Hi all,
Second part of my Royal Ascot 2020 eyecatchers covers Friday & Saturday’s racing.
For those new to the service. I have traditionally done a weekly eyecatchers article. This season will be different as I concentrate just on the big races and meetings.
Day 4
1:15 – Palace Of Holyroodhouse Handicap (Class 2) – 5f
The well-backed Art Power was thought to be well handicapped and so it proved. He’s worth following for the rest of the season and could end the season running in Group 1 company.
Dancin Inthestreet – William Haggas
Had been very unlucky in the run when meeting plenty of trouble on her handicap debut at Haydock. She met trouble again coming at the furlong mark but was finishing off her race strongly. Whilst she wouldn’t have beaten Art Power even with a clear run but she remains a winner a winner in waiting.
1:50 – Albany Stakes (Group 3) (Fillies) – 6f
Setarhe – Roger Varian
The filly had created a good impression when coming from behind to win at Newmarket on her racecourse debut. Sent off the well backed 11/4 favourite at the off she wasn’t helped by a slow start here and was always playing catch up. However, she finished her race off strongly to finish second to impressive winner Dandalla and can win more races.
3:00 – Hardwicke Stakes (Group 2) – 1m 4f
Hamish – William Haggas
Last season’s 1m 6f Melrose Handicap winner had been expected to improve as 4-year-old. Dropped back to 1m 4f and taking a big step in class. Held up in the rear he was outpaced two furlongs out but ran on well to grab 4th on the line. A mile & half is too short in this grade but this was an excellent reappearance by the gelding who needs 1m 6f.
4:10 – Queen’s Vase (Group 2) – 1m 6f
Santiago – Aidan O’Brien
Clearly enjoyed the softish ground and the strong pace in Friday’s Queen’s Vase. After the race he was not surprisingly cut into a best priced 8/1 for the St Leger. Wherever he eventually ends up he should be backed on his next start. Previous winners of the Queen’s Vase who ran within 60-days have produced – 6 winners from 12 runners 50% +27 7 placed.
4:40 – Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes (Handicap) – 1m 4f
Le Don Di Vie – Hughie Morrison
The 4-year-old was having his first start since September, he got shuffled back at an important part of the race and also had to be switched left two furlongs out to make his challenge. He stayed on all the way to line to finish 4th. Given he was plenty keen enough in the early stages of the race did well to finish as well as he did and showed he stays 1m 4f. There should be other days for him.
Day 5
12:40 – Silver Wokingham Handicap (A Consolation Race For The 2020 Wokingham Stakes)(Class 2) – 6f
There were five who caught the eye for different reasons.
Nahaarr – William Haggas
Dropping back to 6f looked an interesting move for the normally strong travelling 4-year-old. Always up close up with the pace on the near side, he looked the most likely winner at the furlong mark but was going to be vulnerable to something coming from behind. He was just run out of second close to the line There’s a decent 6f handicap pot in him, maybe the Goodwood Stewards Cup?
Aplomb – William Haggas
Had finished a neck behind Tinto in a soft ground C&D handicap last October and was expected to go close again here. An encouraging 5th of 12 over an inadequate 5f on his return. The drying ground probably didn’t help his cause. He only finished 7th of 19 but remains on a winnable mark when he gets more ease underfoot.
Blue Mist – Roger Charlton
The ultimate ‘cliff horse’. A strongly run 6f on a stiff track like Ascot should have really suited the frustrating 5-year-old and he was backed into 7/2 favourite. Slowly away and behind a wall of horses he got no sort of run. He’s not one to take a short price about and will need all the cards to fall right if he’s to land one of these.
Count D’orsay – Tim Easterby
Had been an improved over 5f on soft ground in the second half of last season. He showed plenty of early speed down the centre but weakened a furlong out to finish 11th. Ascot’s stiff 6f was always likely to test his stamina and he didn’t get home. A return to 5f or an easy 6f with plenty of juice in the ground can see him progress again.
Stablemate Golden Apollo, shaped with promise in 8th. It was his first run of the season and first since his Ayr Silver Cup win last September. He normally takes a few runs to get fit but looks capable of winning again later in the season. He’s 5 wins from 11 runs 45% +27,5 6 placed 55% when racing over 6f and within 15-days of his last start, yet to place on his three starts on heavy or soft.
1:15 – Queen Mary Stakes (Group 2) (Fillies) – 5f
Both the winner Campanelle & runner-up Sacred are smart juvenile fillies. I would love to see the Wesley Ward trained winner run in the Nunthorpe, as a 2-year-old filly she would get all the weight allowances.
Grammata – Denis Hogan
Had shaped with plenty of promise when runner-up on her racecourse debut at the Curragh. She travelled strongly and was still in contention a furlong out. However, she paid for her early exertions in the final stages. There are races to be won with her once her sights are lowered.
Sands Of Time – Mark Johnston
Impressive when winning a Lingfield maiden on her first career start. Her saddle slipped at half-way and that was her race over. Looks worth another go in this company and could go off at big odds next time.
1:50 – Coventry Stakes (Group 2) – 6f
Painless Potter – Alan King
Was very green on his Kempton racecourse debut but put in some solid work at the end of that race to finish 3rd. Thrown in the deep end here but he ran really well to finish 5th. There’s plenty of stamina on the dam side of the pedigree and he can win races when stepped up in trip.
4:10 – Wokingham Stakes (Heritage Handicap) (Class 2) – 6f
Gulliver – David O’Meara
Held up he finished his race of strongly down the near side to take 4th, beaten 1 ½ lengths. He seems versatile going wise having won on soft & good to firm in 2019. Big fields really suit the 6-year-old. Third in the Ayr Gold Cup before winning at York, he’s entitled to remain competitive in big field handicaps this season.
Stone Of Destiny – Andrew Balding
The 5-year-old is hard to win with but is talented enough and on back down to a winnable mark. Goes really well at Ascot,won over 5f at the Shergar Cup last year and wasn’t disgraced when 6th in this race 12 months ago. He occupied the same position this time around. He looked like was coming to challenge the eventual winner Hey Jonesy, a furlong out but couldn’t find any extra in the final stages. A return to a stiff 5f can see him win again.
4:40 – Queen Alexandra Stakes (Class 2) – 2m 5 ½ f
Its’afreebee – Richard Spencer
Had a lot to find on Official Ratings but he stays 3 miles over hurdles so not surprisingly was he staying on at the end of this marathon trip to take 5th. He had 25lb to find with winner Who Dares Wins but managed to get within six lengths of that one. Hopefully the handicapper doesn’t over react to the 10-year-old run. Lightly raced in the past 18 months he’s clearly not been the easiest to keep sound but there’s a race in him in lesser company over staying trips, or back over hurdles.
Cheers
John