Race-by-race verdicts and nap selection for Thursday’s meeting at Royal Ascot.
JUNE 17, 2020
Race 1: 2.15pm
HYPOTHETICAL started favourite for the Classic Trial at Kempton but only managed fourth place. He remains unexposed, however, and must have some sort of chance dropping into handicap company with Frankie happy to take the reins again.
Tritonic pulled too hard when fifth in the Zetland Stakes on his final start last year but that form has sent out mixed messages. The Royal Lodge form is much stronger and Highland Chief finished sixth in that, though was beaten a long way.
Grand Rock seems to need the mud and has also been unlucky with the draw with Newcastle runner-up Acquitted alongside, though the latter should enjoy the step up in trip.
Global Storm kept on well to score at Newmarket but third Bronze River is 2.5kg better off and will get a run from his reserve spot. Maori Knight was headed right on the line at Haydock after winning at Chelmsford and looks the pick of the remainder.
Race 2: 2.50pm
Sir Dragonet won the Chester Vase last year before finishing fifth in the Epsom Derby. He was later fourth in the St Leger and will take all in the beating in this if a second at Naas has brought him forward.
Regal Reality has more than seven lengths to find with Fox Tal on their run together in last year’s Champion Stakes here. Andrew Balding’s colt was making progress at the end of last season and could be a top-class four-year-old.
But there could be a bit of value in following last year’s fifth MOUNTAIN ANGEL. Badly hampered 12 months ago, Roger Varian’s gelding went on to finish a close second in the Prix Dollar at Longchamp in the autumn and deserves a big-race success.
This looks a big ask for the unbeaten Aloe Vera and the penalised Crossed Baton and Dubai Warrior but Extra Elusive is worth a market check.
Race 3: 3.25pm
Monarch Of Egypt makes a quick reappearance after finishing seventh in the Irish 2000 Guineas last week.
Final Song outran massive odds when fourth in the 1000 Guineas but this can go to French raider CELESTIN. He pulled too hard in the French 2000 Guineas but still finished fourth and a drop back to 1400m has to be in his favour.
Molatham is a danger on his win in a Listed race at Doncaster in September but did finish a place behind the luckless Ropey Guest in the Autumn Stakes in October when George Margarson’s maiden ran his usual game race.
King Leonidas is 2-2 at Newmarket but this is a step up in grade for Frankie’s mount.
Karl Burke rates Lord Of The Lodge highly but the going may have turned against the Newcastle winner, who steps up from 1200m.
Race 4: 4pm
Any further rain would suit Bright Devil, who made all at Newmarket. Golden Flame was well ahead of Clarendon Cross and March Law when second to Devious Company over the trip at Haydock and is a likely improver.
Concessions was a couple of lengths ahead of Seattle Rock when making a winning start in a three-runner race at Chelmsford and shouldn’t be underestimated with Godolphin’s Modern News likely to be among the market leaders following a nice introduction.
But BATTLEGROUND (NAP) is bred in the purple being by War Front out of the Arc winner Found. His lack of experience was evident at Naas when he was one of five Ballydoyle runners but he was staying on nicely over an inadequate trip on going that was quicker than ideal – he is likely to be a different proposition on Thursday.
Race 5: 4.35pm
STRADIVARIUS bids to win this race for the third year running and is impossible to oppose after a promising reappearance over a trip too short in the Coronation Cup. Last year’s fourth Cross Counter got no nearer the champion at Goodwood when they last met and was behind Mekong and Prince Of Arran in Riyadh in January, though is better off at the weights with both.
Technician was in cracking form in France in the autumn, beating Moonlight Spirit in the Prix Royal-Oak, but has more than four lengths to find with Nayef Road on their run together in last year’s St Leger with the Johnston four-year-old making a winning reappearance in the Sagaro Stakes at Newcastle ahead of Prince Of Arran and Withhold.
Race 6: 5.10pm
Starcat ran in the 2000 Guineas, finishing an honourable seventh. The drop to 1600m may well suit Cherokee Trail but his stable run four in this and there has been money for Enemy, despite a disappointing reappearance at Yarmouth.
There are three recent winners in the line-up carrying penalties but Finest Sound and Johan will be going up more than the 2.5kg extra they have to shoulder.
Grove Ferry can reverse Lingfield running with Ziggle Pops and Kondratiev Wave and again beat Verboten and Amaysmont but KHALOOSY could be anything after two runs on Tapeta in the autumn. He was particularly impressive at Wolverhampton and his owner and jockey have already had plenty of success at this year’s meeting.
Great Ambassador was frustrating on occasions last year but his second to Pyledriver at Salisbury was franked on Tuesday.
Race 7: 5.40pm
A strict interpretation of African Dream’s second to Stylistique at Newbury last week would give her outstanding claims in this off a mark of 80. But her trainer has had 24 runners in this race in the last 10 years and only won it once.
Mark Johnston usually has one laid out and Jim Crowley rides Huboor, who didn’t get much of a run on her reappearance at Lingfield and should enjoy the extra furlong given she won a nursery over 1400m at Newmarket last year when beating Separate, who is worse off at the weights.
Wejdan was highly tried after making a winning debut at Newbury last year but there should also be more to come from SOFFIKA. The Stoute filly was still showing signs of inexperience when beaten by West End Girl in the Sweet Solera last August and she should stay a mile and further this season. Chelmsford winner Declared Interest will struggle to dominate this much stronger opposition. – Sportinglife.com
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