Sunday tips from Katie Midwinter: "She is the one to beat"

Promising filly City Of Memphis made a successful return to action following a 332-day break when recording a second career win at Gowran Park last month. She had previously finished a creditable fifth to Lake Victoria in the Tattersalls Irish 1,000 Guineas, following on from a maiden success on debut at Cork, and remains open to further improvement in only her fourth career start.

Having already proven to possess plenty of ability, the Paddy Twomey-trained contender remains on an upward trajectory with the ceiling of her talent unknown, and she could be worth keeping onside for an in-form yard as she returns in Stakes company.

In the French Classic for the colts, Hankelow makes appeal for Karl Burke on his seasonal reappearance. He showed some good form during his debut campaign last term, winning twice whilst also finishing second to Avicenna.

The form of his runner-up effort at Listed level was boosted by an eye-catching run from the winner when he finished second in the Craven Stakes, and, although Avicenna couldn't take a step forward in the Betfred 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket, he remains an interesting colt for Roger Varian who could prove better than his latest effort suggests.

Hankelow claimed Group Three success when last seen, in his first try over a mile, following in the footsteps of the likes of Coroebus and Delacroix in the Autumn Stakes, and he could be capable of being competitive in a Classic under Clifford Lee, unexposed with the scope for further improvement.

Likely to improve for his first run of the season at the Curragh, in an outing worth forgiving, making his second run following a gelding operation here, Omni Man makes each-way appeal in this Listed contest.

The Joseph O'Brien-trained performer won twice last term, including in a competitive Goodwood handicap, before placing third to Phantom Flight in a Listed Dundalk race. He caught the eye that day, sticking to the task well late on when pulling three-and-three-quarter-lengths clear of the fourth to finish third behind a 111-rated rival.

This is only his tenth career start and he has already gained valuable experience which should hold him in good stead, with race fitness to his benefit in his second outing of the season. There could be more to come from the four-year-old son of Invincible Spirit, who remains unexposed at Stakes level with further progression possible.

Well-bred filly Diamond Necklace enjoyed a faultless debut campaign last year, winning all three of her races culminating in a Group One success over a mile at this track.

Her latest outing puts her in with solid claims as she bids for Classic success in this prestigious contest, and, with the yard dominating at Chester this week with horses making their seasonal returns, she is the one to beat for Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore.

The daughter of St Mark's Basilica was hugely impressive as a juvenile and is one of the most exciting prospects from Ballydoyle this year. She appeared to have a bit of star quality about her and could continue improving, far from the finished article having made only three runs to date.

Imposing colt Pierre Bonnard failed to enhance his Derby claims when beaten on reappearance over this course-and-distance last month, but he has the benefit of a recent run in his favour this time out and could return to form. 

Last term, the son of Camelot, who fetched €280,000 as a Book 1 yearling, improved for his debut run to win three successive races including the Group Three Zetland Stakes and a Saint-Cloud Group One.

There should be further improvement to come from him and he has enough class to bounce back to form and put in an impressive performance under Wayne Lordan in this Group Three trial.