Royal Ascot: Day 3 Review & Day 4 Preview
Stradivarius (Sea The Stars) took out the Gold Cup in devastating fashion Photo: Racing Post
It was a day to pay tribute to the work of the National Health Service (NHS) and all key workers during the COVID-19 crisis, but it was raining on their parade on course.
It was a day to be glad you weren’t allowed on course There was a significant amount of rain throughout the night and into the morning and the comments from the riders after the first was that it was “properly soft”.
How much of an impact would that have to key chances? As it turned out, to some it ruined them, but to others it didn’t make a scrap of difference.
Listed Wolferton Stakes
With the jockeys boots hidden under the riding bottoms, the rain and cut out of the ground was to the fore in this years Wolferton - often referred to as the strongest Listed contest in the calendar.
A Roger Varian trained 6 year old named Mountain Angel (Dark Angel) used his liking for soft tracks to great effect to score convincingly in the finish. Possibly not going to kick on to the heights of last years winner Addeybb, however with an official rating of 111 he is no mug. A gutsy horse that was once winning handicaps off a mark of 80 and who has been involved in a lot of fights throughout his career, in this race he was the definition of what would be needed on the day.
Guided by an expert ride from the classy James Doyle, whilst others drifted out from the rail in attempt to find better ground, they opted to stay on the inside in a move that would ultimately find them success. With his ears pinned back as he crossed the winning line, he was relishing the moisture that was about. It was Doyle’s 3rd success at this years meeting and the 16th in total and he is a jockey of some repute, often in the shadow to William Buick as Godolphin’s second retained rider.
A shot at the stumps in the Coral Eclispe could be next up for Mountain Angel and if the summer carries on in this British fashion, then he could be an outside place chance.
The perennially over-hyped and under-performing Sir Dragonet (Camelot) for Ballydoyle went off favourite and produced a much more commendable performance than he has been delivering of late. He gave away 6lbs (2.72kg) to the winner and looks as though if he can stay consistent, he’ll enjoy better ground and a return to a mile-and-a-half.
As for my pre-race prediction Fox Tal (Sea The Stars), he raced extremely keenly down the hill into Swinley Bottom and was never comfortable in the going. Save him for another day, I’m still a believer that a bright future lies ahead for him.
Group 3 Jersey Stakes
When yesterday I highlighted Ribchester and Expert Eye as horses to have won the Jersey, it was clear that this seven-furlong dash for the 3yo’s is a race of the highest calibre. I don’t think the ground for this years running made any difference, the two best horses came through on the day.
When Molhatham (Night of Thunder) won at Doncaster last September, the horse in second was Wichita (No Nay Never). What a strong indicator to the future that result has turned out to be. Witchita turned up at Newmarket 12 days ago to run a stiff second in the 2,000 Guineas, ahead of Pinatubo (Sharmadal) who he’ll take on in the St James’s Palace Stakes on Saturday. Today Molhatham speared a path down the middle of the Ascot straight course to take out this race in an impressive but narrow fashion. Notching up the 5th success at this year’s meeting for the owner / jockey combination of Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum and Jim Crowley, this horse looks to have really improved from two to three.
Even more impressive was the horse that went down by a half-neck in 2nd. Monarch Of Egypt (American Pharaoh) looked a 500/1 shot at the half way point when he was flat to the boards, dead last, struggling to tack onto the back of the field and looking to be positively hating the ground. As the eventual winner drew clear from the rest and was looking to be cruising to an easy win, this once floundering Aidan O’Brien colt in the hands of Ryan Moore came roaring into the contest on the inside in an impossible bid for glory. Off the back of extremely strong form behind Irish 2,000 Guineas winner Siskin (First Defence), it was a sight for sore eyes.
The Ballydoyle runner headed Molhatham, but the early petrol used eventually told as he lay in towards the rail to finish a game (and also bizarre) second. Both horses cleared the field, which included many promising types.
Connections of both horses admitted these weren’t entirely happy on the ground, which upgrades these performances even further. On the strength of that, you’d say that they will be headed to the Group 1 Sussex Stakes at Goodwood to take on Siskin and Monday’s impressive winner Circus Maxiumus. That continues the theme of being able to look forward to some sterling fixtures in the weeks to come.
Listed Chesham Stakes
As described yesterday, this race has a habit of producing future stars and due to the nature of the race only being open to horses who’s Sire or Dam have won beyond 10 furlongs, it is often a pointer to Classic middle-distance and staying races of the following year.
Last year unearthed a horse that would go on to become the highest rated 2yo in 25 years in Pinatubo (Sharmadal) and whilst it would be unrealistic to expect that again, there was still a field of extremely well-bred types assembled. All horses in the race had only been able to squeeze in one modest lead up race so there was a fair bit of unknown on offer.
Wonder mare Found (Galileo) competed with the absolute highest of distinction in 2014, 2015 & 2016. She was a winner of five Group 1 races, those included and Arc and a Breeders Cup Turf. Her will to win combined with devastating speed saw her at the top of the pile of any horse of her generation. Her first son, a colt by the name of Battleground (War Front) today made sure he carried on the family tradition as he drew away to an easy win in the hands of Ryan Moore in this years Chesham. A big, strong, precocious colt owned by Coolmore, he was able to produce what so many others carrying those colours for that trainer and jockey combination have been able to do over time.
Perhaps the ground told on these inexperienced juveniles, so the judgement can still be out, but he couldn’t do much more than what he did today. It will be an interesting watch as the 2yo season develops.
Group 1 Ascot Gold Cup
In a race so steeped in history, with so many magnificent performances, today saw witness to something that more than did this race justice.
The hallmark of every champion is the ability to not only perform when everything is exactly to suit, but when factors are at play that may cause some difficulty. Hindsight is a wonderful thing, and it will show that champion stayer of a generation Stradavarius (Sea The Stars) had no reason to fret over soft ground today.
In one of the most dominant performances you could ever hope to see, still on the bridle with only a furlong remaining of the 2mile and four furlong contest, he absolutely destroyed a field with no shortage of proven and upcoming staying talent in a show of utter dominance. The margins were 10 lengths to second with a further 8 lengths to third. Seemingly in the knowledge that he had the three in front of him covered, Frankie Dettori peered through his legs at the eight-furlong poll to see everything in behind absolutely gone. You could’ve then exchanged the champion Italian jock with my Nana at that point and the horse still would’ve won as he put on an exhibition for the empty stands up the length of the straight.
If we stop and take a look at the record of this magnificent animal, what we will find it is quite remarkable:
Group 2 Queens Vase, Ascot – 2017
Group 2 British Long Distance Cup, Ascot – 2018
Group 2 Doncaster Cup, Doncaster- 2019
Group 2 Yorkshire Cup, York – 2018, 2019
Group 2 Lonsdale Cup, York– 2018, 2019
Group 1 Goodwood Cup, Goodwood – 2017, 2018, 2019
Group 1 Ascot Gold Cup, Ascot – 2018, 2019, 2020
He has collected £2.5million in official prizemoney plus £2million in Stayers Triple Crown bonuses.
He is really the ultimate stayer, a supreme level of fitness, a high cruising speed with a miler-like turn of foot.
The argument can be made that on soft ground over 4,000 metres of the toughest staying test you’d find on any course in the world that these sorts of margins can open up. But the fact is that he is nowhere near as comfortable on this type of track, yet he produced the goods anyway.
The decision will be left to owner Bjorn Neilsen as to whether he will go to the Arc, but the immediate aim is to shoot for a four-peat in the Goodwood Cup - and he’ll do that in a canter.
A word must go to the horse in second I mentioned yesterday in Nayef Road (Galileo). He was the only horse who didn’t need to pull the binoculars out to see the winner at the finish and he looks a real prospect for the future. I expect him to make the trip down under for the Melbourne Cup, where I would see him as being ultra competitive.
There was however only one horse in the Gold Cup today and he is an absolute champion.
Key takeaways from Day 3
1. Racing is better when it’s dry.
2. Molhatam and Monarch of Egypt have an extremely bright future.
3. Can Battleground be anywhere near as good as his Mum? If so, then watch out.
4. There was no reason to doubt Stradavarius
5. Will Nayef Road win the 2020 Melbourne Cup?
6. Owner Skeikh Hamdam Al Maktoum and his retained rider Jim Crowley are clean up the handicaps. The have six winners at the meeting after three days.
The sun came out just before the Gold Cup and as of 8pm it hasn’t rained any further, but there is some rain around for tomorrow. I very much hope it largely stays away and the track can continue to dry.
Here is a preview of tomorrow’s action:
Albany Stakes (Group 3, 6f)
The Group 3 Albany Stakes for the 2yo Fillies over 6 furlongs continues the theme of these juvenile contests. Hard to get a line on at the best of times, this year even harder with precious little lead up time.
What is true is that horses in this field will take a big step forward after tomorrows outing.
If we look back to last years contest, winner Daahyeh (Bated Breath) continued on to run two very good seconds in Group 2 and Group 1 fixtures respectively. The 2nd placing in the Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes was behind Love, who was massively impressive in winning this years 1,000 Guineas and sits a firm favourite for the Oaks. From there she went on to register a Group 2 victory at Newmarket before running a slashing 2nd in the Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf at Santa Anita.
Further back in history we find Brave Anna (War Front), who after her success in 2016 went on to become the top rated European 2yo filly of her year.
After striding to victory in 2011, Samitar (Rock of Gibraltar) went on to score Group 1 trophies in the Irish 1,000 Guineas and then crossed the Atlantic to win the Garden City Stakes at Belmont Park.
This year’s contest is desperately wide open. The market is headed up by Flying Aletha (Tiznow), an American runner trained by the perennial Royal Ascot attendee Wesley Ward who was a debut victor at Gulfstream in May.
Without much conviction, I was impressed by the Roger Varian trained Setarhe (Footstepsinthesand) who was impressive with a last to first debut victory at Newbury the weekend before last.
Norfolk Stakes (Group 2, 5f)
Another wide open 2yo fixture, the Norfolk Stakes has a proud tradition of producing horses that go on to bigger and better things. This race was added to the Breeders Cup Challenge in 2018, whereby the winner is automatically granted entry to the Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf at Santa Anita.
Various horses have gone on to fashion black type records out of this race and it has a record of producing future stallions. Perhaps the most recognisable of these is 2013 victor No Nay Never (Scat Daddy). He is becoming a particular favourite stallion of mine and his first crop of juveniles produced out of the Coolmoore operation have yielded in excess of 25 individual winners. He first stood at €25,000 and that has since been increased to €100,000 due to his early success.
Again, a wide open affair with nothing of note to go by, an interesting runner is Lippizaner (Uncle Mo) for Ballydoyle and Coolmore. This horse is out of Exceed and Excel mare Irish Lights who took out the 2009 Thousand Guineas at Caulfield.
Once more, we will know a lot more after they have completed this race.
Hardwicke Stakes (Group 2, 1m 3f)
The Hardwicke Stakes is a strong open company event that has a history of featuring horses who fashion impressive staying careers. Last years winner Defoe (Dalakhani) is back for another tilt, the horse in 3rd 12 months ago was Mirage Dancer (Frankel) who is now trained in Australia by Trent Busstin and Natalie Young. After a good 3rd in the Caulfield Cup he has been somewhat disappointing thereafter.
Champion Crystal Ocean (Sea The Stars) took the spoils in 2018, with Red Verdon (Lemon Drop Kid) who I have a suspicion will again come to Melbourne later in the year in 2nd and the ill-fated Cliffs Of Moher (Galileo) in 3rd .
This race in 2012 threw up an interesting result. Sea Moon (Beat Hollow) was the winner and he was subsequently purchased by Llloyd Williams and sent to Australia to be trained by Robert Hickmott. Aside from a victory in the 2013 Herbert Power Stakes at Caulfield, he was disappointing and had to pack his suitcase and venture back North. The interest however (and it’s for racing geeks to be fair!) comes in the form of the minor place getters. In 2nd was a horse named Duanden and in 3rd a horse named Red Cadeaux. In November of the previous year they had been the subject of the closest photo finish you will ever see in the 2011 Melbourne Cup.
This year sees a fascinating renewal of the race.
On the surface, last years Epsom Derby winner Anthony Van Dyck (Galileo) should have too much class for his opposites. He is a Group One quality horse racing in this Group Two affair. He has however been plagued by an up and down formline since Epsom. He ran an outstanding 3 rd in the Breeders Cup Turf, yet he failed in first-time blinkers in the Hong Kong Vase at Sha Tin. His run at Newmarket 12 days ago when he was second to Ghaiyyath (Dubawi) in the Group One Coronation Cup I thought was exceptionally good and should prove to be an ideal lead in to this race. As I mentioned yesterday, a few of the O’Brien runners have turned up looking as though they’ll need the run, but with the Newmarket hit out under his belt he should be primed for this. The performance of Stradivarius today who came out of the same race more than franks that run. He is however inconsistent and verging on the territory of an ‘excuse horse’, which lets a few of his opponents in with a sniff.
On the pedigree side of Anthony Van Dyck, there is an intriguing story. This colt is out of Exceed and Excel mare Believe And Succeed. This makes him a half-sister to Bounding (Lohnro). When the hammer fell for US$4million at the Keenland September Yearling Sale on a colt by Curlin out of Bounding, it was the highest price at the auction since 2010.
There are however a few other contenders in what will be a keenly contested affair. The form of Elarqam (Frankel) can hardly be faulted. Last year he beat Addeybb in a Group 2 fixture at York, was close up when denied a run to finish third to Japan and Crystal Ocean in the Group 1 Juddmonte International. A second to yesterday’s impressive Prince of Wales winner Lord North in the Brigadier Gerard 12 days ago to round it off. Hard to argue with that.
I like the powerful Godolphin, Gosden and Dettori combination that presents itself with Fanny Logan (Sea The Stars). She was given a sympathetic run on her return at Newmarket, shes unexposed at this distance and had been racing at 1m 2f last year and has always looked to be wanting further.
Defoe (Dalakhani) has a record any horse would be proud of and the Andrew Balding runner in Morando (Kendargent) will be right in it if the rain returns. This shapes up as a really interesting contest.
Commonwealth Cup (Group 1, 6f)
The 3yo sprinters get their opportunity for Group 1 honours in the Commonwealth Cup. This is a relatively new race, introduced in 2015 as part of a decision across Europe to revise sprinting fixtures to include better opportunities for 3yo’s. As a result, the Diamond Jubilee over the same distance on the fifth day of the meeting was closed to 3yo entries.
Although short on history, this race has seen some special performers take part.
Perhaps the most notable trifecta occurred in 2017. The winner was Carravagio (Scat Daddy) for Coolmore. After a blistering 2yo season which saw him land Listed, Group 2 and Group 1 success, he won this race off the back of a Group 3 win at three and then subsequently went on to score another Group One from there. He now stands at stud for Coolmore. Second place that day went to the equally talented Harry Angel (Dark Angel), a triple Group 2 and double Group 1 winner who now stands at Darley. The best of the lot was third placed Blue Point (Sharmadal), who’s stellar sprinting career yielded five Group 1’s including a remarkable Group 1 double at the 2019 Royal Ascot meeting. He now also calls the Darley stallion barn home.
This year see’s a good-looking field that is very tricky to line up. Threats come in the form of 14 runners, of which you could make a winning case for over half of them. Favouritism is with the Roger Varian trained Pierre Lappin (Capella Sansevero) and the Wesley Ward American raider Kimari (Munnings) is coming in for ever increasing support.
My support goes with Mum’s Tipple (Footstepsinthesand) for trainer Richard Hannon and jockey Sean Levey. If she goes anywhere near to producing the sizzling performance she showed at York last year in a sales race where she cleared out to win by 11 lengths over six furlongs, then she’ll be right in the mix. She contested the 2,000 Guineas this time in, but a mile is just not her go.
Again, with the condensed lead up programme to this race, like so many over the meeting we will know a lot more after the post is passed by the winner.
Queens Vase (Group 2, 1m 6f)
The Queens Vase is a contest that gives opportunities to fledging 3yo stayers to gain black type, even though at this young age they are looking for more distance than the Derby. This race is perhaps the best example of how stayers are cultivated in this country, a group race at 2800m for 3yo’s is something unheard of beyond Europe.
The honour roll of recent years includes some very familiar names.
Stradavarius himself used this race as a launching pad for his illustrious staying career. Winning this in 2017, he would go on to take his first Gold Cup a year later.
Likewise, Estimate (Monsun) took out the contest for The Queen in 2012 before returning to take the 2013 Gold Cup.
Leading Light (Montjeu) for Coolmore landed this race in 2013 before going on to be Champion Stayer in 2014, a year which included his Gold Cup.
2018 saw Kew Gardens (Galileo) get the prize, a race which would springboard him onto a St Leger that same year as well as providing Stardivarius with his first defeat in two years the following October.
A well-known cast of minor place getters have featured in this race, many of whom would carry on to venture down under for the Victorian spring.
From an Australian perspective, a Godolphin horse would collect this trophy in 2014 before being sent to Sydney to be trained by John O’Shea and then James Cummings. He would become a fixture of the Australian scene and prove himself to be incredibly versatile at the highest level in that jurisdiction. He picked up four Group 1 wins which included a BMW (2015), a Turnbull Stakes (2016), a C F Orr (2018) and an Epsom Handicap (2018). When he finally retired after his third in the 2019 Mackinnon, he would’ve amassed A$7.5million in prizemoney. His name was Hartnell (Authorized).
Favouritism in the 2020 edition has been handed to filly Born With Pride (Born To Sea) for William Haggas and probably deservedly so. In his two starts thus far, the horse has beaten subsequent Irish 1,000 Guineas winner Peaceful (Galileo) and his run for seventh in behind Berlin Tango (Danisli) wasn’t as bad as it looked after being slowly away. That Berlin Tango form has been franked already this week by the horse himself running a creditable third in the Hampton Court and of course with Pyledriver (Harbour Watch) winning the King Edward VII.
Berkshire Rocco (Sir Percy) also carries a strong piece of form into the contest. He ran second to a dominant English King (Camelot) in the Derby Trial at Lingfield. That Camelot colt is now firmly in the frame for the Derby.
I am personally keen on the O’Brien runner in Nobel Prize (Galileo). This horse is a full brother to the outstanding Highland Reel, the very well performed Idaho and Group 1 Ladbrokes Stakes at Caulfield winner Cape Of Good Hope. Ryan Moore is on the stablemate suggesting this one is the second stringer, but what is really interesting is that Frankie Dettori has elected to hop on even when John Gosden has a runner in the race. This all adds up to a great chance for mine.
Once more, a race short on lots of exposed form, but full of up and coming talents all the same.