Mark Rowntree's four Monday tips: "She rates as a lovely prospect"

From the widest draw, The Mean Fiddler bookmarked himself as a winner-in-waiting when going down fighting to the more experienced Bolt Of Blue at Pontefract last week. 

This 200,000gns breeze-up purchase promises to be suited by this extra furlong – dam was a US 1m-8.5f winner, including a Grade 3 – and, likely to kick on from that opening effort, should have what it takes to account for the newly blinkered War Gaming, who has already shown a fair level of ability, rated close to 80.

Quisana and Moonlit Surf continue to operate at a consistent level, while Yimmna remains unexposed. However, the suspicion is that the Dark Angel filly Aura Champagne has most upside in this winnable fillies’ maiden. 

She was entitled to benefit from her comeback run at Newbury and, with her stamina overstretched over 1m2f, her rider Sean Levey simply looked after her once held by a pair of capable rivals - Miss Scott & Manaar - now rated in the low 90’s/high 80’s respectively. 

Dropping back to an extended mile at Nottingham can unlock the door for the Hannon charge.

With the visor effectively worn for the first time, Dark Cloud Rising bagged the favoured stands’ rail and was full value for the winning margin over C&D on penultimate start. 

That form has a solid feel given the subsequent exploits of the runner-up Dark Thirty and, with Pontefract easily excused, another positive showing (from a plum draw) in the Wilmot-Smith Memorial can set David O’Meara’s four-year-old up for a potential crack at the Great St Wilfrid.

The valuable Ballyhane Stakes takes centre-stage at Naas. Aidan O’Brien’s Chesham Stakes fourth South Dakota drops back in trip after a Killarney reverse, so the one to be with is Ger Lyon’s Livenka. 

Third to the still unbeaten Queen Mary Stakes winner Victorious on C&D debut in April, in a race where those behind (Beibhinn & Ballinea Star) have since proved themselves in Group company, she bettered that on subsequent appearances at The Curragh and Fairyhouse. 

She bossed her rivals, winning eased down, at the County Meath venue latest, and this eighth foal from the York Listed scorer Pavlosk rates as a lovely prospect.