Duke of York Hearthstead Homes Stakes (Wednesday!)

Wednesday's feature race at York, the Duke of York Hearthstead Homes Stakes (3.00), represents an excellent opportunity for the tough-as-teak ROYAL MILLENNIUM to register his first victory at Group Two level, and he rates an outstanding bet at 11-2 with Blue Square.Admittedly, there's not a lot to choose between virtually all of the 11-strong field but the Mick Channon-trained charge is the most consistent and robust in the line-up, and should be spot-on for this six-furlong dash after shaping well on his seasonal reappearance at Doncaster last month.On that occasion, the seven-year-old looked the likely winner just over a furlong out but couldn't quicken close home, eventually finishing a creditable two lengths fourth to La Cucaracha. Channon's runners were not firing on all cylinders at that point, but the Berkshire handler's string are in much better form now, and Royal Millennium looks certain to exact revenge on La Cucaracha, whom he meets on 7lb better terms here, especially with the prevailing soft ground in his favour.With Patavellian, Striking Ambition, The Kiddykid and Welsh Emperor in the line up, the pace is bound be very strong, which will play to the strengths of Royal Millennium, who possesses a potent finishing kick.Striking Ambition has improved since joining Roger Charlton's yard and looked on good terms with himself when making all to land a Listed race at The Curragh on his seasonal reappearance last month. He is bound to be better for that outing and should make his presence felt, although he will be vulnerable to a fast finisher like Royal Millennium, a remark which also applies to his enigmatic stable companion Patavellian.Somnus is the top rated runner in the field and deservedly so having bagged three Group One victories. However, he has never won - or even ran well for that matter - on his seasonal reappearance, a point emphasised by his one-paced seventh behind Monsieur Bond in this race last season when making his reappearance. With this in mind, he is best watched on this occasion.Perhaps the biggest threat will be posed by Orientor, who will also relish the testing conditions and the likely strong pace. He lost no caste in defeat when failing by three parts of a length to concede 11lb to If Paradise in a five-furlong Newbury handicap last time, and will be suited by this return to six furlongs. However, he is not easy to win with, having won just twice in his last 20 starts and he has finished by Royal Millennium in their last four meetings.Steenberg, runner-up in this race last year, would prefer faster going, as would Fayr Jag, while Welsh Emperor has much more on his plate compared to when winning a falsely-run race at Haydock on Saturday. Betting verdict: 1pt win Royal Millennium @ 11/2 (Blue Square)