It is ironic that, at a time when British racing is about to launch a kind of Champions League, not a British horse can get its head in front in the type of races that will matter in the brave new world. As things stand in terms of Group 1 performances this season, the Brits would struggle to get into the UEFA Cup.

The latest rout of the home lot came at Sandown, where Aidan O'Brien snatched the 12th Group 1 of his season with Mount Nelson in the Coral Eclipse Stakes.

Add that to other Group 1 winners from abroad, like Henrythenavigator (2000 Guineas and St James's Palace Stakes), Natagora (1000 Guineas), Duke of Marmalade (Tattersalls Gold Cup and Prince of Wales's Stakes), Soldier of Fortune (Coronation Cup ) Haradasun (Queen Anne Stakes), Yeats (Ascot Gold Cup) and New Approach (Derby ) and you can see that there is not much room for the home challengers in the big league.

None of that is meant to take away from O'Brien's remarkable talent, albeit backed by enough money to launch a hundred Sovereign Series. Even at that, the likelihood is that Mount Nelson, was, and still is, well down the home championship at Ballydoyle.

The evidence of his win at Sandown suggests as much. Mount Nelson got up on the post to beat Phoenix Tower by a short head, with Pipedreamer a length away third. Campanologist was a neck behind fourth, and Rob Roy threequarters of a length back in fifth. In other words, barely two lengths separated the first five. The chances of them all being top class are remote.

Perhaps Coolmore has become so powerful that no-one in this country can compete on a regular basis but, whatever the cause, the Sovereign Series could well become a very welcome a pleasant bonus for the Irish.

Musselburgh's free-entry-for-all meeting today promises some entertainment on as well as off the field.

It is a rare sight to behold two former sprint stalwarts appear in a seller, but that is the case with the opening race. One of them, Fire Up the Band, already descended to this level when finishing second over this course and distance last month. Remembering that he was at one time rated 110 when with Dandy Nicholls, it seems a bit of a comedown to be 70, but he is nine and the powers are waning.

Highland Warrior (2.15) never attained the heights of his rival but did reach the 86 mark in his heyday. He, too, is nine and may just be able to get the better of what could be a duel.

Nero West (2.45) could be a winner for Linda Perrat in the Gregor Shore Handicap, and Chookie Heiton (3.45), if anywhere near his best, could make it a double for the yard.

SELECTIONS

Musselburgh 2.15 Highland Warrior 2.45 Nero West 3.45 Chookie Heiton