Karl Burke has his two-year-olds in red-hot form, approaching Royal Ascot. One of his leading chances is first-time-out scorer, VENETIAN SUN, who impressed in an easy Carlisle maiden success over 5f. A 240,000gns yearling purchase, the half-sister to a Listed placer is held in high regard and is likely to thrive on a rise to 6f. The Carlisle runner-up subsequently won the Hilary Needler at Beverley, to give the form a nice boost pre-Royal Ascot.

The unbeaten GOLD DIGGER is obviously completely unexposed, after a comfortable Yarmouth debut win. The form of that race is working out well and the front pair pulled clear of the remainder. A 260,000gns purchase, the Starman filly is highly regarded and ought to have a good future.

SHADOW OF LIGHT is the most logical choice after an excellent third in the G1 2000 Guineas at Newmarket in May. The Godolphin-owned Lope De Vega colt showed tremendous speed throughout and only faltered late on - being outstayed by Ruling Court and subsequent dual Group One winner, Field Of Gold. The selection could benefit from the drop to sprinting and prove much the best.

LEOVANNI could be a place contender at a big each-way price. The course winner warmed up for this assignment with a fine fourt in Listed company at Haydock. She didn’t have the clearest of passages that day and should improve for the outing. Her odds seem overpriced as a Royal Ascot winner last season, over track and trip.

HAND OF GOD is given the nod to back-up a thoroughly impressive Royal Ascot win last season, in a 1m2f handicap. He left favourite backers down on seasonal reappearance at Newmarket but could take a big leap forward with that effort under his belt. It would be reasonable to suggest this time will be the time to catch him.

ALMOSH’HER is one of the most unexposed types and is a progressive individual - he has won three from four - including a strong York event on reappearance. The powerful owners are having a stellar week and it would be no surprise if he were to be involved at the finish.

The unbeaten FALAKEYAH is an exciting horse, who has been supplement for this at a cost of £46,000. The New Bay filly built on a solid winning-debut with a thrilling success at Newmarket (Listed). A keen type, she missed the G1 Epsom Oaks, with stamina doubts over the 1m4f trip. Her pedigree suggests the drop to a mile will be perfect, and she brings Group One potential to the table.

KON TIKI could put up the most resistence to Falakeyah. Herself an unbeaten filly, she is 3-3 and has shown good battling qualities - especially with a half-length win at York last time. She may he up to defying this big rise in class - with the assistance of William Buick certainly eyecatching.

ALFAREQA is one of the intriguing runners, despite a defeat last-time-out. The Frankel filly is bred to be better than a 84-rated animal, out of a Cheveley Park winner. Horses drawn in stall 18 or higher have won the previous four renewals, which bodes well for our selection, who is berthes in gate 27.

BOUNTIFUL represent last season’s winning connections and trainer. Fourth in Group Two company, as a juvenile, she returned to action with a fair third in a Lingfield all-weather Listed event. An opening mark of 97 may underestimate her ability and she appeals, raised to a mile (dam won at this journey).

ZAHRANN is the tentative pick in this competitive Group Two prize over 1m4f. He has improved with each start, culminating with an impressive Leopardstown Listed race 15 days ago. There could be plenty more to come, despite this rise in grade - especially for last year’s winning connections.

OPPORTUNITY sidestepped the G1 Epsom Derby in preference for this assignment. The Wathnan-owned son of Frankel got off the mark in a Haydock novice, prior to a luckless fourth in Listed action at Goodwood. He has ground to make up with the unbeaten Amiloc on that run, but he has the potential to rate higher; granted a clear passage.

REALIGN is the obvious but standout selection in Friday’s competitive finale. The William Haggas-trained youngster ran an excellent second behind subsequent G1 2000 Guineas third Shadow Of Light on debut. He reappeared with a facile success at Salisbury. That may have been against a modest bunch but the manner he scored in was wildly impressive. His two-year-old form suggests an opening handicap mark of 93 is lenient.

ADRESTIA is one who could offer each-way appeal after a positive run at Windsor first-time-out this term. She is an unexposed type who needs respect after her juvenile victories. The stable and connections have already won at the meeting this week, which boosts confidence.