PINA-TURBO!
HE’S OUT TO BURN OFF BIG RACE RIVALS
1 .40 SILVER WOKINGHAM H’CAP
APLOMB enjoyed a nice prep run for this race on unsuitably fast ground at Newmarket earlier this month and should appreciate the return to Ascot and six furlongs. This race appears much more suitable for a horse which was narrowly beaten by Tinto in a strong time over course and distance last autumn. He looks nicely drawn in 13 and handicapped to post a big display. Blue Mist is another to consider given he has form over further than six furlongs which is often handy on this straight course. He ran a blinder in a Heritage handicap over 7f here last summer and should be finishing his race off strongly. BEST BET: APLOMB DANGER: BLUE MIST 1.15 QUEEN MARY STAKES IT HAS to be taken on trust that MORE
BEAUTIFUL will handle the underfoot conditions. However, she created such an impression at Naas on debut that it could be a chance worth taking. A half-sister to Guineas winner Saxon Warrior (won on soft as a two-year-old), the selection powered to victory on debut, clocking a very quick time. She looks the best filly in this field providing the ground doesn’t negate her quality. Both Campanelle and Sacred are feared, especially if a low draw is favoured, while Pelekai could outrun her odds from that side of the track. BEST BET: MORE BEAUTIFUL DANGER: PELEKAI 1.50 COVENTRY STAKES THERE was no doubting the class and ability QAADER displayed on his Newbury debut and, although his effectiveness on easy ground is yet to be confirmed, he remains a colt capable of winning at the highest level. It was encouraging to see the third home from his debut effort win emphatically at Goodwood to enhance the form and there looks to be plenty of improvement to come given he showed signs of inexperience. In contrast, Admiral Nelson was very professional at the Curragh and rates a danger, while both John Gosden runners, Existent and Saeiqa, look overpriced. BEST BET: QAADER DANGER: SAEIQA 3.00 ST JAMES’S PALACE STAKES THE PREVIOUSLY unbeaten PINATUBO may have disappointed his legions of fans in the 2,000 Guineas but it could be premature to write him off as a potential champion. Admittedly, third place in the first Classic of the season wouldn’t have been the position connections would have chosen but the selection was only beaten 1¼l after appearing to be right in the mix at the furlong marker. Notoriously lazy at home, Pinatubo may have been slightly undercooked at HQ and we may see a sharper model a fortnight later. Wichita reversed last year’s Dewhurst running (beaten 4¾l) at Newmarket and may do so again, while his run at Doncaster last September behind Molatham was handed a boost on Thursday. It is a coin toss between the two but Pinatubo winning last year’s Chesham Stakes here on the straight track swings the vote in his favour. BEST BET: PINATUBO DANGER: WICHITA .5 CORONATION STAKES IT IS remarkable that SO WONDERFUL is yet to win a race in nine career starts. However, there is no doubting that she gives her best and there was again evidence of her undoubted talent in the Irish Guineas last week when she finished a creditable third to stablemate Peaceful. Admittedly, she needs to win a race to dispel the myth she is a thinker but where better than an Ascot Group One. Quadrilateral, a minor disappointment when third in the 1,000 Guineas, should find conditions to her liking if she settles better and it seems a little early to be dismissing her. BEST BET: SO WONDERFUL DANGER: QUADRILATERAL