Aidan O’Brien won this a couple of years ago with Meditate so I am fearful of Fairy Godmother but I don’t think there should be as much as there is in the betting between her and MOUNTAIN BREEZE so I’m siding with the latter. This filly by Lope De Vega remains unbeaten which is more than Fairy Godmother can say and she has looked a work in progress but has kept winning which I always think is a good sign. She ran on strongly to win easily again at Newmarket last month and while the runner-up hasn’t boosted the form it was still visually impressive. She has lots more to come yet and I think she is the one to side with here.

It is not just a two-horse race though as Twafeeg did impress me winning on debut at Doncaster and it wouldn’t surprise me if she was the one they came for in regards to hitting the frame. Heavens Gate is a stablemate to the favourite but she also looks to have a bright future and shouldn’t be ignored either in what could turn out to be a decent renewal.

Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum looks to hold the key to this race as he owns the top 2 in the betting in Inisherin and ELITE STATUS. The latter is a bigger price though and looks better value for Karl Burke. He was back to his best winning convincingly at Newbury on return last month and with the promise of further improvement to come I can’t see why he is twice the price. The third Adaay In Devon has come out and franked the form winning at Sandown and even James’s Delight who was well down the field in eleventh has won easily at York since.

Inisherin ran respectfully in the Guineas but relished the drop back to sprinting winning impressively at Haydock so does look the danger. Of the rest Jasour came fast and late to peg back Adaay In Devon at Ascot so is another one in with a squeak.

The likeable OPERA SINGER looked progressive as a 2yo winning 3 of her last 4 starts and I thought she made a really pleasing reappearance when third at the Curragh last month. She clearly needed the run but stuck to the task well once headed and I think she’ll come on tons from that. Aidan O’Brien said much of the same in an interview after the race and confidence seems to be growing regarding her chances here. It will be interesting to see if they go forward with her as there isn’t much pace on and it has paid to be on the speed at Ascot this week.

Elmalka looks promising and has won 2 of her 3 starts to date including the Guineas so if improving again could be the danger. Ramatuelle was behind Elmalka at Newmarket last time but has rock solid form to her name and is another one expected to get competitive.

A big field heading to post but I’m keen to just play the one horse in DEAKIN for Joseph O’Brien. This good looking son of Australia improved to open his account at Roscommon last year and then followed up impressively at Thurles next time again well backed in the market. He was denied just a neck on reappearance at the Curragh but with that under his belt I expect him to reverse form with Crystal Black and come out on top here. The latter is thriving having won 4 of his last 5 but the handicapper applies more pressure and this is tougher again.

Of the rest Ethical Diamond deserves a mention as he will likely go off favourite for Willie Mullins. He was denied just a nose at Leopardstown last month and it is hard to argue that he isn’t well handicapped off 94 but he does need to prove himself over the trip going up to a mile and a half here and his price is short enough. Shadow Dance impressed at Haydock and then ran well at Newmarket and is another one I can see getting competitive in what looks another wide open race.

Indelible was a very convincing winner on return at Doncaster and given that race has a strong look to it she is likely to be a warm order here. She is entered in the Falmouth and Irish Oaks so connections clearly hoping she will be better than a handicapper in time. I wouldn’t want to take a short price though and FOREVER BLUE does look a value alternative. She has won 2 of her 3 starts to date and impressed me back from a layoff to win going away at Haydock last time. An opening mark of 95 now handicapping should prove workable and this straight mile could really suit too so 14/1 is way too big.

Plenty of dangers likely headed by the fav but Zaynab arrives on a hat-trick and given she only won by a head on handicap debut she has only gone up 6lb which isn’t too damaging so I think she’ll get competitive. Without Words was only beaten 2 lengths last time and will be spot on for this now handicapping so is another one to note.

I have no doubt that SPACE LEGEND was unlucky at Goodwood last time. For whatever reason Tom Marquand allowed him to drift back in the pack having raced prominently early and he just got going too late in the day. He stayed on strongly but couldn’t quite reach the winner Meydaan. That horse ran well when fourth to Illinois in the Queen’s Vase earlier in the week so the form has been boosted. He was impressive at Leicester before that and with this step up to a mile and a half firmly in his favour he should have a great chance.

Diego Velazquez shaped with plenty of promise beaten a length on return in France but did let backers down in the French Derby last time and arrives with a point to prove. This much faster surface should help but he is short enough in the betting. Theory Of Tides is unbeaten having won both starts to date and if improving again might emerge as a greater threat.

This is probably the toughest race of the day so I’ve backed two against the field at nice each way prices. DORNEY LAKE has looked progressive and must be a little overpriced in his hat-trick bid. He bolted up at Yarmouth on reappearance and first start following a wind op and then got the job done as his odds suggested at Lingfield last month. He goes handicapping now and with this big field scenario likely to suit and help him settle I’ll be surprised if he doesn’t get seriously involved.

The other one I like is WOODHAY WONDER who is actually seeking a five-timer here. She picked up where she left off last season winning on handicap debut at Newmarket back in April and then followed up showing a good attitude last month. She is 5lb higher again but I don’t think her limit has been reached yet and she is a nice price. Shagraan looks one of the dangers having run well at Sandown (when well backed) and again at Newmarket last time. Billy the kid is on board and he could get backed in.