Having won the Lockinge Stakes seven times, Sir Michael Stoute is probably not used to seeing his contenders on offer at double-figure prices. Punters have become exasperated with Rob Roy (2.45), who has no end of ability but has somehow contrived not to win for two years, including a spell in America. Still, 16-1 is too big about the six-year-old, second in the Champion Stakes before leaving Britain in 2006.
His return second in a Sandown Group Two was a fine effort against rivals who had the benefit of race-fitness. It would be no surprise if Stoute, a master with older horses, could conjure a career best effort from Rob Roy this season, and he will get few better chances at the top level.
From a stable that has struck form recently, Majestic Roi is worth a look in a race which has been won by two fillies and a mare in the last four years. Considering she already has a Group One win to her name, albeit in a race restricted to females, she is also being overlooked by punters.
Newbury 2.10 The winner of two small-field Listed races last summer, Balkan Knight may find conditions to his liking again. He should certainly be forgiven his reappearance effort over a trip too short and is apparantly much the better for it.
Newmarket 2.25 Dropping back in trip did the trick for Viva Vettori at Kempton and he should be able to transfer the improvement he showed there to turf racing.
Newmarket 3.00 Silver Waters was all at sea on heavy going last time but the grey had been progressive before that.
Newbury 3.20 Stoute has won this twice in the last decade and Colony can improve his record. He produced a superb run from the rear to score at Sandown last month and may have this set up for him by confirmed front-runner William Blake.
Newmarket 3.35 Ajaan made it hard for himself by wandering all over the track last time, but the happy result is that he has been raised just 6lb.
Newbury 3.55 Jimmy Styles was value for a lot more than the neck by which he won at Ascot and he remains well treated.
Coolmore camp expect big run from Haradasun
Peter Chapple-Hyam sends out three for today's big race, Newbury's Lockinge Stakes, but we have to report a lack of confidence behind the trio. Tariq is reckoned to be the best of them by a fair margin but many runners from this stable have needed a run to clear their lungs this season and Tariq is making his seasonal reappearance today.
There is a much greater sense of expectation about Aidan O'Brien's ex-Australian Haradasun (2.45), who cost Coolmore a reported A$22.5m and is now making his European debut.
The first division of the 10-furlong maiden may be short on quality but we have good words for a pair of colts in the second. Chapple-Hyam's Amaakin is fancied but the yard may again be frustrated as Eqbaal (5.00) is understood to have progressed since his debut fifth in a mile maiden from which the fourth, sixth and eighth have won since.
Newmarket yards may dominate the card, as Regal Flush (2.10) is fancied to land the Aston Park Stakes for Godolphin, while Chris Wall and Chapple-Hyam may also be on the mark with Royal Rock (3.55) and Karoush (5.35). Our best news for the London Gold Cup concerns Sir Michael Stoute's Colony (3.20), though we also have good words for Jabal Tariq and Strategic Mission. Marcus Tregoning's Shabiba (4.30) can get one back for the Lambourn area in the seven-furlong fillies' handicap.
After a slow start to the season, Mick Channon is back among the winners and his Summon Up Theblood (3.45) may get the better of Prince Hamlet in an all-Shakespearean battle at Thirsk.
Course specialist Oceana Gold (2.25) and Fiulin (3.00) are two likely sorts at Newmarket, while Missile Dodger (4.45) should win for Ralph Beckett, who apparently has Royal Ascot on his mind for this two-year-old.
Orange Pip (7.15) has been beaten a length in two maidens so far but connections feel she's up to winning at this level and she gets a big chance tonight at Doncaster. Throne Of Power (8.20) was unlucky in a hot race behind Slugger O'Toole last time and can be given another chance. On Monday, look out for a possible Roger Charlton double, courtesy of Fault and Barricado. Unleashed (8.10) is one to note for Sandown on Wedenesday.
Seen and heard
Jockeys are under unprecedented scrutiny these days, so Oscar Urbina chose a bad time to turn in one of the poorer efforts of his career aboard Nutkin at Folkestone earlier this month. Owner Lord Vestey and trainer James Fanshawe apparently vented their anger after the 4-7 shot was beaten in a four-runner race but someone went further and lodged a complaint with the British Horseracing Authority that Urbina should be investigated under the 'non-triers' rules. Luckily for the rider, the BHA's review concluded that no rules had been breached.
As if there weren't enough in the way of debauchery on the Epsom Downs when the first Saturday in June comes round, Woodford Reserve has been named "the official whiskey of the Derby Festival". Already linked with the Kentucky Derby, the American brand intends to offer complimentary cocktails during the Classic meeting, including Mint Juleps.
Graham and Andrea Wylie picked up a couple of awards this week, as owners of Inglis Drever (champion staying hurdler) and Tidal Bay (champion novice chaser). The pair have now apparently set their hearts on winning the Northumberland Plate at their local Newcastle and have their hopes pinned on Whispering Death, bought out of William Haggas's yard last year with the June 28 marathon handicap in mind.
Jim Allen, head of racing development with racecourse owners Northern Racing, is to become a permit-holding trainer. Allen will start with two horses from his home in the Yorkshire Dales. Will he be complaining about prize money at Northern tracks, we wonder?
Click here for all the day's racecards, form, stats and results.
And click here for today's latest odds.
