Alborada for Foxrock

Alborada, unlucky in running in the Group One Vodafone Nassau Stakes at Goodwood, will sidestep York's Ebor meeting next week in favour of a crack at the Esat Digifone Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown on September 11th.

The grey filly finished fifth to Zahrat Dubai in the Goodwood race but was beaten only one and three quarter lengths despite having slipped badly five furlongs out. Trainer Mark Prescott explained: "I thought for sure she must have injured herself but thankfully she is all right, so we will go to Ireland and then try and win the Champion Stakes at Newmarket for the second year running. We have always planned an autumn campaign."

Alborada finished second in the same race to Swain at the Foxrock venue last year.

Meanwhile, Geoff Lewis has surprised many by his intention to hand in his licence on September 12th. Its brings to an end an association with racing which has lasted over 46 years.

Lewis (63) took out a trainer's licence in 1980 after a glorious career as a jockey, including the sparkling successes on board Mill Reef in the 1971 Derby and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

One of Lewis's biggest training successes was Lake Coniston the champion sprinter of Europe in 1995.

Lewis runs Commonwealth in the Spirit Of Brooklands Handicap at Sandown this afternoon but it may be more prudent to side with Zoom Up. The Neil Graham-trained five-year-old spoiled his chance with a slow start at Thirsk last time but finished with a flourish to be beaten just over a length and a half by Lunch Party. Clarendon can complete a hat-trick of victories in the Tote Scoop6 Handicap. Fourth on his seasonal debut at Windsor in May, the Vic Soane-trained colt lost his maiden tag when winning a Chepstow handicap by two lengths from Backcloth the following month.

Stepped up in class at Ascot next time, the son of Forest Wind showed himself to be on the upgrade when beating the subsequently demoted Make Way in equally decisive fashion.