In the Norfolk Stakes I like Whistlejacket. I was impressed with him at the Curragh – I was there on the day, and he hit the line really well. The stiff track here will suit him, and he looked like a Royal Ascot winner in the waiting for me. I saw him in the ring on the day of his Curragh win, and he looked like a big, strong horse, so let’s hope Aidan O’Brien gets off to a good start on the Thursday with this fella.
In the King George V Stakes I fancy Chantilly. His run behind King’s Gambit at Newbury was decent and there wasn’t much between Poniros and him on the day. I’m expecting him to step forward from that run and win this as a progressive horse for Ballydoyle.
The Ribblesdale Stakes is next, and I think Diamond Rain will be hard to beat. She was very impressive at Newbury, and I think she should improve further for that experience. It’s difficult to see past her and hopefully she’ll be a winner for Godolphin. I find it hard to fancy Rubies Are Red after her run in the Oaks. I always worry that Epsom can leave a mark after a bad run, but Aidan O’Brien is a master at getting these fillies back after a poor run, so it will be interesting to see.
In the Gold Cup I find it hard to look past Kyprios. He’s proven over the distance, and he looks to have come back to himself since his return from injury last year. He looks very difficult to oppose and reminds me of Yeats in that he’s laid back, just seems to do enough, and saves everything for the extreme trip. With the Gold Cup, it’s very difficult to know if your horse will get the trip until you try, but we know that Kyprios does get the distance, which is a big bonus. For me, it’s hard to see Vauban troubling the favourite. He was disappointing when he went down for the Melbourne Cup, and while I suppose you can forgive the horse after travelling such a long way for a race, I still think this will be a bridge too far.
The Britannia Stakes is a very tough race to solve, and I think you should be looking to pick out that Group horse in the handicap. Juddmonte’s Qirat is entitled to be favourite, and I liked his run at Goodwood, plus, the step up in trip should suit him too. However, I’m going to go for Native Warrior. He was impressive at Nottingham, and I think there’s improvement to come here. He rates as a good chance for me.
In the Hampton Court Stakes I’m going to take a swing at King’s Gambit. He was very impressive at Newbury and looks a very smart horse in the making. First Look for Wathnan ran well in the Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly and should keep King’s Gambit honest, but I’ll stick with the London Gold Cup winner here.
18:15 Buckingham Palace Stakes
The last is the Buckingham Palace Stakes and I fancy the chances of English Oak. Wathnan Racing have purchased him to be a Royal Ascot winner, and to me he looks to be well bought. He was impressive when winning readily at Haydock and I think he’ll win here before going up to Group class.
Best of luck,
Mick