Stradivarius has seen off all-comers in the staying division since his first Group One win at Goodwood in August 2017 but winning a fourth Gold Cup, to equal Yeats’s record, promises to be his toughest assignment yet at this meeting.
Serpentine, last year’s Derby winner, is a completely unknown quantity at this trip, while Trueshan has a shout on his Champions Day form if significant rain arrives.
The most obvious danger, though, is Subjectivist (4.15). He looked sure to stay further when running away with the Dubai Gold Cup in March, has a Group One win in last year’s Prix Royal-Oak and seems likely to get his own way in front. Mark Johnston has few peers with stayers and the four-year-old could prove to be one of his best.
Royal Ascot 2.30 Two runners from the Wesley Ward stable and another from Ballydoyle will attract plenty of money, which could leave Clive Cox’s Instinctive Move available at an attractive price. He showed plenty of speed to win on debut at Bath, and Cox has had three winners from his last 10 juvenile runners making their second start at this meeting.
Royal Ascot 3.05 Mohaafeth remains an unknown quantity having been scratched from the Derby when the ground eased earlier this month, and overnight rain could put a dampener on his chance again. Even if the surface remains quick, however, One Ruler has plenty of form that makes him a serious contender and 10 furlongs could well be his ideal trip.
Royal Ascot 3.40 Fillies coming on to the Ribblesdale after being beaten in the Oaks have a mixed record overall, but two of the last four winners were unplaced at Epsom and Dubai Fountain is a big price to be a third. She was third-last in the Classic after looking all at sea on the track, but a close fourth in the Fillies’ Mile last year is eye-catching form and 12-1 is a very fair price if the track proves more to her liking.
Ripon
1.15 Mot And The Messer 1.45 Coley’s Koko 2.15 Impulsive One 2.50 Data Protection 3.25 Hard Solution 4.00 True Courage 4.35 Whitwell
Chelmsford
1.40 Pure Charmer 2.10 Lovely Breeze 2.45 The Tide Turns 3.20 River Dawn 3.55 Cochise 4.30 Red October 5.10 Breccia
Royal Ascot
2.30 Instinctive Move 3.05 One Ruler (nap) 3.40 Dubai Fountain 4.15 Subjectivist (nb) 5.00 Perotto 5.35 Surrey Gold 6.10 Danyah
Lingfield Park
5.30 Requited 6.05 Fozzie Bear 6.40 Campachoochoo 7.10 Trouser The Cash 7.40 Kayfast Warrior 8.10 Hala Joud 8.40 Horsefly
Ffos Las
5.45 Lermoos Legend 6.20 Kiera Royale 6.50 Repetitio 7.20 Clearly Capable 7.50 Monty Guiry 8.20 Equus Dancer 8.50 Olympic Honour-
Royal Ascot 5.00 Perotto can be no more than a hopeful selection in a ferociously hot heat, but he looked sure to be suited by another step up in trip when winning over seven furlongs at Goodwood last time. Oisin Murphy’s booking – for just his seventh ride for Marcus Tregoning – could be seen as a positive, too.
Royal Ascot 5.35 Surrey Gold has taken a big hike in the weights after winning a Newbury handicap by seven lengths last time, but he has been improving markedly with every run this year and his new mark may still give him some leeway.
Royal Ascot 6.10 Danyah has been passed over by Jim Crowley in favour of the favourite, Aldaary, but she has run well over a mile on her last two starts while also looking like this return to seven furlongs will suit. At around 12-1, she could be the each-way value.
