WESTERN Verse, who made an impressive winning debut on Knavesmire last month, can hit a high note tomorrow on the opening day of Royal Ascot.

The Henry Cecil-trained colt goes for the Coventry Stakes and is napped to take all the beating in this £60,000 juvenile show piece.

Western Verse had gained a tall home reputation before making his public bow at York where he justified favouritism in the style of a potentially high class youngster.

An easy winner from a useful looking field, he scored without knowing he had been in a race.

Western Verse is reported to have worked extremely well since that outing and is expected to double his tally tomorrow in the hands of Richard Quinn.

Cecil and Quinn will also be strongly represented in the opening Queen Anne Stakes with the classy Shibboleth, but my vote goes to Medicean, who carries the flag of Sir Michael Stoute and Kieren Fallon.

Medicean, who improved out of all recognition last season, started this term with a narrow victory in the Group 1 Lockinge Stakes at Sandown. He can follow-up here and emulate Kalanisi, who won the £120,000 prize 12 months ago for Stoute and Fallon.

With £250,000 in added prize money, the St James's Palace Stakes is the richest race. The exciting Dandoun, trained by John Dunlop, has not lost in three starts this season and is my tip to win under Pat Eddery.

In the King's Stand Stakes, Nuclear Debate, last year's winner, will surely make a bold bid to gain back-to-back victories following narrow defeat at Sandown recently.

Held-up a little too long and a too far back that day, Nuclear Debate just failed to catch Cassandra Girl with his familiar flying finish.

Father Juninho, a winner at York last month, has what it takes to lift the Duke of Edinburgh Handicap.

A horse who needs holding-up and producing late, the Alan Jarvis-trained gelding had a nightmare run on his latest outing at Epsom on Derby Day when he looked an unlucky loser. If he manages to get a clear passage this time, rich compensation could be on the cards for Father Juninho.

Henry Cecil and Richard Quinn responsible for Western Verse, can initiate a first day double with Year Two Thousand in the Queen's Vase. This progressive stayer, a good winner at Newmarket last time, should relish this step-up to two miles.

At Thirsk, the Feversham Arms Benzoe Handicap, for lady amateur riders, is sponsored by Ryedale businessman Tony Fawcett in honour of his ageing sprinter Benzoe, a popular course specialist.

Had the race been an all-aged affair, Benzoe could fittingly have taken part, but only three-year-olds are allowed to run. Neville Bycroft's Efidium looks the one to be on after a solid runner-up effort at Redcar last week.

Tomorrow's tips:

Royal Ascot

2.30 - Medicean

3.05 - Nuclear Debate

3.45 - Dandoun

4.20 - Father Juninho

4.55 - Year Two Thousand

5.30 - Western Verse (Nap)

Thirsk

2.15 - Persian Lightning

2.50 - Al Aali

3.25 - Countrywide Girl

4.00 - Efidium

4.35 - Robzelda

5.10 - Caution

5.40 - Cryfield

6.10 - A Bit Special

Updated: 12:49 Monday, June 18, 2001