MORE THUNDER holds strong each-way credentials, in what doesn’t appear a stellar renewal of the G1 Queen Anne Stakes over a mile. The William Haggas-trained five-year-old ran a blinder on seasonal reappearance, when 2nd behind the reopposing winner, Notable Speech, in the G1 Lockinge Stakes at Newbury. He ran an excellent runner-up position at Royal Ascot last season - in the Wokingham Handicap over 6f. This will be his first outing over a mile, and the stiff finish at this mile distance ought to play to his strengths.

I was extremely impressed with CONFUCIUS’ second-time-out success at Naas. The son of Royal-Ascot winning No Nay Never won comfortably and is the pick of Ryan Moore - despite the 2nd favourite being an undefeated stablemate. He looks a classic Aidan O’Brien juvenile prospect, who will be cherry ripe to deliver his best on this top stage. A victory in this race would give the legendary Irish trainer a remarkable 12th win in this prestigious race.

In what promises to be a thoroughly-competitive rendition of the G1 King Charles III Stakes, I’m taking on Australian dual Group One winner, Overpass, as he has already been well supported in the market. Last year’s winner - AMERICAN AFFAIR - who gave this column a delightful success, could be again involved in the finish. The Jim Goldie-trained sprinter has proven course-and-distance winning form, and he returns to the Berkshire venue in good form, after a solid 2nd at Haydock. I’m banking on him being delivered with a late run, from what appears to be a good high draw.

BOW ECHO deserves to be a short-priced favourite, for this year’s esteemed G1 St James’s Palace Stakes. The George Boughey-trained three-year-old was a thoroughly convincing winner of the G1 2000 Guineas on seasonal reappearance. He can confirm form with Gstaad, who impressively landed G1 Irish 2000 Guineas after finishing behind the selection at Newmarket. Although Bow Echo has to contend with a different track and a likely slower pace scenario here, he has class and latent ability to remain unbeaten, with any amount of potential improvement.

BUNTING is one of a whole host of potential each-way options, for this season’s stamina-sapping 2m4f Ascot Stakes Handicap. The Willie Mullins-trained son of Bathyrhon has yet to shine in four hurdle outings this season, but could be set for improvement back on the level. He has one flat success from five efforts, so is lightly-raced in this discipline. A keeping-on 3rd in the competitive 2m2f Cesarewitch at Newmarket offered a clue that this extreme distance may suit perfectly. He also has the assistance of a useful 7lb claimer.

MAP OF STARS is among plenty of each-way candidates, in what looks like a tricky-to-decipher renewal of the Listed Wolferton Stakes over 1m2f. Despite being the apparent second string for his powerful ownership, I believe Map Of Stars has the credentials to run into a placing, if able to replicate the best of his form. The Sea The Stars gelding is a Group Three and Group Two winner over this journey, and he ran a fine 4th in the G1 Prince Of Wales’s Stakes here last term. A reproduction of that effort, at this lesser level, would see him go close, in my opinion. First-time cheekpieces may also be able to invigorate the unexposed five-year-old.

SING US A SONG represents a strong each-way selection, for another Wathnan-owned runner, with excellent claims. The Camelot four-year-old is three from nine, and he is certainly an unexposed type, who has scope to improve now raised in trip. He was well supported in the market, for a 1m4f handicap at this meeting last season, but couldn’t get involved after a slow beginning. The extra two furlongs look right up his street, considering he is a brother to a two-mile hurdle winner.