SPEED FIGURES
Derby winner Adayar and Ascot hero Rohaan top the list
ADAYAR could be the horse to put the Derby back on its perch after clocking an excellent 118 in winning at Epsom on June 5. There has been a sad pattern in recent years of the big-race winner sinking without trace but this son of Frankel looked special in scoring by a convincing four and a half lengths.
The tacky ground clearly suited him and he has the St Leger written all over him. He powered through the line so the longer distance should be ideal and we’re likely to get testing ground at Doncaster in September too.
That’s not to say he needs it soft because he went well enough on better ground at Sandown and he would be a more than interesting runner in Ascot’s King George VI at the end of this month.
Charlie Appleby’s star shares top billing this month with impressive
Royal Ascot winner ROHAAN who also clocked a 118.
He’s a proven Group performer who showed that quality when winning the Wokingham by a neck. Being a gelding, he was excluded from the top sprints at the meeting and it would have been no surprise to see him win the King’s Stand — he clocked a better time than the horse that did.
He needs to be supplemented to run in the July Cup and would warrant huge respect if turning up at Newmarket. He goes on any ground which means he could have a lucrative autumn when the rain comes.
David Evans’ flyer is definitely up to Group 1 standard on this evidence.
The most visually impressive winner at Royal Ascot was POETIC FLARE who could be value for a bit more than his speed figure of 103 such was the ease of his win.
Getting back on fast ground was the making of him. It was quick when he won the 2,000 Guineas but much slower when still running well in the French and Irish versions. He’s head and shoulders above the other threeyear-old milers on fast ground and looks capable of seeing off the older brigade too.
Looking at the two-year-olds, POINT LONSDALE (112) and REACH FOR THE MOON (110) fought out an exciting finish for the Chesham Stakes. The Queen was at Ascot to see her colt run off a straight line in going down by half a length to the Ballydoyle challenger.
That probably didn’t make any difference to the result but they are both worth following and each will improve when stepping up to a mile.
BERKSHIRE SHADOW (104) may have been on the best part of the track when winning the Coventry Stakes but he did it very nicely.
Stepping up to 6f was a real help and he did especially well given he missed the break yet had a fair bit in hand crossing the line.
The fast ground suited well and he can continue to go well. VINTAGE CLARETS (99) was a good third and looks capable of better.