On current calculations, Scottish is borderline to get a run in the G1 Caulfield Cup, over 2,400m on October 15, and on the cusp of making the final 24 for the G1 Melbourne Cup, over 3,200m on November 1. A win would boost his credentials and virtually ensure him a place in both.

The four-year-old is backing up two weeks after an excellent second to Royal Artillery in the G3 Rose Of Lancaster Stakes at Haydock Park. After leading, he was crowded on the inside rail by the winner and showed a lot of fight to ward him off in the closing stages.

That he was beaten only a length and a quarter -- and eased near the line when his winning chance had gone -- speaks well for his class as well as his potential.

Royal Artillery appeared at Deauville shortly after and finished a good third to Almanzor and Zarak, the first two home in the Prix du Jockey-Club, in a G2 -- so the form is solid.

"Scottish goes there in good order, and the drop back to nine furlongs will not bother him," Appleby reported. "He came out of Haydock very well, and I felt he didn't lose much in defeat. The winner ran well at Deauville subsequently.

"This is only his fourth run for the year, and being that bit older now, a two-week gap between races is not going to bother him.

"Looking ahead to Melbourne, Scottish needs to win the Strensall -- or run very well in defeat -- to justify me putting him on a plane to Australia," the trainer added.

On a busy day for the Godolphin stable, the exciting two-year-old Blue Point faces 10 rivals in the G2 Gimcrack Stakes just over three weeks after suffering his first defeat at Goodwood.

Appleby felt that the colt wasn't streetwise enough at the Glorious meeting -- but he retains great confidence the two-year-old is very talented.

"Lack of experience beat him last time," Appleby said. "But he is maturing all the time, both physically and mentally, and this is a suitable target for him," he added.

The Ebor, a Heritage Handicap, run over one mile, six furlongs, features two Godolphin runners, the dour stayer Antiquarium, winner of the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle, and the in-form Oceanographer.

"Antiquarium showed a nice turn-of-foot at the end of the race at Newcastle, and is progressing well. Oceanographer is also well and should be suited," Appleby added.