Simple Verse could grab early points

Classic-winner Simple Verse (pictured) makes her season's debut tomorrow in the Gr.2 Dunaden At Overbury Jockey Club Stakes.

Qatar Racing's superb filly, Cartier's champion stayer of last season, is one of seven in the line-up, but the 5lb penalty she carries for winning Group One races - the St Leger and QIPCO Champion Filly and Mare - means she is giving weight to her male rivals. They include Irish Derby winner Jack Hobbs, so she faces no easy task, but easy ground and 12 furlongs was an ideal opportunity to give Simple Verse a first outing of the year.

She is a popular selection with entrants to Qatar Racing's 8 to Follow competition, and will be appearing on further lists that arrive as the entry deadline approaches.

Those still pondering options have until midnight today to make their selection.

You don't need to be a racing expert to take part - simply select eight horses from among those trained in Europe for Qatar Racing, Pearl Bloodstock, or associated partnerships, and each time one of the eight wins or is placed in any race around the world, they gain points. The person with the most points when the competition closes - QIPCO British Champions' Day at Ascot on Saturday, October 15 - scoops the top prize, but there is £5,000 for the runner-up, £2,500 for the third, £1,000 for the fourth and £500 for the fifth.

It cost just £10 to enter, and every entry fee is given to the charity Racing Welfare, which assists people in need who work in the racing and bloodstock industries.

Full details, including the list of horses, can be found by clicking on the 8 to Follow logos on this website, or by going to www.8tofollow.co.uk. You can make as many entries as you like, each entry costs £10, and every tenner goes to Racing Welfare.

You can follow your fortunes and the points your selections have gained via the 8 to Follow website during the season.

Entrants hoping for a flying start could do worse than include Ming Dynasty, Sumbal and Mr Owen, who all run in Stakes races at Saint-Cloud on Sunday. Mr Owen tackles the Gr.2 Prix du Muguet, while Ming Dynasty and Sumbal line up in the Gr.1 Prix Ganay.

SIMPLE VERSE PHOTO: LAURENCE SQUIRE