Wales will book a place in the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals if they beat Australia in Lyon on Sunday.

They are guaranteed to progress with a third successive Pool C win, but the Wallabies will be on the brink of elimination if they lose.

Here, the PA news agency looks at some key talking points heading into the game.

Bonus-point victories over Fiji and Portugal mean that Wales are in charge of their pool. If they defeat Australia it will be a case of mission accomplished in terms of reaching the quarter-finals for a fourth World Cup on the bounce under head coach Warren Gatland. Wales have not hit top gear yet, but a return of 10 points is a record matched only by Ireland across all four groups. Gatland’s team can get the job done with a game to spare – they face Georgia in Nantes on October 7 – by beating the Wallabies and setting up a potential last-eight appointment with England or Argentina.

Australia have an outstanding World Cup record. In nine previous stagings of the competition they can reflect on two world titles, two runners-up finishes, a third and fourth-place return, plus three quarter-final appearances. A first pool-stage exit now looms, though, unless they can recover from losing to Fiji last weekend and topple Wales. Head coach and former England boss Eddie Jones has received some fierce criticism from ex-internationals, but the storm will really rage if Wales leave them teetering on the brink of elimination. Australia have effectively reached a point of no return.

The Wales pack had some strong moments against Fiji and Portugal, yet there were also inconsistencies, especially at lineouts. Wales must iron out the flaws, and if they can manage that then strong foundations for victory should be laid. Australia’s cause up-front is not helped by the absence of powerhouse prop Taniela Tupou and equally-influential lock Will Skelton through injuries. Their experience will be missed. The old adage of ‘forwards win matches, backs decide by how much’ rings true for an eagerly-awaited encounter.

Sunday’s clash is made for Wales fly-half Dan Biggar. Time and time again throughout his 110-cap Test career, Biggar has delivered the goods. He relishes the big occasion, and they do not come with much more importance attached than this weekend, when stakes are high and pressure at its most intense. Wales will require a calming influence, an unruffled tactical operator, pinpoint goal-kicker and world-class leadership in the heat of battle, and Biggar ticks all of those boxes. Expect him to be a dominant figure.

If Biggar can guide the team effectively and purposefully around the pitch, then Wales have outstanding finishers to punish Australia. George North, Josh Adams and Louis Rees-Zammit boast 78 Test tries between them, and they all scored during Wales’ opening two games against Fiji and Portugal. Rees-Zammit touched down in both, with his finish – and Cristiano Ronaldo-style celebration – during the Portugal win underlining a player whose confidence levels are brimful. Australia will know all about the danger he poses, but stopping him is another matter.

Max Verstappen set a blistering pace to blow away the challenge of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris and take pole position for the Japanese Grand Prix.

Verstappen’s record 10-race winning run and Red Bull’s unbeaten season came to an end in Singapore last weekend.

The Dutchman topped all three practice sessions at Suzuka to suggest the Milton Keynes-based team had banished the issues that they experienced in the city-state.

And Verstappen was imperious around the high-speed corner circuit – where Lewis Hamilton warned the Red Bull would be “phenomenal” – taking pole by a massive 0.581 seconds ahead of Piastri.

Norris had narrowed the gap to Verstappen, who is closing in on a hat-trick of world titles, in final practice to raise hope of a challenge for pole.

But Verstappen was dominant in the final qualifying session on brand new tyres, blowing away the competition from the two McLarens.

“Incredible weekend so far, especially in qualifying when you can push it to the limit. It felt really nice,” Verstappen said on track.

“We had a bad weekend in Singapore. I felt this was going to be a good track. From lap one it has been really nice.”

Piastri, in his debut season in Formula One, had never even been to Japan before this week but got the edge on his McLaren team-mate to line up on the front row.

Red Bull will almost certainly clinch the Constructors’ Championship on Sunday at the home race of their engine supplier Honda.

Verstappen’s team-mate Sergio Perez finished fifth, over seven tenths adrift of the pace-setter.

Hamilton and George Russell were well off the pace for Mercedes, who are battling with Ferrari to finish second in the Constructors’ Championship, and will line up seventh and eighth on the grid.

Ferrari, who are running a new floor at Suzuka, took fourth via Charles Leclerc, while Singapore-winner Carlos Sainz finished sixth.

Yuki Tsunoda was confirmed by AlphaTauri to be driving alongside Daniel Ricciardo in 2024 and delighted his home crowd by making the top-10 shootout, finishing ninth.

Q1 was red-flagged with just over nine minutes remaining when Williams’ Logan Sargeant oversteered out of the final corner and slid heavily into the barriers.

The American, who is yet to be confirmed by Williams for 2024, quickly jumped out of the car and made his way across the track and back to the pit lane.

Williams Team Principal James Vowles told Sky Sports: “It is heartbreaking for Logan.”

James Horton will return to Newmarket to train next term after “parting ways” with owner John Dance.

Horton, who spent seven years as assistant trainer to Sir Michael Stoute, was recruited by Dance and his wife Jess to be their private trainer, saddling his first winner from his new Middleham outfit in April 2022.

However, Dance was blocked from having runners by the British Horseracing Authority earlier this year after an intervention from the Financial Conduct Authority.

Dance founded Vertem Asset Management, a prominent sponsor within racing, but that firm was one of three trading names of WealthTek LLP, which was ordered to cease trading by the FCA in April due to “serious regulatory and operational issues coming to light”.

Leading chaser Bravemansgame, who was co-owned by Dance, was subsequently barred from running at Aintree’s Grand National meeting, but was later allowed to resume his career as Bryan Drew took sole ownership.

Dance’s other horses, most of which resided with Horton, were cleared to run under either the Coverdale Stud or Titanium Racing Club names in May, but it was announced on Monday that “further concerns have since come to light” and another interim stop had been put on runners by the BHA.

Horton has now decided to move back to Newmarket to continue his career on his own.

A statement issued to the PA news agency said: “In light of the ongoing uncertainty for James Horton and his team, he is to part ways with owners John and Jess Dance in North Yorkshire and relocate to Newmarket to train independently from there next season.

“He is very grateful for the opportunities which have been given, where he has trained some wonderful horses and looks forward to the future ahead.”

Sam Maximus recorded Horton’s biggest success to date when winning the Listed Hopeful Stakes last term, with Phantom Flight arguably the stable’s star performer in winning three times, including a handicap contest at last year’s Ebor meeting.

Ronald Acuna Jr. joined an exclusive club with his 40th homer of the season and the Atlanta Braves defeated the Washington Nationals 9-6 on Friday.

Acuna’s 40th home run came off starter Patrick Corbin in the first inning for the 34th leadoff homer of his career and eighth this season.

He joins Alphonso Soriano (2006), Alex Rodriguez (1998), Barry Bonds (1996) and Jose Canseco (1988) as the only players with 40 homers and 40 stolen bases in a single season.

The Atlanta superstar has hit safely in 14 of his last 15 games, with eight homers and 15 RBIs during that span.

Braves starter Charlie Morton walked the two batters in the first inning and left due to right index finger discomfort after throwing 24 pitches.

He will have an MRI on Saturday but hopes to be ready for the postseason.

Austin Riley hit a two-run homer and Marcell Ozuna added a three-run shot to increase the Braves’ major league-leading home run total to 296.

Twins hold off Angels to clinch AL Central

The Minnesota Twins clinched their third AL Central title in five seasons with an 8-6 victory over the Los Angeles Angels.

Alex Kirillof homered and Pablo Lopez pitched six strong innings as Minnesota held on in the ninth for their 82nd win, assuring it of being a division champion with an over .500 record.

The Twins locked up their 15th trip to the postseason since the Washington Senators moved to Minnesota in 1961 and became the Twins.

The Twins have lost 18 straight playoff games since their last win in 2004.

Judge hits 3 home runs in Yankees’ win

Aaron Judge became the first Yankees player to hit three home runs in a game twice in one season in a 7-1 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Judge hit a three-run homer in the third, a two-run shot in the fifth inning off starter Brandon Pfaadt and went deep again in the seventh off Slade Cecconi.

Judge, who had his first career three-homer game against Washington on August 23, is the sixth player in franchise history with multiple three-home run games.

The others are Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, Alex Rodriguez, Tony Lazzeri and Bobby Murcer.

Lando Norris raised hopes that he could challenge Max Verstappen for pole at the Japanese Grand Prix by finishing final practice within three tenths of the Red Bull driver.

Verstappen’s record 10-race winning run and Red Bull’s unbeaten season came to an end in Singapore last weekend.

He had set a blistering pace on Friday to suggest the team have put their struggles in the city-state behind them.

The Dutchman’s margin in opening practice was a huge 0.626 seconds over Ferrari’s Singapore-winner Carlos Sainz before beating Charles Leclerc by 0.320sec in P2.

That raised fears that Verstappen, who is closing in on a hat-trick of world titles, could dominate the weekend in a Red Bull car which Lewis Hamilton predicted would be “phenomenal” around the high-speed corner track at Suzuka.

But Norris finished just 0.240 seconds adrift of the 25-year-old and just 0.048 ahead of his McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri as the British team continued to show strong pace.

Mercedes pair Hamilton and George Russell enjoyed a more promising session but remained off the pace of Red Bull and McLaren.

Hamilton in particular struggled badly in Friday’s two practice sessions, finishing 16th and 14th, with the seven-time world champion admitting Mercedes had work to do before qualifying.

The 38-year-old finished seventh in P3, albeit 0.892sec behind pace-setter Verstappen, with Russell eighth.

Mercedes are battling with Ferrari to finish second in the Constructors’ Championship.

Ferrari, who are running a new floor at Suzuka, claimed the edge by finishing fifth and sixth but were over half-a-second adrift of the two McLarens.

Sergio Perez in the second Red Bull claimed fourth, 0.737sec behind his team-mate.

A large number of the teams are struggling with tyre degradation due to the higher-than-usual heat at Suzuka, with a track temperature of over 48 degrees Celsius recorded during P3, raising the possibility of a three-stop race on Sunday.

Qualifying gets under way at 1500 local time (0700 BST).

Wigan coach Matt Peet paid tribute to the whole club after they lifted the Super League Leaders Shield following a tough 10-6 win at near neighbours Leigh.

Wigan looked to be on course for a routine victory when they scored two tries midway through the first half, Jai Field and Jake Wardle crossing in quick succession with Harry Smith converting the first to give the Warriors a 10-0 lead.

But Leigh fought back with a try just before half-time from Lachlan Lam, taking the final pass from Kai O’Donnell to score under the posts. Ben Reynolds added the conversion to make it 6-10 at the break.

There were no points scored in the second half – both sides having tries disallowed contentiously in a frantic spell midway through the half. Field was unlucky to see his effort chalked off while Oliver Gildart was denied a try against his former club by the video referee.

“It’s a great achievement,” said Peet. “It’s a fantastic honour and nobody can take that away from us.

“It’s a great pat on the back for the whole club, from the academy to the first team and all the backroom staff. It was a great effort tonight.”

The League Leaders Shield could have ended up with Wigan, Catalans or St Helens on a dramatic night but Peet said he was trying not to pay too much attention to everything going on elsewhere.

He said: “I wasn’t that concerned about the other games. I was just pleased with the performance from our team – it was a game which helps give us some momentum into the play-offs.

“It was a very intense game – the kind of intensity we haven’t had in games recently. So it’s perfect we got one like that under our belt.

“We had to go for 80 minutes and the game highlighted a few areas where we can improve. All in all it was a great night for us. I don’t think it was a fluent performance but games at this time of year are about guts and determination. It was a team effort.”

Defeat for Leigh means they dropped from fourth place to fifth – sending them to Hull KR in the play-offs, the team they beat in the Challenge Cup Final.

Leigh coach Adrian Lam said: “It was a great night for rugby league. It was a great game and a sell-out crowd. Congratulations to Wigan in picking up the League Leaders Shield.”

Despite the defeat, Lam was proud of his team’s effort on the night and also through the season.

He said: “I was very proud of them given the players we had missing. It was tough and physical, very close but we didn’t get the two points we needed.

“There were a couple of massive calls which went against us and they had a massive impact on us missing out on a home play-off game. By not having that game it will hurt us.

“Hull KR, we’ve played them four times this year, we have a fair feel of what they are. Like the rest of the year, there have been ups and downs and turns everywhere.

“We would have taken that at the start of the year. We have missed John Asiata for the last few games and will have a scan on him, whether he can play, but it doesn’t look good.

“I think the try which was disallowed, every rugby league supporter in the world would have given that try. I can’t put into words how much that hurt us.

“We didn’t build pressure but we found a way to hang in there. We didn’t have as much ball but we defended as well as any other team.”

Wigan Warriors claimed the League Leaders Shield on points difference from Catalans Dragons and St Helens with a hard-earned victory over near neighbours Leigh Leopards.

Tries from Jai Field and Jake Wardle plus a conversion from Harry Smith looked to have put Matt Peet’s side on course for a routine victory.

But Leigh hit back just before half-time with a try from Lachlan Lam, added to by Ben Reynolds which cut the deficit to 10-6.

No points were scored in a titanic second half as Wigan were forced to hang on for their eighth straight win, which secured top spot in Super League and the shield which they were presented with on the pitch after the game.

Leigh started the night in fourth but dropped to fifth after Hull KR’s big win at Wakefield. It means Leigh will face Hull KR – the team they beat in the Challenge Cup Final – at Craven Park in the play-offs.

The home side were without influential skipper John Asiata for the third game running through a shoulder injury. Former Wigan centre Zak Hardaker was also missing with a hand problem.

It was an explosive start in front of a sold-out crowd at the Leigh Sports Village with both sides coming up with some big hits to make it a crackling atmosphere.

The home side had looked the more likely to open the scoring but it was the visitors who struck first in the 18th minute. Field showed great footwork after taking Smith’s pass to beat three Leigh defenders and score in the corner. Smith – making his 100th appearance for Wigan – added the conversion to make it 6-0.

Wigan had beaten Leigh three times already this season and scored a second try 10 minutes later – Smith and Field combining on the left edge to send Wardle in at the corner. Smith could not add the goal but the Warriors looked in control at 10-0.

The introduction of Joe Mellor from the bench gave the Challenge Cup winners some impetus and they finished the half strongly. Reynolds combined with Kai O’Donnell on the left edge and Lam hit the pass at pace to cut through and score. Reynolds kicked the conversion to cut the deficit to just four.

Both sides felt aggrieved to see potential tries disallowed in quick succession early in the second half. Field was pulled back after an earlier obstruction before Oliver Gildart’s effort for Leigh was sent to the video referee and ruled out after lengthy deliberation.

Leigh continued to press in the closing stages but they were thwarted by some determined Wigan defence.

Emily Kristine Pedersen and Leona Maguire produced much-needed moments of magic as Europe dramatically kept their hopes of an unprecedented third straight Solheim Cup victory alive at Finca Cortesin in Spain.

After the United States won a foursomes session 4-0 for the first time ever, Suzann Pettersen’s side rallied superbly to win three points from the afternoon fourballs to trail just 5-3 heading into the second day.

Pedersen made the second hole-in-one in the history of the biennial contest on the 12th hole as she and team-mate Maja Stark halved a high-quality contest with Jennifer Kupcho and Allisen Corpuz.

And Maguire then chipped in for a birdie on the 18th to give her and Georgia Hall what looked like a good chance of halving their match with Lexi Thompson and Lilia Vu, only for Thompson to crack under the pressure and shank a simple chip shot from the edge of the green.

To her credit, Thompson hit a superb fourth shot from a far more difficult position, but Vu was unable to hole her long birdie attempt and Europe could celebrate a most unlikely victory.

Spain’s Carlota Ciganda and Sweden’s Linn Grant enjoyed a comfortable 4&2 win over Angel Yin and Ally Ewing, while Scotland’s Gemma Dryburgh and Sweden’s Madelene Sagstrom halved their match with Megan Khang and Rose Zhang.

Maguire told Sky Sports: “I feel like we played great all day and it would have been really annoying not to come away with a point.

“Georgia kept it together on the front nine and I holed a couple on the back and it’s nice to finish off in style.

“I think the Americans played incredible this morning. I think we played well as well, there was no bad golf out there and you have to play some really good golf to win a point, even a half point in these matches.

“We’ll never give up and I think we showed that today.”

Hall, who admitted she was feeling the effects of playing 36 holes on a very hilly course, added: “Leona’s shot on the last was phenomenal and just what we needed.

“That’s why she’s such a great player at the Solheim.”

Europe’s campaign for a third straight win had earlier got off to a nightmare start, with Pedersen and Charley Hull thrashed 5&4 by Ewing and Cheyenne Knight and the rookie pair of Grant and Stark losing 2&1 to Thompson and Khang.

Hall and Celine Boutier then surrendered their unbeaten record to Danielle Kang and Andrea Lee, while Maguire and Nordqvist lost on the 18th to Corpuz and Nelly Korda.

United States captain Stacy Lewis had seen her selections questioned after picking an out-of-form Thompson and leaving two-time major winner Vu and rising star Zhang out, but was totally vindicated by the scoreline.

Lewis told Sky Sports: “You could not ask for much more. We knew those middle two matches were going to be tough and just saw a tonne of fight in our girls and fortunately we were on the right side of it.”

Asked about picking Thompson, Lewis added: “I had a feeling yesterday.

“She wasn’t in my line-up that I’ve had for a couple of weeks. The way the last four days have gone, just the way she seemed mentally I had a good feeling about it and Meghan’s been playing amazing the last month or so.

“I literally went to them with about three holes left in their practice round and said, ‘hey can you figure out some golf balls’ and fortunately they managed it and got the win.”

Former Europe captain Catriona Matthew, who led the side to victories in 2019 and 2021, admitted she was surprised by the outcome of the session.

“I don’t think anyone saw this coming,” Matthew said on Sky Sports. “I think it’s deflating for everyone. The Americans have done what they wanted to do, they’ve quietened the crowd.

“The Europeans just looked edgy this morning, we got off to a very poor start, were down in all the games, barely ever actually saw any blue on the board so I think this afternoon they’re going to have to go out there strong, try and get some blue on the board and get the crowd into this.”

Sports stars and clubs across the world continue to provide an insight into their lives on social media.

Here, the PA news agency looks at some of the best examples from September 22.

Martin Odegaard signed a new deal at Arsenal.

Jude Bellingham can do it all.

Neil Warnock took care of some admin on his first day of unemployment.

Gary Neville was targeted.

Mohamed Salah was on target again.

Atalanta midfielder Marten de Roon explained his quick exit.

Naouirou Ahamada and co caused problems for a local school.

Find someone who looks at you etc…

Happy birthday to two Brazilian greats.

Emmanuel Petit is 53 today.

Kate Cross and Lauren Bell enjoyed their summer.

A post shared by Kate Cross (@crossy16)

A day in the life of Elina Svitolina.

A post shared by Elina Monfils (@elisvitolina)

Joe Marler had his future sorted.

Vladimir Andersen made good use of a plastic bag.

Burnley’s part-owner likes the look of the 49ers.

Popmaster caused a minor surprise in the Dubai Duty Free Cup Stakes at Newbury when getting the better of odds-on favourite Aldaary.

Running in Listed company for the first time, Ed Walker’s consistent handicapper appeared to relish the testing ground and always appeared to be travelling best of all.

Aldaary, on the other hand, was one of the first off the bridle but he did begin to respond for pressure from Jim Crowley.

When the gap appeared though, Ross Coakley and Popmaster (12-1) burst through and went on to beat the favourite by a length.

The winner was paying a handsome compliment to Stuart Williams’ winning machine Quinault, who had Popmaster back in second at Ascot last time out.

Walker said: “What an absolute legend of a horse he is. We’re thrilled with him, he’s been a star.

“We ran him because other than the favourite, there was nothing to be scared of so we had a crack and he’s done it well.

“He’s so versatile. We’ve always felt that he needs everything to fall right and Ross gave him a peach today, he’s always got on really well with him and he deserved to win on him.

“I think we’ll have to run him in the Challenge Cup (at Ascot). He could run in the Bengough but the Challenge is worth so much money (over £90,000 to the winner), so we almost have to go for it – and he loves Ascot.”

Betfair and Paddy Power cut him to 8-1 from 14s for the Challenge Cup on October 7.

Richard Hannon is already dreaming of next year’s Guineas for Serene Seraph (8-11 favourite) who made no mistake at the third time of asking in the Dubai Duty Free Full Of Surprises British EBF Fillies’ Conditions Stakes.

“We’ve always thought a lot of her, she was a little bit keen the last day and just got tired,” Hannon told Racing TV.

“We didn’t go to Ascot with her, she’s a big filly for next year.

“She won like we hoped she would, she didn’t mind the ground and hopefully she’ll come back for the Fred Darling.

“I’ll speak to Barnane Stud (owners) about whether they want to run again, but I think we’ll take it nice and easy with her.

“There is the Bosra Sham at Newmarket or the Radley Stakes back here as possible options if we do.”

Richard Hughes is planning a trip to France with Bracken’s Laugh (11-2) who won the Haynes, Hanson & Clark Novice Stakes on his debut under Finley Marsh.

The event has been won by some of the greats of the turf in the past such as Shergar, Rainbow Quest and Nayef and Hughes will be hoping the Zoffany colt can join them.

The trainer ran two in the race but it is fair to say they enjoyed differing fortunes, as Palace Green unshipped Cieren Fallon on leaving the stalls.

“Finley gave him a great ride. I said to him to be the last one off the bridle as he’s a big, weak horse but very talented,” said Hughes.

“I was a little worried about them on the ground with the others having a win under their belts, but we were getting 6lb and we have plans going ahead.

“I haven’t told the owner but in the back of my mind I’m thinking of those races in Saint-Cloud, there’s one over a mile and one over 10 furlongs.

“I knew he could win a maiden but I wanted to see if he would win a proper race and he’s done that today. He’s every right to go into a Group One now.”

Karl Burke’s Beautiful Diamond made light work of the British EBF Stallions Harry Rosebery Stakes at Ayr.

The daughter of Twilight Son was the 5-6 favourite for the Listed event under Clifford Lee, with the race a return to five furlongs after a fifth-placed finish in the Lowther over six furlongs last time.

Though previously only seen on good or good to firm ground, this time the filly encountered a surface with more give but found no hardship in it as she made the running from stall four.

She was pursued by Purosangue but never headed and crossed the line a length ahead in what was a comfortable success.

“I was very pleased with her, she deserved that,” said Philip Robinson, assistant racing manager to owner Sheikh Rashid Dalmook Al Maktoum.

“She was third in the Queen Mary and didn’t get home at York over six furlongs, so five furlongs today was perfect.

“She’s very quick, that seems to be her game. I don’t rule out six furlongs in the future on faster ground, maybe next year, but at the moment she’s showing more and more speed.

“She doesn’t just look like a two-year-old, she’s the type of filly that may progress from two to three as she has a bit of scope about her.”

William Haggas’ Pink Crystal was then the winner of the Listed Arran Scottish Sprint EBF Fillies’ Stakes over five and a half furlongs having started at 7-1.

Jason Hart took the ride and guided the chestnut to a result that was a place better than last year’s runner-up spot as she won by a length and a half from Burke’s Secret Angel.

The run follows a Group Three effort at York in the Summer Stakes, where she was beaten only a length and three-quarters in fourth by Swingalong, with whom she shares an owner.

Robinson is also employed in the same assistant racing manager role for the owner in question, Sheikh Juma Dalmook Al Maktoum, and said: “I was delighted with her, she ran a very, very good race at York.

“She did very well, she was stuck out on the wing all the way so she did so well to come home like she did behind Swingalong. It was a very good run.

“The plan today was to sit quite close to the pace but she was struggling with the ground early on, then she came home very strongly and I was very impressed with her.

“She’s a very tough filly, she loves her racing and she’s a very good competitor.”

The Virgin Bet Ayr Bronze Cup Handicap then went the way of David O’Meara’s Ascot Adventure, a 15-2 chance who was ridden to a three-quarter-length success by Ben Curtis.

Frankie Dettori teams up with Aidan O’Brien’s Navy Seal as the trainer looks to regain the Alan Smurfit Memorial Beresford Stakes at the Curragh.

When Crypto Force beat O’Brien’s Adelaide River in the race 12 months ago, it was the first time the Ballydoyle handler had suffered a defeat in the Group Two since Casamento won for Michael Halford in 2010.

Among his incredible 21 winners of the race are St Nicholas Abbey, Capri, Saxon Warrior and Luxembourg, but perhaps the most famous winner on the recent roll of honour is John Oxx’s brilliant Sea The Stars in 2008.

The trainer has had to look away from usual jockey Ryan Moore this weekend as he is in Australia to partner Shinzo for owners Coolmore in the Golden Rose at Rosehill.

O’Brien has three strong contenders this year in Leopardstown winner Chief Little Rock (Gavin Ryan), Galway debut winner Grosvenor Square (Colin Keane) and Dettori’s mount Navy Seal, who stepped up markedly on his debut fifth at Killarney to win at Galway.

“Chief Little Rock came forward nicely to win at Leopardstown but he only just won, we thought he’d win easier than he did but he won anyway,” said O’Brien.

“He’s in good form and we think he’s a horse who is going to progress more. He’s got a stout pedigree and will be staying well next year.

“Grosvenor Square won nicely at Galway, that was only 11 days ago. He’s a lovely, big horse but he was babyish and green there, so we think the experience will do him well. He’s another with plenty of stamina in his pedigree.

“Frankie is riding Navy Seal for us. He won nicely at Galway the last day but he was a little but green.

“He ended up winning nicely at the end and we think he’s ready to go again. The first day we were a bit disappointed, we expected him to run better but he was very green. He was still green the last day, so we’re just hoping that he keeps coming forward.

“Ryan is in Australia and it’s worked out that Frankie is available.”

It is not all about the Ballydoyle runners, though, as Joseph O’Brien’s Stromberg has won his last two by an aggregate of 17 lengths and Paddy Twomey’s Deepone brings Pattern form to the table.