STAND by your beds for a breathtaking performance from Proclamation (2.30) in the opening Jersey Stakes on day two of Royal Ascot at York.

The Group 2 cracker has attracted a superb line-up, but to my way of thinking Jeremy Noseda's colt is potentially a cut above the opposition. Having won his sole start at Newmarket in 2004, the word on the street was that he would make a massive improvement during the winter months and had been working like a world-beater on Newmarket Heath.

It was therefore something of a major shock when Proclamation failed miserably when finishing down the field behind Motivator on his reappearance run in the extended mile-and-a-quarter Dante Stakes.

Trainer Noseda was visibly shell-shocked and quoted as being "stunned" by the poor showing some two days after the dust had settled and the colt had returned to base camp with no apparent physical problems.

Although connections were clearly puzzled, they at least had the gumption to work out that maybe the three-year-old was blessed with speed, rather than a bellyful of stamina.

To this end Proclamation then took his chance in a one-mile Listed event at Goodwood, routing his rivals with the sort of blinding pace reserved for Guineas' standard individuals.

The very fact that Jeremy has now opted to drop back even further in distance to seven-furlongs tells us in no uncertain fashion that he feels his flying grey is a high-octane horse, not a stayer as was first believed.

The clear danger to the selection as far as I'm concerned is Camacho (2.30), trying to hike Henry Cecil up the ladder and back into the big-time.

As a result of uncharacteristically dreadful results, plus the loss of Sheikh Mohammed's patronage, the former ten-time champion trainer has hit very bad times, his string collapsing numerically from around 200 to nearer 60.

However in the guise of recent Haydock scorer, Camacho, Henry finally has some near top-class tackle with which to go to war. Bearing this in mind, punters may prefer to split bets between the pair.

The Windsor Forest Stakes for Fillies and Mares is one of the "new" races at the meeting, and although it's only being run for the second time, is obviously a welcome addition to the programme judged by the fabulous standard of entry.

Last year's top-rated one-mile mare, Soviet Song, has got to be of interest despite returning from a 263-break. When Johnny Murtagh breezed alongside to mug Attraction in the 2004 Falmouth Stakes, he felt it was no disgrace to Mark Johnston's star, describing Soviet Song as the nearest thing to a "machine" as he'd ever ridden.

High praise indeed, and on a line through Attraction, she should beat Godolphin's Sundrop, who was second to the Middleham filly in the 1000 Guineas just over 12 months ago.

My original tip for the Royal Hunt Cup, the heavily invested upon Blue Spinnaker, is a surprise absentee, which underlines the perils of playing the ante-post market.

With Mick Easterby's charge out of the picture, fellow Yorkshire handler, Kevin Ryan, gets the each-way nod with My Paris (4.20). The four-year-old gelding was unluckily nailed right on the wire in the Thirsk Hunt Cup, an effort that entitles him to serious consideration in today's £100,000 heat.

Monday's preview highlighted the prospects of Karl Burke's Clare Hills (4.55) in the Queen Mary Stakes.

"Everybody has been hyping up Mick Channon's runner, Flashy Wings, but she's said to not want it soft so I'm praying for rain," reported an upbeat Burke.

l Eden Rock has retained his position as strong favourite for the Royal Hunt Cup after comfortably making the cut for the big mile heritage handicap yesterday, writes TATTENHAM .

The Sir Michael Stoute-trained four-year-old got in as number 20 of a maximum 23 horses declared for the £100,000-added prize, but there were 36 horses eliminated from the cavalry charge over the round mile.

Eden Rock became a strong fancy when returning from a 20-month absence to win at Goodwood a month ago and is 9-2 market leader.

However, he does not appear to have been so lucky with the draw as he has been given stall 17 when low numbers are believed to hold an advantage.

The James Bethell-trained Mine will come out of stall ten as he bids to be the first horse since Master Vote in 1947 and 1948 to complete back-to-back victories.

''The draw could have been a lot worse, but I don't want a lot more rain,'' said Bethell.

''He's not won at York but he did finish third to Autumn Glory in the Hambleton Handicap there last season.

''He seems in good form, but last year he went for the Hunt Cup on the back of winning the Victoria Cup at Ascot.''

Elite Racing Club are hoping that New Seeker can make full use of his six draw to return to his best form and land his first victory for nearly two years.

''Hopefully the draw will work out for him. If he is back to the form he showed in the Lincoln then he has a chance. We think he has it in him to win a race like this,'' said Elite's racing manager Matthew Budden.

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