Vandeek had to miss out on his Royal Ascot target but compensation could await in the My Pension Expert July Cup at Newmarket.
Trained by Simon and Ed Crisford, Vandeek carried all before him during his juvenile career, winning each of his four starts, culminating in back-to-back Group One strikes in the Prix Morny and Middle Park Stakes.
He was a hot favourite for the Commonwealth Cup during the winter months and carried plenty of expectation on his seasonal return in the Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock in May.
However, he let down his supporters that day as he proved no match for Inisherin, being beaten four lengths into third when conceding 3lb on ground that was probably more testing than ideal on his first spin of the year.
An abnormal blood count saw him bypass an Ascot rematch with eventual impressive winner Inisherin, but now back to full fitness, off level weights and on ground that may suit a little better, Vandeek could offer a little more value to those willing to risk he is back on track.
Charlie Appleby has saddled four winners of the bet365 Superlative Stakes over the last 10 years and Ancient Truth can further enhance those statistics.
Successful over six furlongs on the Rowley Mile first time up, the Dubawi colt made a seamless switch to seven furlongs on the July Course on his most recent start, triumphing by just short of two lengths.
He looked a bit green at the first attempt but was much more professional last time and looks a colt to follow given the cosy manner of that win.
First Conquest can initiate a double for Appleby and William Buick in the bet365 Mile Handicap.
Winner of the Wood Ditton back in April on his racecourse bow, he was then comprehensively beaten in a York novice, with a Newmarket defeat in the same sphere earning him a first handicap mark of 91 here.
Lethal Levi hit the bar when fourth in the Wokingham and can defy a 1lb nudge up the ratings in the bet365 Bunbury Cup.
The Crisford team can also be on the mark at Ascot with Quddwah in the Anne Cowley Memorial Summer Mile Stakes.
Winner of each of his three runs so far, Quddwah saw off Docklands by a neck on his first crack in Listed company, with that rival going on to be second in the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot.
An unsatisfactory blood count also ended his Ascot hopes but he still appears to be on the upgrade.
Rogue Lightning did get his chance at the Royal meeting but failed to cut any ice in the King Charles III Stakes, coming home a well-beaten 11th.
He had previously finished a reasonable sixth in the Temple Stakes, but Wathnan Racing’s £1million purchase has been a bit below the form that saw him finish fifth in the Prix de l’Abbaye last term.
Dropping to Listed level in the John Smith’s City Walls Stakes at York can help him get back on track.
Paradias is worth a shout at double-figure odds in the John Smith’s Cup having run a fine race at Epsom on Oaks day.
Beaten less than a length, he finished with a flourish to take second and the handicapper has not been too harsh with a 1lb rise.
NAP
Vandeek (4.35 Newmarket)
DOUBLE
Ancient Truth (3.25 Newmarket)
TREBLE
First Conquest (2.50 Newmarket)
YANKEE
Quddwah (2.20 Ascot)
