Count on Campanelle
CAMPANELLE can make it three wins in as many trips to Royal Ascot with victory in the Platinum Jubilee Stakes, the highlight on the final day of the summer showpiece.
It is fair to say trainer Wesley Ward and jockey Irad Ortiz have endured a disappointing week, with Golden Pal’s King’s Stand flop on Tuesday a particular low while the rider also picked up a five-day on Wednesday.
However, in Campanelle they have a tried-and-tested Ascot performer who secured her first win in 2020, when holding off the reopposing Sacred by three-quarters of a length to take home the Queen Mary, before following up with Prix Morny glory at Deauville.
She subsequently disappointed at the Breeders’ Cup meeting but showed that was a minor aberration when returned to Ascot last year for the Commonwealth Cup.
While Campanelle did not actually pass the post first - being beaten a head by Dragon Symbol - there is no doubt she was impeded by that horse in the closing stages and the stewards opted to reverse the placings, with the decision later endorsed on appeal.
Campanelle then failed to fire in two further runs, although there could be no arguing with the authority of her prep outing at Keeneland in April, when she fairly cantered home.
It appears the Kodiac mare perhaps saves her best for Ascot and that Ward is a master of bringing her to concert pitch for the main event, so it could pay to keep the faith as Campanelle returns to familiar territory.
Hurricane Lane makes his return to action in the Hardwicke Stakes and connections will surely be disappointed if he does not emerge victorious.
The four-year-old was one of the stars of last season, finishing third in the Derby at Epsom before taking a hard-fought victory in the Irish version, holding off the admirable Lone Eagle by a neck in a thrilling duel.
His subsequent Grand Prix de Paris win was super impressive, while the fact he managed to stretch his stamina to a mile and a six furlongs to win the St Leger was again testament to his excellent attitude.
Hurricane Lane had to settle for a three-quarter-length third in the Arc, with the pace not really playing to his strengths while there was also a suspicion the Leger had perhaps left its mark.
Returning refreshed after a lengthy break, Hurricane Lane has to concede race fitness to the likes of Solid Stone, but he should still be good enough.
Aidan O’Brien relies on Alfred Munnings in the Chesham Stakes and the hint should be taken.
The Ballydoyle handler has a fair squad of juvenile colts, but this Dubawi half-brother to Snowfall really caught the eye with a facile success over seven furlongs at Leopardstown last month.
Battleground and Point Lonsdale have won the last two renewals for O’brien and Alfred Munnings can make it a hat-trick.