First Mohican, who once ran the mighty Frankel close on the gallops, puts his unbeaten record on the line in the Betfred November Handicap at Doncaster.

While the world's best racehorse left Sir Henry Cecil's stables in Newmarket on Thursday to begin a career at stud after a flawless 14 successes, First Mohican will be gracing a racecourse for just the fourth time. The workout with Frankel left its mark for a while before First Mohican ever set foot on the track.

"They did one gallop together before Frankel ever ran and my horse joined Frankel at the end. That was four weeks before Frankel ran. The other horse in the gallop was Midsummer Sun," said First Mohican's owner Henry Ponsonby.

"That gallop put paid to my horse not running until the end of the season. After that gallop Henry did ring me to say this is the best horse you'll ever own."

First Mohican duly won on his debut in late October 2010, but then injury struck and he had to miss his entire three-year-old career while his illustrious stablemate continued to carry all before him.

Appearances in two modest handicaps, by comparison, have been all the son of Tobougg has contested on his return this autumn, but he has won them in good style and heads to Town Moor as firm favourite for the big race on the final day of the Flat season.

"We could have done with a better draw (21), but some of the other horses I rate as dangers, including Nicholascopernicus, are also drawn high. In an ideal world I would have liked a better draw. Having said that, he had a bad draw over a mile and a quarter for his last two runs but was able to overcome it," said Ponsonby.

"The mile and a half is obviously a plus on that factor. I think he'll run a big race, but we could have done with a few more showers."

Ponsonby still has high hopes for First Mohican, who will race on as a five-year-old.

"He's going straight from Doncaster to Sir Henry's Cliff Stud, but he wants him back by Christmas. He thinks next year will be his year," said Ponsonby.

13 May 2013

Fabre confirms Ocovango for Epsom
Aspect on route to big things
Room at the top for Cityscape
Freedom steps into chasing ranks
Lucky thirteen in line for Lockinge
Galway beckons for Swinton hero
Sajjhaa set for late return
Cadeaux thriving in Singapore
Pink primed for Duke Of York
Liber takes aim at Musidora
Battle won for O'Brien
Pretending the real deal
Duntle back to winning ways
Classic glory for Flotilla
Style wins the day in Paris
Highclere double-handed for Dante
Cornerstone plans up in the air
Beckett planning Gesture workout

12 May 2013

No hurry for Jammy plans
Guest in hunt for more Ascot glory
Vow set for Goodwood return
Gold-en boy Anodin in Classic hunt
Buick aiming for French strike
Angel flies home to land Chartwell
Barizan bounces back in style
Queally lights up Ascot meeting
Ektihaam storms to Buckhounds win
Nevis takes depleted Trial contest
Hard-fought battle won at Haydock
Secret impresses in Oaks Trial
Ascot drama for Fanning

11 May 2013

Felix foot-perfect on fencing debut
Cavalryman leads Cup charge
Ramsa ready to stand Trial
Duntle out to dazzle in Amethyst
Swift return doesn't bother Moran
Garman gives Bolger hope
Henderson: Ground vital for Voice
McMahon sweet on Tart Ascot claims
Murphy to move to France
Athos flies to Ormonde glory
Dee day for impressive Magician
Kingdom confirmed for Queen Anne
Secret's out for Lingfield glory
Lambe expects good run from Hall
Marengo ready to do battle
Greatwood on trial at Lingfield
Barizan sneaks into Swinton
Jamesie gunning for Vic-tory

10 May 2013

Telescope focus is on Dante
Blinkers considered for Guarantee#
Bonfire camp bemoan Huxley flop
Moohaajim has six appeal
Ascot welcomes a couple of Guests