Churchill can deliver the victory sign
THE much-missed BBC Racing Correspondent, Julian Wilson, passed on some great advice many years ago, when saying: “Don’t back a flat horse until Royal Ascot”.
He wasn’t being in the slightest elitist, just making the relevant point that from the start of racing on the level in March, by June they should all have had a run.
In the case of the week’s best bet, Churchill in the St James Palace Stakes in Tuesday’s opening-day card, the Aiden O’Brien-trained colt has had two.
The Galilieo colt has won the 2000 Guineas on both sides of the Irish Sea, having sidestepped the Epsom Derby after doubts about his ability to stay a mile-and-a-half.
Unbeaten in seven races since a debut defeat at the Curragh in May last year, he has always looked something very special kept at this kind of distance.
In his quest to make it eight-in-a-row, he has the benefit of a course win in the listed Chesham Stakes at this meeting last year, and he is a shade odds-on to follow up.
The Royal Hunt Cup on Wednesday could see William Haggas’s Afjaan continue his improvement after a hugelyimpressive first run of the season at Haydock in April, where he decimated a competitive field.
This is a step up in grade, but those who follow Haggas in these big handicaps will have noted that, although the Haydock margin was a length-and-three-quarters, the win was easy.
Order Of St George has been competing at shorter trips since being a smooth winner of the Gold Cup last year, and it’s very difficult to see him lose.
He was only three-and-aquarter lengths third in O’Brien’s 1-2-3 in the Arc last October, and with his comfort at twoand-a-half miles known, he’s a cracking bet. SELECTIONS NAP – Churchill (Ascot, Tuesday 4.20). (Best price 4/6.) DOUBLE – Afjaan (Ascot, Wednesday 5.0). (12/1). TREBLE – Order Of St George (Ascot, Thursday 4.20). (Evens).