That’s Royal Ascot out of the way for another year. It was a surreal experience to watch such high-class racing being run behind closed doors.
Plenty to take away from the five-days. I think there will be plenty of winners to come out of the meeting and hopefully I’m about to pinpoint some of them in the next two posts.
It’s a mix of handicappers & non-handicappers and there’s also a hot race included where the first three home should be backed if they start as favourite for their next start.
This first one will cover the first three days and the second will cover Friday and Saturday’s action.
Day 1
1:15 – Buckingham Palace Handicap – (Class 2) – 7f
Shelir – David O’Meara
Wasn’t the best away but stayed on well to take 5th. Just the two starts since joining the O’Meara yard and can win a nice handicap this season.
Edbury – Martyn Meade
Bounced back from a poor reappearance at Newmarket, doing best of those drawn far side in finishing 6th. A winner over a mile last season and a return to that distance can see the 4-year-old win again.
1:50 – Queen Anne Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions Series) – 1m
Mohaather – Marcus Tregoning
Lightly raced, he was travelling strongly in the rear but couldn’t find a gap when he needed it Once in the clear he finished well to finish 7th. He clearly retains ability and has a good turn of foot. Can rate higher still.
4:40 – Ascot Stakes (AHandicap)(Class 2)- 2m 4f
Smart Champion – David Simcock
The 5-year-old got up late to win over 2m at Newcastle back in February. He was another he would have preferred the rain to have stayed away on Monday evening. Held up in the rear he made relentless progress in the straight but was never nearer than at the finish in 4th. He looks on a good mark and is capable of more improvement over 2m+.
Day 2
1:50 – Hampton Court Stakes (Group 3) – 1m 2f
Russian Emperor – Aidan O’Brien
Looked an unlucky loser when runner-up Derrinstown Derby Trial on his return. He made amends in good style here, got the strong pace he needed and finished his race off strongly. A step up to 1m 4f could unlock further improvement in the colt. If he takes his place in the Derby, he will be a major contender.
2:25 – King George V Stakes (Handicap) – (Class 2) – 1m 4f
A race that should be a source of plenty of future winners.
Subjectivist – Mark Johnson
Half-brother to last year’s St Leger second Sir Ron Priestley who improved for the step up to 1m 4f/1 m 6f. Was bought steadily into the race from his wide draw and had every chance at the furlong post. Got slightly hampered by Arthurian Fable inside the final furlong but still stayed on well enough to take third.
Group One Power – Andrew Balding
Fourth on his handicap debut at Yarmouth earlier in the month improved on that effort in finishing 4th. He was keen in the early part of the race and didn’t get the clearest of runs two out. He was doing his best work at the finish and is another with races in him.
Arthurian Fable – Brian Meehan
Tended to over race on the outer. He’d been expected to improve for the step up 1m 4f and so it proved, finishing 5th he can win again.
Bodyline – Sir Mark Prescott
Improved on his seasonal return at Yarmouth in finishing 6th. The step up to 1m 4f suited the son of Australia and more progress should be forthcoming from him.
3:35 – Royal Hunt Cup (Heritage Handicap) (Class 2) – 1m
Being drawn centre to high was the place to be and well handicapped Dark Vision finally returned to his juvenile best in winning this historic handicap.
Montatham – William Haggas
Had looked much improved for the winter gelding operation when winning a Newmarket handicap on his return to action. He maintained that improvement in finishing runner-up here, despite not having the best track position.
Pogo – Charles Hills
Was favoured by his stands side draw but still ran a stormer to finish 3rd. He’s put in career best efforts according to RPR’s on his last two starts. If the handicapper doesn’t put him up too much for this effort, he should remain competitive in big field mile handicaps over the summer. He’s won on quicker ground too.
Lord Tennyson – John Gosden
The 4-year-old came into the race having just had the two career starts. Despite his lack of experience, he was sent off the 6/1 favourite. He travelled well in the rear through the early part of the race but couldn’t find any gaps between the final two furlongs. When the gaps appeared, the race was over and he eventually finished 11th. He’s worth giving another chance.
4:10 – Windsor Castle Stakes (Listed Race) – 5f
Yazaman – William Haggas
Finished runner-up to Tactical, had to be switched right inside the final furlong when making his effort and finished his race off strongly to snatch second on the line. He can win in pattern company before the season is out.
4:40 – Copper Horse Handicap (Class 2) – 1m 6f
In all truth not many got into the race which was won in good style by Ebor contender Fujaira Prince. There are, however, a couple whose efforts can be marked up.
Selino – James Fanshawe
The 4-year-old had improved with racing and stepping up in distance last season. Raised 12lb for a 2m Wolverhampton success in October and held up in the rear he came through the field to finish runner-up and given his track position did well to get as close to the winner. Racing for the first time in the Qatar Racing colours he remains unexposed as a stayer and can win more races over 2m.
Ranch Hand – Andrew Balding
A progressive handicapper last season winning a soft ground Haydock in September. Having his first start since a disappointing effort when 11/2 favourite for the Cesarewitch. The 4-year-old was well backed before the race to make a winning return to action. It was a satisfactory run in 6th but he probably would have preferred softer ground. There should be more to come this season over 1m 6f to 2m.
Day 3
1:15 – Golden Gates Handicap (Class 2) – 1m 2f
Tritonic – Alan King
A winner at Newbury as juvenile put in a career best effort in finishing second although he was not match for the winner inside the final furlong. He should come on for the run and there should be more to come from the colt in valuable handicaps at around 1m 2f this season.
3:00 – Chesham Stakes (Listed Race) – 7f
The first three home in the Chesham have usually done well when sent off favourite on their next start, producing – 19 winners from 32 runners 59% +10.40 24 placed 75%.
4:10 – Britannia Stakes (Heritage Handicap) (Colts & Geldings) (Class 2) – 1m
The Roger Varian trained Khaloosy turned out to be the proverbial Group horse in a handicap as he quickened away clear of his rivals inside the final furlong for an easy win. He’s a smart prospect and can hold own in much better company going forward.
There should be a few future winners in behind the impressive winner.
Enemy – John Gosden
Didn’t get the best of starts but was doing his best work at the finish. He should stay 1m 2f on pedigree and can win a handicap or two when stepped up in distance
Toro Strike – Richard Fahey
Made a pleasing return to action to finish 5th. He had ended last season with third placed efforts in a competitive nursery at Goodwood and a valuable sales race at Doncaster. Staying the mile well, he looks on a workable handicap mark when his sights are slightly lowered.
Eshaasy – John Gosden
In the same ownership as the winner, was probably in need of his first run since down the field in the Group 1 Futurity at Newcastle back in November. Bar the winner he travelled better than anything else for six furlongs before fading into 8th. The Oasis Dream gelding probably found this stiff mile stretching his stamina. He can win again when dropped back in trip.
4:40 – Sandringham Stakes (Handicap) (Fillies) (Class 2) – 1m
Soffika – Sir Michael Stoute
Has a pedigree that should see her improve with racing so did well to win over 6f as a juvenile. Her half-sister Dubka improved when stepped up to 1m 4f, as 3-year-old, and was Group placed over 1m 4f & 1m6f as a 4-year-old. Wasn’t able to go the early pace but stayed on steadily to finish 7th. The run was probably needed and she’s open to more improvement as 3-year-old.
Plenty to stick into the trackers. Part two will be with you tomorrow.
Cheers
John