Rogue Spirit looks the answer to the tricky question posed by today's Tote Stakes at Lingfield.
Recent winning form is thin on the ground in this six-furlong contest, with only the selection and Dolphinelle out of the 11 runners having won on their latest start. The finish could be fought out between these two.
Rogue Spirit was running for just the second time when getting off the mark over today's trip at Folkestone last month.
Always close up, Peter Harris' colt was ridden to lead inside the final furlong before running on strongly to account for Springtime Lady by three-quarters of a length.
Rogue Spirit was showing improved form that day, having made an encouraging debut at Thirsk nine days earlier when seventh of 18 behind Arpeggio.
Clearly on the upgrade, Rogue Spirit is napped to continue his progress today at the main expense of last week's Brighton winner Dolphinelle.
Dolphinelle's trainer Richard Hannon can, however, get himself on the score-sheet 30 minutes earlier with Boating Song in the Tattersalls Maiden Auction Stakes.
On the strength of a promising third in a class D Newbury maiden on her racing bow, Hannon's filly was made favourite for a similar event at Goodwood but she came up against two useful sorts in Forever Midnight and Sailing, and was beaten a neck and four lengths.
Boating Song travelled well last time and was not knocked about when her winning chance had gone.
Today's opposition looks nothing special and Boating Song looks a good bet to open her winning account.
At Beverley the ex-Irish Mardani has sound claims in the 114th Year of The Watt Memorial Handicap.
A winner at Dundalk and Leopardstown last year for John Oxx, Mardani has shown fair form since joining Mark Johnston this term.
David Nicholls has his team in good form and the Thirsk trainer can strike with last Friday's Redcar scorer Wafir in the Wensleydale Claiming Stakes.
Paul Cole could be double-handed when he bids to complete a hat-trick of wins in the Foster's Lager Northumberland Plate at Newcastle on Saturday.
He declared both recent Goodwood winner Salmon Ladder and Queen Alexandra Stakes fifth Generosity yesterday for the £125,000 contest, which he has won with Windsor Castle and Cyrian in the past two years.
John Gosden also has two acceptors in Ascot Stakes winner High And Mighty and Queen Alexandra Stakes second Jaseur.
Late Gold Cup defector Arctic Owl, third last year, heads the 32 horses left in the two-mile event, for which there is a safety limit of 20, on 10st 4lb.
His trainer James Fanshawe has also declared Travelmate (8-11).
Far Cry, runner-up in the Ascot Stakes, will attempt to go one better at Newcastle, trainer Martin Pipe confirmed.
"I was absolutely delighted with his run at Royal Ascot as he was a very good second and the winner High And Mighty could be anything," said Pipe.
"It was always the plan that if Far Cry ran well at Ascot he would then go for the Northumberland Plate, a race I have won before with Tamapour and Rainbow Frontier was second for us in the race last year," added the champion jumps trainer.
