Rain should arrive in time for Mecca's

Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup
2.30 York

Clever Cookie hasn’t won in four attempts at Ascot, but his record on the Knavesmire reads 1196141. Unpenalised for his game victory in the Yorkshire Cup in May, he could become the first horse to win the course’s two premier staying events in the same year. Very few have tried as this became a Group 3 only in 1997 and Group 2 in 2004.

Five of these contested the Goodwood Cup, in which Pallasator was runner-up to Big Orange. Fourth under 9st 10lb in the 2014 Ebor, he must go close.

However, on such a contrasting track, the form could be reversed by Curbyourenthusiasm, who was well down the field there, but had run a cracker in the Yorkshire Cup. Jamie Spencer is back on, having got an excellent tune out of the grey last year.

Quest For More didn’t match last year’s form in the Goodwood Cup with Big Orange, finishing sixth this time compared to second last year, and he edged left and challenged too wide. His three efforts on the Knavesmire (223) suggest he has place prospects on this flat surface.

After fine efforts in the Melbourne and Japan Cups, Trip To Paris had a break until his eyecatching return over 1m2f last month at Newbury. The 2015 Gold Cup winner is a stayer with a turn of foot.

Wicklow Brave has better form and is rated 4lb higher than stablemate Max Dynamite was last year. One of these days it will drop right for him.

Selection Curbyourenthusiasm
Alternative Pallasator

Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes
3.40 York

Cotai Glory is too inconsistent for a Group 1 such as this, while Goken, a place behind him when third to Profitable in the King’s Stand, has disappointed since.

Goldream’s appearances in 2016 have been restricted due to the ground and Group 1 penalties, but he ran well when third at Goodwood despite Robert Cowell’s reservations about the course. Three Goodwood winners have followed up, but six Nunthorpe winners were beaten on the Sussex Downs.

Limato has been all the rage ante-post, but over a flat 5f he has to be opposed. Between 1976 and 2003 nine July Cup winners followed up, which is a positive, but has he got the raw speed after making the frame in the Lockinge this year?

Like so many 5f specialists Profitable was held up to get the sixth furlong of the July Cup and it didn’t happen. He tries to become the first horse to win the Palace House, Temple, King’s Stand and Nunthorpe Stakes in the same year and can go close.

Sole Power is 2-5 in this contest and two of his defeats came on good to soft. For the first time in while he will get a strong pace and fast ground at 5f.

Take Cover won the King George Stakes at Goodwood for a second time and should also be suited by this 5f. However, outside Goodwood his record in Group races reads 8846063050.

After running a cracker in the Temple, Mecca’s Angel was in season for the King’s Stand. She bounced back in the Sapphire Stakes, in which she was second before last year’s win. The rain is likely to arrive in time and remove the sting from the ground.

Silver Rainbow has progressed to Listed success in Deauville and since 2005 two fillies have come from relative obscurity to victory.
Easton Angel is a progressive filly whose Sandown Listed event in June was won by Margot Did in 2011. A gap opened late in the King George at Goodwood, where former winners finished 411036410. With a better run she is a major player.

Yalta won the Molecomb Stakes, in which Kingsgate Native was runner-up in 2007. Neither he runner-up Prince Of Lir look exceptional juveniles.

Selection Mecca’s Angel
Alternative Profitable