Stodge

I can only give you the winners and the long priced each way horses. A tremendous Irish Derby run in a rainstorm but as expected they went like the hounds of hell were after them through halfway and many of them just didn't get home. We knew from Ascot SANTIAGO would stay 2400m as he had won at 2800m on soft and the rain that fell before and during the race helped as it was genuine good ground. I have to confess I got excited as I saw TIGER MOTH come out of the pack and thought my each way bet might turn out to be a serious winner but it wasn't to be. To be fair, 14/1 each way still returns a decent profit and Mrs Stodge got a decent fish and chip supper out of the winnings. TIGER MOTH was only having his third run and ran a huge race. SANTIAGO looks ideal for the English or Irish Leger and I suppose the next question is whether he could be a staying horse next year - he's the biggest threat I see to STRADIVARIUS next season (unless Aidan O'Brien heads for the Goodwood Cup which would be fascinating as the 3-y-o would get a huge amount of weight from the triple Gold Cup winner and the irony is STRADIVARIUS broke through into the staying hierarchy when winning the Goodwood Cup as a 3-y-o. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4kBwX9X24Q Sunday saw the Pretty Polly and as expected it was a romp for MAGICAL. Seamie Heffernan kept it simple bouncing the mare out the front from the gates and making every yard to win by four and a half lengths. A thoroughly satisfactory first run and it will be interesting to see where Aidan O'Brien and "the lads" choose to campaign her. The Juddmonte or the Irish Champion seem obvious if they are going to stay at 2000m and perhaps another tilt at the Arc or the Breeders Cup Turf. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NzkkP2kRX4 The other big Group 1 race this weekend was in France and it was the Grand Prix de Saint Cloud over 2400m and it saw a last gasp win for WAY TO PARIS who, in typical French style, came from last to first under Pierre Charles Boudot to upset NAGANO GOLD and pacemaker ZIYAD. He was beaten by Waldgeist in the Foy last September and connections swerved the Arc for the Cadran but I supect they'll head for the big prize this autumn and he's the best of the French older horses at this time. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4waZeAwxqM On the under card at Saint Cloud, PERSIAN KING was a smooth winner of the Group 2 Muguet - let's not forget he won the 2019 Poulains and was only just held by SOTTSASS in the Jockey Club. He's a talented miler and I expect he'll be a player in the Marois.

This weekend sees Group 1 action in Ireland with a quiet weekend in the UK. Saturday's Irish Derby has 15 runners which is a larger field than most years - normally, the race is run three weeks AFTER the English Derby rather than the week before. Aidan O'Brien sets us a poser by running no less than six. Top rated and ante post favourite is Queen's Vase winner SANTIAGO and the galloping 2400m at The Curragh will suit. ARTHUR'S KINGDOM was second in the King Edward VII but that looked a moderate renewal. IBERIA was third in the Derrinstown at Leopardstown but on the same card TIGER MOTH was a nice winner of the 1600m maiden and he might surprise for those looking for a Ballydoyle horse at a big price. Joseph O'Brien runs three and I like Gallinule winner CROSSFIREHURRICANE who accounted for GOLD HAZE but the second should come on a lot and isn't a lost cause at 10s. FISCAL RULES was a close fifth in the Irish 2000 Guineas - that was a scrappy race and I'm doubtful as to the quality of the form. There's lots of ifs, buts and maybes about this lot - it might be a vintage renewal but we won't know that for a while. There's the suspicion the better Ballydoyle runners will be at Epsom next weekend. SANTIAGO is the obvious choice if they go hard - he's a relentless galloper but give me someone else's tenner and I'd have a speculative punt on TIGER MOTH at 14s. We've not got the final decs for Sunday's Group 1 Pretty Polly Stakes over 2000m but it seems likely MAGICAL will run and if she does she will take a world of beating. This wonderful 5-y-o mare ran nine times last year - after three easy wins in Ireland including a romp in the Tattersalls Gold Cup she was runner up to CRYSTAL OCEAN in the Prince of Wales Stakes and then was runner up to ENABLE in both the Eclipse and the King George. After winning the Irish Champion Stakes, she was disappointing in fifth behind Waldgeist in the Arc before winning the Champion Stakes at Ascot. It's not her fault she's in the same generation as ENABLE - both are champions - and she has won connections £3.4 million prize money. 2000m on decent ground at The Curragh will be ideal. Meanwhile, it's Soft ground in Paris for the 2400m Grand Prix de Saint Cloud. Just five are entered so far and on a day which saw two British raiders win Group 3 races at Longchamp, OLD PERSIAN looks an interesting runner for Godolphin. He was disappointing in the Breeders Cup Turf after a nice win in the Northern Dancer at Woodbine but I get the sense he's a notch below European Group 1 class and I much prefer WAY TO PARIS who was a close second in the Ganay and will love the 2400m as he showed when an impressive winner of the Group 2 Grand Prix de Chantilly. Though he's a 7-y-o, he's improving all the time and I see him as a serious Arc contender.

Just a few final reflections from me on Royal Ascot 2020. An extraordinary event bereft of crowd and atmosphere if I'm honest but the racing was high quality though perhaps a notch down on normal years. Credit to all who made it happen but the stark truth was Ascot and British racing had too much to lose by it not happening in terms of worldwide exposure (especially for the bloodstock industry) and money coming in to the world pools operating on the main races. Juveniles: Ascot normally takes place 10 weeks into the season and some form lines are established. With just two weeks since the resumption, it was guesswork. As I said above, QAADER and SACRED ran very well in defeat but the Albany winner DANDALLA looked special for all she relished the soft ground. 3-y-o: Again, very early days. GOLDEN HORDE won the Commonwealth Cup but whether he's ready to go against the older sprinters at Newmarket I'm not sure. Among the classic milers, both PALACE PIER and ALPINE STAR had swerved Newmarket and The Curragh and this possibly paid dividends. Both look very nice prospects and I hope we get a clash later in the year. The Newmarket Guineas form looks a little shaky after Ascot though in all fairness KAMEKO and LOVE were always going elsewhere. MOLATHAM and MONARCH OF EGYPT dominated the Jersey and both look viable Group 1 contenders in the future. SANTIAGO looks a nice staying prospect though not a Derby horse to my eye. FRANKLY DARLING was impressive in the Ribblesdale and is on course for a clash with LOVE at Epsom early next month and while it may be heresy at this point I do think the Oaks is a more interesting race at this stage. The King Edward VII told us nothing and it may be the 3-y-o middle distance colts are nothing special (probably should give KAMEKO and ENGLISH KING a chance before writing them off). Older Horses: BATTAASH dominated the King's Stand and I can't see one to bother him at Goodwood over 1000m or in the Nunthorpe (unless Wesley Ward runs CAMPANELLE). TEREBELLUM gave a good account in the Queen Anne but CIRCUS MAXIMUS is a wonderfully tough horse and while I'm not convinced the sharper Goodwood track will suit, he'll lack nothing in courage. MOUNTAIN ANGEL emerged as a nice prospect when taking the Wolferton which is often a key form race for the season. The strength of the Gosden team in the older horse ranks was evident all week (Sir Michael Stoute was shut out). In FANNY LOGAN and LORD NORTH he was two wonderful prospects. LORD NORTH's plans are unclear but I'd love to see him in the Irish Champion or the Juddmonte while FANNY LOGAN's impressive win in the Hardwicke adds yet another layer to a potentially crowded Arc pack for Mr Gosden. Another element of that might be STRADIVARIUS who produced the performance of the week routing the Gold Cup field by 10 lengths. The Coronation Cup run, which drew some criticism at the time, was the perfect prep race and he ran here at the top of his form. Owner Bjorn Nielsen has long expressed his desire to have a tilt at the Arc even if that means taking on ENABLE and John Gosden is diplomatic enough to know the Owner pays the bills but it may be a harder call for Frankie Dettori. The circus rolls on as the more normal calendar starts to re-assert but it will be a busy early July with the Derby/Oaks and the Eclipse over the first weekend swiftly followed by the three day July Meeting at Newmarket.

Right, time to draw the curtain on Royal Ascot 2020 and that means the final day review. A very strong card to close proceedings with three Group 1 races. The feature of these was the Diamond Jubilee Stakes and as Kiwis will no doubt know, a "home" win for HELLO YOUMZAIN who just held the late challenge of DREAM OF DREAMS with favourite SCEPTICAL just running out of petrol in the final 50m to finish third. To be fair, HELLO YOUMZAIN is a proven Group 1 performer and while I'm not convinced the July Cup is his race, Haydock in September might be more up his street. I wonder if connections of SCEPTICAL will fancy taking on BATTAASH at Goodwood. As for DREAM OF DREAMS, first time up is the time to catch him and he doesn't seem to take to much racing. HELLO YOUMZAIN made almost all and that's not easy over the 1200m at Ascot. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8djqOYgR1A The St James's Palace Stakes over 1600m for the 3-y-o colts was a race I got completely wrong as PALACE PIER made the transition to Group 1 effortlessly and was far too good for PINATUBO and WICHITA. As I expected, PINATUBO didn't get the run of the race and Buick was forced to do too much too early in the straight. The horse barely gets 1600m and on a stiff track like Ascot, stamina was always going to be an issue. Goodwood on the other hand will be much more suitable and I'm not surprised to see him mentioned for the Sussex but he'll probably take on Irish 2000 Guineas winner SISKIN and perhaps the Poulains winner VICTOR LUDORUM. PALACE PIER has all manner of options. I suspect connections won't be tempted by 2000m just yet and talk was of the Marois at Deauville (over the straight course). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZA5_NB0aDI Frankie Dettori had a magnificent Ascot and emerged as top jockey at the meeting with 6 winners and 4 seconds beating Jim Crowley who had 6 winners and 1 second. It's my wallet talking but I thought the ride he gave ALPINE STAR in the Coronation Stakes was the ride of the meeting. The manoeuvre to cut back inside in the straight was brilliantly executed and the filly did it really well. Whether she's as good as her half-sister Alpha Centauri remains to be seen but this was very impressive. She could go well for the Falmouth at Newmarket or wait for the Rothschild at Deauville. I'd love to see her take on the colts sometime somewhere. QUADRILATERAL is another talking horse like PINATUBO and there will come a point when the excuses have to stop. She does too much too early and perhaps a drop back in trip might help. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlpE7TRDGbs The supporting Group 2 races were for the juveniles. The Queen Mary Stakes saw Wesley Ward's CAMPANELLE come from off the pace to cut down SACRED in the final 100m under a power-packed Dettori ride. CAMPANELLE's not your typical American juvenile with all the speed and strength in the hind quarters - indeed, she looks far more a European horse which isn't surprising given her breeding. It'll be interesting to see how she fares in America ans I suspect we'll see her back in the UK soon. The second, SACRED, is the longer term prospect and ran a huge race in defeat. The Coventry Stakes saw history made as NANDO PARRADO (like CAMPANELLE, by the sire Kodiac who is gaining a reputation for throwing precocious juveniles) became the longest priced winner ever at the Royal meeting by coming in at 150/1. Now, good luck to those who backed him but it wouldn't have made much difference if there had been a crowd at Ascot - it would have been silent (apart from the bookmakers). Whether this was a flash in the pan or we completely misjudged how much improvement he'd find from his debut run remains to be seen. Second placed QAADER ran perfectly well and he's in the Stodge notebook.

I've not forgotten the final day of Ascot - the review is in the works. Elsewhere, TIZ THE LAW was an impressive winner of the Belmont Stakes which for this year was reduced in distance from 2400m to 1800m. The Kentucky Derby is now on September 5th with the Preakness not until October 3rd. A quieter week (mercifully) in the UK and Ireland but the coming weekend has more Group 1 action in the Emerald Isle with the Irish Derby at The Curragh on Saturday evening and the Pretty Polly at the same track on Sunday afternoon. In France meanwhile, all restrictions on racing have been lifted and the Paris tracks have re-opened. Sunday sees the Group 1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud. France is also leading the way on re-admitting spectators with crowd limits of 5,000 imposed from Monday July 11th (just in time for the Bastille holiday). I suspect British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will announce a significant further easing of restrictions in the UK from tomorrow so it may well be owners may be able to come back in the near future but there seems no immediate prospect of a large scale return of racegoers.

On then to the fourth day of the Royal meeting and after a dry night and morning the ground was upgraded to Good to Soft on the Straight Course and Soft, Good to Soft places on the Round track. The feature Group 1 of day four was the Commonwealth Cup for the 3-y-o over 1200m. This went to GOLDEN HORDE who was close to the pace if not leading all the pace and saw it out very well. KIMARI fluffed the start which is unusual for a Wesley Ward type but ran on strongly. Did it cost her the race? I think not but it didn't help. Some of the other fancied horses such as PIERRE LAPIN and LOPE Y FERNANDEZ were poor and the latter's dismal effort does cast a shadow on the quality of the Irish 2000 Guineas form. As for the winner, he will no doubt take on the older horses at Newmarket next month and we'll get a sense of how the generations compare. One point I would make is trainer Clive Cox is one of the best handlers of sprinters we have and he made no secret of the fact GOLDEN HORDE was trained for this race rather than for the classics with this as a consolation. You need a specialist for this - it's too soon for the classic horses and too quick for those building into their 3-y-o season. GOLDEN HORDE had solid juvenile form and I backed him at 6/1 so it was a steak supper instead of dog food. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nT2EDFBf6Hc A much stronger under-card than the previous two days featured the Hardwicke Stakes over 2400m for the older horses. This produced a breakthrough win for the Gosden-trained filly FANNY LOGAN who put the older colts to the sword winning by two and a half lengths. She had herself been well beaten in a Group 3 at Haydock on debut but this was a commanding performance and for a stable already full of very good fillies and mares it's an embarrassment of riches. The fact is FANNY LOGAN could be an Arc contender which of course means locking horns with ENABLE and STRADIVARIUS to name but two. I suspect she'll head for the Yorkshire Oaks first. Of the others, ALOUNAK ran a huge race at 40s in second and he didn't get the best of runs up the rail not that he would have beaten the winner but he might have been closer. The others were in a bit of a heap with DEFOE rewarding each way support at 6s but both ANTHONY VAN DYCK and ELARQAM were disappointing - the latter, I felt, didn't quite see out the trip and I suspect he'll drop back to 2000m. The Queen's Vase for the staying 3-y-o over 2800m turned into a real slog on the holding ground. SANTIAGO clearly possesses stamina in abundance and outstayed BERKSHIRE ROCCO who ran another huge race in defeat and remains very much on my Derby shortlist at 20/1. As to whether the winner will come to Epsom I don't know. With the Irish Derby before the English version this year Ballydoyle have to shuffle their pack even more carefully than usual. The front two drew nearly nine lengths of the others, most of whom went too hard too soon and paid the price. The Norfolk Stakes for the juvenile colts over 1000m went to THE LIR JET who, having smashed the track record on firm ground at Yarmouth from the front, showed massive versatility and courage in coming from off the pace to run down GOLDEN JET from the Wesley Ward stable who did the usual trick of going hard from the front. It might have worked on a quicker surface and it almost worked here but not quite. The front two were nicely clear so are obviously decent types. I wonder if THE LIR JET might be a player in the aforementioned Commonwealth Cup in 2021 but that's a long way off. Just a word from the other races - DANDALLA was a hugely impressive six length winner of the Albany Stakes and could be anything. It's true the progeny of Dandy man do go well on the ground but she routed these and might be worth trying at further - the dam was placed at 1600m but I don't see DANDALLA as a Guineas filly but she might be in the mix for a race like the Duchess of Cambridge at Newmarket next month.

Thursday at the Royal Meeting is known as Ladies' Day and before the coming of the Saturday meeting, it was the most popular day of the week with in excess of 70,000 attending. Nothing like that this year and, rather like the Wednesday, a weak card in all honesty. The feature was of course the Gold Cup over 4000m. This iconic race used to have the same if not greater prestige than the Classics but with the emphasis shifting downward in distance the staying races just don't have the breeding significance - indeed, Gold Cup winners such as KAYF TARA have ended up more as stallions for jumpers. This year's renewal was all about STRADIVARIUS bidding to join the likes of SAGARO and YEATS in winning three Gold Cups. STRADIVARIUS had run well when third in the Coronation Cup over 2400m at Newmarket but this was 1600m further. Confidence had been tempered slightly by 18mm of rain overnight and during the morning which turned the ground Soft. None of that made the slightest difference as STRADIVARIUS put up a thoroughly dominant performance. Dettori was the only one with his horse on the bridle turning for home and to be honest it'll be a long time before you see an easier winner of a Group 1. STRADIVARIUS won by 10 lengths and for those who follow my nonsense NAYEF ROAD came home a clear second to reward my 16/1 each way bet. He was in turn eight lengths ahead of CROSS COUNTER and the rest were strung out like, well I'll try an NZ analogy, the Great Northern field. STRADIVARIUS re-established himself as the dominant stayer and while there will be those who argue he needs to get the better of KEW GARDENS, that match will have to wait. Trainer John Gosden intimated STRADIVARIUS will go to Goodwood but the Arc remains very much on the table. The Owner is keen to run even if that means taking on ENABLE and for Dettori it will be a real question of split loyalties between two horses for whom he was publicly expressed his affection and admiration. As for a fourth Gold Cup, well, STRADIVARIUS will only be seven next year so the opportunity to emulate YEATS is clearly there. NAYEF ROAD ran a huge race in defeat and I can't help but think he will be a tough opponent for STRADIVARIUS in the staying races ahead. CROSS COUNTER didn't get home in the soft ground again and TECHNICIAN, for whom the ground should have been an advantage, was very disappointing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6JatWI8OqI A couple of notes from the rest of the card and note the ground was soft so whether these form-lines will be viable through the summer remains to be seen. MOLATHAM and MONARCH OF EGYPT were nicely clear of the others in the Jersey and they could be a couple of decent 3-y-o. Another nice winner was MOUNTAIN ANGEL in the Wolferton, a Listed race over 2000m for the 3-y-o which often produces a nice winner. MOUNTAIN ANGEL defeated SIR DRAGONET but to be honest the second, who was one widely considered a serious Derby horse, looked a bit less than willing to this observer. The first 2-y-o race of the meeting, the Chesham Stakes over 1400m, went to BATTLEGROUND from the Aidan O'Brien yard. BATTLEGROUND's breeding is about as good as it gets - he's by War Front out of Found, the 2016 Arc winner who had previously just failed to beat Almanzor in the 2016 Irish Champion Stakes, the second best race of the last decade (the best was the 2013 Queen Anne) in terms of quality and depth. BATTLEGROUND is Found's first foal and certainly an auspicious start.

The only way to follow a review of Day One is with a review of Day Two. Despite some overnight rain, the ground remained generally good. The sole Group 1 on Wednesday's card was the Prince of Wales Stakes over 2000m for the older horses. Favourite for this was JAPAN from the Aidan O'Brien yard but there were plenty of concerns about the lack of pace in the race and these turned out to be justified. In the final 300m, it turned out into a sprint and all seven had a chance but perhaps with the advantage of a recent run, LORD NORTH quickened far more effectively and in the end won handily. ADDEYBB, for whom the rain arrived 24 hours late as it turned out, ran a fine second with BARNEY ROY hinting at a return to near his previous best in third. JAPAN was close behind in fourth. ADDEYBB's connections could rightly curse the elements and if it came up soft or heavy for the Eclipse he'd have a real chance. LORD NORTH has been introduced as 5/1 third favourite for the Eclipse behind GHAIYYATH at 3/1 and ENABLE at 5/4. I'd have some reservations about him in a fast run Eclipse which looks likely with GHAIYYATH likely to make the running. It's too early to give up on JAPAN - I suspect he'll be back for the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes over the much more suitable 2400m. He did win the Juddmonte over 2000m but that race was run at a murderous gallop and the long York straight works for him much better than the short Ascot run-in. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UjQKBTCujQ The rest of the card was frankly not up to the normal Ascot standard with four handicaps. Her Majesty the Queen enjoyed a rare 2-y-o success at the meeting with TACTICAL another to benefit from the huge draw bias favouring the high numbers in the Windsor Castle Stakes but I thought the second YAZAMAN ran a huge race from stall five. He already wears blinkers which won't please everyone but I think he's decent but as a sprinter. RUSSIAN EMPEROR followed up his Derrinstown second with a good win in the Group 3 Hampton Court Stakes which is one of those races which produces a solid form-line. He ran down FIRST RECEIVER who put up a decent effort and indeed both the first two are worth following.

OK, here we go with the start of the Royal Ascot reviews and I'll be lacking in originality and start with the opening day: The first of the Group 1 races was the Queen Anne Stakes and this produced a thrilling finish between the top two in the betting - CIRCUS MAXIMUS and TEREBELLUM. Despite the advantage of race fitness, TEREBELLUM just failed and Ryan Moore struck the first Group 1 win for Ballydoyle holding on by a head. The two were three lengths clear of the others though it's fair to say if and when you watch the race you'll see plenty of hard luck stories as the field got stacked up approaching the final 400m. MOBAATHER was stuck out the back and could never get involved and finished seventh while I noted ROSEMAN, past winner ACCIDENTAL AGENT and SKARDU all making good late headway. CIRCUS MAXIMUS is a very good horse and enjoys the stiff mile tracks. Whether they'll run him in the Sussex I don't know but that would seem logical. As to whether he might get an easy 2000m at perhaps Leopardstown for the Irish Champion, that's the thought I have. TEREBELLUM ran a huge race in defeat and I suspect the plan will be to send her to the fillies and mares race such as the Falmouth and the Rothschild. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRE0zcj0CAE The other Group 1 on the card was the King's Stand Stakes over 1000m for which BATTAASH went off the slightly uneasy favourite but in the end everything went smoothly. He had the big advantage of being drawn toward the favoured stands side rail (high numbers) and while he might have appreciated a lead, jockey Jim Crowley was able to use his stride and when he asked 300m down there was plenty left and he strode away to win by just over two lengths. EQUILATERAL made it a 1-2 for trainer Charlie Hills with the well punted LIBERTY BEACH running well in third and TIZ MARVELLOUS going into the notebook at a huge price in fourth. The plan is to go to the King George Stakes at Goodwood followed by the Nunthorpe. I sense the Abbaye may be swerved in favour of a tilt at the Breeders Cup Turf Sprint. BATTAASH has lost some of his youthful exuberance and seems much more tractable these days. To be fair, take out Blue Point and we'd be hailing him as the 3-time winner of this race and one of the all-time greats. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyBS0Qvd8oE The supporting Group 2 races were of considerable interest. The Ribblesdale Stakes over 2400m for the fillies saw an excellent win by FRANKLY DARLING who followed up her Newcastle maiden win with an authoritative performance. She is now 3/1 second favourite for the Oaks behind the Guineas winner LOVE who is 13/8 and you'd have to say while FRANKLY DARLING did this well Epsom will be a very difficult proposition and I just suspect LOVE will have too much experience for her. ENNISTYMON ran a huge race in second and PASSION was third for Ballydoyle so they will now have a good idea where they stand in relation to FRANKLY DARLING. BHARANI STAR ran on nicely for fourth and while it's unusual for fillies to turn up in the Leger, she'd have every chance. The King Edward VII Stakes did little to clear the murkier Derby waters with outsider PYLEDRIVER showing far more determination than some of her better-bred and much more expensive rivals. ARTHUR'S KINGDOM ran okay in second but the MOGUL bubble has burst with an unconvincing effort. PYLEDRIVER is 20/1 for Epsom in a fortnight with Lingfield Trial winner ENGLISH KING 7/2 favourite and Guineas winner KAMEKO at 9/2. The Duke of Cambridge Stakes for the older fillies and mares went to NAZEEF who continued her upward trajectory and perhaps earned a meeting with stablemate TEREBELLUM in the Falmouth next month. She only just held outsider AGINCOURT who ran a blinder in second. The front two were nicely ahead of the consistent QUEEN POWER but both JUBILOSO and LAVENDER'S BLUE were very disappointing. Times suggested the ground was just on the quick side of good up the straight and just on the slow side on the round course.

Right, at long last, review time. Now, I don't give a chapter and verse account of the race. Most top races are on Youtube if they aren't shown on Trackside so I'll add the URL to the commentary on the race and you can view it for yourself. Plenty to cover from last weekend's action in Ireland and France starting on the windswept Curragh: Irish Guineas Meeting: The two-day fixture last Friday and Saturday was run three weeks later than usual and since it was only a week after the English Guineas meeting, there wasn't any collateral form with which to work. The ground was watered Good to Firm. The 2000 Guineas went to SISKIN who in the end saw the trip out without any problems and had too much speed at the critical point 300m out when Colin Keane committed. It was a messy race and LOPE Y FERNANDEZ hung right under pressure and did most of hos stable mates no favours. ARMORY was one of the main sufferers and I rate him better than this performance. VATICAN CITY ran very well in second and is another whose performance can be upgraded. It seems SISKIN will come to England for the Sussex at Goodwood at the end of July. The course will suit and he's likely to get decent ground. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8USvHrGug44 The supporting Group 2 Mooresbridge Stakes saw FLEETING comprehensively defeated by LEO DE FURY from the Jessica Harrington stable. The winner had placed in Group 2 and Group 3 races as a 3-y-o and looks a prime example of a horse coming to hand later in its career. Saturday's 1000 Guineas saw a resumption of "normal" service with PEACEFUL winning for Michael Tabor and Aidan O'Brien and leading home a remarkable 1-2-3 for the owner with Donnacha O'Brien's first classic runner FANCY BLUE in second and Aidan's SO WONDERFUL in third. The winner was always close to the pace but it was a bit of a bunch finish and I'm to be convinced the 3-y-o fillies in either England or Ireland (with the exception of LOVE) are much good. ALBIGNA just didn't get home and I wonder if she'll go back sprinting. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_BqxFqr9ZU Chantilly Sunday - Ganay and Saint-Alary: Sunday saw a couple of decent Group 1 races at Chantilly on ground that was Good to Soft. The Ganay over 2000m is usually the first French Group 1 and a chance for the previous year's classic generation to establish the pecking order on the long journey to the Arc.Returning to the scene of his Jockey Club win, SOTTSASS put up a gutsy display to hold the persistent challenge of WAY TO PARIS. The winner had clearly needed his outing in the Harcourt. I imagine the long term aim is the Arc but I'd love to see SOTTSASS in England. That said, WAY TO PARIS showed he had improved when winning the Group 2 Grand Prix de Chantilly and I strongly suspect he'll also be in the Arc field in October. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omw_q3r3QFs (in French but I'm sure you'll all be fine) The Saint Alary is a key race for the 3-y-o fillies and is normally the bridge between the Pouliches and the Diane. TAWKEEL was hugely impressive coming home by five lengths with the well-backed SOLSTICIA only third. This was the winner's first run on grass after three races on the artificial surfaces and she was a revelation. Breeding suggests 2000m is her trip and I imagine the Diane is the next stop ad on this evidence it's going to take a good one to stop her. Didn't mean to embed the video and I don't know how to get rid of it. The Group 2 Vicomtesse Vigier saw top French stayer CALL THE WIND turned over by SAN HUBERTO who got a peach of a ride from Pierre Charles Boudot.

I think of it more as a preview or my thoughts before the race with an insight into how my "book" is against that of the odds makers.

One of these days I'll actually do some reviews of the racing. I haven't even covered last weekend but that's the problem with this week - it's the best racing of the year and it comes at you thick and fast. We've got the final declarations for Saturday and the Royal meeting builds to a strong climax with an 8-race card featuring three Group 1 and two Group 2 races. The St James's Palace Stakes is over 1600m on the Round course for the 3-y-o. It's one of the two obvious options for the Newmarket Guineas winner - the other is the Irish 2000 Guineas which would normally be at the end of May. From here, the 3-y-o milers have to mix it with the older horses in races like the Sussex, the Moulin and the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes. Another option is to move up to 2000m for the Eclipse. Just 7 go to post and with Newmarket winner KAMEKO heading for the Derby, it's left to the placed horses, WICHITA and PINATUBO to confirm the Rowley Mile running. WICHITA ran a blinder at Newmarket and I thought he was coming back at KAMEKO at the post. As for PINATUBO, I wasn't convinced he saw out the 1600m at Newmarket but the round course will help for all it is an uphill finish. PINATUBO reminds me of TOO DARN HOT in that I don't think he quite gets a true run mile on a stiff track. He might be fine at Goodwood in the Sussex but I have my doubts here. John Gosden runs PALACE PIER but for all he looked impressive at Newcastle that was a handicap and this is a Group 1 so 4/1 looks absurd. If there were the "dead 8" runners I'd be very keen on POSITIVE who beat KAMEKO in the Solario before getting bogged down in the Dewhurst. The Coronation Stakes is the fillies' equivalent of the above race and is often contested by the winners of the English, French and Irish 1000 Guineas. Again, just 7 got to post but this looks a trappy heat. Once again we have the second and third from Newmarket in the forms of CLOAK OF SPIRITS and QUADRILATERAL but both were readily held by LOVE and I'm left to ask just hoe strong the placed form is. RUN WILD was a hugely impressive winner of the Pretty Polly over 2000m so she won't be stopping and the stiff mile will help but it's a jump from Listed to Group 1 for her. What makes this race really interesting is the presence of the American filly SHARING who won the Juvenile Fillies Turf at the Breeders Cup and warmed up for this with a win at Churchill Downs. The problem for her is going to be the underfoot conditions - were we on summer fast ground I'd fancy her but on slower turf I'm less convinced. I've been waiting for ALPINE STAR and I'll confess I've backed her at 7s for this. She ran three times as a juvenile and while only third to LOVE on debut she ended up winning the Group 2 Debutante Stakes. Dettori is on board and I think she's the solution to this puzzle. Interesting to see for all the fanfare and perhaps because of the drastic prize money reductions, all the Group 1 fields this week have struggled and just 10 go in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes over 1200m. SCEPTICAL is favourite having won in style on both her seasonal bow and her first ever run on grass at Naas. Will the ground work for her - we'll see. HELLO YOUMZAIN was third in the Commonwealth Cup last year and won the Sprint Trophy at Haydock but while he copes with slow ground the heavy ground on Champions Day was too much. He has claims. ONE MASTER would want a lot more rain and at a price I fancy DREAM OF DREAMS who was second in this last year and wasn't beaten far in the July Cup before flopping on soft ground at Haydock and Ascot in the autumn. I think he's one to catch fresh and on a reasonable surface and at 8s he's an each way price. The supporting Group 2 races are headed by the Queen Mary Stakes for the juvenile fillies over 1000m. 20 got to post but there's virtually no form for while they've all had a run, 17 of the 20 have only had one run. MORE BEAUTIFUL represents Ballydoyle and they don't often go in first time but she looked very good at Naas the other day. However, Wesley Ward brings over CAMPANELLE who bolted up at Gulfstream at the end of last month. SACRED represents John Gosden and looked perfectly good at Newmarket a fortnight ago. It's not a punting race for me with no paddock inspection possible but I hope we see a really trappy filly come out of the race. The Coventry Stakes over 1200m is a significant race in the pattern for the juvenile colts starting them on a road which might end up at the Middle Park or the Dewhurst. Some great horses have won this down the years but this year's renewal is a real guessing game. 16 got to post - all have run just the once. Nine won on debut, four were second or third and just three unplaced. All the top stables are represented - ADMIRAL NELSON runs for Ballydoyle while Mark Johnston saddles QAADER. Marginal preference is for Godolphin's CREATIVE FORCE for whom the dogs were barking before his debut win at Newmarket a fortnight ago. The other three races are the Wokingham Handicap over 1200m, a consolation race for those balloted out of the Wokingham also over 1200m and the anachronism that is the Queen Alexandra Stakes, at 4350m the longest race of the British season and possibly the longest flat race run in Europe and quite a few other places as well. Like the Ascot Stakes on Day 1, it tends to attract interest from the jumping fraternity.

Looking ahead to Friday and a better card in terms of quality than tomorrow or Thursday. The Group 1 race is the Commonwealth Cup for the 3-y-o over 1200m. It's a fairly new race but has quickly established itself as a proper championship event. 17 go to post and it looks wide open. LOPE Y FERNANDEZ makes a quick re-appearance after running third in the Irish 2000 Guineas last Friday. MILLISLE comes from her seventh place in the 1000 Guineas and I think she has a big chance. PIERRE LAPIN is favourite and he was unbeaten in two runs as a juvenile winning the Group 2 Mill Reef at Newbury on his second start. It's been a long layoff but he looked all speed last year. Wesley Ward brings back last year's Queen Mary runner up KIMARI and he did it well at Oaklawn back in April but I prefer GOLDEN HORDE who kept the best of company as a juvenile including a win in the Richmond at Goodwood followed by two defeats to EARTHLIGHT, third in the Morny and second in the Middle Park. That's solid Group 1 form and at 11/2 he looks a tempting bet. The supporting Group 2 races start with the Norfolk Stakes over 1000m for the juvenile colts. 12 got to post and with the truncated start to the season there's much less form on which to rely than would normally be the case. EYE OF HEAVEN won at Newmarket and is favourite but THE LIR JET looked very good albeit in a probably weaker heat at Yarmouth. I've not been as taken by Wesley Ward's juveniles this season and GOLDEN JET looks vulnerable on his debut second over 900m on the Dirt. LIPPIZANER has placed twice for Aidan O'Brien and also has claims. This isn't a race in which to get too heavily involved in my view. The Hardwicke Stakes over 2400m is one of my favourite races of the meeting. It's basically Ascot;s equivalent of the Coronation Cup at Epsom's Derby meeting and is the stepping stone for the older horses toward the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes later in July. 11 go to post but it looks down to the three top rated. ANTHONY VAN DYCK won the Derby last year but it would be fair to say he wasn't one of the best winners of that race. That said, he put up a decent effort in second behind GHAIYYATH in the Coronation Cup at Newmarket. He won't mind the trip but it's 400m further for ELARQAM who was runner up in the Brigadier Gerard at Haydock the other day. DEFOE hated the firm ground at Newmarket and of course won this last year so I think he could be the one at 6s. The Queen's Vase over 2800m is another race which has had a few changes in recent times. It used to be over 3200m but that was considered too far tooearly for the 3-y-o and the cut in trip has brought the quality level up as well - KEW GARDENS won it in 2018. It's basically an early Leger trial. 9 go to post and I have to say it looks a very tricky puzzle. I thought BERKSHIRE ROCCO ran a huge race in defeat behind ENGLISH KING at Lingfield and he was (and is) one of my ideas of a Derby outsider. Al DABARAN represents Godolphin - he had some form in Group 3 races in France last year but that was on soft ground. The interesting runner is SANTIAGO from the Ballydoyle yard - he won a small maiden at Listowel having been beaten at Galway by ALPINE STAR, a filly of Jessica Harrington's I'm looking forward to seeing.

Final declarations are through for Thursday at Ascot and with this year's quality races stacked on the first and last days, the middle days look a bit exposed and weak by comparison. The Gold Cup remains the highlight of the meeting for many and along with the Cadran later on are the two extreme staying races in Europe. 4000m is a long way for most flat gallopers these days and only 8 go to post for this year's renewal. It's very hard to look beyond STRADIVARIUS bidding for his third win in the race. His run at Newmarket the other day over 2400m was perfectly respectable and we know the extra 1600m will be no issue. He's beaten CROSS COUNTER who once won a fair race at Flemington the last twice they've met though there was only a couple of lengths in it in this race last year. TECHNICIAN loves soft ground which he looks unlikely to get but one who will love a better surface is MOONLIGHT SPIRIT and he was very good in the Lutece last year. I think he'll reverse Chaudenay places with TECHNICIAN. I love these 8 runner races with a short priced favourite from a punting perspective and while I'm very tempted to side with MOONLIGHT SPIRIT, NAYEF ROAD at 16s looks the value bet. He won the Sagaro at Newcastle the other day and was third in the Leger on quick ground. He came home well up the long Doncaster straight and as he showed with DEE EX BEE, Johnston is very good with these decent staying types.

Wednesday's Ascot card looks very weak to this observer thanks to the shunting of races up and down the week. There's a Listed and a Group 3 but the sole Group 1 is the Prince of Wales Stakes over 2000m. Just 7 stand for this prize which has been slashed to just £148k - last year's had a first prize of £425k. Joint top rated are JAPAN and ADDEYBB. The latter will be well known to Antipodeans as the winner of the Ranvet and the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at the Randwick autumn carnival. The key to him is the ground - the softer the better and he was very good at the meeting last year in the Wolferton when he beat MAGIC WAND two and a half lengths (and she's no mug) but the ground was soft then and it's good now. Showers are forecast and if Ascot catches a storm it can soften very quickly but that's a lot of ifs, buts and maybes for a betting strategy. JAPAN was once thought a Derby prospect and was, I think, favourite or near favourite at one time but after a poor run in the Dante at York he ran a fine third at Epsom beaten less than a length. He came back to Ascot and won the King Edward VII convincingly and followed up in the Grand Prix de Paris and the Juddmonte International before running fourth to Waldgeist in the Arc. That's serious form and a stiff 2000m should be ideal - my worry is he needed a run last year but Aidan's older horses seem forward enough so he must have a huge chance. BARNEY ROY is now a 6-y-o but was very good in his younger days before proving, shall we say, less than adequate at stud. He's run well since returning to racing but he's by my reckoning 7 lbs below his 3-y-o form. On that form he'd be right in this but as a wise man once said that was then but this is now. LORD NORTH is improving all the time and won the Brigadier Gerard at Haydock defeating ELARQAM but that still looks a couple of notches below this level. HEADMAN is very interesting - he was a handicapper last spring but improved rapidly winning two French Group 2 races before a fine fifth in the Irish Champion. He'll need a lot more in this company but his trainer Roger Charlton has always thought a lot of him and IF ADDEYBB can't cope with the ground and JAPAN isn't fully fit he's the obvious one to step up. It's not a punting race for me - I'd lay ADDEYBB if the ground is good or faster but chances are connections will take him out. IF it does turn soft, he becomes an obvious and serious contender

I don't know enough about NZ weather but I do know waterlogging in winter can be an issue so I can see the argument for winter artificial surfaces at existing venues. The French seem able to have BOTH turf and artificial surfaces (Chantilly, Deauville) as does Hong Kong so the model is out there. The questions for me would be a) would NZ racing be planning to have additional fixtures on the artificial surfaces in the spring and autumn and b) is the plan to have fixtures behind closed doors at "unsociable" hours for potential sale into the global betting market? I mention the latter because we already have Irish Greyhound meetings starting at 7.30am so they can be fed into the evening Asian and Australasian betting markets. If you had a meeting near to a training centre starting at 7am, that would be 8pm the previous evening and we could see it in the UK. Horse people get up early (Very early) so it's not logistically impossible to have a "closed door" meeting on an artificial surface with floodlights starting early and "sold" into the overseas betting market.

Hesi's analysis of the AW tracks is very accurate and fair. The one part with which I disagree was they were originally for jumping. They were to provide racing of any sort - in the 1980s we had a few bad winters and particularly when the Christmas programme was wiped out, it was a big hit for the betting industry and for the Government in terms of revenue. The racing authorities looked at America where Dirt tracks could function in very cold conditions but there was no appetite for that and instead they turned to the early artificial surfaces such as Equitrack (the original surface at Lingfield) and Fibresand. My view on AW tracks is more nuanced - they do provide a useful function especially in winter as a way of keeping the "smaller" stables, owners and jockeys with some income. The problem is the BHA want to "improve" the winter flat racing season - I wouldn't. Keep it for the moderate animals, the smaller trainers, the lesser owners and jockeys. As a punter I don't care if I back a 5/1 winner in a Group 1 or a Seller. The other time when AW tracks are useful is during periods of more extreme weather - when it is wet in spring and autumn, Polytrack and Tapeta surfaces provide a much smoother option which is particularly suitable for juveniles or other inexperienced horses. I'd have no issue with AW cards of maidens and novice events in October and November, fixtures put on at short notice to give inexperienced horses a run without them having to deal with heavy mud. In high summer when tracks are fast (and we water far too much up here), a properly harrowed AW track can provide an easier alternative. Both Polytrack and Tapeta can be harrowed deeper to produce a slower surface. The AW courses can put on meetings at short notice to satisfy a demand from trainers for a particular type of race or a particular surface. They could be held "behind closed doors" (as now) to reduce costs further - one example could be a card of Class 6 handicaps which would be fine for media and the betting shops and provide some opportunities for smaller stables. I accept the geographical argument for tracks in the north, midlands and south (I also think Southwell as the sole Fibresand track has a niche). That means Newcastle, Wolverhampton and one of Lingfield, Kempton or Chelmsford. The second issue is one of media rights - we have two specialist racing channels in competition (Racing UK and Sky Sports Racing). That is itself absurd but SSR has the bulk of the AW fixtures with RUK only having Kempton and Chelmsford. That means if the turf jump racing is off, RUK subscribers were often left with nothing for their money while SSR had plenty of admittedly low-grade racing over which their (often) admittedly low-grade presenters and analysts could salivate. It's very hard to stand up here and say we have too much racing in the UK - we do and we don't. There is too much racing geared to the top end of the horse population and too little geared to the bottom as I've argued elsewhere. The other thing you can't say is there are too many racecourses - there are but try to close a track and the yokels come after you with pitchforks. AW tracks could race 150-200 days per year - they simply don't have the track maintenance costs or the need for the surface to recover. All the tracks bar Lingfield now have floodlights so they can race on evenings in the depths of winter but they are criminally under-used because there are a) too many of them and b) they have to yield to the turf tracks in the summer. The industry "could" seek to have more AW fixtures and close down a few turf tracks or, and I offer this as personal preference, mothball a couple of the AW tracks for now and IF the horse population increases or there is demand, they can be re-opened as was Great Leighs/Chelmsford.

She bolted up didn't she? Where will they go with her? I imagine the plan is to campaign her at 2000m - will she come to the Eclipse and take on ENABLE? Races like the Juddmonte and the Irish Champion must be tempting though LOVE may be a real thorn in her side though the latter could be kept at 2400m if she wins the English Oaks.

While the afternoon's fare is underway, a chance for me to look ahead to day one of Royal Ascot with the 72-hour declarations rule meaning Tuesday's fields are now finalised. The ground currently is Good, Good to Soft in places but with a generally settled week apart from a risk of a shower on Thursday, it may be the ground will improve to the quick side by Friday or Saturday. Queen Anne Stakes: 16 go to post and it looks wide open. CIRCUS MAXIMUS is favourite which is understandable on his 3-y-o form which included a win in the St James's Palace but that was on the round track and this is the straight mile which is a real stamina test. That won't be a problem for TEREBELLUM who won the Dahlia over 2000m at Newmarket last Sunday - she has a huge chance. FOX CHAIRMAN has been off since last July and while his second in the Hampton Court reads well, his form is all on soft ground and I think that may be an issue. I fancy MUSTASHRY at a price - he didn't enjoy the slow conditions last year in this race. He won the Lockinge last year and I can't fault him failing to live with ENABLE in the Eclipse. At 12/1 he looks an each way bet though to be fair I thought so last year as well. Ribblesdale Stakes: 12 go to post for what is essentially the key Oaks Trial. John Gosden has a stranglehold with MISS YODA, the Lingfield Oaks Trial winner, returning but she's second favourite to FRANKLY DARLING. On form, MISS YODA is superior - FRANKLY DARLING trotted up in a Newcastle maiden on the day racing resumed but this is a big step up. She's a daughter of Frankel out of a Daylami mare who was herself fifth in this back in 2004 so will she do better than her mother? Frankie Dettori is on board which may explain why she's 2/1 favourite. TREFOIL was well held behind RUN WILD in the Pretty Polly but the others have plenty to prove on bits of maiden form. I note Aidan O'Brien is running ENNISTYMON who comes from a Leopardstown maiden last Wednesday. At 12/1 she may be a tempting each way option in what looks a weak race. KIng Edward VII Stakes: Just six run but Ballydoyle look to have the cards with MOGUL who was Derby favourite briefly last summer but whose reputation came unstuck when only fourth to KAMEKO in the Vertem Futurity. I think he's crying out for his trip and the Ascot track will suit and he looks a good thing to this observer. ARTHUR'S KINGDOM beat MKFANCY in the Criterium de Saint Cloud last autumn but that was a slog in a bog to be honest and while he may well be decent I think he'll needto have improved to take on MOGUL. KIng's Stand Stakes: 11 go to post but it looks to be all about BATTAASH who is 8/11 favourite. Take out the retired Blue Point and we'd be lauding him as the dual winner of this bidding for a hat trick. He couldn't cope with the mud on Arc day in the Abbaye and the drier the ground the better in all honesty. He was brilliant in the Nunthorpe and while I think the flat fast tracks play to his strengths he should be too good for these. GLASS SLIPPERS improved for wet ground last autumn and I'm to be convinced she will be able to go with BATTAASH on this ground. EQUILATERAL has possibilities if on a going day - his form in Meydan in the winter would give him place prospects in this field but the sprint division is currently lacking strength in depth. Duke of Cambridge Stakes: 11 once again but this looks a very open heat. JUBILOSO, LAVENDER'S BLUE and MAGIC LILY are equal top rated on the official numbers. LAVENDER'S BLUE didn't stay in last year's Oaks but came back to win the Atalanta at Sandown before running a close fourth in the Sun Chariot. She holds JUBILOSO on that while MAGIC LILY was second in the Jebel Hatta and third in the Dahlia so we know she's fit. Favourite is NAZEEF who beat former Guineas winner BILLESDON BROOK at Kempton the other day. In what looks another weak race, NAZEEF is probably the answer.

BLUE CABACHON is 9/2 but faces an O'Brien juvenile in FINEST from the first crop of The Gurkha. Ballydoyle juveniles don't usually win first time up and those that do tend to be the very best - Saxon Warrior being one example. MUBTASIMAH is now 7/2 favourite with three morning withdrawals so the value's probably gone. I prefer MISS CELESTIAL who will enjoy the extra 200m and had a decent pipe opener at Haydock last weekend.

I don't just want to talk races on here but offer my thoughts on some wider racing issues up here. We are approaching the end of the second week of the resumption of racing after the Covid-19 lockdown and I've a few observations. As far as racing is concerned, all has gone pretty well but the facade of bonhomie hides some problems and offers some opportunities for the future. The first problem is we've had a lot of racing - the normal 6-8 race cards have become 9-11 race cards. This is fine in a spectator-free environment but the problem has been the racing has been mainly at the top tracks and has been steered toward three groups - the top horses (trials for Ascot, Epsom and of course the first two Classics), juveniles and 3-y-o. Frankly, it's been a resumption tailored for the top end and the more moderate animals (of whom there are a great many) aren't getting a look in with programmes framed toward the top end as well as providing maiden and novice opportunities for 2-y-o and 3-y-o. The problem is it's the smaller trainers, owners and jockeys who were hit hardest by the suspension of racing and in its initial plan to resume in mid-May, the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) seemed to focus on the more moderate levels promising plenty of opportunities for Class 5 and Class 6 horses let alone the number that operate below that. To my knowledge, there hasn't been a selling race since resumption and very few claimers. There have been so many races at the better end the population just can't support it anymore so tomorrow at Newbury a Class 3 handicap for the 3-y-o over 2000m has just 5 runners while the Class 5 handicap preceding it has a full field with runners balloted out. Next week will be dominated by Ascot and again the moderate horses will be pushed to the margins. It's all very well the media claiming racing has an opportunity to showcase itself before the return of football next week but as we know even the odd lower league match gets shown - you never see a Class 6 or a seller on live television outside the specialist racing channels. The other point is a more nuanced one - for many courses, the summer evening fixtures are their big money spinner. The weather's good, people turn up in their thousands, eat and drink to excess (despite the dubious quality and expensive nature of racecourse food and drink) and often pay even more for some live music. This year, those meetings won't happen and instead we'll see evening meetings behind closed doors with 8-10 races which will, once football and cricket return, be ignored by most. Racing therefore becomes racing for the industry, not for the spectators and I'm wondering whether this may be a trend for the future. "Open" meetings with full spectators and "closed" meetings behind closed doors - available on the specialist channels and in the betting shops but that's all. Four of Britain's tracks have been mothballed through the summer and while no one is saying anything, the longer this goes on the greater the pressure on the big race course owning groups to either cut prize money back further or close one or two tracks. With all-weather racing providing a significant part of the fixture list (and said tracks much easier to maintain), there may well be pressure to reduce the racecourse numbers. However, I think there are too many all-weather tracks (we have six) and it's absurd tracks which could race 100-150 times a year only race 30-40 times. I would mothball three of the AW tracks now (the other three can provide both winter and summer action). There are those who want and think the outcome of Covid-19 is life will return to exactly what it was before the virus. I suspect not - habits have changed, views have changed. IF the economy struggles and unemployment increases racing will feel the pain if no one has any money to spend. Perhaps that's true of all sport.

I didn't think SISKIN would stay the trip but he did and in some style. Likely to go to the Sussex I believe where he could meet PINATUBO or whoever emerges from the St James's Palace next week. I wonder if they'll be tempted to send over VICTOR LUDORUM. For those who don't normally follow Royal Ascot, there are some changes to the running order this year with some additional races (mainly consolation handicaps) but I don't bother with those. Being a typical British elitist snob, I'll concentrate on the Group 1 and Group 2 races. On Tuesday we have the following: Queen Anne Stakes (Group 1) - 1600m Straight - 4-y-o and upwards Ribblesdale Stakes (Group 2) - 2400m - 3-y-o fillies King Edward VII Stakes (Group 2) - 2400m - 3-y-o colts King's Stand Stakes (Group 1) - 1000m - 4-y-o and upwards Duke of Cambridge Stakes (Group 2) - 1600m Straight - 4-y-o and upwards fillies and mares Normally, the Ribblesdale is the consolation prize for those not quite good enough in the Oaks and the King Edward VII is the same for the Derby also-rans but this year they are key trials with the classics on July 4th. The Queen Anne normally follows on from the Lockinge and is the last Group 1 Mile race reserved for the older colts. The King's Stand is usually preceded by the Temple Stakes and is one of the two 1000m Group 1 races in the UK - the Nunthorpe is the late summer equivalent and both lead to the Abbaye at Longchamp. The Duke of Cambridge is part of the pattern for the older fillies and mares and is basically a trial for the Falmouth which leads to races like the Matron at Leopardstown, the Rothschild at Deauville and the Sun Chariot in the autumn.

Thanks for the welcome, Pete. Midnight Caller said I could post my nonsense here and it's nice to engage with some clearly knowledgeable people. I don't mind where and how my posts are - if a subforum works for you, that's fine by me. It's your site - I'm grateful to have a chance to post and especially as it's a busy time up here with Ascot next week. I might even point you to a winner or two (though I wouldn't count on it !!)

Hello. I used to post on stabletalk but that forum has gone. If anyone is interested in my drivel, here's my latest piece which has been posted elsewhere: Evening all Not much to add tonight. My fancy for tomorrow's Irish 2000 Guineas is ARMORY for whom I think the quick ground will be a big help. The supporting Group 2 Mooresbridge Stakes over 2050m for the older horses has nine runners. Top rated is SEARCH FOR A SONG who won the Galtres and looked very good in the Irish St Leger dishing out a beating to KEW GARDENS. I rate her as an Arc candidate and this trip is probably short of her optimum and I'm also sure she will come on for the run. FLEETING mixed it with the very best last year. She was third in the English Oaks and runner up in the Irish Oaks. She as beaten four times by STAR CATCHER but that's no disgrace as the latter is very good. This trip may be more to her liking and she has a big chance. LATROBE won the Irish Derby once but will be better known to the reader as the runner up in the 2018 Mackinnon. He was last seen finishing well down the field in the Melbourne Cup and I'm not convinced about him first time up. On Saturday there's not much quality in Britain which is not surprising this close to Royal Ascot. In Ireland it's 1000 Guineas day and 15 have been declared. It doesn't look a strong race which may be due to the proximity of both the English version and the Coronation Stakes at Ascot. ALBIGNA is favourite and clear top rated. She was two and a half lengths behind LOVE in last year's Moyglare which would have got her the runner up spot at Newmarket last Sunday. From there ALBIGNA won the Marcel Boussac before running a close fourth in the Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. That all looks strong form and her opponents are all coming off maiden or Listed race form and will need to have improved a lot over the winter. The supporting Group 2 Lanwades Stud Stakes is named after the farm in Newmarket owned by breeder Kirsten Rausing. Derby winner Sir Percy is one of the four standing stallions. Clear top rated is another Irish raider known to the Australians and New Zealanders and that's MAGIC WAND who has travelled the world in her short career. As a 3-y-o in 2018, she won the Ribblesdale at Ascot before disappointing in both the Irish Oaks and the Yorkshire Oaks. She then returned to form with second placings in both the Vermeille and the Opera before a fine fourth in the Breeders Cup Filly & Mare Turf. After a short break, she returned to America in January 2019 and ran second in the Pegasus World Cup Invitational but then disappointed in the Sheema Classic at Meydan. Back to America she went for a third place in the Man O'War before returning to Europe to chase home ADDEYBB in the Wolferton at Ascot and IRIDESSA in the Pretty Polly (both the winners went on to much better things - the former in Australia while IRIDESSA won at the Breeders Cup). MAGIC WAND flopped when wearing first time cheek-pieces in the King George at Ascot but returned to form with a second in the Arlington Million (getting closer to BRICKS 'N' MORTAR than she had at Gulfstream in January) and then second again in the Irish Champion. From there it was off to Australia where she was fourth in the Cox Plate and tenth in the Melbourne Cup before beating MELODY BELLE in the Mackinnon. From there to Hong Kong where she ran second in the Hong Kong Cup before another second in the 2020 version of the Pegasus World Cup Invitational. Her last run was on Dirt in the Saudi Cup where she was well behind MAXIMUM SECURITY. She has amassed £3.7 million in win and mostly place money. She's a remarkable mare and should pick this lot up and carry them if anywhere near fit. Sunday's best races are in France with the re-arranged Ganay and Saint-Alary at Chantilly. The Ganay is run over 2050m for the older horses and Waldgeist won it last year on his way to the Arc. The first four from the Harcourt on the first day of French racing resuming after lockdown re-oppose. SOTTSASS, last year's Jockey Club winner and Arc third was disappointing in fourth but is sure to have come on for the race. WAY TO PARIS was second but followed up with an impressive win in the Grand Prix de Chantilly over 2450m two weeks ago. He's a middle distance type and I just think in this company he'll be tapped for speed. SHAMAN won the Harcourt and as a 3-y-o was runner up in both the Poulains and the Marois. He could very well confirm the places in what looks a fascinating race. The Saint-Alary is over 2000m for the 3-y-o fillies. 7 have been entered - Andre Fabre has two, the useful juvenile SAVARIN but I quite like the stable companion SOLSTICIA who did it nicely in a maiden the other day. It's a big jump up of course but it's a weak field. Next week is Ascot which will be a surreal experience to say the least.