Rajasinghe bids to defy penalty in July Stakes

Richard Spencer believes Coventry Stakes hero Rajasinghe has enough class to offset the burden of giving weight away to his rivals at Newmarket on Thursday in the Arqana July Stakes.

After providing his Newmarket handler with a first Royal Ascot success, the son of Choisir will have to concede 3lb to each of his rivals as he attempts to maintain his unbeaten record in the Group Two prize.

Spencer said: "Rajasinghe came out of Ascot really well and I'd like to think that he is thriving.

"He has put on weight and seems to be in a really good place. He does have a 3lb penalty to carry, but hopefully he will keep progressing and be able to overcome that.

"He had to do it the hard way at Ascot and he's a very versatile horse, so I don't think whatever rain we get before the race or the undulating course at Newmarket will be a problem for him.

"It is a long time between Royal Ascot and the Prix Morny at Deauville near the end of August. So we thought, provided he was fit and well, why keep him locked up in his box?"

Charlie Appleby hopes Sound And Silence can supplement his win in the Windsor Castle Stakes at the Royal meeting when stepping up to six furlongs for the first time.

Appleby said: "The only reason we are stepping him up is that on pedigree there is no reason why he shouldn't get a bit further. He was not stopping when he hit the line at Ascot and it is a long wait until Goodwood.

"We might as well go up there, ride him patiently and see if he gets six. If he does it opens up other options for the rest of the season, if he doesn't we can drop him back to five for the Molecomb.

"After Ascot we thought we would keep him at five furlongs, but on his home evidence and how well he relaxes, we thought we would try six. I am looking forward to stepping him up."

Hugo Palmer feels the recent rain on the July Course will help bolster the chances of Alba Power, who was a winner at Yarmouth last month.

He said: "The rain we have had has definitely helped. He has got to step forward from Yarmouth, but he is an improving two-year-old and I have been happy with him at home.

"It's a big step forward, but I know they thought that a lot of the second horse (Jellmood) and they told me they like the third horse (Mosalim)."

Clive Cox is keeping his fingers crossed Grand Koonta can build on his recent Windsor success and go one better than on his previous start at the track.

The Lambourn handler said: "He won convincingly in a much lesser race at Windsor last time, but he had shown a liking for the July Course previously in a good maiden.

"Drying conditions would be in his favour. They have had rain there, but we know how quick it dries. We are very happy and pleased with him and he has taken a step forward. He is entitled to take this step up in class."

The Owen Burrows-trained Enjazaat is another taking a hike in class after leaving behind a disappointing first time out effort at Newbury with a ready success at Yarmouth.

Burrows said: "We are stepping him up from a maiden, but we have always liked him and his work has been nice. He looks well and is in good form and we will know where we stand after this.

"I don't know what happened at Newbury, but considering it was horrible that day at Yarmouth and he had to make the running, he did well.

"I don't think anything has run out of that race so I don't know what sort of form it is, but he could do no more than win like he did."