Ladies Day at Royal Ascot begins with the Norfolk Stakes and the American juvenile McErin represents the yard of Wesley Ward who won this corresponding race back in 2013 courtesy of No Nay Never. The handler had a winner courtesy of Lady Aurelia on the opening day of the meeting you would imagine there would be plenty of support for McErin - although he was beaten last time out at Churchill Downs when last seen on dirt back in May.
The each way recommendation, however, is Santry (2.30) who represents the Malton yard of Declan Carroll and is unbeaten in two starts. The selection has not raced on fast ground but was impressive at York when giving weight and a beating to his seven rivals last time and at 6/1 with BetVictor he can keep the prize in Britain.
The Gp 3 Hampton Court Stakes has been won by the favourite in three of the last four years and BetVictor’s 4/1 market leader Mirage Dancer (3.05) ran an eye-catching race when fourth to the subsequent Derby runner up Cliffs Of Moher. A son of Frankel he is open to considerable improvement for Sir Michael Stoute and should reward each-way support with most firms paying four places.
The beautifully bred Mori (3.40) is a fascinating contender in the Ribblesdale and, after already receiving favourable market support, is a confident selection to land the Gp 2 content over a mile and a half. Newmarket gallop watchers were raving about this beautifully bred filly’s home-work and, after proving too inexperienced on debut at Newbury, shed the maiden tag at the second attempt under Ryan Moore at Ascot.
The Frankel filly, out of the multiple group one winning mare Midday, was well-backed prior to taking the Height of Fashion Stakes at Goodwood and this royal engagement appears to have been a well-thought out plan by trainer Sir Michael Stoute.
The Gold Cup is the highlight of the meeting for many and last year’s winner Order Of St George (4.20) is the one to beat and should give trainer Aidan O’Brien a 301st Group/Grade 1 success over both codes. The well-bred son of Galileo has been brought to the boil steadily by the Master of Ballydoyle; beaten when not fully found up on his seasonal reappearance but better than ever when bolting-up in the Gold Cup trial last month at Leopardstown.
He looks to have glimpses of former Ballydoyle star Yeats and it would be of no surprise if this hard and dour colt were to come back and win Thursday feature next year at the royal meeting.
The Britannia Stakes is a 32-runner cavalry charge and yesterday’s Hunt Cup might throw up some valuable clues as to whether there is any advantage in the draw. Hugo Palmer saddles Colibri from stall 32 who looks to have obvious claims from the right-wing however, after speaking to Coventry Stakes winning trainer Richard Spencer on Tuesday he immediately told the press room to back Keyser Soze (5.00) with most on the yard on at fancy prices earlier in the week.
The selection is up 10lb for bolting-up last time out on the all-weather but goes in the ‘could be anything’ category and connections remain bullish. He looks a fair price at 10/1 and 5 places to each way punters, with the trio of Lightning Fast (28/1), Senator (33/1) and Via Serendipity (40/1) perhaps all over-priced towards the foot of the weights.
I can’t get away from Atty Persse (5.35) in the closing 3yo handicap over a mile and a half, with the well-bred son of Frankel ear-marked as a potential derby horse by connections earlier in the spring and potentially well-treated from a mark of 93.
Trainer Roger Charlton has a fine record with runners at the royal meeting and jockey Kieran Shoemark’s 3lb claim, coupled with first-time head-gear, should see everything click into place for Atty Persse to bounce back from losing his unbeaten status last month at Haydock. I will also give a positive word for Tartini, who finished fourth in a competitive handicap on Derby Day at Epsom over a mile and a quarter, and should improve stepping up in trip.
Selections
2.30 Santry
3.05 Mirage Dancer
3.40 Mori (Nap)
4.20 Order of St George
5.00 Keyser Soze
5.35 Atty Persse
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