ROYAL Ascot week was an unbelievable one for Middleham trainer Mark Johnston, who landed five wins at the Berkshire venue as well as five other victories at other meetings.

And the bang in-form trainer can be back in the winner's enclosure at Musselburgh this afternoon with Investment Affair, who looks to have solid claims in the Nish and Co Joiners Handicap over a mile.

The three-year-old showed improved form when getting off the mark at Ayr over this trip on his penultimate start and on that form should again account for third -placed Manx Fizz, now the mount of Kieren Fallon.

My selection wasn't disgraced back over 7f on much quicker ground last time in a race that has already thrown up a winner but he shaped as though the return to this trip will be very much in his favour.

Johnston's juveniles have been going particularly well of late and his Hearthstead Dream has solid place prospects in the Honest Toun Novice Auction Stakes over seven furlongs.

However the vote just goes to Romancero, who has shown a fair level of form in three outings to date and, as a half-brother to prolific winner at up to a mile Dakota Sioux, should appreciate this extra distance.

Kieren Fallon, who rides Romancero, can get the day off to a good start with James Given's Branston Melody in the Carberry Selling Stakes over five furlongs.

Although below her best on her last couple of starts, the return to a course and distance where she's put up her best run to date and the booking of the champion jockey should enable her to get off the mark.

Course specialists invariably do well at Musselburgh and Columbine, who certainly falls into that category, should run a big race in the Fishersrow Fillies Handicap over her optimum trip of five furlongs.

Alan Berry's five-year-old shaped as though coming to hand from an unfavourable draw at Beverley last time but will be suited by the return to this track and the likely strong pace of this event.

Richard Fahey has his team in good form and his Chevin is taken to notch an eight-day hat-trick in the Ormiston Amateur Riders' Handicap over a mile and a half.

Fahey's four-year-old was 6lb out of the handicap when winning at Carlisle last Sunday so effectively carried no more weight under a penalty at Warwick the following day.

There could well be better to come and she'll get plenty of assistance from the saddle from Sarah Bortherton, who has been seen to good effect at York and at Redcar in recent weeks.

At Nottingham Johnston's Theorist should appreciate this flatter track and is taken to get his head back in front in the ibetX.com Betting Exchange Showcase handicap over a mile and a half.

This Epsom winner didn't look totally at home at that course or at Beverley last time but this track should be much more to his liking and he's open to further improvement over this trip.

At Windsor's evening meeting Semenovski, who bounced back to winning ways last time, is taken to triumph.

Get more on racing at our Racing North site.