Kameko Can Claim Joel Joy

Kameko is back at the scene of his greatest triumph and can restate his class in the Shadwell Joel Stakes at Newmarket.

Andrew Balding’s 2000 Guineas winner has had to fight some unfavourable battles since achieving his finest hour over this course and distance at the start of June.

Many may have lost faith as Kameko has come up short on three subsequent occasions.

Trainer Balding and jockey Oisin Murphy have each been clear several times, however, that they are confident he is in the very highest class.

This necessarily re-shaped Flat season has forced their hand and pitted Kameko over the wrong trip twice.

He fared with credit in the circumstances - fourth behind mighty trailblazers Serpentine and Ghaiyyath respectively in the Derby and Juddmonte International.

In between, Kameko had excuses when filling the same position at

Goodwood - where Murphy blamed himself for finding trouble in running before being beaten less than four lengths in a stellar renewal of the Sussex Stakes.

Benbatl is a likely favourite, bidding to win this Group Two for a second successive season, while unexposed pair Top Rank and Tilsit are unknown quantities and tempting options as rapid improvers adept at winning.

Kameko will have to be at his best, but has everything in his favour again as he bids to restate his credentials and those of his Classic generation.

Elsewhere on an excellent card, his new stablemate Bounce The Blues catches the eye in the Tasleet British EBF Rosemary Stakes.

Balding and Murphy can get themselves in the winning habit with the ex-irish filly, sold and transferred to Kingsclere after her surprise Listed victory at Naas.