GLITTERS
THIS LORD CAN BE ALL THAT
RhODODENDRON bloomed gloriously in the lockinge stakes, but she may find herself scythed down by LORD
GLITTERS ( Ascot, 2.30) in today’s Queen Anne stakes.
bookmakers have written off the chances of the selection (he’s 16-1) and they may be correct, as he has plenty to find on official ratings, however David O’Meara’s grey may not have reached his potential and looks a value bet.
There is no jockey better than Jamie spencer for employing a patient closing ride on Ascot’s straight track and, although the irish rider is not every punters’ preferred choice, his stats at the berkshire venue are exceptional.
i would really fancy the chances of lord Glitters granted easier ground, but the Ascot executive look to have watered extensively and he still looks a very fair each-way wager.
QUEEN ANNE STAKES GROUP ONE — ONE MILE
JAMiE sPENCER’s statistics on Ascot’s straight course are phenomenal in big fields and he may instigate a big shock in the curtain-raiser courtesy of LORD GLITTERS.
Only Frankie Dettori and Ryan Moore among active riders have had more winners at the Royal meeting than the mercurial irishman, and a pound on all of his rides since 2006 in races on the straight track in big fields (16-plus runners) would have produced a level-stakes profit of £108. he partnered Con Te Partiro (20-1) and bless him (25-1) to big-price wins 12 months ago.
ideally, the selection would prefer slightly easier ground, but the course is sure to be watered extensively and the going stick for day one suggests the ground may not be as quick as feared. SELECTION: LORD GLITTERS DANGER: BENBATL
COVENTRY STAKES GROUP TWO — 6 FURLONGS
As A sire, scat Daddy was proving a formidable force at Ascot prior to his death from a suspected heart attack three years ago. likely favourite sergei Prokofiev hails from the last collection of juveniles fashioned by the 2007 Florida Derby winner.
however, CALYX stunned clock watchers with an electrifying display on debut at Newmarket and trainer John Gosden is happy to let his colt take his chance in this Group 2 just 10 days on.
As a son of first-season sire Kingman, himself a sussex stakes and st James’s Palace stakes winner, Calyx was expected to possess a change of gear, but his exhilarating display of power from the three-furlong marker suggested he could be a true superstar in waiting. SELECTION: CALYX DANGER: SERGEI PROKOFIEV
KING’S STAND STAKES GROUP ONE — 5 FURLONGS
This fascinating renewal appears sure to be run at a scorching gallop, with Kachy likely to set an unrelenting early pace. Those circumstances should again play to the strengths of the classy
LADY AURELIA, who bids to extend her unbeaten course record to three.
her two previous trips to berkshire have yielded victories by seven and three lengths. Trainer Wesley Ward has proved himself able to bring his fillies to a peak here and his daughter of the renowned scat Daddy could well take all the beating once more.
Two outsiders capable of picking up the pieces late on could be Washington DC and Mabs Cross, runner-up and fourth to battaash at haydock.
ST JAMES’S PALACE STAKES GROUP ONE — 7 FURLONGS, 213 YARDS
This race historically provides an intriguing juxtaposition between the English, irish and French Guineas contenders.
The English Guineas has taken a couple of handsome boosts with third-home Masar landing the Derby. And runner-up Tip Two Win ran a blinder to finish within hailing distance of saxon Warrior. he should not be underestimated today, but narrow preference is for
ROMANISED this afternoon. Us Navy Flag was largely responsible for the race being awarded an excellent speed figure that day and he could find Ascot an easier track on which to dominate. however, Romanised sprung a 25-1 surprise three weeks ago and he was only beaten two lengths by Masar at sandown last summer. SELECTION: ROMANISED DANGER: U S NAVY FLAG
ASCOT STAKES HANDICAP — TWO MILES, 3 FURLONGS 210 YARDS
hAViNG won this race three times in the past six renewals, it seems Willie Mullins is leaving no stone unturned to record another success.
The all-conquering irish handler saddles five very live chances in a race he has dominated in recent times, with Chelkar arguably the most interesting on his first start in nearly 20 months.
in the hope that Mullins has entered five because he doesn’t feel he has a standout contender (unlikely i know), LOOK MY WAY is offered as an alternative given his profile fits neatly with a number of past winners. it is not a great surprise given the distance that jumps handlers boast a good record and John Quinn’s Pour Moi gelding should love this stamina test.
WOLFERTON STAKES LISTED — ONE MILE, 1 FURLONG, 212 YARDS
ChARliE APPlEby has enjoyed a magnificent season and KIDMENEVER could hand the Newmarket handler a fifth Royal winner in the finale. A little like Derby winner Masar, the son of baltic King spent the spring in Dubai where he won a competitive handicap, his first victory since being equipped with the cheekpieces.
Appleby probably turned his attention to this year’s renewal from an early stage, especially as the selection was forced to try to launch a challenge four horses wide on the home turn in the race won by snoano 12 months ago. Respected adversaries include sharja bridge, who chased home a fellow Appleby inmate in Oasis Charm at Newmarket last time, while laraaib should also go well. SELECTION: KIDMENEVER DANGER: SHARJA BRIDGE