PAROLE D’ORO has caught my eye in the opener, for trainer Michael Bell. A winner at Epsom – I believe this downhill track is likely to suit, as is the rise to 1m2f, having kept on nicely over a mile this season.

He is unexposed and appears on a handy mark of 94 – especially judged on an unlucky eighth in an ultra competitive Royal Ascot handicap. The jockey booking of Ryan Moore is also a major positive.

I reckon COPPULL has a favourite’s chance in the G2 Richmond Stakes over 6f. After winning well on debut at Leicester, the son of Bated Breath improved to finish an excellent third at Royal Ascot – in the G2 Coventry Stakes.

The form of that race was boosted by Do Or Do Not (second), who reached the frame in the G2 Vintage Stakes here on Tuesday. I’d be surprised if he doesn’t have even more improvement to come, for a stable who won this in 2019 and 2020.

I absolutely love RAHIEBB’S honest running. The son of Frankel has reached the placings in all five starts, including in the G2 Queen’s Vase over 1m6f at Royal Ascot.

The drop in trip isn’t necessarily going to improve his performance here, but he is definitely the value play in the race, having finished second to Merchant at York on penultimate outing. An 8lb pull in the weights could be enough to see him gain revenge. I’d have him as a good wager to at least finish in the first three places.

With three-year-olds winning seven of the last 10 renewals, it is logical to suggest WHIRL is the obvious selection. She finished an outstanding runner-up in the G1 Epsom Oaks, prior to winning the G1 Pretty Polly Stakes.

Beating subsequent G1 second Kalpana in that race is seriously hot form, and she is going to take some catching, on a course which is almost guaranteed to suit. 

I’m not sure Goodwood quite has the pulling power to attract Michael Buffer, prior to the 5f sprint handicap, but I hope course-and-distance winner GETREADYTORUMBLE acquits himself well.

The unexposed three-year-old has been raised 8lb for winning here in June but may have enough progress to go close – especially having looked a shade unfortunate at Sandown last time. Dan Tucker was another I looked at, after a fine victory at Pontefract.

With little handicap form to go on, I find nursery races the most challenging, from a punting perspective. With that in mind, it’ll be a modest each-way selection on STEEL DRUM.

His proximity to Sir Albert and Champion Island at Chester last time, suggests he can finish to good effect here – especially if there is a strong pace early. He appears to be the value selection, against the two aforementioned rivals. 

I like the chance of QUIESCENT second-time-out, following an interesting debut at Newmarket. The daughter of Pivotal is out of a winning half-sister to Mischief Magic, who won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint).

She was extremely green - slowly away and veered markedly left under pressure - so can easily have her run upgraded. If she can improve from that initial experience, I would expect her to feature in the first three this afternoon, for powerful owners, who certainly target the big festivals. 

I give ANTIPODES a definite each-way chance in the ‘lucky last’ for trainer Roger Varian, who did me a favour by winning with Protest on Tuesday!

Antipodes has improved in each of his three maiden runs and gave short-priced favourite, Sea Force (who reopposes here), a major scare at Nottingham on penultimate start. He continued his improvement when a determined Windsor maiden scorer last time, ahead of a pair of future winners. An opening handicap mark of 89 may just underestimate him.