Cortona stands out in Falmouth Stakes

Cortona can provide a notable omen for France's World Cup semi-final bid by winning the £60,000 Amcor Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket today. A competitive heat is in the offing but two horses stand out with recent Group One form.

Paul Cole's Lady In Waiting ran a cracker on her reappearance when a close fourth to Exclusive in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot, while Cortona's best run came in the French 1,000 Guineas at Longchamp, where only Zalaiyka got the better of her in a 14-runner field.

That form looks solid because the winner has since gone on to finish second in the Coronation and the third horse, La Nuit Rose, was third in the Irish 1,000 Guineas before running a good fifth in the Coronation.

A line through Zalaiyka suggests there is little to choose between Lady In Waiting and Cortona and the latter just gets the nod.

She has since finished fourth in the Group Three Prix de Sandringham at Chantilly, beaten only around two lengths by Pharatta. Her trainer Criquette Head always means business when coming to these shores.

Lady Rockstar can gain her ninth win off the reel in the £25,000-added Inflite Engineering Duke Of Cambridge Handicap.

Mick Ryan's filly has hit a rare purple patch since scoring at Ayr in late May and on her latest start she thrashed Twin Time by six lengths at Windsor.

Lady Rockstar's owners have turned down offers from America to buy her and she is reported in excellent shape.

Stoned Imaculate made great strides last season and can pick up where she left off in the Reg Day Memorial Handicap.

Ferdy Murphy's four-year-old completed a hat-trick when seeing off a big field at Nottingham in September.

She should be fit enough, having won easily over hurdles at Perth in May after which Murphy stated that he expected more victories on the level this year.

Now that Tampa Lady has got her act together she looks the one to be on in the Scottish Equitable/Jockeys Association Selling Stakes.

Mark Johnston's filly has had an up and down start to her racing career but came good at Hamilton when gutsily beating Melody Queen by half a length.