York 2.05: Skypoker.com Nursery Handicap

It is interesting that Frankie Dettori doesn't ride Danzoe as he did last time but takes the mount on Dancing Freddy, however both may have to play second fiddle to the progressive SINGEUR who can win for local trainer Robin Bastiman. The selection was a good winner at Southwell on his second start and then put up a polished performance when seeing off Vilnius at Redcar. That form looks nothing special but this progressive son of Chineur is from a decent family and can shrug off his 6lb higher mark. Danzoe should be fine on the ground, Gertmegalush sprang a surprise last time but there appeared to be little fluke (especially as he got loose beforehand), whilst Ignatieff is taking his racing well but his record is one of frustrating near misses. Emerald Girl will be popular at a track her trainer likes to target; this Chineur filly won well at Beverley last time and there should be more to come off this mark of 70. Merseyside Star has contested some good race and he ran well at Ascot last time so he needs respect, however the percentage call looks to be to side with Singeur until he loses.

Newmarket 2.20: Sportingbet.com Handicap

Although now 2lbs worse off for beating Cheshire Prince three-parts-of-a-length at Newbury KING CHARLES is taken to follow up here, while Special Reserve and Persian Peril are others considered. King Charles had to work a little to get to the front at the Berkshire track, but once doing so he was always in command and looked to have more in hand than the winning margin suggested. Although that was on good to soft the has won on good going and he can add to his CV this afternoon. Cheshire Prince seems to reserve his best for the turns of Chester, but he is very effective over 10f and on a sound surface, so is hard to dismiss lightly. Persian Peril won a Southwell handicap last time and stays at least this far, though his form points to a penchant for juice in the ground and unless the rains come he might have to settle for a frame claim. Special Reserve is 3lbs higher than his only win and he is effective on the ground so he might be able to get competitive, while both Emerald Wilderness and Chapter And Verse look held by the assessor. It may not be on the Rowley Mile but nonetheless King Charles can extend his reign.

York 2.35: Skybet.com E.b.f. Fillies' Handicap

With not much rain forecast the temptation is to pass over Ella and instead plump for the race-fit DEEP WINTER. The selection is now 3lb lower than her run in the John Smiths Cup here last time, and she is now rated just 3lb higher than her Ayr win last August if we take into account her jockey's claim. She handles any ground, has a likeable attitude, and should appreciate this easier company. Ella must be of interest given the way she signed off last season with two wins in heavy ground (including here), but she has needed a few runs in the past before she hits her peak. Off Chance's form stacks up well and she is a strong traveller, whilst Antigua Sunrise is progressive and the drop back in trip looks ideal. La Coveta won at Leicester last time but a 5lb higher mark makes life tough, so of more interest may be the consistent Suzi Spends whose third to Short Affair at Doncaster reads well in the context of this race. Summer Gold ran well at Doncaster and would be happy if the ground continues to dry out, Tottie has contested some much hotter races (including the Oaks) but now tries cheekpieces for her handicap bow off 88, Spouk is a progressive four-year-old and her trainer has a good record at the track, whilst Aromatic catches the eye with Frankie Dettori taking the ride on this unexposed daughter of Medicean. However she is likely to be a false price and instead then we will take a chance on the apparent second string of the Fahey camp, in Deep Winter.

Ascot 2.40: Princess Margaret Abu Dhabi Stakes (fillies' Group 3)

SAND VIXEN is selected ahead of Full Mandate whilst there's little to choose between Jira and Jeanie Johnston on their Newmarket running.

There's plenty of collateral form on offer with the selection having finished a long way behind Karl Burke's runner at Haydock and Roodle and Full Mandate having proved no match for Swan Wings at Salisbury so there is the imponderable question about how much each has improved.

Swan Wings looked very good at Salisbury but ran no race at Newmarket which is a good enough reason to strike her from the list and that reasoning also sees Lady Desert depart whilst Deal and High Spice don't look good enough. Jeanie Johnston may well have beaten Jira if she had kept a straight line and a flatter track may enable her to steer a better course but she did enjoy the run of the race from the front whereas Jira missed the break so there's no guarantee that she'll reverse the form. Full Mandate won very easily at Newbury in a race that hasn't been tested although the second is held in some regard. This Lowther entry must be feared with the yard continuing to carry all before them. Roodle also has a Lowther entry as well as one in the Cheveley Park and shouldn't be underestimated having won a competitive little novice stakes at Chepstow. She still looked in need of the experience there so could improve further but it's worth noting that Richard Hannon has a good line on her form. Sand Vixen has a brace of Group 1 entries which looked far from realistic on debut but she proved her worth with a solid performance at Kempton where she scored comfortably. This is a big step up and she may need further in time but Sand Vixen looks capable of running a big race.

Newmarket 2.50: Sportingbet Handicap

There is a very solid look to the form of SOVEREIGN REMEDY, who gets the vote ahead of Militarist here, while Snow Bay and Prince Of Johanne are respected lower in the weights. Representing Godolphin, the selection won a Nottingham maiden in May before being found out over 10f at York. The return to a mile brought a better effort last time, however, when he ran third behind Brief Encounter, who is a good yardstick in context. Good ground suits and we will give him the nod. Militarist won on debut over at the Rowley course but failed to repeat the dose when favourite back there last time. The yard is now going well again though, so we may see more from the War Chant colt this time. Last-time winner Snow Bay has gone up 5lbs and the step from Catterick to headquarters is not an obvious route to further riches. However, Bryan Smart has little option but to pitch him in here and see what occurs, and he will certainly have his trip and ground. Prince Of Johanne has been allotted what looks a fair mark of 76 for this handicap debut but with Jeremy Noseda continuing to provide a good strike rate for punters he will be of interest if there is market warmth. Resort has quickly slipped in the weights after the handicapper appeared to have overestimated his abilities and he should now be able to make his presence felt, but preference is for Sovereign Remedy.

York 3.10: Sky Bet York Stakes (group 2)

KIRKLEES impressed last time out and is taken to see off a concerted effort from Allied Powers, Curtain Call and Tazeez. The race that the selection won at Sandown last time was no great shakes; however he won with some authority and is the one to beat on the official ratings here. He should be fine on the ground and from a good draw he could provide Frankie Dettori with his yet another York winner for the stable that won this race in 2007 with Stage Gift. The sole three-year-old in the race Monitor Closely ran well in defeat last time at Ascot and punters should pay him close attention receiving plenty of weight, although he shapes as if ready for a mile and a half. Tazeez was progressive in handicaps before taking a Group Three at Newmarket in April; his recent run in the Prince Of Wales's at Ascot reads very well in the context of this race. Smokey Oakey is likely to be outclassed, along with Macorville and Kings Gambit. Halicarnassus has plenty to find with the selection on the Sandown run, and he is yet to shed his bridesmaid tag, so a bigger threat should be Curtain Call. He was fourth in the Grand Prix de Saint Cloud last time out and this former Jessica Harrington inmate would become more interesting if the rain does fall. Allied Powers is progressive but looks up against it as we side with Kirklees to take home the pot.

Ascot 3.15: Emirates Nbd Cup Heritage Handicap (str)

DESERT CREEK is fancied to get his career back on track at the main expense of Peking Prince and Fullback. The selection promised to be one of the most exciting handicappers of the season when following up his Windsor success with a resounding victory of the Haydock Silver Bowl in the mud. His eclipse at the Royal meeting needs to be forgiven but that clearly wasn't his running and he's worth another chance in this company. Pride Of Kings battled on really well to repel the challenge of Flipando at Haydock and it's never easy to ascertain when the Johnston handicappers have reached the peak of their ability but he needs to pull out more again in this contest. Espiritu went close in the Brittania when Desert Creek flopped but he, too, flopped at this track last time. That's a concern given that he'd shown the odd wayward tendency in the past but he may be worth chancing at a price. Loch Linnhe ran a solid race in a conditions race and is clearly deemed better than a handicapper having run in the Jersey on his second start but his ambitious campaign has left him on a lofty mark and he faces no easy task. Similar remarks apply to Sri Putra whose last three runs have been in Pattern company and there may be more mileage in siding with Weald Park, Peking Prince, Fullback or Roar Of Applause. The latter needs to pull out a little more for the headgear and the former to recapture his form but Fullback comes here on the back of a seasonal best and Peking Prince is getting better with every run and could be sharpened up by a visor. We are, however, going to stay loyal to Desert Creek.

Newmarket 3.25: Sportingbet.com E.b.f. Fillies' Handicap

ADORING was impressive enough on debut and with natural improvement to come she looks likely to beat her female opponents in this, while Victoria Sponge and Pyrrha are respected. The selection was too good for six opponents in a maiden over 7f on the Rowley course and should continue to be at home on a sound surface. William Haggas has given her plenty of time since that success and pitches her in against her own sex as she begins her handicapping career. She should have more to come and can show that today. Victoria Sponge has plenty more experience and has already enjoyed three wins, twice over this trip and on decent ground. Eased 2lbs since her last run, she shouldnot be far away. Pyrrha is probably yet to show us her best, but she keeps producing the sort of run that suggests her next win is not far away, with her latest effort over course and distance a case in point. However, a 2lb rise won't help her. Volochkova is 4lbs above when winning at Wolverhampton last time over this trip, but has yet to show much sparkle on turf, while Shaws Diamond is raised just 2lbs for a York win at the trip and is entitled to have her say. Even so, Adoring has her best days ahead of her and can go in again.

York 3.45: Sky Bet Dash Heritage Handicap

River Falcon should go close however his last win came in August 2007 and we should look elsewhere despite a good run last time; preference is for ROKER PARK who is a progressive sprinter and he is fancied to see off Striking Spirit and Biniou. Kevin Ryan's charge comes here on the back of a fair effort in defeat at Hamilton but lost little caste in defeat following a tardy start. Normally up with the pace (which suits a track like York), he looks sure to run a big race. An obvious danger is recent course and distance winner Striking Spirit. He is one of several interesting Dandy Nicholls entries but the others may be destined for targets later in the year whereas Striking Spirit looks the one for today. He ran them ragged from the front here a fortnight ago and although his 7lb rise in the weights makes life tough, the runner-up has won well since and the first two were well-clear of the rest. Pusey Street Lady probably needs more rain, Barney McGrew was second to the selection twice in June and is a contender, whilst Biniou chases the hat-trick but his recent improvement seems to have coincided with a drop back to the minimum trip and he is opposable. Richard Fahey likes to target this race; Knot In Wood knows how to win (10 from 56 runs) and has been in good form this season, whilst stablemate Kaldoun Kingdom is perhaps paying the price for a successful three-year-old season but the handicapper is starting to relent. Aldermoor is yet to run a bad race and looks a very interesting three-year-old (age group won this race last year) whilst Cheveton and Excusez Moi need respect. The former is consistent but not amazingly handicapped for the step up in trip, whilst the latter is mad as a hatter but has done really well for connections. A terrific sprint but not an easy puzzle to solve; our vote is given to Kevin Ryan's Roker Park.

Ascot 3.50: Abu Dhabi International Heritage Handicap

Captain Brilliance has sound claims but will be a short enough price given the nature of the race so we'll look elsewhere. Roaring Forte will also be well supported but this could be the day that the frustrating REDFORD steals the scene. We'll start by dismissing promising three year-olds Crackdown and Secret Society as only New Seeker of the younger generation has managed to claim this prize in the last ten years and I'm not convinced that either are in that class. Captain Brilliance was touted as being a Group horse in a handicap and we've already seen what Noseda can do with one of those if we hark back to last month and the performance of Forgotten Voice. He's 3lbs well in and may get a stronger pace than he did in the Bunbury Cup which will suit. Roaring Forte has long been held in high regard and looks set to be amongst the pacesetters if his usual tactics are employed. He missed his opportunity in the Hunt Cup for which he was a leading fancy and connections will be keen on gaining compensation. He's feared but priced accordingly and this is the first time that he's raced in a field of more than ten runners so represents little value. Racer Forever is capable of running a big race as is Giganticus who isn't handicapped out of thisbut will need to run up to his very best. Taqdeyr will appreciate the step up in trip but the yard hasn't had one of their better seasons whilst Al Muheer just doesn't convert enough of his chances. Dhaular Dhar, Genki and Orpsie Boy are three more chances but we'll go against the grain and side with Redford as long as he's a suitable price. It's easy to forget how good his record is given that he's been something of a talking horse but he's run a series of sound races in some of the top handicaps. He may not have enjoyed the success that connections dreamed of but he was third in the Buckingham Palace for Richard Hughes and followed that with a sound run in the Bunbury Cup. He hasn't always delivered as much as expected in the finish and would appreciate a heavy shower or two but was beaten under 3 lengths in last year's renewal from a pound lower mark and Redford is worth an each-way interest.

Ascot 4.25: King George Vi And Queen Elizabeth Stakes (group 1)

This prize can wend it's way to Freemason Lodge but choosing between the trio is far from easy but we'll row in with Ryan Moore and side with CONDUIT ahead of Tartan Bearer and Ask. Ballydoyle also have a strong hand as one would expect and they have been successful in the last two renewals. Rockhampton was employed as a pacemaker in the Irish Derby and could fulfil the same function here although Golden Sword always has plenty of use made of him and should be well positioned if they get their fractions right. Frozen Fire benefited from a strong pace when winning a contentious Irish Derby last year and cannot be ignored. He may have finished behind Ask in the Coronation but had failed to handle Epsom in the Derby last year and his only other run this year can be ignored. This will be the first time that he has had his conditions and he could run a big race. Look Here was in front of him at Epsom and didn't enjoy the run of the race on her subsequent outing; she is a top class filly and doesn't have a great deal to find with the best of the colts. Alwaary is improving rapidly and looked an unlucky loser at Newmarket but this is a much stronger contest and will require him to take another big leap forward in a relatively short space of time.

Ask is tough and versatile but the focus is on the Ballymacoll Stud owned pair with preference for Conduit. Tartan Bearer may have finished placed in two Derbys but he has never won over twelve furlongs and that has to count as the deciding factor. It may well suit as he went in vain pursuit of Vision D'Etat at the Royal meeting but Conduit has the stronger form. The Leger and Breeders' Cup Turf winner has, a little surprisingly, been campaigned over ten furlongs this term. He came within a nose of conceding 7lbs to the smart Cima De Triomphe on his seasonal return before beating all bar Sea The Stars and Rip Van Winkle in an Eclipse run in a record time for the race. He was outpaced by the best of the Classic generation there but steps back up in trip at a course where he's run well in the past and Conduit can take the plaudits.