Russian Rhythm, who highlighted her extraordinary talents when winning the Lowther Stakes at York last August, can play a starring role at Royal Ascot tomorrow.

The top-class filly, trained by Sir Michael Stoute, goes for the £250,000 Coronation Stakes and, reported to be working quite brilliantly at Newmarket, she will be very hard to beat.

Defeated only once in her five-race career, Russian Rhythm gained Classic status in May when winning the Sagitta 1,000 Guineas from Six Perfections. Admittedly, the runner-up suffered a nightmare run that day, but it is no certainty that she would have beaten Russian Rhythm in any case.

That race came plenty early enough in the season for Russian Rhythm, whose work in the spring had failed to convince her trainer that she was going to be at her best on Guineas day.

She has, however, thrived since and there is every chance that she will now be at the peak of her powers, having enjoyed some sun on her back, which is so vital to so many fillies.

Kieren Fallon, having drawn a blank on the first two days of the Royal Ascot meeting, will again be in the saddle on Russian Rhythm, who has a great chance of supplementing her Guineas triumph in this prestigious Group 1 showpiece.

Stoute looks set for a profitable afternoon because he also has good prospects with several other runners, including Akshar in the Wolferton Handicap.

Winner of both his races this season, Akshar wore down Danelor close home to score at Epsom last time and looks a potential Group-winner in the making. He can add to his reputation tomorrow.

North Yorkshire trainer Mark Johnston pulled off a double yesterday with Attraction and Pearl Of Love, and the Middleham handler has good prospects of adding to his score tomorrow with Shanty Star in the Queens Vase.

A Catterick winner on his seasonal reappearance, Shanty Star failed to run up to form in the Lingfield Derby Trial after duelling for the lead in the early stages, which resulted in too fast an early pace.

He now steps up to two miles and, in a race Johnston won with And Beyond two years ago, he should provide Kevin Darley with a good ride.

Two other Middleham trainers also boast fighting chances of getting their names on the scoreboard.

Karl Burke saddles Imperialistic in the Albany Stakes, and this Haydock winner, highly regarded by her trainer, is expected to go well in this Listed event.

In the Buckingham Palace Handicap, a bold bid is expected from the James Bethell-trained Mine, a winner at Doncaster last month. Jamie Spencer takes the mount.

Marcus Tregoning, on the mark yesterday with Nayef in the Prince Of Wales's Stakes, can follow up with High Accolade in the King Edward VII Stakes.

Impressive winner of the Predominate Stakes at Goodwood, after opening his account in maiden company at Bath, High Accolade seems to be making rapid strides. He will again have the assistance of Martin Dwyer.

Tomorrow's Redcar action promises to benefit the in-form Tim Easterby, who has excellent prospects of a double with Coronglais (3.55) and nap selection Ground Zero (4.30), a Newcastle winner last time.

Tomorrow's tips:

Royal Ascot

2.30 Imperialistic

3.05 High Accolade

3.45 Russian Rhythm

4.20 Akshar

4.55 Shanty Star

5.30 Mine

Redcar

2.10 Tyne

2.45 Santiburi Lad

3.20 Sicily

3.55 Coronglais

4.30 Ground Zero (NAP)

5.05 Wilderbrook Lahri

Tomorrow's other meetings are at Ayr, Goodwood, Hexham and Newmarket

Updated: 12:35 Thursday, June 19, 2003