By his own very high standards Aidan O'Brien would surely be disappointed by the way things have unfolded this year.

As it's only a few years since the Coolmore juveniles carried all before them, it's amazing to think that he's still waiting for his first two-year-old winner in this country in 2004.

But that trend can be bucked as the Irishman has a strong hand in the Shadwell Stud Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket this afternoon with the unbeaten Ad Valorem and Russian Blue.

Stable jockey Jamie Spencer prefers the former, who will need to improve to win at this level and preference is for the ultra reliable Russian Blue, who is a proven performer at this level.

A winner of his first three starts this year, Johnny Murtagh's mount has done absolutely nothing wrong on any of his last three starts in Group One company and those efforts look rock solid.

His latest run behind the unbeaten Dubawi in the National Stakes at the Curragh suggested that he'll be well suited by the drop back to this trip and he won't mind the rain that fell yesterday.

O'Brien and Spencer can be on the mark earlier with Troubadour, who is relatively lightly raced and takes the eye in the Shadwell Stud Joel Stakes over a mile.

A winner of two of his three starts this term, the son of Danehill turned in his best effort to date when beating the useful Miss Mambo over this trip at the Curragh last time.

He can make the running or sit handy, something that gives his rider plenty of options.

Although taking on a decent field for this Group 3 event, the majority look to have less improvement in them than my selection.

The Godolphin operation has thrived this year and the boys in blue can be on the mark with Razkalla in the Fishpools Furnishings Godophin Stakes and Dawn Surprise in the Taittinger Champagne EBF Classified Stakes.

Razkalla, a very useful performer with a good strike rate for David Loder over middle distances, goes well in small fields, especially when fresh, so has to be of interest on this first run for Saeed bin Suroor.

Dawn Surprise is a progressive sort who has won three of her last four starts at up to this trip, including at Thirsk last time, and is taken to beat Chris Wall's Ace Of Hearts.

Kerrin McEvoy, Godolphin's number two rider, can be on the mark aboard John Gosden's lightly raced but progressive Tip The Dip, who showed he retains all his ability on his reappearance, in the mile and a half handicap at 3.35.

Local trainer James Fanshawe, who has enjoyed a tremendous time of it this year, looks to have fair claims with Vindication in the Reg Day Memorial Handicap over seven furlongs.

The winner of this race last year, the four-year-old shaped better after a break last time and should be spot on for this. Leading 3lb apprentice Nicky Mackay is a good booking and the partnership are taken to beat Greenslades.

At Lingfield's mixed meeting Willhego takes the eye in the closing classified stakes, while Benny The Ball is an interesting each-way proposition back on sand in the seven furlong handicap at 4.20.

At Hexham the best bet on the card could be Arctic Echo, who created a favourable impression when successful over course and distance on his debut.

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