Top Notch Tonto '˜in stonking form' as he prepares for John Smith's Cup

Runner-up in the prestigious Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot in 2013, Brown continues to hold his ever-popular white-faced horse in the highest of regard.

And Brown, who lives at Swanland on the outskirts of Hull, blames the chestnut gelding’s below-par run at York last month – Top Notch Tonto was lost on 10 - on the application of blinkers.

The mistake, says the horse’s owner, will not be repeated with a horse who has already won in excess of £450,000 from 40 starts.

Trained at Malton by Brian Ellison, the gelding’s six victories include a triumph in last year’s Kate and Ian Hall Macmillan Ganton Stakes.

“He absolutely loves York and he has only run badly there once, and that was his last race,” Brown told The Yorkshire Post.

“We tried sharpening him up with blinkers and he just didn’t like them. He just hated them and wouldn’t go forward. Yet we tried them on the gallops and he flew.”

Brown says all three appearances this year have been gearing towards Saturday’s big race and he was particularly heartened to see his colours carried to victory by Dream Walker at Leicester on Saturday.

“Top Notch is in stonking form,” he added. “We worked him this morning and he was absolutely brilliant.

“I would certainly have a fiver each way on him. He will be a big price and he’s in great form. He’s a class act and he’s ready to rumble.”

KARL Burke’s Quiet Reflection, winner of Royal Ascot’s Commonwealth Cup under North Yorkshire jockey Dougie Costello, is among the 19 entries for the Darley July Cup at Newmarket on Saturday.