Now that Highland Reel has calmed any nerves about Aidan O’Brien’s recent form, Order Of St George will be a warm order to repeat his Gold Cup success of last year. But punters are reminded that he was beaten here in October by Sheikhzayedroad (4.20), who is available at double-figure odds to beat the favourite again.
That was a shorter race but I have no doubt about Sheikhzayedroad’s stamina. He wasn’t at home on the soft ground when third in this last year and the faster surface will be right up his street. His stable is finally coming into form after a slow spring.
2.30 Norfolk Stakes This being a five-furlong race for two-year-olds, a Wesley Ward runner is the first thing to look for and here we have McErin, the predictable favourite. But his win was over four and a half furlongs and he could not quite get there over five the next time, so his finishing effort may not be the strongest up this incline. At 10-1, Nine Below Zero looks too big, after a couple of handy successes on fast surfaces, the most recent in a decent time. An extra furlong looks like a help, on pedigree.
3.05 Hampton Court Stakes From the stable that has won this twice in eight years, Mirage Dancer must overcome inexperience but this could be the right time to catch him. A son of Frankel, he was awkward on just his second trip to the track at Chester last month but finished with real verve to be a close fourth behind a horse who was later second in the Derby. Benbatl deserves his place on the strength of his Derby fifth but may have been flattered by the way the Classic unfolded.
3.40 Ribblesdale Stakes Alluringly, third in the Oaks, is the obvious one but she was beaten 11 lengths that day and may be vulnerable to one with more pace. That could be the regally bred Mori, by Frankel out of the six-times Group One winner Midday. Mori has improved with each run and should be able to show significant improvement on her Listed success at Goodwood last time over Coconut Creme.
5.00 Britannia Handicap Struck into during the only race in which he ran poorly, Ronald R should have plenty more to offer. He was not particularly fancied for his handicap debut at Newmarket last month, his first outing since August, but held on gamely and deserved every bit of his 7lb rise. In case his draw on the far side proves the wrong place to be, Keyser Soze looks the pick of the near-side bunch.
5.35 King George V Handicap There might be quite a bit of unexplored potential in Aidan O’Brien’s Utah, who has been a frustrating sort to this point. He won a useful maiden the last time he was tried on a fast surface and was never nearer than at the line when stepped up to 10 furlongs last time. The extra quarter-mile and stronger pace should help a son of Galileo, whose damsire is the French Derby winner Bering.
Thursday tips
Ascot 2.30 Nine Below Zero 3.05 Mirage Dancer 3.40 Mori 4.20 Sheikhzayedroad (nap) 5.00 Ronald R (nb) 5.35 Utah
Chelmsford 1.50 Korak Boy 2.20 Night Generation 2.55 Lastmanlastround 3.30 Banditry 4.05 Miss Fay 4.45 Splash Around 5.20 Absolutely Awesome
Ffos Las 6.10 Are They Your Own 6.40 Deadly Move 7.10 Spring Steel 7.40 Take To Heart 8.10 Mighty Leader 8.40 As You Like It 9.10 Borderlinedecision
Lingfield 5.50 Varun’s Bride 6.20 Sun And Shadow 6.50 Nag’s Wag 7.20 Staffa 7.50 Helfire 8.20 Debonaire David 8.50 Cribbs Causeway
Ripon 2.10 Noah Amor 2.45 Collingham Park 3.20 Oriental Splendour 3.55 Londinium 4.35 Sands Chorus 5.10 Rainbow Lad 5.45 Cosmic Ray
