MAKFI, this year’s 2,000 Guineas hero, has been retired to stud after suffering a bout of ringworm. The Mikel Delzangles-trained three-year- old was a hugely impressive winner of the Newmarket Classic in May, and enjoyed further Group One glory by defeating the mighty Goldikova in the Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville.

Although he was disappointing in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot last month, connections had been considering a possible trip to the Breeders’ Cup.

He will instead take up stallion duties at Tweenhills Stud in Gloucestershire.

“He came back from Ascot with a little bit of ringworm and he has been retired to stud,” said Delzangles.

“He’s been a great horse to train this season and we have had a great year.

“It will be difficult to find another one like him, but we will try.”

CHINA ROCK could be set for an intriguing clash with Sizing Europe in the Star “Best For Racing Coverage” Chase at Punchestown on Thursday week. The former made a winning seasonal reappearance in the Grade Two Gowran Park Champion Chase on Saturday, delighting his trainer Mouse Morris.

The County Tipperary handler is now looking forward to stepping his charge back up in trip in a race that has also been mooted as a possible target for last season’s Arkle Trophy hero.

“He’s come out of the race in good form and will probably go for the twomile- seven (furlong) race on the second day of Punchestown next week,” said Morris.

ANDREW THORNTON is looking forward to getting back in the saddle at Towcester today after a couple of months on the sidelines with injury.

The Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning jockey broke his arm in a fall back in August but he returns to action with three rides today.

“I’m looking forward to getting back. I haven’t missed an awful lot but it’s nice to get busy again,” said Thornton.

“I always think the jump season properly gets going after the Arc is out of the way and I’m looking forward to it.

“In the grand scheme of things it was actually quite nice to have a break and let the batteries recharge.

“Hopefully three rides will blow the cobwebs away."

RICHARD FAHEY will go in search of further Pattern-race honours at Ascot this weekend with two major contenders in the Sodexo Prestige Cornwallis Stakes.

The Malton handler, fresh from saddling his first Group One winner with Wootton Bassett at Longchamp, is set to send both Marine Commando and Arctic Feeling for Saturday’s Group Three.

Marine Commando won the Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot before disappointing at Glorious Goodwood, while Arctic Feeling arrives in better form having struck gold in a Listed event at Ayr last month.

“They’ll probably both take their chances in the Cornwallis,” said Fahey.

“Marine Commando is in good order. He’s had a cough for three months on and off and he probably went to Goodwood a bit fresh and didn’t get the trip.

‘‘Arctic Feeling is a very fast horse. We’ve wanted to get him dropped in all season but he’s a horse with an awful lot of speed.”

SAHPRESA is on course for another trip to the Far East after landing Saturday’s Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket for the second year in succession. Rod Collet’s star mare ploughed through the testing conditions to record another impressive success in the Group One contest and the Mile Championship at Kyoto in Japan, in which she was third last year, is on the agenda again.

“She’s perfect and came out of the race very well,” said Collet. “It was a good performance.”