All the gossip ahead of the weekend"s racing action

Escape The City is from a family trainer Hughie Morrison knows well and he will have been delighted with her comeback effort when third at 66/1 to Agrotera in the Sandringham at Royal Ascot. Her dam Jasmeno improved steadily during her second season and Escape The City should be capable of stepping up on that performance on her return to Ascot for the Trant Engineering Handicap.

Polybius was beaten only three-quarters of a length by a bang-in-form Danzeno in the Bet With Ascot Heritage Handicap 12 months ago and is fancied to go one better in this year"s renewal . David Simcock gave the son of Oasis Dream a good break after a less than lucrative spell at Meydan during the winter and he returned to action with a promising effort at Epsom nine days ago. The handicapper has been kind to him and he is now racing off a six pounds lower mark than in 2017.

Makseem did not enjoy the best of luck in running on his outing at last year"s Newmarket July Meeting and will be seeks compensation in the bet365 Bunbury Cup. Roger Charlton has had his frustrations with this brother to his Eclipse winner Al Kazeem but he showed after his defeat in the 2017 Silver Bunbury Cup that he is a very smart performer on his day.

Although he would possibly be happier on easier ground, he has form on a faster surface and the fact Ryan Moore is booked for the ride shows that connections mean business. His stable is now in very good form after a quiet first half of the season and he should be able to leave his two slightly disappointing performances so far this term firmly behind him.

Sands Of Mali, one of the leading juvenile sprinters last season, merits each-way consideration in the Group One Darley July Cup. Richard Fahey is no stranger to winning this prestigious prize and runs a progressive colt this time around.

The winner of the most recognised trial for the Commonwealth Cup, Haydock"s Sandy Lane Stakes, he went very close to following up in the Group One dash at the big meeting. He might have beaten Eqtidaar with a more advantageous draw. The performance was better than his win at Haydock and he has pleased connections with his subsequent work.

Three Card Trick was thought to be very much in need of the race on his debut at York last month, but surprised connections with a very good second in what looked a decent maiden. He will be fancied to overcome a modest draw in the Stallions Novice Stakes at Chester.

The son of Piccolo is a full brother to Kevin Ryan"s Group Two winner Tiddliwinks and showed plenty of speed before just being outpointed by the more experienced Dunkerron last time. Three Card Trick can now use his early dash to get across towards the rail from his number six stall and should be able to outpoint his market rival Deputise, who must overcome the outside berth and the concession of a lumpy 11 pounds

Andrew Balding is pretty much the staple diet for this column when it comes to the Roodeye and he can strike again around the tight twists and turns with the consistent King Lud in the Raymond & Kathleen Corbett Memorial Handicap and course winner Chai Chai In the MKM Building Supplies Apprentice Handicap.

Federal Law can see off a talented field and land his first success in the Saunton Sands Hotel North Devon Novice Stakes at Salisbury. Archie Watson has a highly powered team of juveniles and this son of Scat Daddy looked a certain future winner when chasing home the more experienced Daafr at Newcastle 16 days ago.

That rival stepped up to Group Two company at Newmarket on Friday afternoon and Federal Law should show improvement both from the experience of the initial outing and the step up from six to seven furlongs.

Rum Lad can emulate his dam Madame Mojito and win on his debut for John Quinn the B.B. Foodservice Novice Auction Stakes at Hamilton. The Malton trainer has his team in great nick and this colt, a son of the very speedy Heeraat, should be well suited by this five furlongs. It looks a good opportunity for him.