NOLA SOUL is one of a plethora of promising youngsters, who hold obvious claims. Seven of the previous eight renewals have been won by an undefeated runner, so NOLA SOUL catches the eye, for trainer Joseph O’Brien, who has already been among the winners at Ascot this week. The selection delivered an impressive debut success at Leopardstown. The 3rd has scored since to give the form a bit of substance. If the Justify colt improves from that initial run, I feel he can make his presence felt at attractive odds.

As ever, fiendishly-difficult King George V Handicap Stakes - featuting a multitude of potentially well handicapped individuals. The Ralph Beckett-trained Lope De Vega gelding won a Kempton novice event, two starts ago, prior to an excellent handicap debut 3rd at Newbury.

That race often throws up future group performers, and the selection kept on nicely that day, indicating possible improvement over this extra journey. Indeed, his dam is a sister to Arc winner Treve. His wide-ish draw is certainly no worry, as the last five winners of the race have been berthed in these stalls: 20, 18, 21, 8 and 17.

I’m taking an each-way chance on Leorpardstown maiden winner, JOHANNA WALSH - in what doesn’t appear to be the strongest of renewals of this G2 Ribblesdale Stakes over 1m4f. The daughter of Sea The Stars effortlessly won that race, on her third career outing, ahead of an easy subsequent winner.

The selection is clearly progressive, and although this is a big step up in grade, she hails from the stable responsible for this year’s G1 Epsom Oaks winner. That is interesting because the trainer knows the level required to finish ahead of likely favourite here, Legacy Link, who ran 2nd to Thundering On.

A familiar friend of this column - RAHIEBB - is worth a small interest, in an interesting, yet challenging G1 Gold Cup to decipher. Dual Group One winner, Scandinavia, is a pretty short favourite, despite not racing beyond two miles. Admittedly, hailing from the Aidan O’Brien yard, stamina concerns are moderate, having landed this race on numerous occasions. Preference is for the bigger-priced Roger Varian four-year-old, who finished ahead of Scandinavia at Royal Ascot last season, before keeping-on to run a neck 2nd to him in the G1 St Leger. I feel the value is with Rahiebb.

The completely unexposed WECHAAD holds genuine each-way credentials, in what promises to be an uber-competitive Britannia Handicap over a mile, on Ascot’s straight course. The Oasis Dream colt won easily on handicap debut last campaign, prior to a fine 3rd in group company.

He confirmed that promise, with a solid reappearance 4th at Goodwood, which can be upgraded as he was caught wide. If improving for that outing, I can envisage him playing a hand at the finish, from a lenient-looking handicap mark of 95.

I’m not overly enamoured by this year’s G3 Hampton Court Stakes over 1m2f. It’s a tricky conundrum, with unexposed types, facing those easing in class after failing at a higher level. GENERIC may be a spot of each-way value for Andrew Balding and James Doyle.

The Kameko gelding easily landed a Yarmouth novice race, prior to an excellent 2nd in Listed action at Chester. Despite being beaten by seven lengths, it was a strong run, considering the winner has subsequently won the French Derby. I’m hoping that form is good enough to give the selection a fighting chance here. 

I am fascinated by the prospect of BLUE BROTHER running in 7f Buckingham Palace Stakes Handicap. The unexposed five-year-old Intello gelding was making his UK debut, when downfield in Royal Hunt Cup in 2025. He was blocked when coming with his run that day, so is worth giving him another each-way chance, from a 2lb lower mark, now.

He is returning from a lengthy absence, but that doesn’t worry me too much, because he is likely to have been primed with this target in mind, for a trainer who arrives in great form.