It would appear that George Washington, a failure at stud, makes way for younger stable companions who would boost their stallion value with victory at Group One level. For breeding purposes, the O'Brien-trained filly All My Loving is already a valuable commodity and she gets the chance to notch an overdue win at Ascot today.

A maiden race at Leopards town is the only success that All My Loving (3.45) has to her name so far, but she has competed gallantly at the highest level all season and the drop to Listed company for this afternoon's Harvest Stakes can enable her to get her head in front again. Placed in both the Oaks at Epsom and the Irish version, behind the top-class Ballydoyle filly Peeping Fawn, All My Loving lacks a turn of foot and she went under by a neck to Hi Calypso in the Park Hill Stakes, over 14 furlongs, at Don caster last time out.

Henry Cecil's Brisk Breeze, just three-parts of a length behind in third, takes on All My Loving again. But the Park Hill was All My Loving's first run since the Irish Oaks in July and the Don caster race should have put her right for this.

With a first prize of more than £134,000, it is little surprise that the water ship Down Stud Sales Race has attracted a maximum field. Quantity out-weighs quality, as is often the case in these races, although last year's winner Indian Ink turned out to be a top-class filly.

Her trainer, Richard Hannon, is doubly represented today and the stable's Reel Gift is the pick on form. However, the 6½-furlongs trip could find her out as she seemed to run out of gas in similar circumstances at Don caster last time.

Spell Caster (3.10), trained by Ralph Beckett, will certainly stay. She won over a mile on her debut at Chepstow, but did not look short of speed, having quickened smartly into the lead with a furlong to run. The form is working out and she could just be better than these.

Ron Cox's tip of the day

Bankable 4.20 Ascot

A literal interpretation of this colt's one-length victory in a modest race at Newcastle suggests he is hardly thrown in on his handicap debut, but that figure could underestimate the three-year-old. A 160,000gns yearling, Bankable is a powerful colt who will benefit from strong handling and it is significant that Cumani, whose horses are in fine form, has called on his old ally, Frankie Dettori.