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Day three, and Ladies Day for some, Gold Cup Day for others and recoup day for most, two out of three ain’t bad as they say.
We start with The Norfolk Stakes, and I fancied two last year who both missed the frame, despite a bunched finish. Hopefully Green Door can boost my strike rate, who was most impressive when shedding the maiden tag at Newmarket in game style under Jim Crowley, and he keeps the ride. The form of the race has worked out exceptional, with four next time out winners, including the Qatar first string Wind Fire. Some smart types to go up against, but I think he could out run his price, as could Eccleston who won very snugly on debut at Doncaster, and the Fahey juveniles are flying.
I was in the office the day that Alive Alive Oh won the Irish Oaks Trial at Navan and she was breath-taking. I e-mailed a few people at the time and told them to go and watch the replay straight away. What was perhaps more impressive was the gamble on her that day, from around 7/2 in the morning, she went off the 11/10 favourite. She won by six lengths beating a 104 rated filly in any manner she liked, and it was said by the trainer afterwards that she is the best they have had. She will win The Ribblesdale on course to going to the Irish Oaks. Winsili looks the danger, as I expect The Lark to bomb out on the ground.
Estimate warrants maximum respect in The Gold Cup, and I backed her last year to win The Queen’s Vase, but I have been waiting for Rite of Passage to run since winning at Ascot last year, and quite frankly he is the best staying horse on the planet. He won The Gold Cup in 2010 in tremendous style, setting an unbelievable time, the only problem being that he nearly broke himself in the process. He showed he retains his ability when winning The Long Distance Cup at Ascot in October, and he is just pure class. I wouldn’t want the ground too quick, but I find it very difficult to see how he loses, especially over the two and a half mile trip.
To say The Britannia Stakes is tricky is like saying Sprinter Sacre is an alright lepper; there’s more plots here than Alan Titchmart’s allotment. Wentworth and Cape Peron are the two sexy horses with flashy profiles and obviouschances, but they are too short in such a race like this for me. Haafaguinea and Market Town finished first and second in a Sandown handicap, and both have similar unexposed profiles, but the former looked very smart that day. The Clive Cox yard is flying, but Fehaydi and Red Avenger have let the form down since, and they re-oppose here again. Another horse on an upward curve is Llaregyb who has won two handicaps on good ground over a mile, both in good fashion. Young Harry Bentley is on board, and although up another 7lb, should appreciate the fast pace and even faster going.
The Hampton Court Stakes looks fairly open this year, and despite Chopin showing smart form over in Germany, he doesn’t appeal, especially under a penalty. A lot of guess work but Shikarpour could be a smart type in the making for The Aga Khan and Alain De Royer Dupre. He built on his debut run to finish a good fifth in The French Derby, behind a very smart colt in the form of Intello. Another with form in France is Indian Chief for Ballydoyle, He still looked green last time out, and was a messy race, but he clearly has class and tonnes of ability. It is a worry that he is hooded first time, but he could prove to be very good indeed.
Mark Johnston has a good record in the last race, and I someone found his winner Fennell Bay last year, who won under a cool ride from Joe Fanning. He has three this year and all have chances, but none as strong as the look of Bold Sniper for Sir Michael Stoute and Ryan Moore. He romped home over a mile and a quarter last time out, beating some good and unexposed rivals. The progeny of New Approach have thrived at Royal Ascot this year and last, and he looks to have plenty more to come stepped up in trip for Her Majesty The Queen.
2.30 Royal Ascot – Green Door
3.05 Royal Ascot – Alive Alive Oh (Nb)
3.45 Royal Ascot – Rite of Passage (Nap)
4.25 Royal Ascot – Haafaguinea & Llaregyb
5.00 Royal Ascot – Indian Chief & Shikarpour
5.35 Royal Ascot – Bold Sniper
The Yorkshireman – Jack Milner
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