Firefall

Winter Watch will have its time between now and the return of the Flat for real next March, but first let us bask in a snapshot of summer, celebrating our diamonds in the rough who graduated from all-weather unknowns to titans of the turf in the space of 12 months. Last winter's action might not have given us another Classic winner, à la Notable Speech, but once again the flourishing all-weather programme lived up to its reputation as a breeding ground for black-type performers of the future. At the very top...

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-bred horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Monday's Observations focuses on what has the makings of an informative card at Chantilly. 14.30 Chantilly, €27,400, Mdn, unraced 2yo, c/g, 9 1/2f (AWT) Christophe Ferland entry SELVO (FR) (St Mark's Basilica {Fr}), a sibling of G1 Prix Saint-Alary heroine Queen's Jewel (GB) (Pivotal {GB}), is one of several...