A HUGE crowd will be in attendance at York for the 59th John Smith's Cup.
This extended 10-furlong handicap is one of the highlights of the season on the Knavesmire and another fiercely competitive renewal is in store.
Following impressive wins on Derby day at Epsom and at Royal Ascot, David Elsworth's Dash Of Spice is sure to be a popular choice to complete his hat-trick, but preference is for the Roger Varian-trained Appeared.
The six-year-old was four lengths back in fourth place when Dash Of Spice won the Duke of Edinburgh last month, but that was his first appearance since last August.
With that in mind, it is not inconceivable that Appeared can reverse Ascot form on a track where he has won before.
Limato looks the value call as he bids to regain his crown in a wide-open renewal of the the Darley July Cup at Newmarket.
Henry Candy's stable star was a brilliant winner of the six-furlong Group One in 2016 and ran arguably just as well in last year's renewal, finishing an excellent when conceding weight to the three-year-old Harry Angel.
Limato rounded off last season with a dominant victory in the seven-furlong Challenge Stakes at the Rowley Mile, meaning he has won twice and finished second once in three visits to Newmarket overall.
It is fair to say the current campaign has been seriously underwhelming so far, with the six-year-old finishing down the field in both the Lockinge at Newbury and the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot.
However, trainer Henry Candy has since admitted defeat in his attempt to stretch out Limato's stamina to a mile and he is now back at his preferred distance.
In fact, he has never finished out of the first three after 10 career starts over six furlongs, making his double-figure odds of significant appeal.
Quorto made a big impression on his Newmarket debut three weeks ago and gets the nod in the bet365 Superlative Stakes.
The Dubawi colt faces a significant step up in class on just his second start, but won with any amount in hand on his introduction and an extra furlong is unlikely to be a major inconvenience.
Lord Glitters will not be winning out of turn if coming good in the Fred Cowley MBE Memorial Summer Mile at Ascot.
David O'Meara's French recruit finished second in the Challenge Cup here on his British debut last October, before going one better on his return to the Berkshire track for the Balmoral Handicap on Champions Day.
He kicked off this season by chasing home Addeybb in the Lincoln at Doncaster and again advertising his affection for Ascot when running a screamer to finish a close second in the Queen Anne at the Royal meeting.
On that form he is closely matched with Century Dream and Beat The Bank, both of whom reoppose, but O'Meara's ace is taken to confirm his superiority.
SELECTIONS:
ASCOT: 12.45 Tanasoq, 1.20 Lord Glitters, 1.50 Mendoza, 2.25 Escape The City, 3.05 Elwazir, 3.35 Berkshire Royal, 4.10 Parnassian.
CHESTER: 2.05 Three Card Trick, 2.40 Crotchet, 3.15 Promising, 3.45 Beer With The Boys, 4.20 Hats Off To Larry, 4.55 Feebs, 5.25 Gabrials Centurion.
HAMILTON: 6.00 Woodside Wonder, 6.30 Scoundrel, 7.00 Hee Haw, 7.30 Killdeer, 8.00 Blue Havana, 8.30 Colour Contrast, 9.00 Morticia.
LIMERICK: 2.10 Irish Lass, 2.45 Torquay, 3.15 Mill Quest, 3.50 Jaime Sommers, 4.25 Nick Lost, 5.00 Cadawill, 5.30 Das Mooser, 6.00 Rathmuck Minstrel.
NAVAN: 2.00 Fantasy, 2.30 Queen Mia, 3.00 Landline, 3.30 Elegant Lass, 4.05 Ming, 4.40 Lady Nathaniel, 5.15 Stormy Tale.
NEWMARKET: 1.05 Quorto, 1.40 Mubtasim, 2.15 Limato, 2.50 Gallic, 3.20 Moqarrab, 3.55 Perfection, 4.30 Drill.
NEWTON ABBOT: 2.20 The Unit, 2.55 Auld Sod, 3.25 Mighty Leader, 4.00 Lord Topper, 4.35 Borak, 5.05 New Millennium, 5.35 Sea Of Mystery.
SALISBURY: 5.45 Mordred, 6.15 Vegas Boy, 6.45 Nawar, 7.15 Icart Point, 7.45 Eden Rose, 8.15 Ferrier, 8.45 Savaanah.
YORK: 1.55 Alpha Delphini, 2.35 Dal Harraild, 3.10 Baraweez, 3.40 Appeared, 4.15 Ingleby Hollow, 4.50 Pearl Of Qatar, 5.20 Posh Perfect.
DOUBLE: Quorto and Limato.
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