Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
PLPLPLPLPLPLLET’S CASH IN PLPLPLPPLPLP ON SOVEREIGN
Today’s runners at Ascot
SOVEREIGN
1.20 Stradivarius is the one to beat in this, and he will probably win if running up to the form of his widemargin success in the Gold Cup here in the summer. But he may be vulnerable after his outing in the Arc, and we have three fair shots at him — Sovereign, Broome and Dawn Patrol. I ride 2019 Irish Derby winner Sovereign and it will be interesting to see how he fares on his first attempt at 2m.
LOPE Y FERNANDEZ
1.55 Obviously, he was set to run in the Foret over 7f before we had the feed problem, but 6f on soft ground on a stiff track like Ascot will be fine for him.
He was a little disappointing at Haydock last time but he didn’t have a smooth preparation going into the race, and his earlier Group 1 efforts behind Pinatubo and Space Blues at Deauville give him decent form claims. We have a strong each-way chance.
PASSION 2.30
Our filly Laburnum is heading in the right direction after what was probably a career-best at Longchamp. But I ride Passion, who has a lot to find on her run behind Wonderful Tonight in the Prix Royallieu last time.
But she is better than that, and her Naas defeat of Wednesday’s Bath winner Traisha gives her each-way claims.
CIRCUS MAXIMUS 3.05
He wasn’t at his best when third in the Moulin last time but he met two very good horses. And he didn’t enjoy the very deep ground when third to Palace Pier in the Marois previously.
The winner there will be very hard to beat here, but my horse clearly loves it at Ascot, and is unbeaten in his two starts here, both in Group 1s, as he relishes a stiff mile.
MAGICAL 3.40
This looks a better race than it was last year, when she beat Addeybb, so she will need to be on her A-game. But, then again, she pretty much always is and has a great record at Ascot.
She also comes here after a great success in the Irish Champion last time, where she beat Ghaiyyath, with the Arc winner Sottsass back in fourth, and we know she handles soft ground.
KEATS 4.15
Keats is a colt going forward, following up his second to last week’s Newmarket winner Lady Wannabe when winning a Listed race at Cork last time.
He has a 6lb penalty for that success, but hopefully he has plenty more improvement in him. Looking at his record, I suppose you have to say the ground could be an issue, but we will see.