Stradivarius to call the tune again at Ascot

It will be a huge surprise if Stradivarius does not take a starring role on what is a topquality midweek card at Ascot tomorrow.

The track stages a series of Royal Ascot trials, headlined by the Group Three Longines Sagaro Stakes in which Stradivarius takes the first step on the road to a potential fourth Gold Cup win at the famous fixture in June.

Now a seven-year-old, Stradivarius boasts a rating of 125 – which puts him 10lb or more ahead of each of his rivals here – and he is the undisputed king over two and a half miles at this track.

However, following his demolition of last year’s Gold Cup field to bring up the hattrick, Stradivarius had to find his way out of trouble to win a fourth Goodwood Cup, while he was found out for pace in both an Arc trial and a subsequent crack at ParisLongchamp’s main event.

It is best to put a line through his final disappointing run on Champions Day, when testing ground combined with the after-effects of his French run saw him beaten a long way out, and this looks a perfect launchpad for Stradivarius’ campaign.

Supremacy is likely to be a similarly hot favourite in the Qipco British Champions Series Horseracinghof.com Pavilion Stakes, but it might be worth taking on a chance on Method instead.

He looked a future star when winning his first two starts, beating two excellent yardsticks in the Group Two winner Fev Rover and the admirable Mighty Gurkha when upped to Listed level at Newbury last July.

Method threw away any chance of glory in the Middle Park Stakes, won by Supremacy, by taking a fierce hold early on – with Frankie Dettori reporting his saddle to have slipped badly forward because of the colt’s keenness.

He was eased right down to finish last, and it is easy to see why Martyn Meade opted to give his charge a final spin in the Cornwallis in October to put that experience behind him. Five furlongs on easy ground did not play to his strengths, though, with some minor trouble in running also ensuring he was putting in all his best work at the finish.

Back over six in quick conditions, Method should be more at home – and he can cause a minor surprise.

Haqeeqy impressed with his Lincoln victory and can prove up to at least Listed level as he tackles the Charlie Waller Trust Paradise Stakes.

This lightly-raced fouryear-old picked up in the manner of a quality performer when asked at Doncaster, shrugging off a less than clear passage to win with a fair bit seemingly in hand. His revised mark of 107 reflects his potential – and while he has a bit to find with a few of these rivals, he is a horse on an upward curve.