The most intriguing runner though is First Fiddler who finished fourth in the Norfolk beaten just over three lengths

The most intriguing runner, though, is First Fiddler, who finished fourth in the Norfolk, beaten just over three lengths.First Fiddler ran a strange race at Ascot. The one to beat her is Warning Shadows (3.40), who finished ahead of Harayir in the Irish 1,000 Guineas and only one and a quarter lengths behind her in the Coronation Stakes at Ascot, both times at level weights.Ascot form is also the key to the July Stakes, in which Lucky Lionel, the Norfolk Stakes winner, opposes World Premier, who took the Chesham later the same afternoon. Another concern is that Harayir seems to be at her best tracking a fierce pace, something which is far from guaranteed with just four taking her on in today's Falmouth Stakes.Even the drop in class to Group Two, after three successive runs at Group One level, is offset by the 6lb penalty for her win in the Guineas and Harayir must be vulnerable again today. Harayir needs it fast, and while the soaking lasted for barely half an hour, it was hardly an auspicious omen for a Classic winner attempting to redeem a rather tarnished reputation. "She's very well," Dick Hern, Harayir's trainer, said after saddling Alhaarth to take the opening race, "but we don't want too much thunder." A second later, a thunderclap boomed around the July course, and even the most hardened reporters felt like crossing themselves. What Hern was worried about, of course, was the rain which inevitably followed.

GREG WOOD Things have not quite gone according to plan for Harayir since her victory in the 1,000 Guineas two months ago, and there was strong evidence at Newmarket yesterday that she has enemies in high places. Further intrigue was added as he had bought the five-year-old from Stuart Aitken, the former casino owner noted for his own betting coups.Robinson added that Aitken, who now lives in Prague, was on holiday in the United States, which means the figure who was seen slipping through the crowds yesterday after reportedly slapping a huge wedge on the horse must have been merely a lookalike.. "He's the fat lad."The owner's name was Robert Robinson and he seemed to be bluffing with his inquisitors when he informed them that he was "between jobs". He blamed Samah's owner for insisting on the front-running tactics that had ended in defeat this season and then pointed him out in rather irreverent manner "He's over there," Nicholls said. The top brass at Portman Square will now hear explanations about how Samah managed to win this competitive race for a second year after finishing 12th of 15 on his previous outing at York.David "Dandy" Nicholls, who unquestionably acquired his nickname from a sitcom actress rather than any snappy dress sense, said his involvement had been pounds 150 each way.The Thirsk trainer does not appear to be taken by the feudal relationship which is normally afforded to the man who pays the bills. This was not a touch, it was more of a grope.The stewards shrewdly did not miss this, but felt unable to adjudicate on the spot as they had insufficient evidence. Coral make Blue Duster a 14-1 joint favourite with Bint Salsabil for the 1996 1,000 Guineas, while Applaud is 25-1.The price that people noted most yesterday, however, was the 7-2 returned about Samah in the first handicap, as the gelding was available at 20- 1 in morning trading.

"You've only got to look at this filly to know she's all there, but I've never put her as far forward as Blue Duster. She's six lengths ahead."The latter has the trinity of the Princess Margaret at Ascot, York's Lowther Stakes and the Cheveley Park at the Rowley Mile course ahead of her, while Applaud may be supplemented for the Heinz 57 Stakes at Leopardstown next month.The July meeting is famously the occasion when the swarming thunder flies, perspiration droplets on top lips and bookies scribbling prices for next year's Classics all come out, and yesterday was no exception. "My head lad feeds the horses extremely well through the winter and they come out in the spring big and strong and you soon see the ones that are going to go early," he said. Of the 23 juvenile races contested by the Newmarket trainer this season, 16 have culminated in victory.Applaud set a bursting pace from the front in this race and held on stiffly from the dead-heaters Dance Sequence and Darling Flame.Loder, who also trains the talented Blue Duster, a Royal Ascot winner, applauded others for his strike-rate. Indeed, it is unlikely the filly will run again.David Loder, on the other hand, can look forward to rewarding days with his fillies, one of whom, Applaud, won the day's other Group race, the Cherry Hinton Stakes. Aqaarid, the 1,000 Guineas second, bled after a gallop at Goodwood on Saturday and will miss the Irish Oaks this weekend. "I don't think I've had a bigger thrill all year than the one he's given me today."John Dunlop, Beauchamp Hero's trainer, is enjoying sublime times on the racecourse, but away from the track there has been a reverse.