StableTalk

Here it is again - the best five days of racing anywhere anytime in the world. It's my favourite meeting of the year and in terms of top horses the consistently strongest meeting in the Northern Hemisphere.

The fun kicks off on Tuesday and the ground is currently Good to Soft on the straight course and Soft, Good to Soft in places on the Round Course and looking at the penetrometer numbers, I think the straight course may be close to Good by Tuesday.

There is rain in the form of showers and thunderstorms in the week's forecast so it remains to be seen how the ground stands as the week goes on.

The Group 1 feature races are as follows:

Tuesday:: Queen Anne (1600m), St James's Palace (1600m), King's Stand (1200m)
Wednesday: Prince of Wales (2000m)
Thursday: Gold Cup (4000m)
Friday: Commonwealth Cup (1200m), Coronation (1600m)
Saturday: Diamond Jubilee (1200m)

Tuesday's final declarations are through tomorrow and I'll offer a full Day 1 preview. I'll cover the Group 1 and Group 2 races and leave the lesser races.

Day One is in many ways the best of the meeting with three Group 1 races and there are good sized fields on offer.

Overnight the ground has improved slightly to Good to Soft, Soft in places with the straight course nearly Good.

Queen Anne Stakes: 1600m Straight

Back to its position as the curtain raiser, this is the championship race for the older milers run on the full straight course. 16 go to post and with no run rated lower than 110, this is a proper Group 1 race. The credential trial is the Lockinge run over the straight 1600m at Newbury in mid May. MUSTASHRY won the race this year beating LAURENS with ACCIDENTAL AGENT (last year's Queen Anne winner) third, ROMANISED fourth and LE BRIVIDO fifth.

Many thought LE BRIVIDO would have finished closer with a clear run and he was finishing very well. He was beaten four lengths however and while he did win the Jersey over the course last year that was on lightning quick ground. I don't think he should be 7/2 favourite. LAURENS ran a fine race in second and showed she can mix it with the colts and will come on for her re-appearance but she'll need to as MUSTASHRY won the Lockinge convincingly and looks a typical older horse improving under Sir Michael Stoute's handling. LAURENS has claims to reverse the Newbury form but I can't see it and rate MUSTASHRY as having a big chance.

ACCIDENTAL AGENT ran a blinder at Newbury and won this last year but he may not enjoy the advantage on this slower turf he enjoyed on the quick ground last year. ROMANISED ran well at Newbury but I'd be surprised if he was good enough.

Into the mix comes BARNEY ROY and on the best of his 3-y-o form including a win in the St James's Palace and mixing it with the likes of ROARING LION and CHURCHILL all season, he'd be the selection. However, he only just won a Listed at Longchamp last time and he looks 10-14 lbs below his best so while I expect a good run he ought not to be good enough. HAZAPOUR was fifth in last year's Derby but after a couple of mosest runs he returned to form with a strong win in a Leopardstown Group 3 last time. On its own that form isn't good enough but he will love the trip and the ground and looks a solid each way bet.

If you want a bet at a really big price, STORMY ANTARCTIC is 33/1 and shouldn't be anywhere near that big a price. He won well in Italy last time and was only a length and a quarter behind ROARING LION in the Queen Elizabeth II over the course and distance on soft ground. If we got more heavy rain, he'd be right in the mix.

Selection: MUSTASHRY

King's Stand Stakes - 1000m straight

12 go to post for one of only two Group 1 1000m races in the British calendar (the other is the Nunthorpe at York). This has attracted a truly international field with ENZO'S LAD of course along with the American IMPRIMIS and the Aussie HOUTZEN. The parochial British bookies don't fancy any of them and to be honest if the ground was really quick IMPRIMIS would have real claims.

The top three from last year re-oppose with BATTAASH, BLUE POINT and MABS CROSS dominating the race. BATTAASH looked every bit as good as ever at Haydock and with the wind operation and maturity seemed much more the finished article and may be able to hold enough in reserve to fully see out the 1000m.

MABS CROSS is better on the slower ground but was well held by BATTAASH at Haydock. That said, she beat him in the Abbaye on slower ground and won the Palace House so she's not to be underestimated.

BLUE POINT won this last year despite a poor previous run in Hong Kong. The stiff 1000m suits him well - he can cope with the very flat 1200m at Meydan but the stiffer 1200m at Newmarket finds him out. He looked very good in Meydan and I'm sure Charlie Appleby will have him ready for this.

The others aren't poor horses but this is a serious sprint race for Europe It's not a race to punt in either but to enjoy and while I respect BATTAASH enormously, I'm going with the boys in blue.

Selection: BLUE POINT

St James's Palace Stakes - 1600m Round

The 3-y-o colts mile championship race also known as the Ascot Guineas but this time it's a round mile rather than the straight track at Newmarket.

11 go to post but with no MAGNA GRECIA, the three Coolmore runners look there to be shot at. PHOENIX OF SPAIN was impressive in the Irish 2000 Guineas and beat the likes of SKARDU by more than MAGNA GRECIA had at Newmarket. PHOENIX OF SPAIN beat TOO DARN HOT three lengths and I see no reason why the places shouldn't be reversed. TOO DARN HOT's Dante run was let down by the winner at Epsom and he has questions to answer after The Curragh while the winner was on his seasonal bow and was given a superb ride by Jamie Spencer who has been in the shadows for a few seasons but still retains all the qualities needed to be a world class jockey.

KING OF COMEDY is the other Gosden runner and has improved rapidly to win the Heron last time - the journey from the Heron to the St James's Palace has been managed before and in a yesr with no outstanding 3-y-o miler in the colts' division he has a chance. SKARDU was third at Newmarket and fourth at The CUrragh and I could see him running a place again here but I'm more interested in the French raider SHAMAN who only just failed against PERSIAN KING in the Poulains. As with many French horses, he will improve for some quicker ground and he's a knocking each way bet at 10/1.

CIRCUS MAXIMUS was sixth in the Derby but I can't see him having the speed for this.

It's not a vintage renewal and from a punting view, you're assuming PHOENIX OF SPAIN will bring the Irish form to the table a second time - if he does, he wins but he's not for me at 7/4.

Selection: SHAMAN (each way)

The supporting Group 2 is the Coventry for the juvenile colts over 1200m. 17 go to post and favourite is ARIZONA who slammed his stable companion KING OF ATHENS eight lengths on quick ground at the Guineas Festival. The fact he was beaten on his debut on slower ground tempers enthausiam somewhat and I prefer GUILDSMAN who won a Goodwood maiden six lengths on debut. The ground was soft that day which might exaggerate the superiority and it was only eleven days ago which also is a concern. He's by Wootton Bassett who loved the soft so a drying track might be an issue.

THREAT, MAXI BOY and COASE are all single start maiden winners who literally could be anything.

Looking ahead to the second day of the Royal Ascot meeting on Wednesday and the final declarations are through this morning.

The ground continues to dry following another fine and windy morning in Berkshire and the straight course is now Good with the round course still Good to Soft, but Good in places. Course clerk Chris Stickles was suggesting the ground on the straight course could even go Good to Firm by the start of racing but with thundery showers forecast, that’s a brave call.

Anyway, the Wednesday card is highlighted by a stellar 2000m Group 1 for the older horses:

Prince of Wales’s Stakes – 2000m

Eight go to post for what looks a strong renewal. Realistically, five have a chance with the Japanese raider DEIRDRE not the force she was, DESERT ENCOUNTER outclassed in this last year (finished last) and HUNTING HORN on pacemaker duties.

So to the big five – ZABEEL PRINCE won the Ispahan last time but that looked a weak renewal and he has always been well held in Group 1 company in the UK so we can rule him out. WALDGEIST is a fascinating runner for Andre Fabre whose raiders to Britain must be given the utmost respect.

WALDGEIST won the Ganay last time which is serious form and he beat STUDY OF MAN much further than ZABEEL PRINCE did in the Ispahan but the bulk of his form is at 2400m including a fourth in the Arc, a fifth in the Breeders Cup and a fifth in the Hong Kong Vase. I do think a fast run 2000m will help and he should get that and the ground won’t be an issue and even less so if the course catches a thunderstorm. He’s a solid each way proposition but I can’t see him winning.

CRYSTAL OCEAN has improved beyond all recognition for Sir Michael Stoute and it seems light years since he was second in the 2017 Leger. Last season he won at Sandown and Newbury before winning the Hardwicke, running second in the King George before a slightly disappointing second to ENABLE at Kempton and a well beaten second to CRACKSMAN in the Champion Stakes over the course and distance.

There’s no CRACKSMAN in this field I think and he’s duly won the same Sandown and Newbury races he took last year with even more contempt for his Group 3 opposition. Despite all that, I don’t see him as being any different to WALDGEIST in that he’s a 2400m horse who will need a murderous gallop to bring his stamina into play. He doesn’t have the level of form at 2000m to win this and I don’t get the price deferential whereby he is 7/2 and WALDGEIST is 6/1 as I don’t see that much difference.

SEA OF CLASS developed rapidly into a major force last season winning the Irish Oaks and Yorkshire Oaks before nearly defying a car park draw and an interrupted run in the Arc failing by a short head to reel in ENABLE. She’s been off since and like some of the others there’s an assumption she’ll be as effective back in trip and while I couldn’t back her she could just be the class act here.

MAGICAL is favourite and on a line through ENABLE there’s absolutely nothing between her and SEA OF CLASS. Granted, MAGICAL was well behind SEA OF CLASS in the Arc but in the Breeders Cup Turf ran a huge race to just fail to defeat the dual Arc winner. This season she has looked imperious in Ireland and won the Tattersalls Gold Cup las time beating what should be acknowledged was a very weak field by seven lengths.

Of all of these, MAGICAL is the one with the proven 2000m form in the book while her principal opponents are all 2400m horses and were this the King George I might be looking elsewhere but it isn’t and I’m not so MAGICAL will do for me.

Selection: MAGICAL

The undercard is very strong with three Group 2 races on offer.

The Queen Mary for the juvenile fillies over 1000m opens the card and some real speedballs have won this down the years. 28 go to post so a maximum field and to be honest it’s as open a renewal as I can remember.

FINAL SONG won on debut over course and distance by five lengths and could be anything. He’s drawn 10 and I prefer to see my selection drawn either very low or very high and we won’t know how the course is behaving until some races have been run. Wesley Ward has had a tremendous record with his juveniles over the years and KIMARI fits the bill having won a 900m maiden on the Dirt on debut. She could jump, run and simply be too fast and they’ve put on the blinkers which suggests she could do too much too quickly.

If KIMARI jumps and runs, that could help DIVINE SPIRIT, drawn next to her, get a good position and she’s my tentative selection having won a Windsor maiden on debut which is often won by something decent.

From one extreme to the other and we have the Queen’s Vase for the staying 3-y-o over 2800m. It’s a midsummer St Leger trial if you like and KEW GARDENS won it last year on his way to glory at Doncaster. It might also be worth watching for a prospective lightly raced 3-y-o to head to Flemington in November.

The favourite is WESTERN AUSTRALIA representing Aidan O’Brien and Coolmore and this colt showed big form improvement when stepping up to 2600m to win at Navan last time beating PYTHION who re-opposes.

O’Brien also runs BARBADOS, NORWAY and HARPO MARX but none of them look good enough. The best of the home team looks to be JALMOUD who won a 2400m Listed race at Longchamp last time and the horse he best finished second in a Group 2 at Chantilly yesterday so that form looks solid. On a line through the third placed horse KHAGAN, JALMOUD has the beating of MOONLIGHT SPIRIT but the latter is 10/1 and I fancy that each way.

17 go in the Duke of Cambridge for the older fillies and mares over the straight 1600m and this looks another fiendish race to resolve. I CAN FLY is top rated and swerves a clash with the boys in the Queen Anne for this – she was sixth in the Lockinge which reads very well in the context of this Group 2 but was turned over in a slowly run race at The Curragh last time. I suspect pace won’t be an issue here and she will go very close.

RAWDAA is another example of the Sir Michael Stoute factory of improving horses as they get older. She was a handicapper at three but stepped up on that to run second in the Middleton at York. I think the stiff 1600m will be ideal but I’m not convinced she will prevail against I CAN FLY.

There are plenty of others such as AGROTERA and VERACIOUS who could go close on their best form and the one I like against the market principals is ANNA NERIUM who won a Group 3 at Epsom last time. There’s a doubt for me as to whether she really gets a fast-run 1600m but she’ll get a tow into the race and if she can save some energy may prove too good and at 10/1 she’s another solid each way bet.

The third day of Royal Ascot is known as Ladies’ Day and before the creation of the Saturday as a “Royal” day was the most popular day of the week. I imagine there’ll still be 70,000 or so on the Heath for Gold Cup day.

Gold Cup – 4000m:
The Gold Cup over 4000m is the iconic race of the meeting. It doesn’t have the status it once did but it’s an integral part of the staying pattern.

Eleven go to post for this year’s renewal but it looks between just three on paper. Last year’s winner STRADIVARIUS won this on the way to winning the £1 million Stayers’ Challenge and looked as good as ever at York. I do think 4000m is at the edge of his stamina but class got him home against Vazirabad and Torcedor last year but this year he faces two younger and I think stronger opponents.

CROSS COUNTER won the Melbourne Cup as we all know and followed up at Meydan. The question for me is the additional 800m – if he sees out the trip he can win this but it’s a question.

DEE EX BEE was second in the Derby to MASAR (who re-appears in the Hardwicke on Saturday) last year and it’s fantastic to see these horses stay in training. To be fair, DEE EX BEE was a shade disappointing after Epsom but that race can really bottom a horse and this year, stepping up in trip, DEE EX BEE has looked the part winning the Sagaro and the Henry II, the two recognised Gold Cup trials and he’s the one who I think will get the trip most effectively.

I think at 11/2 he’s a good each way bet to nothing and will play at that price or longer.

Selection: DEE EX BEE (each way)

The undercard isn’t as strong as on Wednesday but there are a couple of Group 2 races. 15 go in the Norfolk for the juvenile colts over 1000m. SUNDAY SOVEREIGN is that rarity these days – a strong Irish contender not trained by Aidan O’Brien – but his best efforts have come on stiff tracks and slower ground so I’ll look elsewhere.

Wesley Ward saddles MAVEN who won a 950m maiden on the dirt at Aqueduct on debut and I narrowly prefer the Godolphin runner EXPRESSIONIST who won over course and distance on debut but it’s a race with any number of debut maiden winners who could, to use the euphemism, “be anything”.

11 stand in the Ribblesdale which is known as the Ascot Oaks for the 3-y-o fillies over 2400m. It’s not so often a race for the Oaks also-rans these days even though it’s nearly three weeks since Epsom. The Epsom third, FLEETING, was staying on well at the finish and should relish this stiffer test. She’s well ahead on the ratings and looks the safest option. FRANKELLINA was sixth and it was a big ask sending her to Epsom on only her third outing so there’s every reason to hope for more but she’ll have to improve.

Of the others, the Sir Michael Stoute trained QUEEN POWER is very interesting – she won a Listed at Newbury over 2000m which is often a useful Oaks trial but she swerved Epsom for this which might be a shrewd move from a very shrewd stable.

Looking ahead to Friday and the fourth day of the Royal meeting and the big news is following overnight rain the ground is now Good to Soft on the Straight course and Soft, Good to Soft on the round course so basically we’re back to where we were on Monday morning.

Friday’s card has improved considerably in recent years and is arguably now the second best after Tuesday.

Commonwealth Cup – 1200m Straight:

Just nine go to post for this year’s renewal of a race which after just four years has established itself as a firm fixture in the pattern at this meeting.

It has become the stepping stone for the top 3-y-o sprinters who might not have seen out the classic distance at Newmarket and has launched horses like Muharrar, Blue Point, Caravaggio and Harry Angel.

TEN SOVEREIGNS was one of the best of the 2018 juveniles and ended up beating JASH in the Middle Park at Newmarket. He was well fancied for the 2000 Guineas but there were always stamina doubts and plenty thought he didn’t quite get home at Newmarket when finishing fifth to stable mate MAGNA GRECIA.

JASH swerved the Guineas and re-appeared in a 1400m Listed race winning that nicely. Were the ground quick, I’d fancy JASH but I’m far from convinced slower turf will suit as well. HELLO YOUMZAIN was fourth in the Greenham but won the Sandy Lane at Haydock beating CALYX in a minor upset.

Of the others, KHAADEM won a Listed at Newbury but has to prove it at this level while ADVERTISE flopped badly in the 2000 Guineas, is unproven on slow turf and wears first time blinkers.
The ground makes this more of a conundrum but TEN SOVEREIGNS may just be something special and I think he’ll show that.

Selection: TEN SOVEREIGNS

Coronation Cup – 1600m Round

Ten go to post but the race is dominated by the dual Guineas winner HERMOSA who may well be the best 3-y-o miler. She has form on slow turf but I think probably prefers quick ground. Despite that, she brings strong form to the table and must have a good chance.

JUBLIOSO is unbeaten and James McDonald takes the ride. Good though her performances have been, they haven’t been at Group 1 level and she has plenty to find.

CASTLE LADY won the Pouliches at Longchamp on heavy ground so more rain won’t bother her and neither would good ground. She beat COMMES who was again second in the Diane so the form looks solid but she has drifted in the market from 4/1 to 15/2 at which point she now looks an each way bet.

PRETTY POLLYANNA chased home HERMOSA in the Irish 1000 Guineas and if the ground were quick I’d fancy her but she’s no form on slow ground and that’s a concern.

Selection: HERMOSA

The main undercard race is the King Edward VII Stakes also known as the Ascot Derby run over 2400m for the 3-y-o colts. As with the Ribblesdale, it’s the big consolation race from the Derby while the principals often head to The Curragh (as this year).

Eight go to post and the Derby form is represented by JAPAN (third), HUMANITARIAN (seventh) and BANGKOK (nearly last). I expect BANGKOK, who boiled over badly at Epsom, to do much better but JAPAN looks solid. He was seen last season as the number one Derby hope at Ballydoyle but came to hand late and was well beaten in the Dante.

Better was expected at Epsom and so it proved with a late run just failing to peg back MADHMOON for second. He’s a worthy favourite but fancies a strong potential rival in PRIVATE SECRETARY who won a strong handicap at Sandown before winning the Predominate at Goodwood. Back in the day, the Predominate was the last of the Derby Trials but it was only eight days before Epsom this year so understandably PRIVATE SECRETARY wasn’t asked to run again so soon.

He’s got some soft ground form as a juvenile and the trip shouldn’t be an issue but he needs to improve to beat JAPAN.

The final day of Royal Ascot takes place on Saturday. The ground is currently Soft, Good to Soft in places but may dry significantly if we get no further showers.

The final day card has been boosted by the move of the Group 3 Jersey from the opening slot on Wednesday and although it remains stubbornly at Group 3 level, the Jersey is one of those races whose form lines will resonate through the rest of the season.

Anyway, Saturday’s feature is the Diamond Jubilee.

Diamond Jubilee Stakes – 1200m Straight:

18 go for this feature and current favourite is BLUE POINT who won the King’s Stand on Tuesday. As we know, a certain CHOISIR did the double back in the day but it’s not been done since to my knowledge. I know BLUE POINT did it well in the Al Quoz at Meydan but that was on a dead flat 1200m and I’m far from convinced the Ascot 1200m will play to his strength and especially on ground which may be slower than on Tuesday.

INVINCIBLE ARMY won the credential trial for this, the Duke of York, last time but was only ninth in the Commonwealth Cup last year. To be fair, I think the rattling fast ground didn’t help and he’s improved a lot physically since.

On paper, it looks between these two but you’d be foolish to rule out THE TIN MAN who won this in 2017 and was fourth last year. He’s one who will enjoy a little ease in the ground and at 16/1 he’s a knocking each way bet.

BOUND FOR NOWHERE was third in this last year and represents Wesley Ward. He had a nice sighter over 1100m at Keeneland in early April but I wonder if his chance has gone with the rain.

LE BRIVIDO was fifth in the Queen Anne and I’m convinced a 400m drop in trip will help while DREAM OF DREAMS has solid Group 3 form but this is a big ask at this level.

Selection: THE TIN MAN (each way)

The chief supporting race is the Hardwicke for the older horses over 2400m and is, if you like, Ascot’s version of the Coronation Cup. Nine go to post and the Epsom winner DEFOE must have a chance on his favoured soft ground. He saw off the likes of SALOUEN (third), COMMUNIQUE (fourth), LAH TI DAR (sixth) and MORANDO (eighth) on the Surrey switchback and there’s no obvious reason why any of the placed horses should reverse the form – SALOUEN was beaten five and a half lengths.

The fly in the ointment might be MASAR and it’s wonderful to see the 2018 Derby winner back on the track but he has been off over a year and the record of returning Derby winners isn’t brilliant. Most are packed off to stud at the end of their 3-y-o careers but I remember Slip Anchor being beaten at Kempton as a 4-y-o.

He was brilliant at Epsom but he was beaten on soft ground at Chantilly in the Jean Luc Lagardere as a juvenile and that has to be a concern. He could come back, beat these easily and head to Longchamp for a showdown with 2018 Oaks winner ENABLE and that would be a race to savour.

I can’t have him as a punting proposition though with all the question marks so I’m leaving it to DEFOE.

Stodge. I'm friends with Michael Pitman's stables on Facebook. He put up a video. Tipped a horse in the last at Ascot. R6 No9 Max Dynamite. Also said with the improved track conditions was expecting a better run from Enzo's Lad today. He's come through his firat run over there well and has trained well this week.

Royal Ascot 2019 opened on a poor day weather wise with overcast early skies giving away to steady rain by mid-afternoon. The ground on the straight course took the rain well with times suggesting it was only just on the slow side of good but the round course was, as is often the case, slower.

After the Queen’s carriage won the daily race yet again the card opened with the 1600m Queen Anne Stakes, the Group 1 for the older milers run over the straight course.

The market confirmed the view this was a very open heat with 16 to post and last year’s St James’s Palace winner BARNEY ROY was backed in to 5/1 favourite with LE BRIVIDO, LAURENS and MUSTASHRY sharing second favourite spot at 11/2.

There was drama at the start with 2018 winner ACCIDENTAL AGENT standing still in the stalls and taking no part. It’s possible he was put off by ROMANISED in the next stall stuttering out but this was completely unforeseen.

From the start the field split into two with outsider MYTHICAL MAGIC leading the majority up the centre while MATTERHORN led a smaller group toward the stands side but after 600m the two groups merged.

LAURENS was running prominently and perhaps too keenly with MUSTASHRY tracking her and also running keen enough. A number were being held up off the pace including the likes of LE BRIVIDO and the gallop through halfway didn’t look strong.

The race began to develop 600m out as LAURENS took over and MYTHICAL MAGIC folded. BEAT THR BANK improved on the far side and ONE MASTER started a run on the stands side while it all got very congested in the middle of the field. This didn’t help a number of the runners who seemed to get in each other’s way.

With 200m to go, LAURENS was weakening as ONE MASTER seemed to come with the decisive advantage and poached a length and a half lead but he began to shift right and BEAT THE BANK was joined by LORD GLITTERS and they went on in the final 100m.

In the final 50m, Danny Tudhope forced LORD GLITTERS to the front and last year’s second became this year’s winner by a neck. BEAT THE BANK was second and three quarters of a length in front of ONE MASTER who in turn was three parts of a length ahead of ROMANISED.

The three joint second favourites were fifth, sixth and seventh with BARNEY ROY eighth. The latter ran a moderate race getting squeezed in the general bunching 400m down but he’s not yet come back to anywhere near the 2017 form and we’ll have to see if he can build back to that form through the season.

It didn’t happen for MUSTASHRY who, I thought, was free enough in the early stages and found little when asked. LAURENS disappointed – she can over-race and did so again here and perhaps she’ll be better back with the girls in the Falmouth.

LE BRIVIDO was put in the race by Ryan Moore with every chance but just couldn’t quicken in the final 300m and faded to finish fifth.

ROMANISED anchors the Lockinge and Queen Anne and suggests the two races, though run very differently, were of a similar class and sub-standard for proper Group 1 in all honesty. ROMANISED won the Irish 2000 Guineas last year and is a consistent sort but a little below top class.

ONE MASTER ran a huge race and it’s arguable Pierre Charles Boudot went too soon on the mare. She won the Foret last year but was no match for BEAUTY GENERATION (his connections would have been counting their money here in my view) in Sha Tin last December.

She is in the Falmouth and LAURENS will have to be at her best.

BEAT THE BANK has failed at Group 1 level on any number of occasions but ran a blinder here on ground more suitable than the rattling fast ground of last year. That said, his performance confirms my view this was a Group 2 masquerading as a Group 1. LORD GLITTERS was no match for ALMOND EYE over 1800m in the Dubai Turf and it’s fair to say his effort in the Lockinge can be forgotten as both jockey and trainer argued the race wasn’t run to suit.

LORD GLITTERS is a classic hold-up horse who likes to come off the pace but he was too prominent too early at Newbury and dropped away. He was only three lengths behind Roaring Lion in the Queen Elizabeth II last autumn so had claims.

He’s in the Eclipse at Sandown and that would be a brave call against the 2000m types and I would run him in the Irish Champion if he were mine but there you go.
The card’s second Group 1 was the King’s Stand Stakes over 1000m. On paper this looked a re-match between the first two from 2018, the 5-y-os BLUE POINT and BATTAASH. The latter went off 2/1 favourite with the former 5/2 on the off.

BATTAASH was drawn 12 on the stands side and BLUE POINT 1 on the far side and that proved decisive. BATTAASH was drawn next to the Australian sprinter HOUTZEN and I suspect Jim Crowley was hoping to get a good lead into the race from the Aussie visitor but HOUTZEN stumbled at the start and went down on his knees losing vital momentum and start so while Crowley got BATTAASH out and nicely settled, it was clear he had lost three or four lengths to the far side group.

BLUE POINT was prominent throughout with SOLDIER’S TALE and at halfway BATTAASH moved forward but this was speed used too early and that effort told at the business end. BATTAASH moved up to lead entering the final 200m but James Doyle got going on BLUE POINT and BATTAASH ran out of stamina with 100m to go and from there it was one way traffic with BLUE POINT winning a length and a quarter.

SOLDIER’S TALE ran a huge race for a 3-y-o in third beaten another length and a half and it’ll be interesting to see if he is put in races like the Nunthorpe. For MABS CROSS, fourth was slightly disappointing. Her connections might have hoped for the front two to cut each other’s throats in a speed duel but that didn’t happen.

FAIRYLAND ran a very nice race in fifth and she’s one to keep an eye on for the rest of the season while the American IMPRIMIS seemed to find it all too much in sixth as did ENZO’S LAD in eleventh.

BATTAASH did nothing wrong and was arguably the victim of circumstance. I’m sure back at Goodwood in Group 2 company he’ll shine and if the ground came up fast at Longchamp he’d have a huge chance in the Abbaye but he really needs quick ground a flat 1000m.

BLUE POINT loves Ascot and the stiff 1000m. He’s in Saturday’s Diamond Jubilee over the 1200m and has every chance but he’s been found out before the extra trip and the 1200m specialists won’t be making it easy for him.

The third Group 1 was the St James’s Palace Stakes over 1600m for the 3-y-o colts – the race was run over the Round mile. TOO DARN HOT was made favourite to reverse Irish 2000 Guineas places with PHOENIX OF SPAIN while the likes of SKARDU added quality to a strong field lacking only the Newmarket winner MAGNA GRECIA.

From the start, FOX CHAMPION was pushed up from an outside draw while Ryan Moore sat handy on CIRCUS MAXIMUS and Jamie Spencer had PHOENIX OF SPAIN just off the pace with TOO DARN HOT also well placed by Dettori.

I’m not sure they went that quick early and as they climbed from Swinley Bottom toward the home turn plenty were running keen enough.

400m out and Ryan Moore sent CIRCUS MAXIMUS to the front but the move was covered by Spencer on PHOENIX OF SPAIN while Dettori went for TOO DARN HOT and those further back realised they had ground to make up.

The challenge of PHOENIX OF SPAIN quickly wilted but TOO DARN HOT came wider and arguably led at the 200m pole but Moore allowed CIRCUS MAXIMUS to drift left and eyeball TOO DARN HOT and the Ballydoyle runner found extra as TOO DARN HOT ran out of petrol.

Inside the final 100m the final challengers were SKARDU and KING OF COMEDY but Moore had just enough in hand to get CIRCUS MAXIMUS home by a neck from KING OF COMEDY, TOO DARM HOT and SKARDU.

The main disappointment was PHOENIX OF SPAIN who couldn’t follow up his Irish Guineas form possibly with the ground too soft and finished sixth beaten just shy of four lengths. He’s in the Eclipse but I wonder if dropping him back for the July Cup might be a better option.

A neck in front of PHOENIX OF SPAIN was SHAMAN who ran on nicely for fifth and I suppose given he was second in the French 2000 Guineas on even softer ground we can argue the French form is a couple of lengths inferior but I know PERSIAN KING would be a real threat back at 1600m for all he was just edged out in the Jockey Club. SHAMAN ran perfectly well in defeat.

SKARDU was two lengths ahead in fourth and given he was third at Newmarket and fourth at The Curragh he’s the form barometer for the 3-y-o colt milers. He was closer to TOO DARN HOT here than he was in Ireland and once again there was more than a hint further would help and I’d love to see him tried at 2000m though whether the Eclipse is the right race I’m less certain.

TOO DARN HOT was placed again and the fact is he’s not progressed from his juvenile form or perhaps more accurately the others have caught him up. Physically, he hasn’t grown as much as you’d hope and it may be the case we have seen the best of him. To me, he moves well in his races but seems not to be able to find much off the bridle. The Sussex is the obvious next step but he’s in the Eclipse though the Dante run suggested 2000m was his absolute maximum.

KING OF COMEDY ran a huge race in defeat nearly emulating Without Parole who won the St James’s Palace from the Heron at Sandown. He’s clearly improving fast – I do wonder whether Adam Kirby realised how far back he was in a slow run race but he ran on very well on the faster ground in the straight.

He won on debut at Sandown over 1400m and he looks an ideal Eclipse type though the older horses might have something to say about that.

CIRCUS MAXIMUS was called a lot of names after his win in the Dee at Chester and most had the word “slow” in them. He went to Epsom and ran okay in the Derby finishing sixth beaten five lengths by ANTONY VAN DYCK but Moore and Aidan O’Brien knew far more than anyone else.

Moore rode an absolute masterclass having enough stamina and pace to see off first PHOENIX OF SPAIN and TOO DARN HOT and keeping his horse interested by allowing him to eyeball his opponents. Kirby, had he gone 20m earlier, might have prevailed but that’s racing.

A quick word on the other races – the Coventry for the juvenile colts over 1200m saw the first three in the market finish in the right order in the race. ARIZONA, representing O’Brien and Coolmore, just held off THREAT and GUILDSMAN – to be fair, the winner was having his third run while the placed runners were on their second start – but the juvenile colts all looks much of a muchness at this very early stage and indeed I was taken by ARIZONA’s stable mate FORT MYERS who ran home well in fourth.

The concluding Wolferton Stakes went to ADDEYBB who, as you’ll recall, once won the Lincoln and is a Group 2 winner and the rain was a huge help to a horse who has done all his good running in the mud. Incidentally, when ADDEYBB woin the 2018 Lincoln, the horse he beat into second – LORD GLITTERS.

You never can tell.

Yes, the ground has quickened up a lot overnight and is now being called Good, Good to Firm in places. I think BLUE POINT is vulnerbale in the Diamond Jubilee and I backed THE TIN MAN in the hope of slower ground so I fear my money has gone on that.

The Queen Alexandra is the longest race in the whole season at a shade under 4400m. MAX DYNAMITE was a superb third in the 2017 Melbourne Cup but he's not really shown that much since. To be fair, the extreme distance will help but the form horse is CLEONTE who ran third in the Sagaro and ran as though further would help.

The second day of Ascot saw more great racing but the same lousy weather. A cloudburst midway through the card led to a general downgrading of the track to soft though the rain did relent at the end of the day.

The feature was arguably the most internationally significant race of the week – the Prince of Wales Stakes over 2000m. A small but select field went to post with last year’s Breeders Cup Turf runner up MAGICAL 13/8 favourite with CRYSTAL OCEAN at 3/1 and WALDGEIST at 4/1. All three had been beaten by ENABLE on their travels as had SEA OF CLASS who was making her seasonal debut.

SEA OF CLASS’s trainer William Haggas said to Francesca Cumani (who co-hosts the free to air coverage over here) he was very concerned about the ground for his filly.

From the start, HUNTING HORN, as expected, set the pace with Frankie Dettori second on CRYSTAL OCEAN and Ryan Moore third on MAGICAL. The other se sat in behind but the field seemed to be making hard work of the rain softened ground as they came up from Swinley Bottom.

The crucial moment of the race came, I think, just before the home turn when Dettori moved CRYSTAL OCEAN up to HUNTING HORN and poached two or three lengths on MAGICAL who came under pressure on the home turn.

In the straight, CRYSTAL OCEAN went on with 400m to go and try as she might MAGICAL couldn’t bridge the gap and at the line CRYSTAL OCEAN had prevailed by a length and a quarter. WALDGEIST stayed on to third a further three and a half lengths back but in front of HUNTING HORN.

SEA OF CLASS ran on into fifth despite hating the ground and I imagine the Haggas team will be looking for some better ground next time and I wonder if we’ll see her in the King George.

WALDGEIST ran okay in third and is a fixture in all these big races. I suspect he will head for the Grand Prix de Saint Cloud before another tilt at the Arc.

MAGICAL was outstayed on ground probably softer than ideal by the winner. She ran a decent race and I imagine the Arc will be on her agenda perhaps via the Irish Champion.

CRYSTAL OCEAN finally got his Group 1 – he’s been beautifully campaigned by Sir Michael Stoute who has helped this horse to continue to thrive – let’s not forget he was second in the 2017 Leger so he’s proved himself adept at both 2000 and 2400m. I imagine the King George back at Ascot will be his objective though I expect SEA OF CLASS and perhaps ENABLE (if she turns up) to give him much more of a race.

Wednesday had a quality undercard with three significant Group 2 races. The opening Queen Mary for the juvenile fillies over 1000m saw the Wesley Ward trained KIMARI run down in the final 50m by RAFFLE PRIZE, a daughter of that great sprinter Slade Power. I was taken by the effort of FINAL SONG in third.

The Queen’s Vase for the 3-y-o stayers over 2800m saw NORWAY sent off favourite to follow up his good runs in the Chester Vase and the Derby but the horse who finished just behind him at Chester, DASHING WILLOUGHBY, was backed in from 14/1 to 6/1 and just prevailed in a three way finish with BARBADOS and pacesetter NAYEF ROAD. I’d be surprised if this is as good a renewal as the last couple (STRADIVARIUS and KEW GARDENS won those) and the one I’d take from the race is fourth placed MOONLIGHT SPIRIT. NORWAY kept on well having been a long way off the speed.

The Duke of Cambridge was won by MOVE SWIFTLY and this was an excellent training performance by William Haggas – the filly was having her seasonal bow and just held off the fancied pair of RAWDAA and I CAN FLY with VERACIOUS a close fourth. The winner has some Group 1 entries at 1600 and 2000m including the Nassau and this was a likeable performance in what looked an open heat.

The Hunt Cup, a handicap run over the straight 1600m for the older horses, went to the horse who finished second last year, AFAAK, who is by Oasis Dream out of the classic winner Ghaanati. Unfortunately, AFAAK was, shall we say, troublesome so was gelded. Without other distractions, he could well be a decent type and I think he could go close in the Cambridgeshire.

Despite hitting the bar with BARBADOS and MAGICAL, team Coolmore didn’t leave without a winner as SOUTHERN HILLS won the listed Windsor Castle, a juvenile race over 1000m. The winner is a son of Gleneagles and it was interesting to hear Aidan O’Brien say the new sire’s stock seem blessed with speed and a good temperament. He didn’t think SOUTHERN HILLS would go beyond 1200m so perhaps the Commonwealth Cup next year.

The most interesting point about the Windsor Castle was the first three home were drawn 24, 22 and 23 with the stands side looking to be at an advantage as is often the case at Ascot in soft conditions.

It’ll be interesting to see if the bias continues into the third day.