News on Makfi Mikel Delzangles is looking forward to seeing the title of best three-year-old miler being settled at Ascot in Saturday's Sony-sponsored Queen Elizabeth II Stakes. The French handler trains 2000 Guineas winner Makfi, who will lock horns once again with Richard Hannon's Canford Cliffs. Since Newmarket, Canford Cliffs has won the Irish Guineas, the St James's Palace Stakes - a race in which Makfi disappointed - and the Sussex Stakes. Makfi shrugged off his Ascot performance, however, by beating Freddie Head's 10-time Group One-winner Goldikova in the Prix Jacques le Marois. A deal has already been done that will see Makfi stand at Tweenhills Stud in Gloucestershire next year. "He had a little exercise on Monday morning and everything went fine," said Delzangles. "He is pleasing me as much now as he has done all year, definitely. "I'm not too worried that it has been dry at Ascot recently, it was fast ground when he won the Guineas. "The Breeders' Cup is his main objective, I have to say, rather than this week. "It is very exciting to be coming up against Canford Cliffs again, it should be a good match. "Christophe Soumillon will be on board again on Saturday. He won on him last time." Canford Cliffs and Makfi will have to face one extra rival as Poet's Voice was added to the field at the supplementary stage at a cost of £20,000. Godolphin's three-year-old bounced back to his best after a lacklustre start to the season when second in the Sovereign Stakes. He then won the Celebration Mile at Goodwood last month. There were 14 possibles at the latest entry stage. Dick Turpin, a stablemate of Canford Cliffs, was a notable absentee, while Mick Channon has decided against running his classy filly Music Show. Godolphin have also left in Rio De La Plata, who appears to be running right up to his best form of late. Aidan O'Brien has two major possibles left in, with Rip Van Winkle aiming to follow up his victory in the Juddmonte International at York on his penultimate start. Cape Blanco is also a possible after his devastating display in the Irish Champion Stakes. Ballydoyle could also run last year's Dewhurst winner Beethoven, Windsor Palace, Air Chief Marshal and Steinbeck. Mark Johnston has left in Awzaan, while Pat Eddery will be hoping Hearts Of Fire can bounce back after a below-par run at Salisbury. Red Jazz could run for Barry Hills, but Bushman's participation is in doubt. "Races are few and far between now. He's been left in the QEII but I doubt he'll run there," said trainer David Simcock. "He'll probably carry a penalty in the Joel Stakes on October 1 at Newmarket."
