Impressive English 2000 Guineas winner, NOTABLE SPEECH, aims to make it four wins from four starts and confirm form with Rosallion from their battle at Newmarket in May. The Godolphin-owned selection showed a smart turn of foot to score in the first classic of the season, sprinting away from a quality field.

The form of the race has been boosted in no uncertain terms subsequently – Rosallion scored in the Irish 2000 Guineas, the sixth has landed a Group 2 and the ninth home, City Of Troy, destroyed his rivals to win the Epsom Derby. A son of Dubawi, Notable Speech can emulate another of the sire’s offspring, by landed the Guineas/Royal Ascot double, just like Coroebus did in 2022. The way Notable Speech idled once hitting the front last time indicates that he may have even more improvement to come, which would make him tough to pass if proving to be correct.

ISRAR drops in grade after a fine third in Group 3 company at Sandown, followed up by a sound second in a Chester Group 2 last month. Those good efforts should have him cherry ripe for this main target of the season, a race which could see the son of Muhaarar have optimum conditions.

He finished third in the King George VI Handicap at the Royal meeting in 2022. That was over 1m4f, which stretches him if the tempo is strong, and the ease to 1m2f on what promises to be quick ground, has the potential to improve his form. It would be no surprise if Jim Crowley has the selection in a prominent position from the start, before aiming to kick clear once rounding for home, against rivals who have something to find on official ratings.

Another horse who is in need of a strong pace to aim at is TWILIGHT CALLS, in the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes over the blistering 5f. The Henry Candy-trained six-year-old has finished second and fourth in this contest for the previous couple of seasons, displaying a good finishing kick from the back of the pack.

This time, he arrives in solid form, after a running-on fourth at Newmarket. The fast surface is likely to play to his strengths, especially with a quick pace almost guaranteed with Big Evs in the race, and the jockey booking of Ryan Moore is a huge positive. Double-figure odds are generous for a likely each-way challenge.

PIED PIPER was a shade unlucky in this event in 2022 – finishing a staying-on sixth, despite encountering traffic problems. A high-class hurdler, he also has some strong pieces of form on the flat, including an excellent runner-up position in the 31-runner Cesarewitch at Newmarket last October. Although there are horses with more upside from a handicapping perspective and they may have more unexposed profiles, it would be folly to dismiss his claims, as a solid performer on the big stage. Quick ground won’t bother him so he rates a solid each-way proposition for the Lucky 15.

Despite top-weight, ALSAKIB is one of the most interesting runners as he is returning to handicap company after a pair of promising efforts in Group company. A course winner over 1m4f, the Andrew Balding-trained four-year-old is lightly raced and has bags of potential improvement, especially raised in journey. His running-on efforts this term have suggested the 1m6f trip could hold the key to any progress and Oisin Murphy could be the perfect jockey to weave him through traffic late on to finish in the places.