Ascot raid by O'Brien

Racing: The $6.4 million Van Nistelrooy looks likely to try and get back on the winning trail in Saturday's Royal Lodge Stakes…

Racing: The $6.4 million Van Nistelrooy looks likely to try and get back on the winning trail in Saturday's Royal Lodge Stakes at Ascot.

Aidan O'Brien's colt was beaten by Refuse To Bend in the National Stakes.

Van Nistelrooy may be accompanied by Newfoundland in his race, while Reach For The Moon is the likely Ballydoyle starter in the Meon Valley Fillies Mile.

In other news, the champion claimer Jimmy Mansell, injured in a Ballinrobe fall over a month ago is astonishing his medical team with the speed of his recovery.

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor is the racing correspondent of The Irish Times. He also writes the Tipping Point column