Ross Millar's Royal Ascot tips: "proven group form in a handicap"

Thrives on a fast surface and he can continue his progression and reverse the form from the Lockinge with Notable Speech. That rival had the advantage of race fitness and track position and utilised a smart turn of foot. This stiffer track will negate that advantage and More Thunder's stamina at the trip can prove crucial. 

A horse with proven group form running in a handicap. He arrived with Tony Martin rated 108 but a poor first season saw his mark tumble to just 84. He capitalised on that at The Curragh last time, showing good stamina to win drawing away over 1m6f. A new mark of 92 is still fully 16lb below his best, and he can land this for ultra shrewd connections. 

Roger Varian's charge was denied racing room at a crucial time last year when finishing fourth. Lightly-raced since, he caught the eye when doing best of those ridden patiently at Goodwood on his return. With race fitness behind him and granted a clear passage, he's capable of going close.  

Won well at Hamilton over 1m5f on his seasonal return despite enduring a torrid passage through the race. The turn of foot he showed is rare among stayers and if getting a clearer run I expect him to have too much class for his rivals. Given his connections, it's not hard to consider this will have been his target for some time.