GOSDEN GIVES YOU WINGS
The absence of last year’s winner Postponed from today’s King George VI and Queen elizabeth Stakes has robbed the race of some prestige.
however, it has made this illustrious Group One more of an enticing race for punters, given there is now an open feel and
WINGS OF DESIRE (Ascot, 4.30) could be the horse to profit.
With just four career runs, there could be further progression to come from John Gosden’s threeyear-old, who has been kept fresh for a tilt at this race since the epsom Derby.
A combination of a lack of experience and a track which can unbalance any horse arguably contributed to a sevenlength Derby defeat but there was hardly any disgrace in finishing fourth to harzand.
A subsequent mini-break and a decision to swerve Ascot could prove a masterstroke for a horse who displayed a sharp turn of foot to win May’s Dante at York. The Pivotal colt arrives at the Berkshire venue fresher than most and could be ready to follow in the hoofprints of Taghrooda and Nathaniel, who have landed this for the Gosden yard in the past five years.
Dartmouth, supplemented at the start of the week at a cost of £75,000, was beaten off a mark of just 83 in a handicap 12 months ago but he has since made terrific progress.
he displayed more heart than highland Reel to land the hardwicke Stakes at the Royal meeting and has developed a happy knack of winning tight finishes. Olivier Peslier teamed up with Sir Michael Stoute to land the King George with harbinger in 2010 and they have a huge chance of a repeat.
erupt is another intriguing runner, as he arrives on the back of a fine effort in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, but preference is for Wings Of Desire because we simply don’t know how he could be.
There appeared little disadvantage racing towards the stands’ side rail yesterday so WITHERNSEA (Ascot, nap, 3.55) may not be badly berthed in stall 25.
Although the selection has yet to race at Ascot, there is no reason why a flat-out gallop over seven furlongs shouldn’t suit him today.
he was one of a few to make significant headway from the rear at Newmarket’s July meeting, where it was often better to race on the pace.