Though he has not won since March, when taking the Listed Cammidge Trophy at Doncaster, he has been a little unlucky in several big-field sprint handicaps since.
There is not much of a gap between decent handicappers and Group-class sprinters, so it was no surprise to see Prime Defender running in the Group 1 July Cup at Newmarket, where he finished just over five lengths behind Fleeting Spirit.
And there was plenty to like about his run in the Group 2 Diadem here two weeks ago when, blinkered for the first time, he stayed on in eye-catching style to finish fifth to Sayif.
If the blinkers work again, he holds a good chance of at least making the frame at rewarding odds. The handicapper has also started to relent with Prime Defender running off an official mark of 107, having won off 109 in March.
Ironically, Cecil saddles a horse with similar credentials in the 1m 4f Heritage Handicap that follows.
Unleashed (3.30) has been campaigned at higher levels this summer and also wore blinkers for the first time when third to Record Breaker over course and distance last time, where he looked like the winner turning in before hitting a flat spot.
This genuine four-year-old is a very good horse on his day and shouldn't be far away from the money again at odds of around 20-1.
Milham's Ascot Channel 4 tips 2.55 Prime Defender, 3.30 Unleashed
