The Diamond Jubilee is the final Group One race at Royal Ascot, typically one of the best sprint races in Europe it has attracted top-class runners from USA and Australia.
Harry Angel is the clear market leader, having established himself as the best 6f sprinter in the UK last season, and making a fine winning return in the Duke Of York last time. On his own turf, he clearly will take a lot of beating but I am taking him on with Ballydoyle’s Merchant Navy.
Formerly trained in Australia, the three-year-old joined Ballydoyle with a big reputation having landed a Group One down under last season. Although defeated by today’s rival Redkirk Warrior, who also travels to the Northern Hemisphere, this afternoon he was only defeated a neck that day and the rumours from Ireland have suggested he is a very talented sort.
He answered those rumours on his stable debut, although a tad slow away, he quickened up very strongly to deny stable companion Spirit Of Valor by a length. It was a solid and impressive performance, enough to make him a leading candidate ahead of this Group One contest.
He is open to huge progression this season, and I expect him to improve significantly from his stable debut. The big race field won’t bother him and I think he will relish a strong pace, which you normally expect from this field.
The other Australian runner Redkirk Warrior has to be respected here, however I think there could be a fair bit more improvement to come from his native rival. American runner Bound For Nowhere is another who needs to be watched, he’s impressed on his last two starts but has been a tad disappointing on his previous visits to the UK.
Harry Angel as mentioned sets the form standard, meanwhile last year’s winner The Tin Man needs a close look.