Here’s our day four report:
Landmark day for Dettori and Doyle
I was wondering yesterday how we could top a memorable day in Royal Ascot history when Stradivarius put up a storming display to win the Gold Cup and while today didn’t match that there was an awful lot to savour. Two impressive winners in the early races that we’ll be hearing a lot more of set the tone and we ended the day with a new favourite for the St Leger in Santiago and, most memorably of all, landmark winners for Frankie Dettori (his 70th at the meeting) and Hollie Doyle (her first). Meanwhile, tomorrow has the best one-day big-race line-up in living memory with the St James’s Palace and Coronation Stakes switched to the final day owing to the switch in dates for the Guineas this year. It promises to be quite some day. See you all back here then.
Emotional Doyle hails first Royal Ascot success
Hollie Doyle added her name to the Royal Ascot record books by becoming only the third female rider to partner a winner at the showpiece meeting, as she stormed home aboard Scarlet Dragon (33-1) for Alan King in the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes.
Doyle – who already holds the record for number of winners ridden in a calendar year by a female – joins Gay Kelleway and Hayley Turner on the Ascot roll of honour.
Doyle, who has regularly been in the winner’s enclosure since the resumption of racing, said: “I can’t talk, it feels amazing, it’s so weird I’ve done it on this horse, as he was my first big handicap winner as an apprentice so to do it on him and for Mr [Henry] Ponsonby (owner) is great.
“This means a huge amount – you arrive every year with high hopes, but it’s very hard to come across winners. This is the icing on the cake given how well it has gone since the resumption. I can’t really put it into words and there are so many people to thank.”
She added: “Hayley has been there and done it and ridden Group One winners, I can hardly imagine doing that myself, but I know it’s possible one day. My aim is to improve year on year ability-wise so I’ve been lucky to get the opportunities, but I’ve still got a long way to go.” PA Media
Updated
Duke of Edinburgh Stakes Handicap (4.40pm) result
1 Scarlet Dragon (Hollie Doyle) 33-1
2 Deja (Andrea Atzeni) 9-1
3 West End Charmer (W Buick) 4-1 Fav
14 ran
Also: 11-1 Le Don De Vie 4th
Non Runners: 2,4,5,6,13
Updated
Duke of Edinburgh Stakes Handicap (4.40pm)
They’re off ... West End Charmer was out quick ...Indianapolis, the big gamble, is up there too ... Deja is in third ... Johnny Drama is prominent ... Getchagetchagetcha is poised ... Scarlet Dragon comes to challenge ... and wins for Hollie Doyle!
Updated
Chris Cook reports on another landmark afternoon for Frankie Dettori
Duke of Edinburgh Stakes Handicap (4.40pm) betting
- West End Charmer – 7/2
- Durston – 5/1
- Good Birthday – 17/2
- Indianapolis – 9/1
- Le Don De Vie – 10/1
- Medal Winner – 10/1
- Deja – 10/1
- Johnny Drama – 14/1
- Al Muffrih – 16/1
- Scarlet Dragon – 25/1
- Dubai Future – 25/1
- Getchagetchagetcha – 40/1
- Protected Guest – 66/1
- Dolphin Vista – 66/1
- Full betting on Oddschecker here
Duke of Edinburgh Stakes Handicap (4.40pm) preview
Jim Crowley has landed on the likely favourite here in Durston, who made relentless progress last year and was third to Technician in the Geoffrey Freer. His stable is still waiting for a first winner since resumption, however. By contrast, West End Charmer comes from the prolific Mark Johnston yard and is 5lb well in under a penalty for scoring at Newmarket 12 days ago, but that race panned out well for him and he got very tired the last time he tried soft. Medal Winner is also questionable on this ground but is clearly going the right way after his Newcastle win. Deja is so lightly raced, he might still have a bit in hand of his rating at the age of five and his yard is in form. That is also true of Good Birthday, who did best of the hold-up types in West End Charmer’s race and may be very well suited by this step up in trip.
Queen's Vase (4.10pm)
They’re off ... Punctuation sets a decent pace up front ... Born With Pride is in second spot ... Al Dabaran is back in third ... Berkshire Rocco begins to make some ground ... Santiago travels well ... they turn for home ... Santiago goes for home with Berkshire Rocco and Santiago is the stronger and kicks clear for Ryan Moore and Aidan O’Brien.
Result:
1 Santiago (R L Moore) 10-3
2 Berkshire Rocco (Oisin Murphy) 3-1
3 Al Dabaran (W Buick) 6-1
8 ran
Also: 11-4 Fav Born With Pride 4th
Non Runner: 4
Updated
Queen's Vase (4.10pm) betting
- Berkshire Rocco – 3/1
- Born With Pride – 3/1
- Santiago – 4/1
- Al Dabaran – 5/1
- Nobel Prize – 9/1
- On Guard – 20/1
- Punctuation – 20/1
- Cloud Thunder – 200/1
Queen's Vase (4.10pm) preview
Just nine runners for the three-year-olds’ Gold Cup, in which the market seems pretty confident about a bounce-back run from Born With Pride. Better was expected by punters but possibly not her connections when she was an outpaced seventh at Kempton, eight lengths behind the likes of Berlin Tango and Pyledriver. She took well to testing ground on her only start last year, so a much better showing this time would not surprise. Berkshire Rocco was also in a race with a quality winner last time, when chasing home English King in the Derby Trial. He needs to be less gassy this time but that effort makes him the most likely winner, for me. Blinkers are tried on Al Dabaran, which is a risk for any horse making such a big step up in distance. Aidan O’Brien knows the right type for this and his pair are both soft-ground winners already. Santiago, a son of Authorized, makes marginally the more appeal though Nobel Prize is a brother to Highland Reel and Idaho, both Royal Ascot winners.
Commonwealth Cup (3.35pm) result
1 Golden Horde (A Kirby) 5-1
2 Kimari (L Dettori) 5-1
3 Ventura Rebel (T Hamilton) 50-1
16 ran
Also: 10-3 Fav Lope Y Fernandez, 250-1 Royal Commando 4th
Non Runner: 13
Updated
Commmonwealth Cup (3.35pm)
They’re off ... Mums Tipple leads and into two groups ... Pierre Lapin is in a good position ... Golden Horde leads the nearside ... Golden Horde goes for home ... and will not be caught ... beats Kimari ... it was all about horses on stands rails.
Updated
A great gesture from @FrankieDettori
— Ascot Racecourse (@Ascot) June 19, 2020
He has donated his signed 70th winner commemorative saddle cloth and we'll be auctioning it off to raise money for our #StyledWithThanks campaign
Details on how to bid will be shared soon #RoyalAscot pic.twitter.com/VIqpG14jmU
Commonwealth Cup (3.35pm) betting
- Lope Y Fernandez - 4/1
- Golden Horde - 9/2
- Pierre Lapin - 9/2
- Kimari - 6/1
- Millisle - 9/1
- Royal Crusade - 12/1
- Mums Tipple - 18/1
- Royal Lytham - 22/1
- Shadn - 25/1
- Southern Hills - 33/1
- Ventura Rebel - 33/1
- Dubai Station - 66/1
- Pistoletto - 66/1
- Les Hogues - 100/1
- Royal Commando - 125/1
- Aberama Gold - 200/1
- Full betting here at Oddschecker
Commonwealth Cup (3.35pm) preview
It’s a slightly downbeat renewal of this top-class sprint for three-year-olds, lacking a star name like Limato, Caravaggio or Ten Sovereigns (I realise two of them were beaten in this). Of course, we’ve missed a section of the season that might have generated stardom. Pierre Lapin is the nearest thing we have, thanks to the memory of his promising Mill Reef success. Kimari showed her ability to run fast on this ground when second in the Queen Mary last year, though this extra furlong will be a test for her.
Golden Horde was just a neck behind Earthlight in the Middle Park, though, as he returns from a nine-month absence, it’s a concern that his stable has been a bit quiet. Lope Y Fernandez ran a big race to be third in the Irish Guineas and that form was boosted by Thursday’s effort from Monarch Of Egypt; still, Lope Y Fernandez may have had a harder race on The Curragh than that one. The return to sprinting also looks a good idea for Millisle but she ran a long way below expectation in the 1,000 Guineas. Southern Hills lacks a recent run but won last year’s Windsor Castle on similar ground and could be a lively outsider.
Hardwicke Stakes (3.00pm) result
1 Fanny Logan (L Dettori) 17-2
2 Alounak (Oisin Murphy) 40-1
3 Defoe (Andrea Atzeni) 6-1
9 ran
Also: 9-4 Fav Anthony Van Dyck
Non Runners: 5,10
Hardwicke Stakes (3.00pm)
They’re off ... Communique leads from Alounak ... Elarqam and Anthony Van Dyck are close up ... Van Dyck being pushed along ... Fanny Logan is coming ... and leads and goes clear ... Frankie Dettori has another winner!
Updated
Richard Hannon’s travelling head lad Wayne Kavanagh was left with a dislocated knee after an incident with the stable’s Albany Stakes runner Cirrus in the parade ring at Royal Ascot. Kavanagh, a former jump jockey, was leading the juvenile filly round the paddock when she became fractious.
The incident helped to cause a near seven-minute delay to the second race on day four of the famous meeting, before Cirrus went on to finish 12th of 13 behind easy winner Dandalla.
Confirming Kavanagh’s injury, Marlborough trainer Hannon said: “She [Cirrus] didn’t kick him - she just turned on him and jumped out of the way. He dislocated his knee – which he has done before when he was a jockey. He is OK apart from the dislocated knee.”
PA Media
Updated
Hardwicke Stakes (3.00pm) betting
- Elarqam – 11/4
- Anthony Van Dyck – 3/1
- Defoe – 13/2
- Hamish – 7/1
- Morando – 7/1
- Fanny Logan – 9/1
- Communique – 40/1
- Eagles By Day – 66/1
- Alounak – 80/1
- Full betting at Oddschecker here
Hardwicke Stakes (3.00pm) preview
Derby winners in the Hardwicke are apparently becoming a thing, since we had Masar in this last year. Hopefully things go better for Anthony Van Dyck, as Masar just about fell over on emerging from the stalls, finished fifth and was retired after one more race. Anthony Van Dyck has better prospects, having shown up well when second in the Coronation Cup a fortnight ago, with Stradivarius behind in third. But this is a strong field, he’s on a six-race losing run and was said to need fast ground when he was 10th in the King George here last year. Defoe looked useful in winning this last year and he should be sharper for his Coronation Cup fifth; his yard has come right into form.
The famously mudloving Morando needs the ground to stay testing, as a few of these are more talented in normal circumstances and there is no juice in his price after it halved last night. Elarqam is a more convincing candidate after his staying-on second to Lord North 12 days ago, that rival having since landed the Prince of Wales. A Group Two winner at York on soft ground last summer, Elarqam was beaten just over a length in the Juddmonte International and he can cap a huge week for Jim Crowley. Hamish has been backed, presumably because soft suits him well, but he has a bit to prove at this level and may be better for this first run back.
Updated
Jockeys riding on Saturday donate fees to NHS
Jockeys riding at Royal Ascot on Saturday have come together and agreed to donate their riding fees to the NHS, in recognition of the dedication and amazing work of all NHS staff throughout the Covid-19 crisis and for the outstanding care they provide to injured jockeys.
The initiative was the brainchild of jockey Martin Dwyer, who won the Group Two King Edward VII Stakes at Ascot on Tuesday on Pyledriver, trainer by his father-in-law William Muir.
Dwyer, who is also a director of the PJA, said: “We wanted to do something to recognise all of our amazing NHS staff who’ve worked tirelessly throughout this crisis, especially as jockeys rely on the NHS whenever we have a fall and the overwhelming majority of racecourse medical staff also work in the NHS. We owe them a huge debt of gratitude and this is our way of saying thank you.”
Paul Struthers, chief executive of the PJA, said:“The medical provision on the racecourse, provided by doctors and nurses who also work in the NHS, is the best in the world. Our jockeys also receive first class care from the NHS and its staff when they are injured in a fall, as happened to one of our members earlier this week. It therefore doesn’t surprise me in the slightest that jockeys would come up with an initiative like this themselves and it’s a wonderful gesture.”
👏👏👏👏
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) June 19, 2020
Every jockey competing @Ascot tomorrow will give all their riding fees to NHS charities.
What a fantastic gesture
Watch LIVE
📺 @ITV
💻 https://t.co/8QDVIeRIbJ pic.twitter.com/FLaJ08GYs9
Updated
Norfolk Stakes (2.25pm) result
1 The Lir Jet (Oisin Murphy) 9-2
2 Golden Pal (Andrea Atzeni) 12-1
3 Imperial Force (James Doyle) 15-2
12 ran
Also: 7-4 Fav Eye Of Heaven, 5-2 Lipizzaner 4th
Non Runners: 3,5
The Lir Jet absolutely flies home to get up on the line and win the Norfolk Stakes ✈️✈️pic.twitter.com/fp4jXLWOWs
— Great British Racing (@GBRacing) June 19, 2020
Updated
Norfolk Stakes (2.25pm)
They’re off ... Golden Pal blazes into the lead ... Eye Of Heaven there with The Lir Jet ... Golden Pal gets weary and The Lir Jet got up in the last 20 yards to win.
Updated
Norfolk Stakes (2.25pm) betting
- Eye of Heaven - 15/8
- Lipizzaner – 10/3
- The Lir Jet – 9/2
- Imperial Force – 9/1
- Golden Pal – 16/1
- Jojo Rabbit – 20/1
- Nelson Gay – 20/1
- Ventura Tormenta – 22/1
- Cooperation – 66/1
- Macho Pride – 66/1
- Andronicus Baeu – 100/1
- Papal Bee – 250/1
- Full betting at Oddschecker here
Technician retired after Gold Cup injury
Technician has been retired after injuring a tendon in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot. Martyn Meade’s four-year-old was sent off the 7-2 second favourite on the back of several good efforts last year, but he put up a disappointing display in conditions that should have suited him well on Thursday.
Unfortunately, on returning to Meade’s Manton base, it transpired Technician had torn a tendon badly enough for his racing days to be over.
Meade said: “After the race we found out he’d suffered a tendon injury, and I’m afraid it’s career-threatening, so we’ve decided he will be retired. His run was so inexplicable – he had absolutely perfect conditions, and I was expecting a big run. It’s so disappointing. It shows what a good horse he was to run on with that injury – it’s bad.
“There’s no future trying to repair it, so we’ll have to make alternative plans for him now. Hopefully he can go to stud, but I’m afraid that will be his last race. We knew something was wrong, because that wasn’t like him at all. Usually he battles on – and with conditions right, something had to be affecting him. Clearly he must have twisted badly, and that was it.” PA Media
Norfolk Stakes (2.25pm) preview
Having saddled the second and fourth in the Chesham, Mark Johnston hopes to win this two-year-old race with Eye Of Heaven, one of the most impressive of the 20-odd winners he’s had since resumption. The third horse, Tactical, won the Windsor Castle earlier this week, but wet ground presents a different test. It is even more likely to be a problem for Golden Pal, reckoned by Wesley Ward to be his best chance of the week but a beautiful mover on a fast surface. Lipizzaner, the Aidan O’Brien runner, was straight enough to make his debut in March but didn’t show much improvement for that experience when he ran again 11 days ago. The Lir Jet knew his job when scoring at Yarmouth and, while the ground was quick, his sire won a soft-ground Norfolk, so this colt may be able to cope. Nelson Gay, third that day, could improve enough to make it closer this time. Imperial Force is another likely improve, having chased home Godolphin’s Coventry Stakes contender at Newmarket. He’s bred to like this ground.
Looking back, Dandalla was pretty impressive there in the Albany Stakes and has a 16-1 quote for the 1,000 Guineas from Betfair after that victory.
Dandalla first, the rest nowhere! 🔥 #RoyalAscot pic.twitter.com/HhB6vMVaAd
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 19, 2020
Updated
Albany Stakes (1.50pm) result
1 Dandalla (B A Curtis) 13-2
2 Setarhe (Andrea Atzeni) 11-4 Fav
3 Mother Earth (R L Moore) 10-3
13 ran
Also: 20-1 Undertake 4th
Non Runner: No13 Ventura Vision (50-1) was withdrawn not under orders.
Updated
Albany Stakes (1.50pm)
They’re off ... gone without Ventura Vision ... Flying Aletha out fast with Follow Suit ... Dandalla and Golden Melody go to the front ... Dandalla kicked clear for a smooth success.
Updated
Non-runners update
2.25pm Norfolk Stakes (Group 2) 3 Emirati Dirham (Vet’s Certificate, stiff) 5 Get It (Going)
3.00pm Hardwicke Stakes (Group 2) 5 Desert Encounter (Going) 10 Spanish Mission (Going)
3.35pm Commonwealth Cup (Group 1) (British Champions Series) 13 Wooded (Going)
4.10pm Queen’s Vase (Group 2) 4 London Arch (Going)
4.40pm Duke of Edinburgh Stakes (Handicap) 4 Dal Horrisgle (Going) 5 Universal Order (Going) 13 Koeman (Going)
Non-runners tomorrow
1.50pm Coventry Stakes (Group 2) 9 Mehmo (Going)
4.10pm Wokingham Stakes (Heritage Handicap) 5 Mubakker (Going)
Albany Stakes (1.50pm) betting
- Mother Earth – 10/3
- Golden Melody – 9/2
- Setarhe – 7/1
- Dandalla – 17/2
- Willabell – 9/1
- Mahale – 11/1
- Flying Aletha – 9/1
- Undertake – 18/1
- Valpolicella – 25/1
- Cirrus – 30/1
- Mariance – 50/1
- Ventura Vision – 66/1
- Follow Suit – 100/1
- Bonne Vitesse – 200/1
- Full betting on Oddschecker here
Albany Stakes (1.50pm) preview
Wesley Ward hasn’t won an Albany and it looks as though he may be waiting another year, as his undoubtedly speedy Flying Aletha faces a very new test on this soggy surface. She doubled in price to 8-1 after the rain arrived on Thursday. Going the other way in the betting was Golden Melody, a daughter of Belardo, who won a soft-ground Dewhurst. There was some dig when she scored at Haydock, quickening nicely a furlong out. Aidan O’Brien sends Mother Earth, who ran on kindly into second in the first Irish race after resumption last week. Soft ground will help her. Improvement also seems likely from Mahale, who was flying at the finish when fourth on her debut, doing much the best of the hold-up runners. The greater emphasis on stamina here is good news for her.
Updated
Palace Of Holyroodhouse Handicap (1.15pm) result
1 Art Power (S De Sousa) 6-4 Fav
2 Keep Busy (Cieren Fallon) 6-1
3 Dancin Inthestreet (J F Egan) 9-1
4 Lambeth Walk (Oisin Murphy) 33-1
21 ran
Non Runner: 6
Future Group 1 performer says the rider - former champion jockey @SilvDSousa joins @MCYeeehaaa after riding his seventh #RoyalAscot winner aboard King Power Racing and Tim Easterby's Art Power pic.twitter.com/ehNuZbeYRw
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 19, 2020
Updated
Palace Of Holyroodhouse Handicap (1.15pm) betting
- Art Power – 2/1
- Keep Busy – 15/2
- Dancin Inthestreet – 8/1
- City Walk – 11/1
- Never Dark – 12/1
- Maystar – 15/1
- Mighty Spirit – 14/1
- Classy Moon – 22/1
- Rayong – 22/1
- Golden Dragon – 22/1
- Triple Spear – 33/1
- Show Me Show Me – 40/1
- Electric Ladyland – 40/1
- Band Practice – 40/1
- Flippa the Strippa – 50/1
- Spartan Fighter – 66/1
- Illusionist – 125/1
- Dylan De Vega – 125/1
- George Cornelius – 150/1
- Sir Oliver – 150/1
- Full betting on Oddschecker
Palace Of Holyroodhouse Handicap (1.15pm) preview
Once again, we kick off with a fiendish new handicap ... well, not that new as there used to be a three-year-old sprint handicap at the Royal meeting, called the Balmoral, but it disappeared some years ago. The clear favourite is Art Power, nicely bred and impressive so far, powering well clear on his Newcastle reappearance. You could worry about stable form, as Tim Easterby has been short of winners, but this grey looked really good just 18 days ago.
Down at the bottom of the weights, there’s a couple of contenders. Dancin Inthestreet met trouble in running at Haydock, when five furlongs looked on the sharp side for her; this five is stiffer, though. Never Dark is from a zippy family and his mum won the Wokingham 13 years back. He made all at Kempton on his handicap debut but this is his first turf start. Maystar won in Qatar in December and went close in a French Listed race in March, so he won’t wilt for lack of experience.
Hayley Turner has tweeted her thanks for all the congratulations following her success at Royal Ascot yesterday
Thank u for all the lovely messages and a big thanks to the @FellowesRacing team. We did it again! 🥳🥂 https://t.co/FVJ2MqFKTJ
— Hayley Turner (@Hayleyturner123) June 19, 2020
Updated
A traditional flutter for racegoers in the build up to the action is the colour of the Queen’s hat, and I’ve been told that in the absence of the Royal Procession, Bettingexpert.com have started putting together a fun set of odds for ITV Racing’s Francesca Cumani’s headpiece. Yesterday pink was the winner. Today’s betting: Green 2/1 Yellow 3/1 Apricot/peach 4/1 Cream 5/1 Blue 5/1 White 6/1 Pink 7/1 Grey 8/1 Orange 9/1 Black 25/1 Union Jack 50/1 No hat 100/1. To access the hat stakes, apparently you simply log into BettingExpert.com for the latest odds.
Result: 1st Pink (again) 7-1
Updated
Top trainer
Roger Varian 4 wins
John Gosden 4
Aidan O’Brien 3
Mark Johnston 1
Charlie Hills 1
Alan King 1
William Muir 1
Andrew Balding 1
Owen Burrows 1
Paul & Oliver Cole 1
Charlie Fellowes 1
Richard Hannon 1
William Knight 1
When I backed Gosden to be top trainer, reasoning that O’Brien would be light on runners, I did not see Varian coming as the bigger threat. After all, his career total at the Royal meeting was five; but three of those came last year and perhaps that should have been the sign that he’s going to be a perennial contender now. O’Brien has four seconds, more than the top two put together, so he’ll be in pole position if he can get to the same winner total as them, and he has plenty of bullets yet to fire. William Haggas, Charlie Appleby and Saeed bin Suroor are among the big names yet to get on the board.
Top trainer best odds:
1-2 O’Brien, 7-2 Gosden, Varian.
Top jockeys
Jim Crowley 6 wins
Ryan Moore 3
James Doyle 2
Frankie Dettori 2
Andrea Atzeni 1
Oisin Murphy 1
Martin Dwyer 1
Thore Hammer Hansen 1
Rossa Ryan 1
Hayley Turner 1
Crowley came here with a career total of five Royal Ascot wins, spread over the previous nine years. He has had an amazing week and it would be cruel if he did not now end it as top jockey, but, looking at the bookings for the next two days, Moore is still a live runner. Dettori got his second winner of the week in the Gold Cup and has plenty to be satisfied about but it seems we are not going to get a repeat of last year’s heroics. Rossa Ryan got his first winner at the Royal meeting, while Hayley Turner has now won the Sandringham two years in a row and both times at 33-1. Tom Marquand is still waiting for his first winner here; he’s had a couple of seconds this week and gets four more chances today, including on Born With Pride, the likely favourite for the Queen’s Vase.
Top jockey best odds:
4-6 Crowley, 9-4 Moore, 12-1 Doyle, 20-1 Dettori.
Ascot clerk of the course Chris Stickels has been out on the track and has the latest update on the going and conditions
Day four of Royal Ascot 2020 is here - and Clerk of the Course, Chris Stickels, has the latest update on the going and conditions#RoyalAscot pic.twitter.com/WW0sRrkzEG
— Ascot Racecourse (@Ascot) June 19, 2020
Friday's tips
1.15pm Palace Of Holyroodhouse Handicap
Art Power 2-1
1.50pm Albany Stakes
Mahale 10-1 (14s in places)
2.25pm Norfolk Stakes
Imperial Force 9-1
3.00pm Hardwicke Stakes
Elarqam 5-2
3.35pm Commonwealth Cup
Pierre Lapin 4-1
4.10pm Queen’s Vase
Berkshire Rocco (nap) 4-1
4.40pm Duke Of Edinburgh Handicap
Good Birthday (nb) 8-1
Most of these are proving fairly popular, with the exception of Pierre Lapin. It’s odds to see some opposition to him, given how hot Roger Varian has been this week.
Commonwealth Cup promises to be a cracker
After what was basically a dry night at Ascot, the official going for day four of the Royal meeting has been changed to good-to-soft on the straight course and soft, good-to-soft in place on the round, which is, by my count at least, the fifth change since Tuesday morning (and please don’t write to the editor if I’ve managed to miss a couple, it’s been that kind of week).
The TurfTrax map on the Ascot going hub shows the contrast between the rate of drainage on the straight – which was relaid when the course was rebuilt from scratch 15 years ago – and the loop for the longer races, which wasn’t. The difference between the two is likely to increase over the next couple of days if, as expected, further rain is sporadic, but that does not matter quite so much today as the feature event – the Group One Commonwealth Cup – is a six-furlong sprint for three-year-olds.
This is the youngest of the Group One races at the meeting, having been introduced – and, a little controversially, immediately awarded the coveted Group One status – in 2015. It has since fully justified that decision, however, rapidly becoming one of the highlights of the week.
This year’s renewal is another cracker, bringing together horses that have been aimed at this race for many months (Pierre Lapin, Golden Horde) alongside others that tried their luck in a Guineas at Newmarket or the Curragh and did not quite get home. With Kimari, from Wesley Ward’s stable in the States, adding a transatlantic interest with Frankie Dettori up, it promises to be some spectacle.
It really is now or never for any jockey hoping to overhaul Jim Crowley’s total of six winners so far and claim the prize for the leading rider of the week, as Crowley has just two rides today – including Elarqam, the favourite for the Hardwicke Stakes – while James Doyle has five mounts, and Ryan Moore and Frankie Dettori have six apiece.
Crowley is a 4-7 chance to become the jockey other than Moore, Dettori and Johnny Murtagh to win the prize since 2007, while Moore – who rides Anthony Van Dyck, last year’s Derby winner and the second-favourite, in Elarqam’s race – is 9-4, with Doyle at 12-1 and Dettori on 20-1. If Elarqam wins, it is probably game over.
Chris Cook’s selections for the fourth day are here, and the action is underway at 1.15.
