Chance for Blue to make a point

BLUE POINT can cause a bit of a stir by winning the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot

The Godolphin colt has perhaps been a little bit forgotten in the rush of words about Carvaaggio and Harry Angel, but Blue Point certainly has the form in the book to make his presence felt in this sixfurlong heat.

It it impossible to look past WINTER in the Coronation Stakes following her two 1,000 Guineas victories.

Churchill’s defeat on the first day of the meeting was a huge blow for the Aidan O’Brien team, but his eclipse might add a point or two to Winter’s price as punters have been reminded no result is beyond doubt.

However, Winter has been progressing at a rate of knots for the Ballydoyle team, stepping up on her initial second in the Leopardstown 1,000 Guineas trial to run out a cosy two-length winner at Newmarket.

Churchill’s full sister CLEMMIE can restore family honour in the Albany Stakes and make it a double on the day for O’Brien.

She posted a similar debut effort to her brother when beaten half a length into third at the Curragh last month, taking a while to get going before putting in all her best work at the end.

She was given plenty to do that day but the run should have focused her mind nicely for this task.

The unique nature of Epsom and Derby failed to bring out the best in SALOUEN, but redemption awaits in the King Edward VII Stakes, also referred to as the Ascot Derby.

Having finished a narrow second in the Feilden Stakes on his return, Sylvester Kirk’s charge was not a total no-hoper at Epsom but a rough run of luck saw him finish further down the field than he probably deserved.

Salouen can be rated a bit better than his 11½-length beating suggests, and a return to a more conventional track can only be a plus for this dual Group Oneplaced horse.

TIME TO STUDY can ensure another success for the north in the Queen’s Vase.

APPEARED holds excellent claims in the Duke of Edinburgh Handicap after posting a thoroughly impressive performance when winning at the track last month. He looked all over a Group horse running in handicap company and a 10lb hike following that win was probably pretty fair given he was hardly all out in victory.

Meanwhile, at Ayr, SCORCHING HEAT can warm punters’ hearts in the Tennent’s Handicap. SELECTIONS: AYR: 6.30 Haymarket, 7.05 Gworn, 7.40 Liquid Gold, 8.10 Scorching Heat, 8.45 Lugano, 9.15 Dark Profit.

ROYAL ASCOT: 2.30 Clemmie, 3.05 Salouen, 3.40 BLUE POINT (NAP), 4.20 Winter, 5.00 Time To Study, 5.35 Appeared.

DOUBLE: Blue Point and Winter.