MADELINE found the opposition just a little too hot at Royal Ascot but can make the most of a switch back to Listed company in the Bathwick Tyres Rose Bowl Stakes at Newbury.

Roger Varian pitched his filly into the Albany Stakes last month and while Madeline did not make the frame, she was hardly disgraced in finishing fifth behind Different League.

Beaten just over four lengths after racing on the stands side, Madeline deserved plenty of credit on what was only her third racecourse start.

The Kodiac filly is certainly on the up and a repeat of her Ascot showing should be good enough here.

Aurora Gray hit the bar at Pontefract last time but compensation awaits in the Bathwick Tyres Handicap.

Beaten two and a half lengths in third at the Yorkshire venue, Aurora Gray at least showed she stays the two-and-a-quarter-mile trip she faces here.

She has not managed to get her head in front since winning twice on the all-weather in January, but Charlie Bennett takes off a useful 3lb here and that marginal advantage could make a considerable difference.

It is a big night of action at Hamilton, where it will be something of a surprise if Defoe cannot hit the mark in the British Stallion Studs EBF Glasgow Stakes.

Also trained by Varian, Defoe has won each of his two starts this term, triumphing in comfortable style in a competitive Newbury heat in May before following up in a similarly tricky event at York last time.

He shrugged off a 10lb hike on the Knavesmire and probably won with a bit more in hand than the official margin of half a length suggests.

Now rated 104, this Listed heat looks a logical step for the Dalakhani colt who holds a couple of entries in St Leger trials in the coming weeks.

Six Strings is the pick in the John Smith's Scottish Stewards' Cup for Richard Fahey and Paul Hanagan.

Winner of one of his three juvenile starts, Six Strings was gelded over the winter and then made a slightly belated return when second at Newmarket last month.

He was thumped seven lengths by Parfait that day, but the form has worked out pretty well with the winner subsequently finishing fourth in the Jersey Stakes and landing the Silver Bunbury Cup at Newmarket last week.

Six Strings perhaps did not quite stay the seven furlongs that day, so dropping back to six here should be in his favour and he should strip much fitter for that recent outing.

Ornate has not really kicked on from his initial second in the Abernant, but he can come good in the Fly London Southend Airport To Prague British Stallion Studs EBF Conditions Stakes at Newmarket.

Robert Cowell has been trying him at Group Three and Listed level, but a dip in class should help him get back on the wining trail.

Seirios boasts an eyecatching pedigree in the totepool Supports Jack Berry House Maiden Auction Stakes at Pontefract.

Owned and trained by Jane Chapple-Hyam, Seirios is a son of Frankel out of Drifting, who hails from the great Park Express line.

Seirios changed hands for just 5,000 guineas back in May and Chapple-Hyam could have made a shrewd move in snapping up the three-year-old.

SELECTIONS

HAMILTON: 5.45 Ingleby Angel, 6.20 Clubbable, 6.50 Hee Haw, 7.20 Six Strings, 7.55 Defoe, 8.25 Regal Mirage, 8.55 Amy Blair.

HAYDOCK: 1.50 African Friend, 2.20 Warton, 2.55 Merlin, 3.30 Snookered, 4.05 Dark Pearl, 4.35 Sharja Bridge, 5.05 Outback Blue.

NEWBURY: 1.40 Dubhe, 2.10 He's Amazing, 2.40 Elation, 3.15 Sure To Explore, 3.50 MADELINE (NAP), 4.25 Aurora Gray, 4.55 World Power, 5.25 Champagne Bob.

NEWMARKET: 5.35 Trulee Scrumptious, 6.10 Forest Dragon, 6.40 Turning Gold, 7.10 Ornate, 7.45 Raven's Lady, 8.15 Pretty Asset, 8.45 Robbie Roo Roo.

NOTTINGHAM: 2.00 Picture No Sound, 2.30 Shania Says, 3.05 Agnethe, 3.40 Shamsaya, 4.15 Mahabba, 4.45 See The Master, 5.15 Beverley Bullet.

PONTEFRACT: 6.30 Birdette, 7.00 Seirios, 7.35 Avon Breeze, 8.05 Destroyer, 8.35 Sir Gnet, 9.05 Mr Orange.

DOUBLE: Madeline and Ornate.