Wigmore Hall blessed with ideal engine to beat the traffic at York

Michael Bell's three-year-old has been in good spirits all season, yet still gets into this prestigious handicap off a tantalising mark. The son of High Chaparral should officially be carrying 7lb more for this assignment, but the weights were published before his superb effort at Royal Ascot.

Despite having endured no end of traffic problems that day, Wigmore Hall got to within half a length of Afsare in the Hampton Court Stakes, with the next home (Film Score) a yawning length and a quarter back in fourth.

That performance can be highlighted as a huge positive for the John Smith's Cup as it served notice of his fondness for the hurly-burly of a big field.

While he had previously suffered disappointing defeats at Newmarket and Doncaster, both races only lured five runners to the table - and consequently a limited amount of pace.

With a brisk gallop virtually guaranteed on the Knavesmire, not to mention Martin Lane taking off yet another 3lb, Wigmore Hall should not disappoint.

"He's the only three-year-old in the race so it will be interesting to see how he gets on taking on the older horses, but he's due to go up 7lb for his run at Ascot so in theory he's quite well in," said Bell. "The race should be tailor-made for him. There should be a decent pace, he likes a big field and he gets the trip well, so we've got to be hopeful of a very good run." Richard Fahey has played down his chances of winning for a fourth time despite having five runners. He is responsible for a quarter of the runners after managing to get five of his 13 confirmations - Dream Lodge, Albaqaa, Extrate rrestrial, Demolition and Porgy - in the maximum 20-strong line-up.

"We've got plenty of runners in it, but they look vulnerable," he said.

Drunken Sailor should also do the business in the John Smith's Silver Cup as, on all known form, Luca Cumani's five-year-old is head and shoulders above these rivals

At Ascot, Dream Eater deserves to be taken seriously in the totesport.com Summer Mile. Although not the most fashionable of horses in training, Andrew Balding's five-year-old is one of the form horses in this Group 2 challenge.

After all, the gallant grey turned in easily a career-best display at Royal Ascot when finishing third behind Goldikova and Paco Boy in the Queen Anne.

With such razor-sharp opponents thin on the ground, a reproduction of that towering display ought to see him home and hosed.

Chester's totesport 0800 221 221 City Wall Stakes should fall to the mighty Borderlescott, while Lord Shanakill has been set some really stiff tasks this term, but can reap handsome dividends back down to Listed class in the totepool City Plate.

At Newmarket yesterday, Starspangledbanner followed up his Royal Ascot win with a gritty display in the Darley July Cup at Newmarket. Aidan O'Brien's speedball slightly missed the kick and was soon chased along behind fellow Ascot hero Equiano. Perhaps crucially, Johnny Murtagh steered the 2-1 favourite over to the far rail while Michael Hills raced up the middle of the track on Equiano.

The former Australian sprinter looked beaten a furlong out as 66-1 chance Alverta threatened with Fleeting Spirit and Kingsgate Native just behind.

Starspangledbanner, however, found plenty for pressure to foil the gallant Equiano by a neck with Alverta back in third. Connections now face a decision on whether the winner goes to stud or stays in training.

O'Brien explained: "We have to decide by midnight if he is going to go to Australia for the covering season. John (Magnier), Michael (Tabor) and all the lads (at Coolmore) will debate hard over the next few hours and we will only know after that if he is going to go into quarantine. I'll give my penny's worth and as you all know I'd love to see him stay here and keep on racing."

Murtagh added: "Not many horses win this after winning at Ascot, but he's not just got class, he's got plenty of guts and he's hardy. I thought the rail would help my horse, I had to make my own mind up and it helped win the race."

Punters placed their faith in the rock-solid combination of Frankie Dettori and Mark Johnston as 4-1 shot St Moritz became the first successful favourite in the 32Red Trophy at Newmarket since 2003, while 40-1 shot Catfish netted the Earl of Euston EBF Maiden.z