Racing: Spencer to make amends on Mike

Jamie Spencer owed his position as top jockey at Royal Ascot last month to the verve and daring of his riding, but those assets did not pay off on Hoh Mike in the Norfolk Stakes. Eager to stay near the favoured stands' rail, he tried to find a way through a diminishing gap and ended up having to switch. By that stage, Dutch Art had already flown, but the way he finished confirmed this colt to be one of the liveliest juvenile talents seen this season.

Only the extra furlong provides any serious cause to doubt his right to compensation in the TNT July Stakes at Newmarket today. Hoh Mike(2.0) has every right on pedigree to stretch his speed this far.

The other group race on the card, the Princess of Wales's Wbx.com Stakes, has been reduced to just four runners but it still provides an interesting clash between a progressive three-year-old and his seniors.

Mountain High produced a career best at Ascot, where Enforcer repaid his trainer's boldness with more place money, but the thriving Soapy Danger (3.10) could enjoy the run of the race and prove hard to reel in with his light weight.

Formal Decree is another who is thriving and gives Spencer obvious prospects in the Blandford Bloodstock Joss Collins Handicap, but Military Cross (2.35) could offer better value after meeting trouble in running over an inadequate trip at Ascot.