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DAY FOUR brings me onto probably the best bet of the week when OPPORTUNITY (3.40) runs in the Duke of Edinburgh Handicap Stakes.

Rated a Group horse last season, not everything went to plan with him and connections drew up stumps following his tailed off run here 12 months ago in the Edward VII Stakes. However, he returned in a handicap over the course and distance and was a huge eye-catcher behind Wine Dark Sea before blitzing home at Carlisle off a mark of 92, without really being asked a serious question.

That win didn’t go unnoticed by the handicapper and he has hiked him up 8lbs to 100, but I think that we could have a very good horse on our hands here and as long as James Doyle can negotiate his one box stall and get a clear run, then I think that this highly progressive son of Frankel can get the better of Plage de Havre and the Alan King trained outsider Insanity. The last named boasts a course record of 213 and shaped well when staying on over a mile-and-a-quarter at Pontefract last time out. He may well be worth a saver and inclusion in forecast bets with the selection.

The three-year-old fillies will hold centre stage today with the Coronation Stakes at 4.20 and the Irish 1,000 Guineas winner, Precise, is hard to oppose as she looks by far the most likely winner after readily reversing Newmarket Guineas form with her stablemate True Love.

However, with 10 runners engaged at the 48-hour declaration stage, I would be hopeful that BLACK CAVIAR GOLD can pick up the pieces and hit the frame at the very least. This daughter of Havana Grey has nearly five lengths to find with Precise on that Irish Guineas’ form, but was galloping on really strongly at the finish and this more severe track could play massively to her strengths in the closing stages if they go a proper gallop from pillar to post.

The Commonwealth Cup looks Venetian Sun’s to lose, but I am worried about the fast ground for this impressive Haydock Park winner, whereas such conditions will be perfect for WISE APPROACH (3.05) who suffered from racing out on the wing when only fourth to Song of the Clyde in the Carnarvon Stakes at Newbury. 

He has a much better draw in stall 15 here, so if William Buick can get him settled in midfield, I am hoping his rapid turn of foot can bring him into contention at the business end of proceedings.

Finally, have a look at GOLDEN STORY (5.35) in the King Edward VII Stakes. He could have run in the King George V Handicap, but connections feel he is good enough to take on hot favourite Water to Wine and co, and will adore the step up in trip following his third in the Dee Stakes when he didn’t really handle the track and a tenacious win in the Cocked Hat Stakes at Goodwood.