By Molly Hunter, PA
Jan Brueghel can get the better of old rival Calandagan again in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot.
Aidan O'Brien's Galileo colt outperformed Francis-Henri Graffard's French challenger when the two met in the Coronation Cup at Epsom in early June, repelling a late run to prevail by half a length over the same mile-and-a-half trip the two will encounter here.
Calandagan may have gone on to take a Group One title in the Grand Prix de Saint Cloud, but that does mean Jan Brueghel - who is equipped with cheekpieces for the first time - comes into the race a fresher horse at Ascot as he has not taken to the track since Epsom.
Jan Brueghel will also benefit from the inclusion of his stablemate Continuous, who is seemingly set to take on the role of pacemaker as he did to good effect in the Coronation Cup.
If he is able to create a real test of stamina, he will set the race up nicely for last year's St Leger winner Jan Brueghel, who is evidently a difficult horse to pass and seems to be going from strength to strength under the expert handling of O'Brien.
On the same card it is John and Thady Gosden's Cajole who can come to the fore in the Group Three Longines Valiant Stakes over a mile.
Cheveley Park's daughter of Dubawi has been knocking firmly on the door recently, finishing second in her last three outings by a length each time.
She was last seen taking the silver medal in the Listed Coral Distaff, prior to which she was second in an Ascot mile handicap and the runner-up in a Wolverhampton all-weather event.
On the latter occasion she was beaten by stablemate Nahraan, who has gone on to triumph twice since and was a Listed winner when last seen taking the Glasgow Stakes at Hamilton.
At Ascot Cajole is in receipt of a three-year-old allowance and can break her run of near misses under a top rider in William Buick.
Another filly with a live chance in Berkshire is George Scott's Staya, who contests the Sodexo Live! Princess Margaret Stakes under James Doyle.
The grey was a Listed winner at Sandown when taking the Dragon Stakes over five furlongs, prior to which she ran a good race to finish a close-up fifth in the Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot.
She now steps up to six furlongs for the first time in her career, a trip that was well within the reach of her dam, and if staying the distance will take some beating at Group Three level.
At York, Ed Walker's Almaqam looks poised to prevail in the Sky Bet York Stakes when ridden by Kieran Shoemark.
The four-year-old was last seen winning the Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown in late May, a smart defeat of the favourite in John and Thady Gosden's Ombudsman.
Almaqam may not have been seen since, but Ombudsman has been busy making the form look very strong indeed with victory in the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot and a narrow loss to Delacroix in the Eclipse.
Both runs have done nothing but raise Almaqam's profile and the good to soft ground on the Knavesmire makes his case even more persuasive as he has plenty of form with a bit of ease underfoot.
SELECTIONS
ASCOT: 1.10 New Monarch, 1.40 Staya, 2.20 Cajole, 3.00 Billyjoh, 3.35 Cosi Bello, 4.10 Jan Brueghel, 4.45 Venezuelan, 5.15 Azure Angel.
CHESTER: 1.30 Karthon, 2.10 Oratorical, 2.45 Anthropologist, 3.15 Miraculous, 3.45 Knicks, 4.20 Dickieburd, 4.55 Kodiac Thriller, 5.30 Flickering Halo.
GOWRAN PARK: 1.45 Tahcawin, 2.15 Sierra De Gredos, 2.50 Acapulco Bay, 3.25 Continuite, 3.58 Pier Pressure, 4.33 Dazzling Spirit, 5.07 Obama Army, 5.40 Crypto Force.
NEWCASTLE: 1.52 Berkshire Phantom, 2.30 Natzor, 3.08 Zoiros, 3.40 Rogue Encore, 4.15 Better, 4.50 Greenlightforgo, 5.25 Elettaria, 5.55 Poet.
SALISBURY: 6.00 Lovethiswayagain, 6.30 Addison Grey, 7.00 Thunderous Love, 7.30 Patsy Snugfit, 8.00 Jet Black, 8.30 Oasis Sunrise.
WINDSOR: 5.45 Desert Treasure, 6.15 Startled Lady, 6.45 Bramble Jelly, 7.15 Nordic Glory, 7.45 Lahina Bay, 8.15 Another Abbot, 8.45 Fancy Dancer.
YORK: 1.25 Golden Palace, 2.00 Elmonjed, 2.40 ALMAQAM (NAP), 3.20 Copper Knight, 3.50 Per Contra, 4.25 Bellarchi, 5.00 U Sure Do.
DOUBLE: Almaqam and Jan Brueghel.