Tonight's action: could Varian ace Defoe follow in Postponed's path?

There is plenty of evening action to get your teeth stuck into this evening – with racing on the July course at Newmarket, action at Hamilton and Pontefract, plus Kilbeggan's jumps card – and below are three horses that could be of particular interest.

Mystic Theatre
Kilbeggan 5.50

The opener at Kilbeggan offers the chance to see an exciting bumper horse make its debut over hurdles for Willie Mullins. However, as a warm odds-on favourite a watching brief may be in order.

Mystic Theatre had been entered in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham, but Mullins gave her some more time before a close second in the Grade 3 bumper at Punchestown.

So long as she passes this first assignment, you can expect she will progress through the usual mares hurdle route for novices. Mullins has given her two months off and feels the time is right to start her off over hurdles.

Defoe
Hamilton 7.55

Hamilton hosts a strong renewal of the Glasgow Stakes, which has attracted a number of up-and-coming stayers. It looks a shootout between the Queen’s Call To Mind and Roger Varian’s Defoe for the valuable Listed prize.

Postponed was victorious in this race in 2014 in the same silks, and unbeaten this season, Varian is confident Defoe is up to the task.

His pedigree suggests the step up in trip at a testing track will suit and any further rain will be seen as a plus. This race has been the target since he won gamely at York and the three-year-old holds Group entries in Ireland, as well as in the Great Voltigeur at York towards the end of August.

Song Maker
Newmarket 8.15

The penultimate race at Newmarket is a strong looking fillies’ maiden for horses three and above. Charlie Appleby is double-handed and his pair are vying for favouritism at the top of the market. The debutante Pretty Asset gets the first colours and William Buick booked to ride, but it is the more experienced Song Maker who takes the eye.

She finished last season with a neck second to Nassau hope Shutter Speed at Yarmouth over a mile. The third, fourth, fifth and sixth have all won since, including Hertford Dancer who won the Oaks trial at Lingfield before finishing third in the Ribblesdale at Royal Ascot.

Song Maker cost Godolphin £280,000 and is typically well-bred. Logic suggests there should be some improvement to come moving forward from her promising juvenile campaign.