My Timeform: Royal Ascot eye-catchers

Caballo De Mar (Timeform rating 107)

Runner-up, 1¾m handicap, Royal Ascot, Tuesday 17 June

The highly progressive Caballo de Mar, a winner of six of his previous seven starts, had to settle for second at Royal Ascot but he ran just about his best race yet on Timeform's figures. Caballo de Mar, running off a mark 33 lb higher than the one he first defied at Ayr last September, was delivered between rivals to hold every chance entering the final furlong, but he proved no match for the favourite, French Master, who produced an impressive surge down the outside. French Master won in the style of one who could develop into a leading contender for Cup races, so Caballo de Mar won't always bump into such a progressive rival and will remain of plenty of interest (he's effective at trips between a mile and three quarters and two and a quarter miles).

Thelma's Angel (95p)

Twelfth, 1m handicap, Royal Ascot, Wednesday 18 June

Thelma's Angel finished well down the field in the Kensington Palace, but she shaped better than the distance beaten would suggest on her handicap debut in a highly competitive contest. Thelma's Angel, turned out only 11 days after her encouraging return at Musselburgh, made progress down the centre over two furlongs out to get into a challenging position, but she was carried right by the eventual winner and unable to sustain her effort. She faded in the style of one who would benefit from a return to seven furlongs, and there will be much easier races in the North for this unexposed filly who remains open to improvement after only four starts.

La Botte (114p)

Runner-up, 1m handicap, Royal Ascot, Thursday 19 June

Harry Eustace won the Britannia Stakes with Docklands, Tuesday’s Queen Anne winner, two years ago and looked unlucky not to land it again with La Botte who was beaten a neck by Arabian Story in the thirty-runner field. Showing improvement upped in trip for his handicap debut, the strong-travelling La Botte came in for a typically patient Jamie Spencer ride over Ascot’s straight mile. Switched after getting no room over a furlong out, a second bit of interference was enough to mark him down as an unfortunate loser. A strong sort, La Botte has further improvement to make and will be well worth siding with next time.

Cajole (98p)

Runner-up, 1m handicap, Royal Ascot, Friday 20 June

A fairly typical Sandringham in make up, around half the field handicap debutants, and it was one of the newcomers to this sphere who looked an unlucky loser, Cajole faring best of the big group who raced centre-to-stand side but beaten by one of the quartet who stayed far side. She went like the best horse at the weights, last to come off the bridle, but was undone by her draw, expending too much energy having to tack over to the far side. Cajole was probably beaten by less ground than she sacrificed charting a rather errant passage, so she is one to keep on the right side, whilst it's also worth noting this pays a handsome compliment to her exciting Wolverhampton conqueror Nahraan.

Holkham Bay (109)

Fourth, 6f handicap, Royal Ascot, Saturday 21 June

Holkham Bay was beaten less than half a length in fourth in the Wokingham and he did very well under the circumstances as he was nearly seven lengths clear of his closest pursuer from those who raced in the unfavoured stand-side group. Holkham Bay was pushed along entering the final couple of furlongs and soon made his way to the front among those in the smaller stand-side group, but he still had plenty of ground to make up on the leaders towards the centre of the track. He finished with such a flourish inside the final furlong, however, that he probably would have been in front of the winner and the third in a few more strides (though the runner-up, More Thunder, was also powering home). This effort, which was just about a career best on Timeform's ratings, enhanced his fine record at Ascot - he won twice and finished runner-up in a big-field handicap from three starts at the track last season.