NORTH Yorkshire trainer Kevin Ryan, forced to endure the frustration of seeing three of his horses finish second at Royal Ascot, where he failed to saddle a winner, bids to set the record straight this afternoon as Newmarket's July Festival bursts into life.

Ryan is set to be represented by AREEN – one of his Royal Ascot runners-up – in the £80,000 Arqana July Stakes and Jamie Spencer's mount is fancied to prevail.

An impressive York winner on his debut in May, Areen was virtually knocked over at the start of the National Stakes at Sandown next time, but he proved his mettle on his latest start in the Windsor Castle Stakes when going down narrowly to Washington DC.

Areen steps up to six furlongs today and gave the impression at Royal Ascot that this extra distance would be well within his compass. He is expected to make a bold bid, despite the formidable presence of eight other previous winners.

Paul Hanagan, who rides the well-regarded Elronaq against Areen, teams up with MAHSOOB in the £100,000 Princess Of Wales's Arqana Racing Club Stakes.

The John Gosden-trained colt has made rapid strides this season, winning handicaps at Newbury and York before completing a hat-trick at Royal Ascot last month.

He is now up to a superior league and faces strong opposition from the likes of Second Step and Gospel Choir, but Mahsoob is very much a horse on the upgrade and this step up to a mile and a half is likely to suit him admirably.

Hanagan should also enjoy a good ride on MUNTADAB in the Unibet Handicap.

Trained by Sir Michael Stoute, the three-year-old has won both his starts this season and looks a progressive performer. He can cope with this step up in class.

ESTIDHKAAR is yet another smart mount for Hanagan in the Hastings Direct Sir Henry Cecil Stakes.

Richard Hannon's colt, a high-class juvenile last season, finished second in the Greenham Stakes on his reappearance but then flopped in the 2,000 Guineas when strongly fancied.

He is dropped in grade here and, if anything like his best, should be too swift of his rivals.

Richard Fahey can make his mark on the opening day of the meeting with JAN VAN HOOF in the Robinson Mercedes-Benz Handicap, which closes the card.

The four-year-old made a smart start to his season when winning at Pontefract last month and leaving the impression that he had more to offer. This is a tougher test but it is not one that is fancied to prove beyond the Malton raider.

At Doncaster, Fahey can also make his prescence felt with MISS VAN GOGH in the SIS, EBF British Stallions Breeding Winners Fillies' Handicap.

The three-year-old, part-owned by Malton-born former footballer Terry Dyson – a star of the famous Spurs side of the 1960s – has been in a rich vein of form since returning to action.

Having won her final start last season at Leicester, Miss Van Gogh won at Hamilton on her reappearance, only to be disqualified for causing interference near the finish. She has since gained consolation by winning at Ripon and Haydock last week.

A 6lb penalty in this tougher race raises the bar for Miss Van Gogh but she is a filly improving fast and carries the nap vote.

Also worth noting on Town Moor are Mark Walford's Woody Bay (2.20), who has been running well despite showing a tendency to miss the break, and the consistent Politbureau (5.30).