Starman ready to dazzle in Royal Ascot’s Diamond Jubilee Stakes
Starman failed to sparkle on his only previous visit to Ascot, but he can make amends with victory in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes on the final day of the Royal meeting. four-year-old's trip to Berkshire in October for the British Champions Sprint is a fair marker of the extreme progression he showed following his belated racecourse bow at Lingfield in July.
A neck winner on that first occasion, he justified Ed Walker's high regard when too good for King's Lynn, who is now rated 107, on his next start before cantering home in a Listed heat at York in September to book his Ascot ticket.
Beaten nearly seven lengths on his first Group One outing, it would be easy to say Starman just was not up to the task, but the deep ground that day had him all at sea and he showed on his seasonal bow he has the requisite class to make an impact in Group company.
While his neck victory over Nahaarr was not the most resounding of margins, Walkthe er felt his charge would certainly progress for the racecourse spin and with thirdplaced Oxted having shown his rivals a clean pair of heels in Tuesday's King's Stand, the form is looking pretty strong.
Further heavy rain would temper enthusiasm for Starman, but if the ground does not get too testing it could take a good one to top him.
Meanwhile, Laura Morgan is expecting a big run from Licklighter in the feature race on BRAW! Raceday at Perth today. The Leicestershire raider, who will be partnered by Adam Wedge, is in a small, but
select, line-up for the £15,000 Join Racing TV Now Handicap Chase (For The Kilmany Cup).
Morgan said: “I think he has a great chance and he is in really savage form at home. His last run was over hurdles and we might try and nick a novice hurdle later on once he reaches a point when his handicap mark gets too high over fences.
“He used to be trained in Ireland and he came to us in late 2019 after costing £9,000 at the sales. We’re only just getting him to settle better and the first time we tried him at this trip of three miles, he won well at Southwell.”
The opposition to Licklighter includes Irish visitors Flinck and Cuneo, trained by Colin Mcbratney and Denise Foster respectively, and Keith Dalgleish’s five-time course winner Amalfi Doug.
Morgan also saddles Hasankey and Global Jackpot as she bids to add to her tally of five winners at Perth.
Last season’s champion conditional rider Danny Mcmenamin has four mounts on the seven-race card starting with Jim Goldie-trained Tara Kay in the opening Racing Is Everyones