The Warren Place maestro has always held a high opinion of Khalid Abdullah's Observatory colt and though he has not won this season he has run three sound races in defeat. In the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury he made virtually all the running fading only in the closing stages to finish third to Virtual and Alexandros. Once again at Royal Ascot he looked the likely winner of the Price Of Wales's Stakes once he took up the running the straight and though Vision D'Etat and company gunned him down but he was beaten just on a length in fourth place. Different tactics will be employed on this occasion with Tommy Queally holding him up longer and at his likely odds he represents a knocking each-way bet against the principals. Three-year-olds do not boast a great record in this race and though the Derby winner Sea The Stars will head the market his supporters may have to count their losses. Sir Michael Stoute's St Leger winner Conduit went on to take the Breeders Cup Turf last autumn and obviously a win over a mile and a quarter would enhance the Ballymacoll Stud's appeal as a stallion.

It was to sharpen him up that the canny Sir Michael Stoute ran him in the Brigadier Gerard Stakes over this course and distance.

He failed by only a nose to concede 7lbs to Luca Cumani's Cima de Triomphe and should be able to turn the tables on that horse. However they may all have to give best to Twice Over and King Henry!

ON the same card Jane Chapple-Hyam's JUDGETHEMOMENT will be taking a step up the ladder as he goes for the two mile Listed Esher Stakes.

After winning for us at Royal Ascot he was due to run in the Northumberland Plate under his 5lb penalty but sadly the heavens opened and he was withdrawn because of unsuitable ground.

He looks an absolute picture and could continue his winning ways with the Melbourne Cup at the back of his highly capable Australian trainer's mind.

While on the Eclipse day card, I like the look of Nick Littmoden's GROUP THERAPY in the Gr 3 Coral Charge that opens proceedings.

A brilliant juvenile, he lost his way last season but indicated that he was recapturing his sparkle with a fine effort at Epsom during the Derby meeting.

Badly drawn, he had to be tucked in behind the pacesetters without much chance of finding an opening. His progress in the closing stages to be fifth was eye-catching and granted a better draw on this occasion he can justify his trainer's decision to let him take his chance at this elevated level.

William Jarvis has always liked CLERK'S CHOICE, who could prove the answer to the Charles Leahy Memorial Handicap that concludes the eclipse meeting.