Well, Royal Ascot was certainly a week to remember, five great days and I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. It’s a great meeting, and nothing will top that phenomenal Gold Cup finish with Stradivarius battling on from Vazirabad. In a two-and-a-half mile race you rarely get tight finishes, we’ve been blessed with two consecutive ones. The crowd were electric at that finish, it felt a very special environment watching that race unfold.
Saturday proved a great day for Merchant Navy, I thought he was terrific. The only real negative from that day was hearing talk of him going to stud and breeding. The bloodstock world is integral to our sport, but he would be a huge shame to see him put away after landing just one Group One here. I hope he’ll at least see the season out, as he has epic potential. Harry Angel suffered that horridly unlucky pre-race incident, he’s a monster and I’m sure he’ll come back and claim revenge soon. He’s that good and classy a horse, you just know something like this shouldn’t have too much of an effect.
After a week of reflection I’ve realised Royal Ascot is great – but for me it is nowhere near as brilliant as the Cheltenham Festival. I’ll admit I prefer tweed over top hats, and Guinness over prosecco – but the atmosphere is different, both brilliant, but different. Ascot has crowds who are attending for the fashion, the royals, the day out and the racing. At Cheltenham it just feels like everyone in attendance is an avid national hunt fan, of course that’s not true, but somehow the environment convinces you to feel that way. They’re two very special weeks nonetheless.
I must give great credit to all those involved with ITV Racing for securing this evening’s racecard on TV. With the World Cup taking a break, it’s a fantastic idea to lift this evening meeting to terrestrial TV to try and get some new viewers to racing. Newcastle is a great track, they’ve worked very hard to continue to improve, and hopefully they’ll reap the rewards with two days coverage and some quality racing too.
There are only four races, but I hope that we can still make a bit of profit to start off the weekend.
6:20 6f A V Dawson Handicap (Class 5) (3yo+ 0-70)
A horse that has caught my eye here is Loujain for John Gosden. He shaped very well in maiden company last season, but has just really struggled to build on that form in handicap company this season. He’s been dropped in trip here, which could help, and if he can put his best foot forward then he should be really well-handicapped.
6:55 1m (1m5y) A W Jenkinson Handicap (Class 4) (3yo+ 0-80)
I am hopeful that Amplification can finally progress for Ed Dunlop, who just hasn’t been at his best in two runs this season. I do think this is a horse that is capable of winning off his current mark, but he will need to show significant improvement if he is going to be competitive. The form of his win last season is pretty strong, so I am hopeful that he’ll put up a good performance.
7:30 5f Stobart Energy Gosforth Park Cup Handicap (Class 2) (3yo+ 0-105)
A visor could help the consistent Evergate take a big step forward now for Robert Cowell, who has run very well two times from three on the all-weather. He was a fair third at Nottingham last time, and with his handicap mark dropping another 1lb I think his time could come now. These sprint handicaps need a fair amount of luck mind. Another one noting is Copper Knight, I think he’ll win a good sprint soon, maybe even today.
8:05 1m2f (1m2f42y) Stobart Energy Hoppings Fillies' Stakes (Group 3) (Class 1) (3yo+)
It is very difficult to judge how good Smart Call is, she hasn’t won since joining Sir Michael Stoute’s yard from South Africa and if she can’t win this I’m sure he will be looking for a receipt. She was campaigned in some very good races last year, and the form of her G2 Middleton at York sets her up well here. On that form she should win this.
