The signs of awakening from the National Hunt slumbers may be increasing by the day, but the Flat season isn't quite ready for consignment to the history books.
This weekend will prove that, with plenty of high-quality action and nowhere more so than at Newmarket, the 'Home of the Flat', where they stage the Cambridgeshire Meeting across Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
We are focusing on the Friday here, where there are a pair of Group 2s to get stuck into. Adrian Wall assesses the big races, including the Rockfel Stakes and Joel Stakes on Friday, as well as some of the key support contests at Newmarket.
1.50 - Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai British EBF Rosemary Stakes
ROLICA was behind the reopposing Spiritual when the pair finished fourth and fifth respectively in the Group 3 Atalanta Stakes at Sandown last month, but the pair should be fighting out the finish dropping down in class in the opener on a cracking Newmarket card on Friday.
The selection can be forgiven for her latest effort when two lengths off her rival last time as she raced far too freely on the day.
She used up so much energy early that she was unable to quicken when the race got going late on, while the same can be said for Spiritual who was also caught racing too keenly in a very tactical little race.
A 7f maiden winner here on return in April, returning to this track could be a help to Rolica, who also ran an excellent sixth in the 1,000 Guineas here on just her third start, beaten only three lengths.
If she runs anywhere close to that level here, she should take all the beating. John & Thady Gosden's Spiritual can chase her home.
SELECTION: ROLICA
NEXT BEST: SPIRITUAL
2.25 - Princess Royal Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai Stakes
If she gets a strong enough pace to aim at, MISTRAL STAR will take the world of beating dropping down in grade here.
Hughie Morrison's daughter of Frankel got just that when bolting up in a Listed contest over this trip on the July Course on her penultimate start, while she made serious late gains when fourth in the Group 1 Yorkshire Oaks behind Content last time out.
Back in much calmer waters, she must have a really strong chance but if there is one who might serve it up to her, it could be Andrew Balding's Sea Of Roses, who toughed it out when seeing off Deira Mile by a neck in a thrilling finish in Listed company at Windsor latest, making every post a winning one in the hands of Hayley Turner on the day.
This is obviously much tougher, but if she's allowed to dictate things on the front end again, she will be a threat, with Oisin Murphy taking the ride.
SELECTION: MISTRAL STAR
NEXT BEST: SEA OF ROSES
3.00 - Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai Rockfel Stakes
Sir Michael Stoute is to retire soon, but he will get the pleasure of watching FORMAL progress into a proper Group 1 horse and she can maintain her unbeaten record with William Buick booked to ride the Cheveley Park Stud runner.
The Dubawi filly overcame greenness when winning a fillies' maiden over 7f at Newbury on debut. The form of that race doesn't look too strong now, but she progressed again when landing the odds in a 7f novice at Leicester with juice in the ground this month.
This will be the acid test for Formal, who hasn't faced anything like the opposition she will face here to date, but she looks like a horse going all the way to the top.
Of the dangers, Archie Watson's Duty First might chase her home. The Ayr novice winner only found the fast-finishing Anshoda too strong in a Goodwood Group 3 last time and she's entitled to go well again.
SELECTION: FORMAL
NEXT BEST: DUTY FIRST
3.35 - Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai Joel Stakes
Only six runners are set to go to post for this Group 2, but it's very competitive and a case can be made for all of them.
John & Thady Gosden's Lead Artist is a progressive colt and he only bumped into the classy Kinross when last seen in a Group 2 at Doncaster, but he might have it all to do to see off the attentions of Dylan Cunha's PRAGUE.
This son of Galileo failed to make the track during his time with Aidan O'Brien, but he has made up for lost time with his new yard, winning at Sandown over 1m2f on debut at odds of 40/1.
He had a couple of moderate efforts before running a cracker in second behind Holloway Boy in a Group 3 at Haydock this month and that. brings him right into things.
That contest probably wasn't the strongest of races for its type but neither is this. It's a big day for Cunha and Prague can get the job done.
SELECTION: PRAGUE
NEXT BEST: LEAD ARTIST
4.10 - Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai British EBF "Confined" Maiden Stakes
Last but not least we take a look at the 7f maiden and it would be no surprise if SEAPLANE went off a short enough price.
Paul & Oliver Cole's son of Golden Horn has filled the runner-up berth on both occasions to date and was only headed close home at Ascot over 7f when last seen. A strong travelling type, his experience will count for a lot here.
The danger could be Charlie Appleby's Secret Theory, the choice of William Buick of the Godolphin pair.
The son of Dubawi is a half-brother to five winners including multiple Grade 1 winner Mysterious Night and Group 2 winner Star Of Mystery, while his dam was a Listed winner. He won't have to be special to play a leading role in the finish.
SELECTION: SEAPLANE
NEXT BEST: SECRET THEORY
