Striking Ambition: 5-y-o:

As a five-year-old, this son of Makbul now has the benefit of maturity on his side for the new season. He has solid form on a variety of going descriptions but appears to be at his best when there is a little give underfoot. His trainer, Roger Charlton, has an excelled record with similar types over the years and he can map out an intriguing campaign for this lightly raced colt. Striking Ambition is a good traveller – having performed with credit in a Group-three at Deauville, before winning the Testimonial Stakes at The Curragh last October. A fourth win at Listed level followed at the same course on his 2005 seasonal reappearance and, with bags of scope for further improvement, this habitual front-runner looks an exciting prospect for the remainder of the campaign.

Avonbridge: 5-y-o

A versatile colt that still has plenty more to offer. This son of Averti is already proven in high-class company having won a Group Two at Chantilly in October 2004. Six furlongs can now prove to be the optimum distance for this half-brother to Patavelian, who did Roger Charlton's stable proud by winning the Prix de L'abbaye a couple of seasons ago. The going is indifferent to this five-year-old who is more than capable of holding is own against the some of the best sprinters on the scene this year.

Ad Valorem: 3-y-o

Aidan O'Brien has a poser in mapping out the strategy for Ad Valorem, as he showed great potential by remaining unbeaten from three starts during his juvenile season. A $450,000 purchase, the son of Danzig followed two victories at The Curragh by being simply driven out to win the Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket last October. He created a very favourable impression and is a live candidate for further honours. As a brother to useful sprinter Designer, six furlongs appears to be ideal for him on pedigree. Still, O'Brien now has several options for him and can place him to good effect. The Irish Champion trainer can draw from the experiences of his previous Middle Park winners, Minardi and Johannesburg, who despite holding their own in top-class company, never really showed the same sparkle over longer distances in their second seasons in training. Nevertheless, Ad Valorem is yet to be asked a serious question and can be a potent force at whatever trip his handler thinks to be most appropriate.

Maggie Jordan: 3-y-o

This daughter of Fusaichi Pegasus made a very pleasing winning debut at Newmarket last October and has plenty of scope as a three-year-old. A half-sister to Cliquot, who was placed several times in Graded races in the States, she showed plenty of guts when racing into a strong headwind on her solitary start - justifying her lofty reputation with a comfortable two-length success. A pulled muscle forced her to swerve the Nell Gwyn at the Craven meeting. However, she remains a very interesting contender for trainer Brian Meehan to go to war with this term. Although Maggie Jordan is a Vodafone Oaks entry, Meehan also has Magical Romance for the Epsom Classic, so it will be very interesting to see which direction her career takes from now on. Pastoral Pursuits: 4-y-o

A Group Two penalty will not make life easy for Pastoral Pursuits this season. However, he is a tough and genuine performer that has shown a real relish for racing between six and seven furlongs. His trainer, Hughie Morrison, is confident that a mile will not be a problem stamina-wise for this son of Bahamian Bounty and it can open up new avenues for the colt this year.

Tycoons Hill: 6-y-o

Chantilly-based trainer Robert Collet has gone far and wide in search for winners over the years. Not least with Tycoon's Last, who won the Breeder's Cup mile for him in 1986. Tycoon's Hill, who races in the same colours of Robert Strauss, may not be in the same category as his dam's sire, however, he is worth looking out for now that television coverage allows us access to international racing. The son of Danehill has performed consistently well at six furlongs in the French provinces – recording a career best effort when finishing second in a Listed race at his local track in April. Collet's charge looks capable of holding his own at that level and he could be a surprise package on soft ground when the emphasis for sprinters switches overseas towards the backend of the season.

Nota Bene: 3-y-o

David Elsworth looks to have a very useful sprinter in the making with Nota Bene, who made a successful reappearance at Newmarket in April. A revised handicap mark of 104 leaves no option but a step up in class for the son of Zafonic. However, the weight-for-age allowance will help his cause against the older brigade and he has already shown enough to suggest that he has a bright future.

Kamakiri: 3-y-o

There is very little wrong with the early form of this son of Trans Island who is progressing nicely as he learns his trade. He proved that he is a willing pupil when battling to the line to win the Free Handicap at Newmarket in April – a race won by the subsequent German 2000 Guineas winner, Brunel, last term. Any number of options can now be utilised by his trainer, Richard Hannon, and further paydays look sure to come his way if he continues to thrive.

Strike Up the Band: 2-y-o

This half-brother to Sampower Star and Fire Up The Band bolted up in an interesting maiden at Pontefract in April and looks a useful recruit of some potential. The manner of his victory suggested that he already knows plenty about what is required of him and he should easily get six furlongs and beyond in time. Sprinting maestro David Nicholls rates the son of Cyrano De Bergerac, as the best two-year-old that he has ever trainer and the sky is the limit with this exciting individual.

Caesar Beware: 3-y-o

This high-class colt is now back with Henry Candy after a short spell in Dubai proved to be fruitless, as he did not take to racing on dirt. Nevertheless, he apparently has lost none of his zest on turf and should be capable of further progression. Candy rates the son of Daggers Drawn as a stellar addition to his yard and is of the opinion that seven furlongs will now ideally suit him. The three-year-old acts on fast ground but may also be appreciative of some give underfoot. He is due to make a belated start to the season but should not be missed when he does finally return.