Sajjhaa can shine following notable rehearsal

The Godolphin filly has already put in a good performance on Knavesmire when giving the high-class Midday plenty to think about in the Middleton Stakes at the Dante meeting.

Saeed bin Suroor’s charge then disappointed at Royal Ascot when dropped back to a mile, but there are reasons to think she can flourish here.

A winner of a Group Three in Italy on soft going last year, she should be happy with a bit of give in the ground.

The trip looks likely to suit and this race represents a drop in class, so there is plenty in her favour.

Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford believes the trip could prove key, and said: “The mile at Ascot was a little short for her last time so the step up in trip should suit.

“She ran a very good race over the same course and distance in the Middleton and we are hopeful that this race can put her back on track.”

Comedy Act may have a bit to find with his rivals in the Skybet Mobile Supporting The Yorkshire Racing Festival Claiming Stakes on official figures, but he looks the form horse in the race.

Trained at Middleham by Mark Johnston, the four-year-old seemed to finally get his act together when chasing home French Hollow at Hamilton last time.

Already a winner for Sir Mark Prescott and over jumps for Philip Hobbs, the well-travelled son of Motivator can open his account for his new handler here.

Another Yorkshire trainer who will be hopeful of success is Tim Easterby, who runs Saffa Hill in the Batleys Cash And Carry Median Auction Maiden Stakes.

Though a completely unfancied 40-1 chance when lining up on Knavesmire earlier this month, the Tiger Hill colt showed plenty of promise to take third, just a length away from the winner.

Given another chance to shine over the same course and distance, he could get the better of Richard Fahey’s Holy Roman Warrior.

The best bet of the day comes away from York, however, as Chinese Democracy looks to hold very strong claims in the British Stallion Studs Supporting British Racing EBF Fillies’ Handicap at Chepstow.

David Evans’s filly is rated 4lb lower than her last winning mark, due in no small part to a couple of below-par efforts earlier this season.

This was her time of year last year, though, and after a highly encouraging run at Lingfield last time, she looks one to keep onside in this contest.

The Yorkshire Racing Summer Festival continues at York tomorrow with the feature race being the Sky Bet York Stakes.

Sir Henry Cecil’s three-time Group One winner Twice Over will face just six rivals when he attempts to open his account for the season in the Group Two contest.

The six-year-old signed off his 2010 campaign with a second straight victory in the Champion Stakes at Newmarket but while he was successful at the Dubai Carnival in March, he has failed to fire since returning to the European scene.

He is forced to concede weight to each of his opponents, including perhaps his biggest rival in Roger Varian’s exciting three-year-old Dominant, a five-length winner of a valuable Newmarket sales race on his latest appearance.

Sir Michael Stoute’s Sandown Listed-race winner Class Is Class is an interesting mount for Paul Hanagan, while the trainer also saddles Eleanora Duse.

Ransom Note, Saptapadi and Tazeez complete the line-up.

Next week’s potential ‘Duel on the Downs’ took another step closer to becoming reality when both Frankel and Canford Cliffs were among nine entries which remained at the latest confirmation stage for the Qipco Sussex Stakes at Goodwood on Wednesday.

Hannon has a second string to his bow in Dick Turpin while Saeed bin Suroor has two options with Delegator and Rio De La Plata to chose from, although the Lennox Stakes over seven furlongs is thought the more likely target for the former.

Mahmood Al Zarooni could also run Neebras in the Godolphin colours.

Aidan O’Brien’s sole entry is Zoffany, second to Frankel at Ascot.

The international interest comes from France in the shape of Freddie Head’s Rajsaman, third to stablemate Goldikova in the Prix d’Ispahan when last seen.

Barry Hills’s Red Jazz completes the list of possibles.

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