Dual Group One winner Silver Patriarch can put two below-par efforts behind him with victory in the Geoffrey Freer Stakes at Newbury today. Since his win over Swain in the Coronation Cup, John Dunlop's grey has been well beaten in both the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud and the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes. There were excuses in France as it was a slowly-run race and he was tapped for speed in the closing stages, finishing fourth, beaten three and a quarter lengths. But his flop at Ascot remains a mystery.

He was very disappointing behind old rival Swain in the King George and was already out of contention as the field turned in. He eventually trailed home 10 lengths, sixth of eight.

But Silver Patriarch's performance at Epsom, where he quickened well to beat Swain by a length and a quarter, must not be forgotten. And with an extra furlong and a half to travel in today's Group Two contest, the 1997 St Leger winner is napped to put his turn of foot to good use to see off some useful rivals.

Earlier, King Slayer is worth an interest in the Andover Rated Handicap to gain some compensation for a narrow defeat in a hot Goodwood event last time.

Bryan Smart's three-year-old has shown steady improvement recently and his effort when beaten only a neck by For Your Eyes Only in the William Hill Mile was a solid performance. Currently in the form of his life, King Slayer can enjoy a richly deserved change of luck to land this £13,000 prize.

Biggest betting race of the day is the William Hill Great St Wilfrid Handicap over six furlongs at Ripon and this wide-open affair can go to the consistent Gaelic Storm.

Drawn five, Mark Johnston's sprinter will benefit from a good lead from stable companion and last year's winner Tadeo, who shows a lot of early pace and races out of stall four.

A disappointment when gambled on in the Stewards' Cup following two stylish victories, Gaelic Storm showed that form to be all wrong with a fine effort to chase home the well-treated Jo Mell at Ascot last Saturday after encountering traffic problems.

John Gosden won his third Hungerford Stakes in five years when Muhtathir took the Group Three prize at Newbury yesterday. Muhtathir, who had finished second in the French 2000 Guineas in May, was sent off the 7 to 4 favourite as Richard Hills set out to make the running.

The favourite was shadowed throughout by Danish Rhapsody, who attempted to challenge in the final quarter mile. But Muhtathir quickened the way in the last furlong to score by one and a quarter lengths with Princely Air four lengths back in third.