t has not yet been a fruitful summer for Ian Williams, the shrewd Worcestershire trainer being on a strike-rate of about 5% since resumption at the start of last month. But things may be about to start swinging his way, starting with the Marsh Cup, the staying handicap which poses an intriguing puzzle at the end of Sunday’s nine-race feast on ITV4. The veteran Reshoun (4.00) gives Williams a big shout, having finished to good effect when fourth at Newmarket nine days ago. The fitting of a visor shows Williams is intent on doing what he can to get a better result here, with the return to two miles likely to help. Reshoun will be grateful for any overnight rain and is attractive at 8-1 or better. 1.55 York A Godolphin horse with nothing but ones by his name, Boccaccio is a natural choice of favourite but there is a limit to what he achieved in beating Gifted Ruler off a mark of 95 last time. This Listed race demands more and Ventura Rebel, stepping down in class, looks a better option. While he is winless in 14 months, he has twice been placed at Royal Ascot in that time and his third place in the Commonwealth Cup is strong form in this context, even if he did race on the favoured strip that day. 2.15 Newbury Owen Burrows’ handful of recent runners have done him proud and Shabaaby may be able to defy top weight on this belated handicap debut. He fared pretty well on his reappearance, considering it was his all-weather debut and a hot contest, and the pick of his turf form suggests his current rating could prove lenient. 2.30 York Two Saturday winners, at 12-1 and 22-1, took Paul Midgley’s recent strike-rate to 21% and it ought not to be a surprise if this sprint handicap falls to one of his pair. It is hard to make a case for Tanasoq but Orvar, who is attracting support at double-figure odds, was a useful third on his reappearance and possibly was not suited by a second quick run when disappointing at Haydock. He’s 3lb lower than when faring respectably in a hotter race at the Ebor meeting. 2.50 Newbury The Windsor Castle form is working out well, so it’s interesting to see the fourth from that Royal Ascot contest try his luck in the Super Sprint. There’s no question that Get It is nicely in at the weights with most of these but of course there are plenty of potential improvers in the line-up. The forecast overnight rain could be against him. 3.05 York Available at double-figure odds despite being one of the higher-rated runners, Dark Lady has the in-form William Buick aboard for the first time. She was only fourth in a lesser contest on her reappearance but was all rustiness that day and should be more ready for battle this time. She already has a win at this level to her name, when beating Millisle at Salisbury in September, and the Hannon yard is hitting form. 3.25 Newbury It’s interesting to see Frankie Dettori, who was at York on Saturday, come here for a single ride in a Listed contest, and he didn’t get the clearest of runs on Global Giant last time. But Fox Tal is surely the biggest talent on show, in view of his Champion Stakes fourth, and he can improve on his Royal Ascot effort, which was surely needed. 3.45 Curragh A’Ali won tidily at Sandown a fortnight ago but those behind him did little for the form at Newbury yesterday and he gets a new jockey here. At slightly bigger odds, Make A Challenge looks the better option. He was disappointing here last month but has won since and got better with racing last year. 4.15 Curragh The market is absorbed by Lemista, from the triumphant Ger Lyons stable, but Lovelier appeals at 4-1. A full sister to Winter, she was having just her third run when finishing powerfully to land a Listed race on Monday and Aidan O’Brien’s filly has masses more to offer. Enable in good shape ahead of King George tilt A different version of Enable will be on display in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes next Saturday, connections have promised. The mare, who suffered a rare defeat on her reappearance in the Eclipse a fortnight ago, is said to have benefited enormously for the run and will be a lot closer to her peak for Ascot’s midsummer championship. “The race has brought her on a lot,” said Thady Gosden, whose father, John, trains Enable. Gosden Jr was representing the yard here, where he made it to the winner’s enclosure after the promising young Guru prevailed on the nod in a novice race stacked with exciting youngsters. “Everything’s gone to plan so far,” he said. “That’s put her back to where we wanted her to be and at the moment things are going smoothly. Her attitude’s very good at home and physically she’s improved a lot. So we’ll see.” Enable is trying to become the first horse to win the King George three times, having triumphed by a neck over Crystal Ocean last year. Bookmakers went cold on her chance after she failed to reel in Ghaiyyath at Sandown but then came news that the winner will skip Ascot in favour of a trip to York next month. With Magical and Japan seeming to be the pick of the opposition, Enable is a strong favourite at 11-10. In Ireland, a superlative year continued for Ger Lyons, who won the Irish Oaks with Even So just a month after Siskin gave the trainer his first Classic success in the Irish 2,000 Guineas. The 10-1 shot, who clearly relished the step up in distance, is the first horse sent to Lyons by the dominant bloodstock operation Coolmore. Cayenne Pepper, sent off favourite, was well held in second place while the fancied Ennistymon failed to give her running after two quick trips to England, trailing home in last place.