NEVER averse to having a shy at the stumps, Middleham's Patrick Haslam goes pot hunting with Maroussies Wings (3.10) in this afternoon's Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot.

It's been 22 long years since Haslam last graced the winners' enclosure at the Royal meeting courtesy Hawkley in the Hunt Cup, however he still knows how to hit the target and rest assured his filly is no back-number.

Maroussies Wings was third behind Short Shirt and Alexandrova in York's Musidora, form which was franked in spectacular fashion when the latter snapped up the Epsom Oaks with embarrassing ease earlier on this month.

Despite what is pretty conclusive evidence, I've a feeling Haslam's raider might be ignored in the betting market, enabling each-way punters to make a minor killing should the three-year-old perform as well as expected.

Sergeant Cecil (3.50) bids to claim a richly deserved first-ever Group 1 success for both himself and trainer, Rod Millman, in the £225,000 Gold Cup.

Voted "horse of the year" in 2005 as result of his unique achievement when winning the Northumberland Plate, Ebor Handicap, plus Cesarewitch, Sergeant Cecil's rise to fame has been the stuff of fairytales.

Making the leap of faith from straight handicapping to Group class performer is a totally different kettle of fish, nonetheless Sergeant Cecil showed when runner-up in the Group 2 Yorkshire Cup that he was equal to the task.

The ground was pretty soggy on the Knavesmire that day which wasn't really to suit, unlike this afternoon's much quicker underfoot conditions, a further reason to lump on Millman's all-conquering chestnut.

Mark Johnston is throwing three darts at the board for the one-mile Britannia Handicap, Peppertree Lane, Crime Scene, plus Desert Realm (4.25).

To my way of thinking Crime Scene needs at least ten furlongs, whilst Peppertree Lane flopped ignominiously having been the subject of a huge gamble at Haydock last time out.

This just leaves Desert Realm (4.25), who did everything bar win on his Redcar reappearance when beaten a head by Isidore Bonheur. Whichever way you look at it, that was a fantastic effort giving 4lbs to an older horse, teeing him up nicely for today's £55,000 affair.

Not many horses are able to defy top-weight at the Royal meeting, however there's always the odd exception to the rule and Jedburgh's career profile suggests he can do the trick.

John Dunlop's colt is bidding for back-to-back victories in the Buckingham Handicap after taking the seven furlong contest when the meeting was held at York 12 months ago.

Ascot's slightly more testing track should theoretically suit Jedburgh even better, a point underlined by his latest Leicester victory, a venue also characterised by an uphill climb to the winning line.

Ripon stage their very own Ladies Derby, a race in which Court Of Appeal (5.10) stands as good a chance as any.

Brian Ellison's veteran is due to be partnered by his daughter, Lorraine, who gets on well with the nine-year-old, a remark reinforced when the combination finished a close-up fourth at Chester nine days ago.

James Fanshawe, successful at yesterday's Royal meeting worth Soviet Song and Cesare, goes fishing for smaller fry at Beverley with And Again (8.50).

And Again, who prevailed in a red-hot Lingfield maiden earlier on this month, looks a very progressive filly compared to some of her more exposed rivals.