Kameko returns to Newmarket to battle some strong opposition

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

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 trail-blazers 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 2 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.

Following a fine third in a Doncaster Group 3 for her new connections, the three-year-old returns to Listed level and moves back up to 1600m.

Bounce The Blues will be having just her sixth career start, and so has plenty of potential for further improvement.

Alpinista is another filly making swift progress, and she can prove the point in the Princess Royal Muhaarar Stakes. - Sportinglife.com