I hope you have caught your breath back after what proved a pretty extraordinary Royal Ascot with everything from top-class performances to some big disappointments.
Alpha Centauri was the obvious star, as Jessica Harrington’s filly smashed the course record – meanwhile former eye-catcher Calyx lived up to his promise when winning the Coventry. I do hope you also had a little punt for him for the 2000 Guineas as suggested, those 20-1 odds are long gone now.
Without Parole was another eye-catcher I mentioned and I hope you followed him last week, and I was delighted to see Crystal Ocean take the Hardwicke, a race I mentioned he’d probably win a month back.
Onto some this week that I was impressed by and expect to be winning in their next few runs.
Wootton (Third in the 1m St James’ Palace on Tuesday)
I tipped this horse for the big race, and although he was no match for eventual winner Without Parole I do think this three-year-old will register a Group One win before the end of the season. He came from the back, and not many back markers managed to do well at the meeting this year, but ran on quite strongly at the end and I think he’ll continue improving this season.
The French races over a mile will probably suit him better and that’s probably where he will be aimed next, I would imagine he will be good enough to take one too.
Expert Eye (Won the 7f Jersey Stakes on Wednesday)
I’ve always compared this horse to England’s international side. He beat weak opponents extremely well, everyone thought he was the next Frankel ahead of the Dewhurst and it turned out he wasn’t. People kept believing he’d return in the Greenham, he didn’t, and in the 2000 Guineas, he didn’t, but at Royal Ascot he did. Maybe that bodes well for Russia?
Expert Eye is clearly a proper Group One horse and was highly impressive in the Jersey, he’ll go into better company and I hope he can kick on in his career and potentially land a race at the top level. As a long term I would love to see him in the Queen Elizabeth II on Champions Day. He’ll love the track, enjoys going flat and I think that’s probably where he’ll be campaigned at.
First Eleven (Third in the 1m4f King George V handicap on Thursday)
Even with plenty of Pimms on Ladies’ Day, you’d have been foolish not to be noting this three-year-old down after encountering horrendous traffic issues when third. He travelled best into the race but found absolutely no room until the final few yards where he picked up very strongly but couldn’t clinch a victory under Frankie Dettori. He’ll remain handicapped to win and something at Newmarket could be next for him.
La Pelosa (Second in the 6f Albany Stakes on Friday)
Charlie Appleby had a great week, and this is a filly I’m sure he was extremely pleased with after her second-place effort at the Royal meeting. Horses that place in the Albany tend to go onto better things than the winners, so I am hopeful this is exactly the sort of talented filly who’ll take a big step forward. It was only her second start, so to go so close to a more experienced horse is a big run.
I’ll imagine she’ll be upped in distance as the season goes on and connections will be patient with her. If she doesn’t go up in trip the Princess Margaret on King George day would be a good race for her.
Sabre (Second in the 5f Windsor Castle on Saturday)
I had mixed feelings after this horse finished second, one the one hand delighted as it gave Archie Watson his first Royal winner, but frustrated as I had Sabre in second. He was slow away but finished off really strongly towards the end. He’ll only improve this season, and I imagine something like the Molecomb at Goodwood or a French 5f contest would be great for him.
