after the mile and a half of the Derby, but Balding believes it will suit Elm Park, who he reports to be "showing an excellent standard of work". The going, which this morning was given as 'good, good to soft in places', should be fine, and he is unlikely to be hindered should there be further rain.

Andrea Atzeni takes the ride once more and he also partners the Chris Wall-trained Sahara (15.55) andBrutus (16.30), from Richard Hannon's stable, in Qatar Racing's colours.

Gesture appeal starts today

An appeal against the demotion of Qatar Racing's Secret Gesture from first to third following last month's Gr.1 Beverly D. Stakes at Arlington Park is due to open in the USA today, although a decision could be some weeks away.

Witnesses for the appeal team are legendary jockey Steve Cauthen, the former chief racing steward for Kentucky, Bernard Hettel, and Jamie Spencer, who rode Secret Gesture.

The four-year-old filly is owned in partnership with Newsells Park Stud and trained by Ralph Beckett.