IT MAY not have paid to follow Pallasator at Royal Ascot last month – but he can recoup losses in the Qatar Goodwood Cup on day three at the Sussex track.

The seven-year-old appeared to hold at least solid place claims in the Gold Cup following a thoroughly impressive victory in the Henry II Stakes at Sandown on his reappearance in May.

However, he failed to fire at all on the big day and it appeared as though his stamina deserted him in the straight, with two and a half miles in testing conditions proving beyond him.

Sir Mark Prescott was clearly eager not to let that defeat fester though, as he turned him out again for a Listed event on Eclipse day, dropping right back in trip to an extended two miles.

Pallasator was understandably well supported on that occasion despite conceding upwards of 5lb all round, but he endured a far from ideal passage and after eventually getting some space, he made up plenty of ground to be beaten just over a length in fourth.

With a clear run he would likely have been arriving here on the back of a win so Pallasator obviously still possesses the ability and will to win, even if he is sometimes a tricky customer on the way to the start.

He finished fourth in this event last year behind reopposing rivals, but again he did not have an ideal run and with those lessons learnt, he must surely be one for the shortlist again.

Mehmas can confirm Newmarket form with Intelligence Cross in the Qatar Richmond Stakes.

Richard Hannon has made no secret of the fact he views this three-time winner as an out-and-out two-year-old and he is keen to get as many wins in the bag before the other juveniles catch up towards the end of the year.

Mehmas won each of his first two starts but slipped up when switched to Listed company in the National Stakes at Sandown in May, likely finding the five-furlong trip too sharp on that occasion.

Moved back up to six in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot, Mehmas lost little in defeat when going down by two and a quarter lengths to Caravaggio, who appears to be one of the leading lights of his generation at this stage.

The favourable impression Mehmas made there was confirmed when he landed the July Stakes at Newmarket, racing prominently before fending off the challenge of Intelligence Cross by half a length.

While the runner-up was closing at the finish, he perhaps lacked a touch of the pure pace Mehmas possesses and even though the selection is saddled with a 3lb penalty, he stills looks smart enough to hold sway.

Yarrow can graduate to Group Three winner status in the Markel Insurance Fillies' Stakes.

A half-sister to top-class performers Golan and Tartan Bearer, Yarrow scored some valuable black type when finishing second in a Pontefract Listed heat last month, going to some way to compensate for a lamentable showing at Goodwood on her return.

Quick ground was the difference on those two occasions so clearly Yarrow is one who needs to hear her hooves rattle before she puts her best foot forward.

Sir Michael Stoute ups her in trip to a mile and three-quarters this time and while she is not certain to stay the trip, Ryan Moore is more than capable of riding her to give her every chance of seeing it out.

The Guinness Galway Hurdle Handicap is the headline event on day four at Ballybrit and Clondaw Warrior is the pick for Willie Mullins.

The nine-year-old is a classy performer on his day, both over hurdles and on the level, and he warmed up for this event with a fine showing at Royal Ascot.

He perhaps got shuffled a bit too far back when third in the Queen Alexandra Stakes, making up plenty of ground at the business end of the race to finish five and half lengths behind Commissioned.

Clondaw Warrior was a winner at this meeting last year, so with proven course form in the bag and Ruby Walsh on board, he looks to have a decent shout of giving Mullins his first winner in the race in 20 years.

The Listed Arthur Guinness European Breeders Fund Corrib Fillies Stakes provides excellent support to the main event and the beautifully-bred Emergent looks a likely type for Dermot Weld.

She finished four and three-quarter lengths behind Creggs Pipes last time out, form which has been boosted by the winner's subsequent victory here earlier in the week.

SELECTIONS:

EPSOM: 5.50 Choral Festival, 6.25 Sunday Royal, 7.00 Serengeti Sky, 7.30 One Big Surprise, 8.05 The Salmon Man, 8.40 Sonnet.

GOODWOOD: 2.00 Top Beak, 2.35 Mehmas, 3.10 PALLASATOR (NAP), 3.45 Yarrow, 4.20 Manama, 4.55 Bear Valley, 5.30 Kassia.

NOTTINGHAM: 2.20 Kendamara, 2.55 Enfolding, 3.25 Best Laid Plans, 4.00 Celtic Sixpence, 4.35 Fidaawy, 5.10 Indian Tinker, 5.45 Tyrell.

STRATFORD: 1.10 Excellent Team, 1.40 Presenting Streak, 2.10 Avel Vor, 2.45 Con Forza, 3.15 Rossetti, 3.50 Dawnieriver, 4.25 Double Court, 5.00 What A Game,