A brilliant weekend of racing culminating in the Arc card at Longchamp on Sunday, where ADAYAR should land the big prize at 3.05 for the boys in blue.

Ever since his running on second in the Sandown Park Classic Trail in April — behind another of today’s runners Alenquer — this giant son of Frankel has done nothing but improve. 

He still looked very green when a running on second in the Lingfield Derby Trial behind Third Realm, but comprehensively reversed that form with a brilliant success in the Epsom Derby in the first week of June.

You could argue that he was no more than workmanlike when landing the King George at Ascot against the older brigade, but the fast ground would not have been to his liking. Of course, the horse he beat that day, Mishriff, has franked the form in no uncertain terms by landing the Juddmonte International at York.

The return to deep ground will certainly be in the selection’s favour as he is a heavy topped horse that relishes those conditions, and although several of his rivals also adore a soft surface, I am sure they simply do not have the scope to improve as much as Adayar.

Snowfall will certainly relish the return to soft ground, conditions she had when running away with the Epsom Oaks, while stable mate Hurricane Lane and Tarnawa are two more quality rivals likely to try and put it down to the selection.

However, the biggest danger to Adayar could come in the form of his old rival Alenquer. 

The last named won the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot on heavy ground following their Esher match-up, and then wasn’t given the best of rides when a late closing third in the Grand Prix de Paris, before finding a mile and a quarter simply too sharp at York.

GLASS SLIPPERS was desperately unlucky to be beaten by the smart Wooded in last year’s Prix de l’Abbaye (4.25), in pursuit of a second win in the race. However, she should be able to put the record straight in this year’s renewal with any luck in the closing stages.

But perhaps the best bet on the card could come in the form of the unbeaten juvenile filly, RACLETTE, in the opening Prix Marcel Boussac at 1.15.

Always highly rated by her esteemed trainer Andre Fabre, she is unbeaten in her two contests and cut through the testing ground easily last time out at Chantilly to beat the well-regarded Welwal by four lengths over a mile.

She looks a lovely prospect and should be able to make it three-from-three here by seeing off the likes of Acer Alley and John Gosden’s raider and dual all-weather winner Natasha.

And so onto the action this afternoon where Ascot takes centre stage with the big-betting race of the day, the seven furlong Heritage Handicap due off at 3.50.

With more heavy showers forecast for the Berkshire track, the stands’ side could once again be the place to be (high numbers) and that makes ASCENSION (nb) a huge player off near bottom weight from box number 16.

For some unknown reason, trainer Roger Varian has run him over a mile and a quarter this season, but this is surely his best trip and the give in the ground is a huge bonus for him. 

He gets the vote over the three-year-old Fundamental (ran well in the Jersey Stakes over the course and distance) and Fresh who is less well served by the nine stall.

However, the last named is having his first run over seven furlongs and could well improve for the extra yardage.

Bottom weight GLORY FIGHTER finally bounced back to form at Musselburgh last time out and can defy the rise in class in the big sprint handicap at 4.25 off a 5lbs higher mark.

Away from Ascot, the Redcar Two-Year-Trophy (3.35) has attracted a smaller than usual field for this valuable prize and that could open up the door for Richard Hannon’s SYMPHONY PERFECT to run well.

This hard-working juvenile has run well in finishing a close up fourth and fifth in two big sales races at Doncaster and York this season and can gain a deserved big pay day at the main expense of the likes of the disappointing Vintage Clarets and top rated Royal Ascot winner (Windsor Castle Stakes) Chipotle.

Later on, the final of the Straight Mile TV Series can go to the least exposed of the 12 runners, namely the sole three-year-old in the field the Michael Dods-trained A BOY NAMED IVY.

Soft ground will definitely be in evidence at Chester with more rain to come at the Cheshire track and that should suit BOSSIPOP who can tack over from draw number five and take advantage of the 11lbs he is set to receive from the top weight Major Jumbo.

The Group One, Kingdom of Bahrain Trophy headlines the card at Newmarket (2.55) and could well see the Irish raider CHAMPS ELYSEES (nap) who finished desperately unlucky not to finish closer than sixth in the Matron Stakes last time out after being badly hampered at a crucial stage as the race was just developing.

At around 20/1 she looks way overpriced against the three-year-old team of Mother Earth, Saffron Beach and Snow Lantern.

Finally, have a second look at SIR HENRY COTTON in the very valuable sales race due off at 2.20.

The selection has plenty to find with the likely favourite Fearby, but the last named has had a long and hard season whereas the selection is only just understanding what this game is all about, and could very well hit the four in the frame at a big price.