Mecca's Angel and Quiet Reflection set for epic Ascot duel

Champions will be crowned, including Jim Crowley, who is all set to be champion jockey for the first time, while the sprinting crown has a fine chance of heading back to Yorkshire as speed balls Mecca's Angel and Quiet Reflection are set to go head to head.

Mecca's Angel has been a total star for trainer Michael Dods and his team and it would be great to see her gallop into retirement with another Group One success on her CV.

Quiet Reflection heads back to the course and distance at which she was successful at Royal Ascot in June when landing the Commonwealth Cup. She has delighted trainer Karl Burke in her preparation for tomorrow's fascinating clash, in which she faces a rematch with her July Cup conqueror Limato.

Although the Middleham trainer has nothing but respect for Limato, who was arguably more impressive than ever in the Prix de la Foret at Chantilly on Arc day, Burke has been looking forward to another crack at Henry Candy's stable star since Quiet Reflection was beaten two and a quarter lengths into third at Newmarket.

He said: "Limato is a fantastic horse, with a great trainer, and I have the utmost respect for both, but I said after the July Cup I couldn't wait to take him on again in the autumn, so I've got my wish.

"Our filly has definitely strengthened and we think she's a better filly going into this race than that one, when Dougie (Costello) said after the race that she hadn't felt going down as if she had quite the edge on her that she'd had at Royal Ascot or in her Haydock prep race."

He added: "She's had a long season, but we've given her a little break since her Sprint Cup win at Haydock and we think she's progressed again. Her final piece of strong work on Saturday was good and she's looking fantastic.

"She's about six kilos heavier than before Haydock, but she'll probably have knocked a couple of those off when breezing today and I'll be happy enough if she's still three or four kilos heavier on Saturday, as she looks so much stronger and rounder now and we've had a much smoother trip into the race.

"I couldn't be happier with her and I just hope she runs her race. If that's good enough, great, if it's not, so be it."

At this time of year the jumping steps up a gear and unfortunately there will be falls for the jockeys. Henry Brooke suffered a heavy one at Hexham last Saturday, but thankfully not as bad as first feared.

Brooke is recovering in Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary after a fall from Old Storm that was serious enough for him to require transportation by air ambulance, be put into an induced coma, and for the racing programme to be pushed back an hour and three-quarters.

Speaking on Wednesday afternoon, the Middleham rider said: "I don't remember the fall at all and I can't remember the air ambulance or any of that, but when I woke up in hospital I wanted to see it for myself. I had to write it on a piece of paper, and it was found for me on a phone.

"I watched it a couple of times and it didn't look anything. I've had lots of worse-looking falls, but it looks as if one of the horses following me has just caught me in the wrong place and done a bit of damage."

The "bit of damage" the 25-year-old refers to includes eight broken ribs and a collapsed lung, but it now looks less likely he will require an operation.

Whether he does or not, there is no mistaking his eagerness, not only to get back in the saddle, but to renew his acquaintance with the Brian Ellison-trained faller.

Brooke said: "If it hadn't been a downhill fence, Old Storm would have been fine, but he was a little bit long to it and didn't put his landing gear down. He just pecked and went down in front.

"It wasn't his fault and I want to get back on him when I get out as we have unfinished business and I've got something to prove. I want to get back on them all."

Brooke, whose younger brother Danny and grandfather were both at Hexham on Saturday, expects to be in hospital for at least another week, but feels he is already on the mend.

He said: "I'm more comfortable than I was and I don't think they're going to operate now, although I'm not 100 per cent sure.

"It's not nice and I'm being heavily monitored, with a drain in my lung and tubes coming out of here and there, but it's getting better. I should think I'll be here another week or so, and it may be six weeks before I'm back riding again."

Brooke had made a terrific start to the season with 26 winners on the board and his personal best score of 42 already in his sights. Reflecting on his season, he continued: "Things were going well and I was riding with a lot of confidence.

"It's not very nice going racing when you feel you're just making up the numbers, but I've been getting on some good horses, with great support from lots of different trainers, including Brian Ellison, Gordon Elliott and Jimmy Moffatt.

"I've been going to the track excited, often thinking I've got a couple of good shouts, and when I've had a winner early on it's given me even more confidence for the later rides.

"Mr Ellison has kept in touch since the fall through my mother (Julia), which has been great, and I'm looking forward to riding again for him when I'm out. I'm looking forward to riding for them all again and, because I don't remember the fall, I'm sure my confidence won't be affected."

Brooke is grateful for the treatment he received from the medical team at Hexham, as well as those on the air ambulance and at Royal Victoria Infirmary, where he is in a private room and now able to see relatives and close friends.

However, he is already looking forward to recuperating at home in Middleham, where he lives in a cottage on his grandparents' farm, just across the road from his mother.

He said: "I want to thank everyone who has looked after me so well, and also my family, as it's not been at all nice for them. I'm also very grateful to everyone who has sent texts and messages wishing me well. I apologise to anyone I haven't replied to yet, but I've really appreciated them. They've been a massive boost."