Keith McHugh's Ascot Preview
nw...@zyworld.com
on Royal stage
AFTER a year out for major reconstruction work, Royal Ascot returns
home
next week.
Last season¹s Royal meeting was held at York and a great event it
was,
too.
But a huge draw bias made some of the races unsatisfactory and it is to
be
hoped that the course changes at Ascot do not produce a similar
scenario.
What we can safely expect, however, is top-class racing.
Heading my list of ³must² bets for the Royal meeting is Race For The
Stars
in the Coronation Stakes.
This three-year-old mile contest for fillies features our 1,000 Guineas
winner Speciosa and Nightime, who was successful in the Irish
equivalent.
Aidan O¹Brien¹s Race For The Stars was beaten in both those races,
but they
were held on rain-soaked ground which was all against her.
Likely to get the fast ground she needs next week, Race For The Stars
can
restore her reputation as a top-quality filly and go in at attractive
odds
(currently around 8-1).
This year¹s three-year-old colts are much of a muchness, judging by
the
Epsom Derby form.
I suppose they could all be very good, but that¹s unlikely and I have
a
strong suspicion that the best colt of his generation may have missed
Epsom.
Geoff Wragg saddled the maiden, Dragon Dancer, to be second to Sir
Percy in
the Derby, but I am convinced his Ivy Creek is a superior horse and
will be
backing him to prove it in the Hampton Court Stakes.
Ivy Creek was desperately unlucky to be touched off by Art Deco at
Chester
and that one franked the form when fourth in the French Derby.
Wragg campaigned the top-class Pentire in much the same way he has been
handling Ivy Creek and that underlines the regard in which he is held
by the
trainer.
I am hoping that Sir Michael Stoute takes the handicap route with Stage
Gift
rather than take on Ivy Creek, as this is the second most promising
three-year-old I have seen this season.
The son of Cadeaux Genereux has rattled up a quick hat-trick this term
and
looks way ahead of the handicapper.
I am convinced he is a Group horse in the making, but in the meantime
Stage
Gift can continue to make hay in the lower divisions. Watch out for him
if
he turns up next week.
Much the same comments apply to another Stoute improver, the
four-year-old
Public Forum, who has been lightly raced but is capable of much better
form
than he has shown.
The fact that he was able to win over an inadequate trip of a mile on
his
reappearance at Sandown speaks volumes for his ability and I would be
greatly interested if he were to turn out for one of the
middle-distance
handicaps.
Godolphin seem to be waking up from their early-season slumber, so the
brilliant Proclamation must go on anyone¹s short list for the Queen
Anne
Stakes on day one of the meeting.
He could clash with Soviet Song, whom he just touched off in last
season¹s
Sussex Stakes, and I would expect him to confirm the form granted a
clear
passage.
Godolphin have several options with Iffraaj, who has joined their
operation
from Michael Jarvis¹s stable.
This colt must have fast ground to be seen to maximum effect and the
word
from Newmarket is that he is burning up the gallops.
James Fanshawe must always be respected at the Royal meeting and he has
a
strong team once again.
Perhaps the best of his runners could be the progressive Sir Gerard,
who
looked most unlucky to be beaten by Anna Pavlova in Haydock¹s Tote
Silver
Bowl and may seek compensation in the Britannia Handicap.
For a saver in the same race, check out Barry Hills¹ Giganticus, whose
form
behind Levera at Newmarket has been well franked by the winner.
Giganticus has been kept fresh for this race and is working the house
down
at home.
Hills also has high hopes for La Cucaracha in the King¹s Stand Stakes
over
five furlongs.
Best when fresh, this top-class filly will be making her seasonal
reappearance and is likely to get the quick surface she needs.
Marcus Tregoning is a thoroughly decent guy whose open attitude
regarding
Sir Percy¹s progress in the run-up to the Derby was a breath of fresh
air.
No cloak and dagger stuff from him, so it¹s wise to sit up and take
notice
when the trainer says his filly Makederah is tailor-made for the
Sandringham
Stakes.
Backing two-year-olds at Royal Ascot is a risky business bearing in
mind so
many horses are unexposed.
My two to watch out for next week are Richard Hannon¹s Major Cadeaux
and
Sonny Red, although enthusiasm for the former in the Coventry Stakes
could
be tempered should Aidan O¹Brien send over recent Leopardstown scorer
Holy
Roman Emperor.
Ends
My other fancies are:
Araafa (St James's Palace)
Galient (Queen's Vase)
County Song (Chesham)
Amadeus Wolf, e.w, hot race (Jersey)
Hinterland, e.w. (Hunt Cup)
Reefscape (Gold Cup)
M Stoute's sel (Ribblesdale)
Tax Free (Wokingham)