1.30 William Hill Festival Stakes (Listed) 1m 1f 197yds

Francesco Clemente won by a wide margin at Newmarket last July, but hasn’t been seen since, and is opposable given his lengthy break and lack of experience in Pattern company. On the other hand, El Drama has been keeping much better company for most of his career, and his runs at Meydan in the spring were at the top level. An inveterate front runner, he may well be allowed to dictate here, and will be hard to pass given this marked drop in class.

2.05 William Hill Harroways Handicap 7f

Dark Thirty has plenty of experience, but still showed improved form when making all on quick ground at York last time, and has the early speed to overcome a wide draw here. A 3lb rise for beating Catch The Paddy is far from harsh, and although he was behind Tafreej at Newbury in April, that was on much softer ground.

In fairness to Tafreej, he did catch the eye in that Newbury contest, where he raced on the unfavoured ground; it’s unlikely that he needs the mud given his overall profile, so he appeals as more of a danger than Yacowlef, whose standout effort came on a soft surface at the Guineas meeting.

1.15 Betfred Supports Jack Berry House Florida Handicap 1m 3f 175yds

A poor contest to kick off the day’s viewing, with the front two in the market representing yards in dubious form (David O’Meara 2-59 for the last fortnight and Mick Appleby 0-60 in the last six weeks) so a chance is taken on the lightly raced seven-year-old C’mon Kenny, who won off 1lb lower on fast ground at Sandown (a mile and a quarter) just three starts back.

C’mon Kenny raced just once last year, and was well held on his comeback at Newbury last month, but he only made his debut in April 2021, so has very few miles on the clock. This bumper winner ought to stay the extra distance here, so it can pay to ignore the form of his return in unsuitable conditions.

1.50 Betfred Tv Hell Nook Handicap 2m 45yds

Carzola bolted up at Doncaster, but merely had to turn up to win a race that absolutely fell apart around her, and the fact that she did so on the bridle is almost meaningless in the circumstances. She’s up 10lb in the weights for that success, and may struggle to cope with Law Of The Sea, who is heading in the opposite direction.

A very useful stayer for John Gosden, Law Of The Sea failed to beat a rival in two starts at Meydan for Bhupat Seemar, and clearly failed to acclimatise. Quite why the handicapper saw fit to drop him 10lb for those meaningless efforts is a mystery, but Ian Williams won’t be complaining having inherited the gelding, and he very much caught the eye when a close fourth in the Chester Cup on his debut for present connections. Unlucky in the run there, he will find this a bit less demanding, and should be the one to beat for all quicker ground is a minor concern.

2.25 Betfred Silver Bowl Handicap (Heritage Handicap) 1m 37yds

Firmish turf is a definite worry for James McHenry, given his exaggerated action, and the horse who ought to thrive in conditions is Defence Of Fort, who bolted up on his debut at Ascot on ground like a road. He failed to match that form in group company on his next two starts, but found heavy ground against him in the Horris Hill last time, and he’s given a chance to resume his progress back on a sound surface and after a break.

Defence Of Fort clearly goes well fresh and although Peter Chapple-Hyam is not the force of old, he is operating at a 36% strike-rate in 2023 from a smaller base, and this looks the time to chance the son of Starspangledbanner.

3.00 Betfred Nifty Fifty Sandy Lane Stakes (Group 2) 6f

Little Big Bear and Bradsell take up a big chunk of the market in the Sandy Lane, and while I’m not keen to oppose either for the sake of it, the shape of the race makes the underrated Mill Stream appealing from an each-way perspective. Jane Chapple-Hyam is a trainer who gets excellent results from her better performers, and Mill Stream looked a really promising sort in a short juvenile campaign, pushing Noble Style hard in a hot Newmarket novice in July before taking on Chaldean and co in the Acomb Stakes at York.

I thought the son of Gleneagles shaped really well despite failing to see out the 7f trip at York, and with the form working out exceptionally well, I see no reason why the Peter Harris-owned colt cannot develop into a high-class sprinter as a three-year-old. He will do better with a run behind him, I’m sure, but he appeals at around 16/1, and is also one to keep onside for the Commonwealth Cup, bearing in mind how well his trainer did at the Royal Meeting last year.

3.30 Betfred Temple Stakes (Group 2) 5f

The three-year-old fillies dominate the betting, but I prefer age over beauty with my 5f performers, and expect Twilight Calls to get the job done with everything looking in his favour for a change. He ran a cracker when runner-up in the King’s Stand at Royal Ascot 12 months ago, and simply found the ground too soft when behind Vadream in the Palace House Stakes at Newmarket on his reappearance. He can turn the tables with Live To Dream on the quicker ground – for all that rival is feared most – and should need no excuses given the apparent race set-up.

2.40 William Hill Epic Boost Handicap 5f

Mondammej was back to form when a close fourth here earlier in the month, and he can reverse that form with Bedford Flyer and Korker on revised terms. My worry for him last time was that he was drawn on the wrong wing, but he looks to have the perfect pitch here, with Bedford Flyer and Fine Wine drawn immediately to his right among the low numbers. That pair are the most likely to blaze a trail, and Mondammej should get the perfect tow in their wake.

Fine Wine progressed throughout last year, and can be forgiven his latest start over a six-furlong trip he doesn’t stay. He appeals as the main danger to the selection, and will be hard to peg back if getting a flyer as he did when winning over C&D a year ago.

3.15 William Hill Bronte Cup Fillies’ Stakes (Group 3) 1m 5f 188yds

Mimikyu could be a class apart here, but good or quicker ground and a decent test are what Moon Daisy needs to show her form, and she can reward each-way support at a decent price with conditions very much in her favour.

Donnacha O’Brien’s mare is an infrequent winner, but her turf record at a mile and a half or further on a sound surface, and after a recent run, reads 423112244234. The long straight at York will help her, and she should be finishing her race better than anything. Proven at the level, she looks excellent value.

Defence Of Fort 2:25 Haydock – 1pt win at 7/1 (general)

Mill Stream 3:00 Haydock – 1pt e/w at 16/1 (general)

Mondammej 2:40 York – 1pt e/w at 15/2 (SkyBet 5 places, Hills 7/1)

Moon Daisy 3:15 York – 1pt e/w at 16/1 (Paddy Power, Hills, 14/1 general)