ATTRACTION (3.45) has the class to maintain her position as the number one miler in Europe by winning this afternoon's Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot.

The Duke of Roxburghe's unbeaten three-year-old has already entered the record books by becoming the first filly to bag both the English and Irish 1,000 Guineas.

After two such famous victories many owners would have taken the easy option and retired Attraction to the paddocks, but the Duke is not afraid of defeat and he has boldly sent her out again in order to try and win a third Group 1 race in a row.

"It has been a breath of fresh air to train for the Duke because there's no pressure, he's kept reminding me at every stage that we can't be winning all of time," revealed Attraction's trainer, Mark Johnston.

But getting beaten is the last thing on Johnston's mind, since if he is to stand any chance of realising his long-held dream of becoming champion trainer, then Attraction must scoop the mouth-watering first prize of no less than £241,075.

All current indicators, including my own first-hand experience of seeing the filly in tremendous fettle on the gallops at Middleham, suggest Attraction is about to extend her career tally to a truly magnificent eight-from-eight.

With all the hype surrounding Attraction, punters shouldn't overlook the other Middleham-trained raider in the race, Patrick Haslam's Kinnaird, who has definite each-way prospects at decent odds.

She wasn't far behind Attraction at The Curragh and is sure to have come on fitness-wise for that promising effort, which was her first since last September.

Peter Chapple-Hyam is gradually re-emerging as a force in UK racing following a self-imposed exile in Hong Kong during the past few years. He showed in the mid 90s he has the requisite talent to win Classic races aplenty, and it didn't take him long to convert African Dream (3.05) from a claiming standard gelding, to genuine Group class individual.

So far this term, African Dream has reeled off an impressive five-timer, including Group 3 events at Sandown and Chester, proving his ability to perform on the big stage.

It's not hard, therefore, to envisage the Group 2 King Edward V11 Stakes being within his grasp, provided the forecast overnight rain arrives. The Goldolphin team has been in sparkling form at the festival and further success seems likely via Duke Of Venice (4.55) in the two-mile Queen's Vase.

Duke Of Venice is a fizzy sort of colt and Frankie will have to be at his strongest in order to get the three-year-old to settle early doors. If Frankie can get Duke Of Venice to relax over the first four or five furlongs of the £60,000 race, then it could be curtains for the opposition come the punishing home straight because the combination should have sufficient fuel left in the tank to hold sway.

There might be a mini-upset in the Listed Wolferton Stakes if Anani (4.20) returns to the sort of level he demonstrated when fourth to High Accolade in the 2003 Group 2 King Edward VII Stakes. Ed Dunlop's colt has been rested since finishing down the field at Goodwood a month ago, a timely holiday which might be the panacea required to bring back a full head of steam in the hands of Jamie Spencer.

For the nap selection I am hoping James Bethell's King Harson (5.30) can bounce back to something like his best in the closing Buckingham Palace Handicap.

Although race-goers at Redcar will no doubt have one eye on Ascot, they should still pay attention to Fox Covert (4.30) in the Gribdale Handicap with David Barker's raider handily weighted at the foot of the handicap.

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