All eyes will be on Enable this weekend in her bid for a third Arc but Ascot and Newmarket stage some quality action too on his side of the Channel on Saturday.

From a betting point of view by far the most interesting contest is Ascot’s Tote.co.uk Challenge Cup due off at 3.05. The going is good and with a few showers forecast for Friday and Saturday so there should be no excuses for any runners on that score.

One who has run some great races over course-and-distance is Raising Sand but he may be aiming towards the Balmoral Handicap on the QIPCO British Champions Day in a fortnight when he’s more likely to get the soft ground which suits him so well.