PRINCESS ZOE (4.20) can finally reign supreme for Anthony Mullins in the Gold Cup on Day Four of Royal Ascot.
The mare handled this gruelling Group 1 well when a cracking second to Subjectivist 12 months ago.
The grey ran another stormer when chasing home Twilight Payment back over 1m 6f at the Curragh.
She was then over the top when a lacklustre fifth to Trueshan in the Prix Du Cadran at Longchamp.
The seven-year-old was equally unimpressive when flopping on her comeback at Riyahd in February.
However, she got right back on track when chinning Quickthorn in the Sagaro over two miles here.
The superstar should be primed so she can go one better in the biggest staying prize in the business.
WALBANK (2.30) can give David Loughanne his first Royal Ascot triumph in the Norfolk Stakes.
The two-year-old wasn’t well-fancied ahead of his debut in a hot novice over course and distance.
However, the colt outran his odds with a terrific second behind the highly promising Noble Style.
The youngster then made no mistake when absolutely bolting up from Beautiful Sunrise at York.
There is plenty more to come from this smart sprinter who can lower some towering reputations.
The King George V Stakes looks extremely trappy but I’m rowing in with MANDOBI (3.05).
William Haggas’ colt was a good second to Franz on debut in a strong Haydock novice in October.
However, the son of Iffraaj always seemed likely to be better over middle distance this season.
He confirmed that impression when cosily dismissing Tamarama on his return over 1m 2f at Ripon.
The three-year-old then clearly relished tacking 1m 4f when hammering Wait to Excel at Thirsk.
I doubt that we’ve seen the best of this bold-galloper who can see off some exciting opponents.
LIFE OF DREAMS (3.40) can continue Charlie Appleby’s terrific run in the Ribblesdale Stakes.
The filly was a 4-5 favourite ahead of her first career start in a typically warm Newbury novice.
The three-year-old duly justified those odds with an impressive three-length defeat of Spyfall.
She was then unlucky to encounter the talented Emily Upjohn in the Musidora Stakes at York.
That was still another career best so this classy type can enjoy a Group 2 success of her own.
WANEES (5.00) can rule for shrewd Charlie Hills in the ever-competitive Britannia Handicap.
The colt opened his account by outpointing Alotaibi over seven furlongs here in September.
The three-year-old soon improved again when decisively defeating Zulu Tracker at Salisbury.
However, he really excelled himself when brushing aside City Runner over a mile at Sandown.
The son of La Harve was value for more than the half-length verdict so he can bag this big prize.
REACH FOR THE MOON (5.35) can give the Queen Platinum Jubilee glory in the Wolferton.
John Gosden’s charge looked a bona-fide Classic contender when routing Harrow at Newbury.
The colt did his reputation no harm when hacking up from Great Max in a Salisbury Group 3.
However, he failed to fire when outbattled by Bayside Boy in the Champagne at Doncaster.
The three-year-old bounced back with a fine second to My Prospero on his return at Sandown.
The Royal raider was staying-on well over a stiff mile so he can resume winning ways up in trip.
VAFORTINO (6.10) can bag the Buckingham Palace Stakes for fast-rising Kevin Philippart De Foy.
The four-year-old showed some pretty respectable form for Joseph O’Brien in Ireland last season.
The gelding stayed on the rise when second to Bless Him on debut for his new yard at Newcastle.
That excellent effort earned him a tilt at the valuable Victoria Cup over track and trip last month.
And the four-year-old didn’t put a foot wrong with a power-packed defeat of Accidental Agent .
The son of New Bay scored with plenty in hand so he can follow up under Benoit De La Sayette.
SAULIRE STAR (1.45) can sparkle for thriving Tim Easterby in the amateurs’ handicap at Ripon.
The four-year-old put in another solid shift when second to My Little Queens over 1m 2f at Windsor.
The gelding is well-treated for his current connections so he can gain a well-deserved win up in trip.
The Yorkshire Maestro can add the Grantley Handicap to his tally with GULLANE ONE (4.40).
The seven-year-old hit back with a convincing defeat of Fircombe Hall over course and distance.
The speedster is still on a workable mark so he can make every yard of the running once again.
Hugo Palmer’s COMMONSENSICAL (3.25) is the wisest choice in the Betting.bet Handicap.
The four-year-old just denied Way Of Life on debut for his new yard in a fair event at Chepstow.
The gelding still lurks on an attractive mark so he can shrug off a 5lb hike for his thriving handler.
Archie Watson is also flying so I’m backing EMPEROR SPIRIT (4.00) in the Ladies Day Handicap.
The sprinter showed a willing attitude to deny Crimson Sand on debut for this yard at Chelmsford.
The four-year-old goes well at this venue so he can take advantage of an inviting mark back on Turf.
KARIBANA (3.50) is well worth punting on another tricky all-weather card at Chelmsford.
Richard Hughes’ gelding shaped like his turn was near when edged out by Sir Olvier at this track.
MARK OF RESPECT (5.05) can earn the plaudits for Jonathan Portman in the lucky last.
The four-year-old should make light of a reasonable 5lb penalty for routing Urban War at Bath.
ASCOT
2.30 WALBANK
3.05 MANDOBI
3.40 LIFE OF DREAMS
4.20 PRINCESS ZOE (NAP)
5.00 WANEES
5.35 REACH FOR THE MOON
6.10 VAFORTINO
CHELMSFORD
1.30 TRUE STATESMAN
2.05 YOU'RE COOL
2.40 ATLANTIS BLUE
3.15 TOMOUH
3.50 KARIBANA
4.30 AUTONOMY
5.05 MARK OF RESPECT
RIPON
1.45 SAULIRE STAR
2.15 DARE TO HOPE
2.50 COBRA KAI
3.25 COMMONSENSICAL
4.00 EMPEROR SPIRIT
4.40 GULLANE ONE
5.10 GIBSIDE
LINGFIELD
4.50 BUNGLEDUPINBLUE
5.20 KINTA
5.50 BOWLING RUSSIAN
6.25 BERNARD SPIERPOINT
7.00 SUSANBEQUICK
7.30 SMART START
8.00 DIVINE JEWEL
FFOS LAS
5.25 GOLEIRIHEM
6.00 SHAREEF STAR
6.35 CZECH HER OUT
7.10 FABRIQUE EN FRANCE
7.40 PRISON BREAK
8.10 FRANCKY DU BERLAIS
8.40 PILGRIMS KING
LEOPARDSTOWN
5.15 VOCE DEL PALIO
5.45 CLEVELEYS
6.15 FOCUS REQUIRED
6.50 CORPORAL VIOLETTE
7.20 PHILLY'S HOPE
7.50 COMO PARK
8.20 MY MATE MOZZIE
