A recent replacement hip operation has certainly put a new spring in the step of 67-year-old trainer Clive Brittain and so has the fantastic form of his Newmarket-based stable.

Renowned for his eternal optimism, Brittain has never been afraid to shoot for the stars with his horses, which is exactly the policy he's adopting with Membership, a 20-1 shot in today's Group 1 six furlong Darley July Cup.

Dual Royal Ascot winner Choisir, the darling of all Australia, is the 2-1 market leader for the £250,000 showpiece, closely followed by the UK's leading sprinter, Airwave, priced at around 3-1.

Both look sure to run big races, but Membership, who like Choisir also scored at Royal Ascot, might trump them both courtesy of his new-found ability to quicken off a fast pace.

Hold-up tactics were employed on the selection when he picked up the Group 3 Jersey Stakes at Ascot where he waited patiently until being let loose at the furlong pole by top American pilot Gary Stevens.

The response from Membership was electric and even though he now drops back marginally in trip, he still looks capable of staging a similar burst of acceleration.

The only change to the whole set up has been forced due to Stevens' decision to take up an acting career back in the States, no complaints though over his replacement, the irrepressible Frankie Dettori.

James Bethell bids to win the Bunbury Cup with Mine (3.25) for the second year in succession although on this occasion his seven-furlong specialist will have to do without the services of Kieren Fallon.

Fallon, in the saddle 12 months ago when the five-year-old landed a colossal ante-post gamble, now partners Enchanted, aboard whom I'm sure he'll be nervously checking his wing mirrors in the event of Mine storming past in the closing stages.

And it is a scenario that appears to be entirely possible since Bethell has his charge primed to perfection following a luckless run in the Buckingham Palace Stakes, a race in which he finished third.

Ed Dunlop's Court Masterpiece, third in the Britannia Stakes last time, runs from stall eight under Richard Hughes.

Camp Commander ran a cracker to be second in the Royal Hunt Cup and is another with an obvious chance.

Bunbury Cup, William Hill betting: 7-1 Mine, Patavellian, 8-1 Court Masterpiece, Enchanted, 9-1 By Far, 10-1 Camp Commander, Commission, 12-1 Grizedale, Tough Love, 16-1 Hurricane Floyd, Wahsheeq, 20-1 bar.

In the earlier Group 3 Weatherbys Superlative Stakes punters can confidently go to town on Chester Le Street (2.15).

Mark Johnston's progressive colt smashed the two-year-old seven-furlong course record on only his second lifetime start at Ayr last time and on this much stiffer track promises to be even more effective.

There's plenty of evening action to keep tabs on, especially Labrett's swift reappearance in the Prestige Handicap at Epsom.

Labrett (7.30) did not enjoy the rub of the green at Brighton on Sunday, finding himself trapped in behind three shoulder-to-shoulder horses fighting out a thrilling bunch finish. There was just nowhere for him to go and Gay Kelleway's gelding simply had to sit and suffer.

It was a desperately unlucky defeat, however if the gaps drop just right tonight deserved compensation awaits in the £12,000 contest.

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