Starman looks to be out of this world

Starman failed to sparkle on his only previous visit to Ascot, but he can make amends tomorrow with victory in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes on the final day of the Royal meeting.

The 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, Walker felt his charge would certainly progress for the racecourse spin and with third-placed Oxted having shown his rivals a clean pair of heels in Tuesday’s King’s Stand, the form is looking pretty strong.

Obviously heavy rain would temper enthusiasm for Starman’s chance, but if the ground does not get too testing, it could take a good one to top him.

New Science can follow in the hoofprints of Pinatubo by winning the Chesham Stakes for Charlie Appleby and Godolphin.

Obviously the Lope De Vega colt has some work to do if he is to match the juvenile exploits of his trainer’s former star, but he showed plenty of promise in winning on his debut at Yarmouth last month.

He made virtually all the running over seven furlongs at the seaside track, and William Buick did not have to apply too much pressure to his mount in order to win by a length and a half.

On what should be a fine afternoon for the Appleby team, Naval Crown can also strike gold in the Jersey Stakes. Fourth behind Poetic Flare in the 2000 Guineas when last seen, the merit of that run is clear given the winner’s subsequent exploits – particularly as Naval Crown raced a bit freely on the Rowley Mile. Switching back to seven furlongs might help to negate his keen-going nature as an issue.

Pendleton could be the solution to the ultra-competitive Wokingham Stakes.

First and second on two starts so far this term, he looks better than ever and should be in the mix here.

Dermot Weld’s Falcon Eight was a winner of the Chester Cup and the Queen Alexandra Stakes looks a fine opportunity to follow up.