Races

Andrew Hawkins’ Royal Ascot Preview: Day 3

Posted on | Posted by Andrew Hawkins

Race 1

Day 3 begins with another great juvenile contest in the G2 Norfolk Stakes over five furlongs or 1000m. Trainer Richard Fahey has won the race the last two years and he saddles up MALC, but his streak is threatened by two very speedy juveniles from either side of the Atlantic. AMERICAN RASCAL is the first foal of one of the best Ascot 1000m horses of the modern era in Lady Aurelia. He looked something quite special on debut at Keeneland and I can’t quite believe he’s not favourite. That spot is held by ELITE STATUS, who has won both starts by a big margin including a five-length Listed success last time out. Owner Sheikh Obaid has already had a Royal Ascot to remember but I’m hoping the Stonestreet colours are successful here. MON NA SLIEVE and NOCHE MAGICA are next best in a strong Norfolk.

Numbers: 1-4-8-9

Suggested Bet: American Rascal WIN (Best Bet)

Race 2

The King George V Stakes, a three-year-old handicap over a mile and a half or 2400m, has a long history of producing horses for Australia. Winners Surefire and South Pacific have made their way down under the last four years, while last year’s Melbourne Cup favourite Deauville Legend was runner-up in this race 12 months ago. It was also the race in which Australians first became familiar with Cross Counter after he finished fourth in 2018. Therefore, there is every chance one horse in here might be at Flemington on the first Tuesday in November. Perhaps it could be LAND LEGEND for the Deauville Legend connections of James Ferguson and Bon Ho. The pair also have WONDER LEGEND engaged and their first-choice jockey Dan Muscutt has gone with him, but Hollie Doyle is a great call-up for Land Legend and I think he could surprise. He came from a long way back to finish second at York last time out and I think the outing at 2400m will bring him on for this. Quite keen on him here. Godolphin’s TAGABAWA looks the main danger after a huge win at Kempton fresh – he will be in Group races before too long – while BURGLAR and PERFUSE are next best.

Numbers: 15-3-10-6

Suggested Bet: Land Legend EACH WAY

Race 3

AL ASIFAH. Next. OK, not quite, but if the Shadwell filly is able to live up to her first two outings, she will be comfortably winning the G2 Ribblesdale Stakes for the three-year-old fillies at a mile and a half. She was so, so good at Goodwood last time out and she looks every bit a Group 1 filly in waiting. She will likely be odds-on but deservedly so. Watch a star emerge. INFINITE COSMOS was good behind Oaks winner Soul Sister in the G3 Musidora Stakes at York. She should be suited up to this trip and she can run home strongly. Lightly raced fillies VILLAGE VOICE and BLUESTOCKING are next in line but this is all about Al Asifah.

Numbers: 1-7-18-2

Suggested Bet: Al Asifah WIN

Race 4

The G1 Ascot Gold Cup over two miles and four furlongs or 4000m has been the staying feature of the meeting since 1807. For the first time since 2017, there is no Stradivarius here, nor is the horse who conquered him last year – Kyprios – returning to defend his crown. However, 2021 winner SUBJECTIVIST – at his third run on the comeback trail from injury – does line up. He’s a chance, but it might be beter to look towards the new blood here. Last year’s G1 St Leger victor ELDAR ELDAROV steps up beyond two miles for the first time. He was disappointing at that effort in October but that was at the end of a long season. Everything suggests he can develop into a top stayer and this is his chance to prove his potential. EMILY DICKINSON was a huge winner over 3200m at the Curragh in October, although that was on rain-affected ground and the horse she beat – Baron Samedi – failed down under during the autumn. She would be better with cut in the ground but a strong staying test does look in her favour. YIBIR was a Breeders’ Cup Turf winner 18 months ago but his racing style doesn’t do him many favours. He’s a real query at the trip but if he does stay, class will take him a long way. COURAGE MON AMI is the most interesting runner in here. He is unbeaten from three starts at lower levels but could be anything. Whether he will stay though is another question entirely.

Numbers: 12-14-10-11

Suggested Bet: Eldar Eldarov WIN

Race 5

The Britannia Stakes over the straight mile for the three-year-old colts and geldings has become known as something of a Hong Kong qualifier, given the number of horses from the race who can end up trained at Sha Tin. One horse who could be bound for Australia, though, rather than for Asia is DOCKLANDS, owned by OTI Racing. His two victories at his last two starts have been terrific, especially his six and a half length triumph at the course and distance last month. He has been penalised accordingly but he looks to have plenty up his sleeve and he can win here on his way to bigger and better things. He might even be one for the Golden Eagle later this year. QUANTUM IMPACT has been heavily backed since fields came out on Tuesday. The booking of Frankie Dettori looks significant and he improved up to a mile last time out at York. JUST AN HOUR broke his maiden at Killarney last time out. Down in the weights, he’s got some hope. Similar can be said of ROYAL CAPE, a 10-length novice winner at Windsor two back who ran well against strong company at Haydock last time out.

Numbers: 9-19-25-27

Suggested Bet: Docklands EACH WAY

Race 6

The G3 Hampton Court Stakes, over 10 furlongs or 2000m for three-year-olds that haven’t won a G1 or G2 contest, boasts winners down under like Glass Harmonium, Benbatl and Hunting Horn. Others to have come through the race include Zaaki, Orderofthegarter, Mirage Dancer, The Taj Mahal and It’s Somewhat. Surely if there is one from this race bound for down under, it is the appropriately named CANBERRA LEGEND. Another one for Dan Muscutt, James Ferguson and Bon Ho, he disappointed in the G2 Dante Stakes at York but he’d looked so good before that. It wouldn’t surprise if he developed into a Melbourne Cup contender by year’s end. CAERNARFON was very good in the Epsom Oaks, finishing third at a big price. The 10 furlongs might end up being her sweet spot. DRUMROLL won the G3 Gallinule Stakes on protest last time out, but his effort before that behind stablemate Paddington reads very well now. TORITO is another who looks to be heading the right way.

Numbers: 5-16-2-14

Suggested Bet: Canberra Legend WIN

Race 7

Another open handicap to close the card on Day 3. This time, it’s the Buckingham Palace Handicap over seven furlongs or 1400m – a race that was established in 2002, removed in 2014 and then returned in 2020. Quite like the form of CROUPIER on top of the ground and think that he might be in the right place for this race to develop. He gets the nod ahead of MONTASSIB, fifth in the race as favourite 12 months ago. He’s also coming off a last-start win and while he might be at a ratings apex, he isn’t without claims. Last year’s runner-up ROPEY GUEST is always around the mark in these sorts of races, while SILENT FILM is interesting off a Dubai campaign as he steps out for a new stable for the first time.

Numbers: 15-6-23-13

Suggested Bet: Croupier EACH WAY

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