Quizzene to pick up the tab

Described by both Mark Johnston and Kevin Darley as their "banker" of the meeting, Quizzene clearly goes into the King George V Stakes with bags of confidence from both trainer and jockey.

For the uninitiated, it's the age-old story of a potentially Pattern standard horse being saved for a handicap; in this case Quizzene representing the proverbial sheep in wolves' clothing.

The chunky grey colt, a winner at Sandown and Chester so far this year, has already been backed at long odds for the Group 1 St Leger by part-owner, TV pundit Rishi Persad.

Perhaps that's a shade optimistic, but nevertheless, the fourth behind at Sandown has since won a Group 3 event in Ireland. Form which stands up to the closest inspection.

If there is to be a thorn in the side of Quizzene, it might easily come from either of his stable-companions, I'm So Lucky or Hiddensee, both of whom should be supported to small each-way stakes.

The latter in particular looked really smart when bolting up at Doncaster last time out, and as a consequence could pose a serious threat to Quizzene's supremacy.

There are more grounds for hope that the Middelham yard might hit the target earlier in proceedings with Brahminy Kite (3.05) and Melrose Avenue (4.55).

According to the official ratings Brahminy Kite has it all to do in the King Edward VII Stakes, however, he was impressive in his maiden and being a son of Silver Hawk possesses plenty of untapped potential.

By contrast, Melrose Avenue's credentials in the Queen's Vase are there for all to scrutinise.

The Sheikh Mohammed-owned three-year-old finished third in the Lingfield Derby trial, a performance that has since been significantly boosted by second-home that day, Walk In The Park, who went on the occupy the same spot behind Motivator in the Epsom Derby proper.

Barry Hills took the opener at the meeting on Tuesday with Red Clubs, a feat he's likely to repeat with his Albany Stakes raider, Spinning Queen (2.30).

Although her pedigree suggests she will stay beyond a mile, the Formula One type speed showed when winning with a ton in hand at Haydock, gives the impression that Spinning World is a sprinter through-and-through.

Blue Spinnaker's shock absence from Wednesday's Hunt Cup was a bitter blow for his army of ante-post backers, who now must decide whether to risk reinvesting in the Wolferton Handicap, over a trip of fully two-and-a-half-miles further.

It's going to be a desperate double-whammy if he does get stuffed and instead of chasing good money after bad, an alternative ploy is to get involved with Sir Michael Stoute's Promotion (4.20).

In the ownership of Her Majesty, Promotion, second in the race 12 months ago, rarely has a bad day at the office.

It is hard not to suss that he's been anything other than specifically laid out to win this particular race.

* Ooh Aah Camara, an 11th-hour withdrawal from Wednesday's Queen Mary Stakes, due to a legal dispute, has been given the all-clear to run at Royal Ascot at York today.

The juvenile filly is owned by footballers' agent Willie McKay and has been trained by former model Vicky Haigh on all her seven starts.

These have included two wins as well as placed efforts in Listed events at York and in Rome.

But it was Richard Guest's name who appeared next to the horse's name on Wednesday's racecard.

He will be the trainer when the horse runs today.

Miss Haigh took the horse to York for Wednesday's race as she was the registered trainer.

She later removed it - as she was entitled to - as she was in dispute with McKay.

The matter has now been resolved, with Ooh Aah Camara declared for today's Albany Stakes.

Stipendiary steward William Nunneley said: ''The horse is in Richard Guest's yard.

"They have agreed their differences and the matter has been settled.

"It's going to run, and Richard Guest is the trainer."

Ooh Aah Camara had been the star of Miss Haigh's small string of 14 horses at her stables near Bawtry, having been bought at the sales in Ireland last year.

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