Havana Grey and Heartache primed form for Doncaster showdown on Friday

Havana Grey and Heartache engage in what promises to be a fascinating battle of the sexes in the Wainwrights Flying Childers Stakes at Doncaster on Friday.

The Karl Burke-trained Havana Grey claimed a fourth victory of the campaign with a dominant front-running display over this five-furlong distance in the Molecomb Stakes at Goodwood at the start of August.

He then found only stablemate Unfortunately too strong when stepped up to six furlongs and Group One level in the Prix Morny at Deauville almost three weeks later.

Clive Cox's Heartache looked a potential superstar when she breezed clear of Happy Like A Fool in the Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot, but lost her unbeaten record when a close-up third behind Unfortunately in the five-and-a-half-furlong Prix Robert Papin at Maisons-Laffitte.

On that form, there is unlikely to be much to choose between the pair, but Burke is hopeful his charge can seize the day.

"We're really looking forward to running him. He's fresh and well and came back from the Prix Morny in great form," said the Leyburn-based trainer.

"Clive Cox's filly is obviously very quick. Whether she did or didn't run her race in the Prix Robert Papin behind Unfortunately, we'll find out. Whether she'll be as quick as Havana Grey over five furlongs, I don't know, but it will be an interesting clash."

Heartache returned from her French trip with a minor injury, but Cox feels she is ready to show her true colours on Town Moor.

He said: "We're delighted with how she's bounced back after initially coming back from France wrong. She got a bump during the race over there and it was quite obvious when she came home that she was lame behind. She had a deep-seated muscle problem.

"We're much happier with her now and I think she goes there in really good nick. We'd appreciated if the ground kept drying. We're hopeful it will with the high winds and hopefully the rain will stay away."

Pursuing The Dream, a Listed winner in France on her latest appearance for Jamie Osborne, also features among nine juveniles in contention for the Group Two prize.