Auditorium, who continues to improve with every race, could prove the solution to a vintage Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket tomorrow.

The Group 1 showpiece, sponsored by Shadwell Stud, has attracted a formidable 12-strong field, which includes Balmont, winner of the Gimcrack Stakes at York in August, the highly-regarded Khaleyf, a winner on Knavesmire early in the season, and Three Valleys, one of the most impressive juvenile winners seen in years at Royal Ascot back in June.

Auditorium is a horse well known to Yorkshire racegoers. Trained by Sir Michael Stoute, he broke his maiden at Pontefract before following-up in stronger company at Ripon.

His latest effort at Doncaster, in the Champagne Stakes over seven furlongs, saw him make prolific winner Lucky Story pull out all the stops, despite being inconvenienced by a tardy start.

The return to six furlongs tomorrow should not disturb the speedily-bred Auditorium, who will have the services of Kieren Fallon.

Pat Eddery, who retires at the end of the season, again teams up with Balmont, on whom he won the Gimcrack at the Ebor Festival. Jeremy Noseda's colt has bags of speed and scope and will not be easily denied.

Khaleyf, given a mid-season break after finishing second to Russian Valour at Royal Ascot, returned with a smooth win at Doncaster's St Leger meeting last month and tomorrow's race has been his target for some time.

While Frankie Dettori has the mount on David Loder's classy colt, Richard Hughes will be in the hot-seat on Three Valleys, a brilliant eight lengths winner of the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot, but disappointingly beaten into third place behind the admittedly high-class One Cool Cat in the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes at The Curragh last time. Roger Charlton's youngster is now out to redeem his huge reputation.

All in all, a crackerjack of a race is guaranteed. Auditorium, stepping up in class, is napped to come out on top in a not-to-be-missed event.

The Whistling Teal, who met with a setback early this season, made a promising return to action when fourth to Mubtaker at Kempton last month.

The benefit of that outing should stand him in excellent stead in the Fishpool Furnishings Godolphin Stakes.

In the Shadwell Stud Joel Stakes, Kalaman, a bitter disappointment in the International at York in August, bids to put his career back on track.

Returning to a mile from an extended ten furlongs, Sir Michael Stoute's colt had looked potentially top-class before his Knavesmire flop and deserves another chance, especially dropped in class tomorrow.

Self Evident should go well in the EBF Further Flight Classified Stakes over a mile.

A course-and-distance winner earlier this season, Amanda Perratt's three-year-old will have the services of Richard Hughes.

Sam Hitchcott, previously apprenticed to Mick Easterby, is enjoying a good first season with Mick Channon and he can further endear himself to his new boss by scoring on the ultra-consistent Master Robbie in the Reg Day Memorial Rated Handicap.

Newmarket

1-10 Dalisay

1-45 The Whistling Teal

2-20 Kalaman

2-55 Auditorium (NAP)

3-30 Royal Cavalier

4-05 Self Evident

4-40 Master Robbie

Hexham

2-05 The Last Mohican

2-40 Die Fledermaus

3-15 Onefourseven

3-50 Rose Tea

4-25 No Kidding

5-00 Valeureux

5-30 Moonlit Harbour

Tomorrow's other race meeting is at Lingfield

Updated: 11:27 Thursday, October 02, 2003