The horse racing broadcaster offers up his selections for every race on the final day of Royal Ascot.
The final day of a frenetic Royal Ascot, which has seen a record number of runners and several feature races really living up to their billing.
14:30 Norfolk Stakes Group 2 5f two-year-old
The final juvenile race of the week features the usual suspects with a Wesley Ward trio of American fillies and three O’Brien runners, two from Aidan and one from Joseph. Ward is responsible for the only filly to win this in recent years in Shang Shang Shang and the physical disparity between his fillies and colts is often less marked. The pick of his trio looks to be Ez Tina, by Golden Pal who was second in this race himself to The Lir Jet in 2020. She clocked a good time when winning at Woodbine and definitely warrants respect but the percentage call has to be CARRY THE FLAG 2/1 (14:30 Ascot), whose Group 3 second to Great Barrier Reef received such a boost in the Coventry. Both are by No Nay Never, who won this race for that very same Wesley Ward in 2013, and is better placed in stall 13 than Ez Tina in 3.
15:05 Hardwicke Stakes Group 2 1m 4f four-year-old +
The spectre of the King George both past and present looms over this race with KALPANA 9/4 (15:05 Ascot) having split Calandagan and Rebel’s Romance in the race last year when Jan Breughel (reopposes today) was back in fourth. Visually she looked as if she would progress for the run on her return at Newbury and hence looked vulnerable but instead delivered an excellent display in repelling the race fit West Wind Blows. The time was excellent and she has a good record at the track. 2024 King George winner Goliath must not be underestimated though. He beat subsequent Arc winner Bluestocking and Rebel’s Romance that day and the latter by further than Kalpana last year, and showed his well being with a fluent victory in France last time. A Group 2 race in name only and a dress rehearsal for the King George next month.
15:40 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes Group 1 6f four-year-old
This record is getting a little worn, but it still plays the right tune in focusing on overseas raiders who have the measure of the locals. Overpass may well take his chance again after possibly going for home early enough here over 5f on Tuesday along with fellow Aussie raider Joliestar, who was one place behind him in the Everest. Since then, she has gone on a roll with a hat trick of victories including back-to-back Group 1’s and is clearly a major player, but last year’s runner-up and Japanese trained SATONO REVE 4/1 (15:40 Ascot) can go one better under Ryan Moore. He ran Lazzat to 1/2l that day with the pair 3l clear and a repeat of that performance will make him hard to beat.
16:20 Jersey Stakes Group 3 7f three-year-old
INTO THE SKY 11/2 (16:20 Ascot) failed to last home in the 2000 Guineas and deserves a success at Group level after seeming to have the Mill Reef in safe keeping last year before hanging left. His positioning in stall 17 is therefore potentially a big help as he can head towards the near rail which would not just suit him but make it harder for those behind to gain clear passage. The principles franked the Guineas form with their tussle in the St. James’s Palace, but this will provide an interesting test as to the worth of those in behind that day with Billecart, Thesecretadversary and Avicenna also lining up here.
17:00 Wokingham Stakes 6f Handicap
When COMPLETELY RANDOM 12/1 (17:00 Ascot) was entered in the Horses In Training Sales I spoke to Harry Charlton about a potential purchase with this very race in mind, so I have to select him here. Connections decided to withdraw him from the sale, and he had a fruitful AW campaign which looked likely to have him too high in the weights here until the handicapper, potentially generously, decided to give him separate turf and AW marks. Rated 109 on the AW he lines up here off 98 the same mark as when fifth last year. Ryan Moore, who partnered him to his AW wins this winter is an eye-catching booking and a central draw gives him options however the track is playing by the end of the week. His former stable companion Ten Pounds was third last year and did go through the ring in that very same sale, knocked down for a cool 320k Guineas, and gives former top South African handler Joey Ramsden a chance to showcase his considerable talents off a 3lb lower mark than last season. He showed much more in first time cheekpieces which are not surprisingly retained here.
17:35 Golden Gates Handicap 10f three-year-old
The London Gold Cup at Newbury is often a key piece of three-year-old handicap form and Wathnan Racing clearly agree as they have purchased the front two home from that race in LOST BOYS 100/30 (17:35 Ascot) and Sahara King. Lost Boys looked value for more than the winning margin that day, having to wait for a gap before displaying a turn of foot that could prove very useful over a trip which can produce very rough races. Hopefully his tactical speed can be put to good effect up the home straight where space is often at a premium off the home turn.
18:10 Queen Alexandra Stakes 2m 5f
This rather curious race always provides a quirky end to the week so it would be very appropriate if it goes to LE DESTRIER 2/1 (18:10 Ascot). Not many horses possess as exotic a back story as the Willie Mullins (5/17 A/E 1.31 in this race) trained seven-year-old, who started off life racing in Poland where his success also saw him make forays into France and Germany. Still in the same colours he made his stable debut for Mullins at Leopardstown in the Savill Beg, where he was held up in a steadily run race before making steady headway to end up only just over 1l behind no less a horse than Scandinavia. The Gold Cup winner is never one to win by far so it would be wrong to take the form strictly at face value, but Le Destrier’s own effort can be upgraded on tempo, and this would clearly have been the plan for connections to complete what would be a remarkable equine journey.
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