GOLD FORESEES BIG MAQ RUN

Connections of Maqaasid are confident the filly is ready to bounce back in the Burj Khalifa Challenge Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday.

John Gosden's three-year-old was among the top rank of juvenile fillies last year and she returned with highly creditable efforts in the Nell Gwyn Stakes and the 1000 Guineas at this track.

She has been largely disappointing in three starts since but Angus Gold, racing manager for owner Hamdan Al Maktoum, reports confidence from the camp.

"I haven't seen her for a long time but John Gosden tells me that from what he is seeing at home, she has come right back to her best," said Gold.

"She obviously lost her way a bit in the middle of the summer and, for whatever reason, she wasn't quite bouncing.

"She seemed to be fine but ran a couple of very dull races.

"As long as that's not in her mind, John says physically and mentally she seems to be really good at the moment.

"Let's hope that she comes back and shows her best form."

Gosden added: "She has been working very nicely at home and I think seven furlongs is her optimum trip.

"She had a good spring, things went off a bit in the summer, but hopefully she will have a good autumn."

Lennox Stakes winner Strong Suit heads the betting and Richard Hannon is optimistic he can come out on top.

"Strong Suit is a worthy favourite for the Challenge Stakes," he told his website, www.richardhannonracing.tv.

"He seems a different horse since that wind operation and worked very well at Everleigh on Sunday.

"There is not a lot of rain forecast, so we should get our favoured fast ground, and this seven furlongs is his ideal trip.

"He has the penalty for winning the Lennox Stakes at Goodwood, but he has thrived for his break and his new owners (Pearl Bloodstock) are keen to take him to the Breeders' Cup, so he would need to be winning this to justify the trip."

(reopens) Tom Queally rides Chachamaidee for his boss Sir Henry Cecil and is full of confidence following the filly's fine second in the Sun Chariot Stakes a fortnight ago.

"I would give Chachamaidee a big chance," Queally said in his column on www.racinguk.com.

"She ran another fantastic race to come second in the Sun Chariot Stakes, and drops in grade here as well as distance, and I think the seven furlongs will suit.

"Strong Suit looks the one to beat, but I wouldn't swap mine for him or any other horse in the race."

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