MATTMU can cause a sizeable upset in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes, the feature race on the final day of Royal Ascot.

North Yorkshire trainer Tim Easterby has typically done a good job of shuffling this one out of the spotlight, but he has the potential to go very close at very big odds.

The four-year-old colt admittedly needs to step up as he has never won a race of this quality.

Be that as it may, he was only marginally beaten by ante-post favourite Magical Memory at Newmarket in April, and that run should not be forgotten.

Nor should his super effort in last season's Nunthorpe at York, when he finished third to Mecca's Angel over a five-furlong trip which is probably a shade too quick for him these days.

On the face of it, Mattmu was disappointing in the Duke of York Stakes on his last outing, but there were extenuating circumstances as he had to compete from the wrong part of town, whereas Magical Memory was in the box-seat throughout.

But perhaps the biggest thing going for him - and this could be a very a big thing if the forecast is correct - is the ground.

Easterby is adamant his horse is a far sharper animal when there is plenty of ease underfoot, which almost certainly looks like being the case.

It is difficult to argue that point, either, as Mattmu showed his aptitude for adverse conditions with a super, and probably his best, victory in a Group Two in France a few years ago.

With a huge chunk of the field, not least the Australian sprinter Holler and Hong Kong ace Gold-Fun, seemingly in need of much faster ground, Easterby must seriously fancy his chances of a pulling off something of a coup.

A similar sort of argument can be made for Eagle Top, who runs in the Hardwicke Stakes.

The five-year-old was disappointing on his return to action at Newbury last month, but this has been the plan since then and he should be a great deal better with that blow-out in the bag, albeit he would like better ground.

That he got to within a nose of the brilliant Postponed, who has since won his next four races, in a soft-ground King George over this course and distance is possibly all you really need to know.

The John Gosden team can toast a Royal double as Cunco, the first son of Frankel, can provide one of the most potent narratives of the meeting by winning the Chesham Stakes.

Group Three-winning sprinter Coulsty is another horse who will enjoy running through the wet stuff in the Wokingham Stakes - as should Wolferton Handicap hope Maleficient Queen, whose progress under Keith Dalgleish's care has been exemplary.

Stout stayer Oriental Fox, last season's narrow Cesarewitch runner-up, is a dab-hand when the mud is flying and can be trusted to bring the yearly fiesta to a satisfying conclusion in the Queen Alexandra Stakes.

SELECTIONS:

ROYAL ASCOT: 2.30 Cunco, 3.05 Maleficent Queen, 3.40 Eagle Top, 4.20 MATTMU (NAP), 5.00 Coulsty, 5.35 Oriental Fox.

AYR: 1.50 Rebel De Lope, 2.20 Billy Roberts, 2.55 Lat Hawill, 3.30 Central Square, 4.10 Marsha, 4.50 Lexington Place, 5.25 Available.

DOWN ROYAL: 2.15 Sir Dreamalot, 2.50 Battleroftheboyne, 3.25 Fairy Foxglove, 3.55 Oor Jock, 4.35 Lieutenant General, 5.05 Rayisa, 5.40 Rainfall Radar, 6.10 Ex Patriot.

GOWRAN: 1.30 Zafarqand, 2.00 Hanover Street, 2.35 Coolfighter, 3.10 Annadiamond, 3.45 Battle Of Clontarf, 4.15 Alzammaar, 4.45 Bakougan.

HAYDOCK: 6.30 Azzir, 7.00 Jester Spirit, 7.35 Futoon, 8.05 Berlusca, 8.35 Ultimate Star, 9.05 Dasheen.

LINGFIELD: 5.45 Lettuce Snow, 6.15 Mercy Me, 6.45 Firestorm, 7.20 Bobby Vee, 7.50 Spiritual Star, 8.20 German Whip, 8.50 Jaarih.

NEWMARKET: 1.40 Farook, 2.10 Rose Above, 2.45 Golden Stunner, 3.20 Tom's Rock, 4.00 Great Order, 4.40 Lathom, 5.20 Cool Bahamian, 5.55 Loaded.

REDCAR: 1.35 Morning Suit, 2.05 Kiwayu, 2.40 Nonagon, 3.15 Beardwood, 3.50 Sir Dudley, 4.30 Layla's Hero, 5.10 Hilary J, 5.50 Bond Bombshell.

DOUBLE: Mattmu and Eagle Top.