Queen Alexandra Stakes (5.35) preview
When a fine second in this race a year ago, Thomas Hobson was running for the second time in five days, having won a handicap on the Tuesday of that Royal meeting. This time, he comes straight to this race, having had a good break since running sixth in the Melbourne Cup, and it is not easy to see what can hope to beat him from this ragbag of ploddy opposition.
Wokingham Stakes (5.00) result
1 Bacchus (Jim Crowley) 33-1
2 Dreamfield (James Doyle) 2-1 Fav
3 Major Jumbo (J P Spencer) 22-1
4 Tis Marvellous (A Kirby) 20-1
Wokingham Stakes (5.00)
And they’re off ... Flying Pursuit and Major Jumbo are prominent ... Dreamfield tavels well on the far side ... Dreamfield kicks for home with Bacchus challenging and Dreamfield is beaten. Bacchus, who Bob Monkhouse once joked was the God of Betting, has saved the bookmakers from an enormous payout on the red-hot favourite.
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Wokingham Stakes (5.00) preview
Having trained the winner of the Wokingham four years ago, Richard Fahey may be poised to do it again with Growl, who makes plenty of each-way appeal at 16-1. A veteran of classy and competitive sprints, he somehow gets in here on a mark half a stone below the one from which he was fourth in the Stewards’ Cup last summer, beaten just a length. He also failed by just a length in a Group One over this course and distance a couple of years ago and, going even further back, broke his maiden here. This looks like the plan, after he reappeared with a promising effort over too short a distance at Chester last month. From stall 29, he would at least have the option of coming to the stands’ rail if Paul Hanagan fancied going there. A similar manoeuvre proved helpful to Ostilio in the Britannia on Thursday.
Merchant Navy off to stud after Diamond dazzle?
There are suggestions from Kevin Blake on ITV Racing that that might well be Merchant Navy’s last race and that he may be off to stud. And Aidan O’Brien has seemed to confirm that when interviewed on the same programme, although Chris Cook tells me he is hoping to persuade the owners to run the horse in the July Cup. The trainer has done a marvellous job with that horse since he came from Australia. O’Brien has had a mixed meeting and he also said he thinks the horses in his stable will be better in two or three weeks’ time.
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Diamond Jubilee Stakes (4.20) result
1 Merchant Navy (R L Moore) 4-1
2 City Light (C Soumillon) 12-1
3 Bound For Nowhere (Joel Rosario) 16-1
Diamond Jubilee Stakes (4.20) preview
It’s been a few years since the most recent Australian winner at Royal Ascot but Redkirk Warrior looks the business. Unlike most raiders from the southern hemisphere, he has already won at the track, when he was a 10-furlong horse with William Haggas four years ago. He has thrived as a sprinter and holds Merchant Navy on their Flemington form in March, his most recent outing. Librisa Breeze would have been the selection if there was any give in the ground but the grey may not be best suited by this dry surface.
Windsor castle Stakes (3.40) result
1 Soldier’s Call (D Tudhope) 12-1
2 Sabre (P Hanagan) 12-1
3 Dom Carlos (D O’Brien) 16-1
Windsor Castle Stakes (3.40)
And they’re off ... Hit The Track Jack is prominent on the far side ... Soldier’s Call clear on the nearside ... Soldiers Call has hung on to win ... a first winner at Royal Ascot for trainer Archie Watson.
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As mentioned, there was quite a story behind Arthur Kitt’s success in the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot. Tom Dascombe’s charge is a son of the yard’s 2012 Queen Mary Stakes heroine Ceiling Kitty, who died after giving birth to this Camelot colt.
ITV Racing (@itvracing)
What a poignant success for Arthur Kitt as he wins the Chesham Stakes at @Ascot
June 23, 2018
Watch LIVE on @ITV pic.twitter.com/tDnKqvDiK2
Andrew Black, of winning owners Chasemore Farm, told ITV Racing: “This is so special. I’ve been more emotionally attached to this horse than any horse I’ve ever had. The night he was born was such an incredibly difficult, painful night. We put the mare down within literally seconds of having the problem and then we had problems getting the foal out. He had a twisted leg at that point and it took a long time for that to heal.
“We had to go and find a foster mare with him straight away, we put the call out and managed to get one and we’ve still got her today. When they’re brought up by a foster mare they’re kind of different and have different personalities. He was much more friendly than your average horse. I always hoped he would be special and we always felt this was the race. I thought we would win the Chesham and that would make it right somehow. I’m massively emotional.”
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Dame Helen Mirren, who presented the winning trophy for the Hardwicke Stakes, was just interviewed on ITV and Ed Chamberlin failed to ask her about playing the Queen. An open goal missed.
Windsor Castle Stakes (3.40) preview
Thursday’s win for Shang Shang Shang seems like a pointer to the chance here of his stablemate Moonlight Romance, who followed him home at Keeneland and then won handily on her second start. Her trainer, Wesley Ward, has won this race twice before and has a fine record generally in five-furlong juvenile races at Royal Ascot.
Queen's Hat Stakes (2.00) result
1st Silver 5-1*
(*some bookmakers are also paying out on green)
Hardwicke Stakes (3.05)
And they’re off ... Idaho leads from Crystal Ocean with Cliffs of Moher last ... Idaho travelling keenly in the lead ... Crystal Ocean going comfortably just behind ... on the home turn and Crystal Ocean comes to challenge the leader who is being asked to move up ... Crystal Ocean goes clear for a decisive enough win ... an 11th winner of the Hardwicke Stakes for Sir Michael Stoute ... rank outsider Red Verdon is second ... Matt Chapman on ITV suggests it should be the King George back at Ascot in late July next but Stoute, as is his wont, is not forthcoming. The bookies are in no doubt and have the winner at around 9-4 for the Ascot race.
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Hardwicke Stakes (3.05) preview
Five runners is a thoroughly disappointing turnout for what is usually one of the strongest Group Two races of the year. Even so, it could be competitive, as both Idaho and Barsanti are suited by a fast surface and the latter is said to be a stronger horse this year. But it looks significant that Coolmore have let Ryan Moore off Idaho and Cliffs Of Moher to ride the progressive Crystal Ocean for Sir Michael Stoute and the favourite looks like justifying his status.
Breaking news from the track ... Charles Bishop, who could not have started the week on a better note than when riding a Group One winner in Accidental Agent in the Queen Anne Stakes on Tuesday, has not been allowed to ride today after failing a breath test at the course.
Chesham Stakes (2.30) result
1 Arthur Kitt (R Kingscote) 13-2
2 Nate The Great (D Tudhope) 11-1
3 Duke Of Hazzard (L Morris) 25-1
There’s a poignant story behind that winner, which owner Andrew Black was recounting on television, as Arthur Kitt’s mare, Ceiling Kitty, died while giving birth to him. Arthur Kitt reportedly had to be resuscitated six times in his first few hours.
Andrew Black (@bertthebold)
ARTHUR KITT ready to travel down to Ascot for his race tomorrow. Athletic type. pic.twitter.com/5YmLPnFUy6
June 22, 2018
Kelly Brook ( the cluse is she’s on a lot of Ladbrokes ads by the way) is back at the meeting and Anna Hill Johnstone (costume designer for The Godfather) is the inspiration.
Kelly Brook (@IAMKELLYBROOK)
Going for that Italian American Godfather Look at Today’s @RoyalAscot 🚬🐴 pic.twitter.com/NRP9qjigZ2
June 23, 2018
Chesham Stakes (2.30) preview
Mark Johnston has his usual strong team of two-year-olds and was given extra reason for faith in them as a group when Main Edition won the Albany yesterday. His Natalie’s Joy looks like another one to stick with, given the manner of her six-length debut success at Goodwood in a time that was 0.07 seconds outside the juvenile course record. She could also have run in the Albany but the trainer presumably feels she will be suited by an extra furlong on this fast ground.
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Our snapper has been out and about over the last three days at Royal Ascot and has produced this great gallery:
Queen's Hat Stakes (2.00)
The pressure is on after pointing punters in the direction of where the money was for this now daily betting opener to the Royal meeting for the first four days – and getting it right.
At the moment, my sources at Bettingexpert.com tell me punters are plumping for white and purple – 35% of wagers are on white and around 30% on purple. Our best form pointer is that, since 2005, the Queen has worn white 11 times whereas she’s ‘only’ topped off her outfit in purple seven times.
There’s always the suggestion of insider trading with this novelty bet and we understand Coral suspended on Tuesday after a substantial wager on yellow. What is undoubtedly true is that after the worst week on record for bookies in the hat stakes, they’re hoping the Queen will surprise us, allowing them to make up for some of their losses.
Today’s betting: 6-4 White/Cream, 2-1 Purple, 3-1 Orange, 3-1 Red, 5-1 Silver, 8-1 Yellow, 10-1 Blue, 20-1 Green, 20-1 Black.
Trainers' leaderboard
John Gosden 4 wins
Aidan O’Brien 3
Sir Michael Stoute 3
Charlie Appleby 2
Mark Johnston 2
Willie Mullins 1
Marco Botti 1
Eve Johnson Houghton 1
David Marnane 1
John Quinn 1
Simon Crisford 1
Wesley Ward 1
Jessica Harrington 1
David Elsworth 1
Ed Walker 1
You’d think weight of numbers would win this for O’Brien, since he has nine final-day runners, compared to three for Gosden, and would be in front if he got just one winner, since he already has more second places than his British rival. Stoute has just one runner today and while Crystal Ocean may very well win, it won’t be enough to make him top trainer. Gosden might be light on numbers but he has the hot favourite for the Wokingham in Dreamfield.
Jockeys' leaderboard
Frankie Dettori 4 wins
William Buick 3
Ryan Moore 3
Silvestre de Sousa 2
James Doyle 2
Andrea Atzeni 2
Oisin Murphy 1
Charles Bishop 1
Billy Lee 1
James McDonald 1
Joel Rosario 1
Jim Crowley 1
Jamie Spencer 1
Colm O’Donoghue 1
It was a fruitless Friday for our two heroes and, one would imagine a particularly frustrating day for Ryan Moore, who rode three favourites and finished unplaced on all of them. Dettori had a better day, finished third in both Group One contests on horses that started at double-figure odds. The Italian still has the lead in the race to be top jockey but he’s only had one winner in the last three days and has just three rides left. Moore, on the other hand, has six rides, including an odds-on favourite in the Hardwicke and the favourite for the final race. A couple of firms are offering even money the pair, with William Buick at 10-1. The Godolphin man has four rides, of which Beyond Reason in the opener is the most obvious at around 5-1.
Race-by-race guide
2.30 Chesham Stakes Mark Johnston has his usual strong team of two-year-olds and was given extra reason for faith in them as a group when Main Edition won the Albany yesterday. His Natalie’s Joy looks like another one to stick with, given the manner of her six-length debut success at Goodwood in a time that was 0.07 seconds outside the juvenile course record. She could also have run in the Albany but the trainer presumably feels she will be suited by an extra furlong on this fast ground.
3.05 Hardwicke Stakes Five runners is a thoroughly disappointing turnout for what is usually one of the strongest Group Two races of the year. Even so, it could be competitive, as both Idaho and Barsanti are suited by a fast surface and the latter is said to be a stronger horse this year. But it looks significant that Coolmore have let Ryan Moore off Idaho and Cliffs Of Moher to ride the progressive Crystal Ocean for Sir Michael Stoute and the favourite looks like justifying his status.
3.40 Windsor Castle Stakes Thursday’s win for Shang Shang Shang seems like a pointer to the chance here of his stablemate Moonlight Romance, who followed him home at Keeneland and then won handily on her second start. Her trainer, Wesley Ward, has won this race twice before and has a fine record generally in five-furlong juvenile races at Royal Ascot.
4.20 Diamond Jubilee Stakes It’s been a few years since the most recent Australian winner at Royal Ascot but Redkirk Warrior looks the business. Unlike most raiders from the southern hemisphere, he has already won at the track, when he was a 10-furlong horse with William Haggas four years ago. He has thrived as a sprinter and holds Merchant Navy on their Flemington form in March, his most recent outing. Librisa Breeze would have been the selection if there was any give in the ground but the grey may not be best suited by this dry surface.
5.00 Wokingham Handicap Having trained the winner of the Wokingham four years ago, Richard Fahey may be poised to do it again with Growl, who makes plenty of each-way appeal at 16-1. A veteran of classy and competitive sprints, he somehow gets in here on a mark half a stone below the one from which he was fourth in the Stewards’ Cup last summer, beaten just a length. He also failed by just a length in a Group One over this course and distance a couple of years ago and, going even further back, broke his maiden here. This looks like the plan, after he reappeared with a promising effort over too short a distance at Chester last month. From stall 29, he would at least have the option of coming to the stands’ rail if Paul Hanagan fancied going there. A similar manoeuvre proved helpful to Ostilio in the Britannia on Thursday.
5.35 Queen Alexandra Stakes When a fine second in this race a year ago, Thomas Hobson was running for the second time in five days, having won a handicap on the Tuesday of that Royal meeting. This time, he comes straight to this race, having had a good break since running sixth in the Melbourne Cup, and it is not easy to see what can hope to beat him from this ragbag of ploddy opposition.
Quick guide to Saturday's tips
2.30 Chesham Stakes Natalie’s Joy 7-4
3.05 Hardwicke Stakes Crystal Ocean 8-13
3.40 Windsor Castle Stakes Moonlight Romance 11-2
4.20 Diamond Jubilee Stakes Redkirk Warrior (nb) 4-1
5.00 Wokingham Handicap Growl (nap) 16-1
5.35 Queen Alexandra Stakes Thomas Hobson 6-4
With the exception of the ‘take your chances’ Wokingham, this doesn’t have the feel of a day for outsiders. The Guardian is hoping to see further success for several trainers who have already been on the mark this week, including Sir Michael Stoute, now the most successful trainer in the history of Royal Ascot. But most of all, we hope to see Growl sticking his neck out in the closing stages at about 5.01pm …
Preamble
Can an Australian sprinter win at Royal Ascot? There was no question about it from 2003 to 2012, in which time six of their number won Group One sprints at the Royal meeting, but things have gone a bit quiet since then. Some have taken the view that a tightening of the rules on steroid use has been a contributing factor.
But Australian racing still has a strong sprinting culture and there is no doubt about the fact that the country produces racehorses worthy of respect internationally, which is why Coolmore makes deals like the one that brought Merchant Navy to its Tipperary yard in the spring. A Grade One winner in Australia in November, he won on his first start for Aidan O’Brien, is said to be sharper for the run and gives the master trainer a big chance of closing out Ascot week with a top-class success in the Diamond Jubilee. But to win that, Merchant Navy must turn around March form with Redkirk Warrior, who is still trained in Australia and has a big chance of snapping that country’s losing streak here. When he won the Newmarket Handicap at Flemington, he was carrying 12lb more than Merchant Navy, who was beaten a neck. Today, they meet at level weights and Redkirk Warrior has the assistance of Frankie Dettori.
The British defence is led by Harry Angel, who is favourite despite a remarkable aspect to his form so far: he’s 0/4 in races at Ascot and 5/5 at all other tracks. Admittedly, he has run some excellent races at the Queen’s track and has twice got within a length of victory, but this is a really hot race and it doesn’t help that his stable’s recent strike-rate is just 7%. It’s a fascinating central drama for Royal Ascot’s closing act.
Elsewhere, the card looks an attractive option for that kind of punter who likes to bet big at short prices, since Crystal Ocean will be odds-on in the Hardwicke and Thomas Hobson will surely be a warm order for the Queen Alexandra at the end of the card. Incidentally, all six races will be live in the US on the main NBC channel and one has to wonder what on earth the average American punter will make of the Queen Alex, to be run over two miles and five furlongs and therefore about a mile longer than a race that would be considered a marathon in the States. It’s not a strong race and, despite tradition, one has to wonder if it still holds its place at this race-meeting.
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