Geordie can foil Irish - Osborne stayer to deny Yeats his Cup hat-trick

The reigning champion displayed his wellbeing with a typically workmanlike comeback effort at Navan and appears to have everything in his favour as he bids to write himself a chapter in the history books.

Jockey Jamie Spencer tries to coax Geordieland to the front as he is beaten in the Phil Bull Trophy Conditions Stakes at Pontefract

However, bookmakers are alive to his chance and the mercurial GEORDIELAND (Royal Ascot, 3.45) could spoil the O'Brien party now that he has found an accomplice who understands how his complicated mind ticks.

Shane Kelly may have been sidelined for a year by the racing authorities, but that enforced break has not eroded his talent as he ably displayed aboard Jamie Osborne's stayer in the Yorkshire Cup last time.

In a tactically-run race, Kelly produced his mount with precision timing that Quartz would have been proud of to mug Royal And Regal on the line.

Winning on Geordieland had previously looked a tougher task than leading England to a major football championship, but the Irishman's skill in nursing an enigmatic character to the front suggests that the seven-year-old may be ready to turn over a new leaf.

After all, he was only beaten a length and a half by Yeats in the Gold Cup last year after meeting trouble in the straight.

Admittedly, he is not the most likely winner as he needs everything to drop just right, but he is better value at his morning odds of 10-1 and he looks a pretty decent each-way bet if Kelly can repeat his York heroics.

Trainer Michael Bell, fresh from Art Connoisseur's classy Coventry Stakes win, could enjoy another red letter day with REDFORD (Royal Ascot, nb, 4.20) in the Britannia Stakes.

The Bahri colt was highly impressive at Doncaster on his reappearance run where he travelled with ease throughout the race under Hayley Turner, before putting his seal on it with an impressive change of gear.

Sadly, the layers are sure to be alive to his chance, but connections feel that he is a Group horse masquerading as a handicapper and it will be disappointing if he can't vindicate that faith with a huge performance.

From Redcar to this meeting is a sizeable leap, but INDIAN DAYS (Royal Ascot, nap, 5.30) could bridge the gap with victory in a typically competitive King George V Handicap.

I was impressed with James Given's charge when he quickened to score in style last time and his form with Collection at York two starts back, when he was reportedly in need of the run, reads well.

Admittedly, there are others with major credentials such as Colony and Allied Powers, but that is factored into their prices and at 20-1 this morning, punters of Indian Days are backing an improving colt who should progress again for the step up in trip.

Today's lay is Dar Re Mi (Royal Ascot, 3.05).

Bookmakers hope to have the upper hand for the third day running at Royal Ascot after the shock defeat of 13-8 favourite Bankable in yesterday's Hunt Cup.

Ladbrokes spokesman David Williams said: 'Punters got the Marmalade but we've escaped with the jam,' referring to well-backed Duke of Marmalade's earlier success.

'There were accumulators running up on
Bankable all across the land.' Defeat for Gold Cup favourite Yeats
today would be another blow for hard-pressed punters.