June 17 – Carlisle – Condor Pasa – 85

Racing at the smaller tracks away from Royal Ascot was of a fairly low key standard but there was the odd one or two little nuggets and Roger Varian’s gelding. was a point in case at the Yorkshire venue. Sent off a short priced favourite in what appeared a ordinary looking maiden on paper, the son of Siyouni travelled like he was in a different league to the rest and, in readily coming clear of his opposition, he posted the sort of speed figure associated with pattern race performers. Whether that view pans out over the course of the season, only time will tell, but either way, he is a three-year-old of some potential and one we recommend keeping firmly on side.

June 18 – Ascot – Charyn – 84

Not the strongest Queen Anne ever run but still a competitive renewal all the same and it at least produced a smart winner in the shape of Roger Varian’s grey. Unlucky not to arrive at the Berkshire venue unbeaten for the season, he came out of the contest as the undisputed champion over the mile trip and considering the quick ground was said not to be ideal, his performance deserves extra praise. All in all, an extremely likeable and tough individual with an amazing attitude and appetite to win, the four-year-old looks the one to beat in all the big races over this trip for the rest of the campaign.

June 18 – Ascot – Rosallion – 79

Not quite the quickest furlong-per-furlong on the card, but a performance by Richard Hannon’s inmate that left an indelible mark on this division and he could turn out to be one of the best we’ve seen over a mile for quite some time. The way he quickened up to get himself of a hole two out was something to behold and it doesn’t matter how the race seems to be run, he has all the answers. The clash between Charyn and himself will be something to savour.

June 18 – Ascot – Israr – 82

One of the easiest winners of the entire week and even though it probably wasn’t one of the strongest renewals of the Wolferton, the winner still deserves plenty of praise. The way he quickened up from the two furlong pole to dispose of the opposition was extremely taking and one would imagine all the best races over this sort of trip will now be on the agenda for the rest of the season.

June 19 – Ascot – Augustine Rodin – 86

Although he got beat on his seasonal bow, his time figure in defeat suggested Aidan O’Brien’s inmate was very much the one to beat going into this Group 1 affair and so it proved, as he showed just how good he can be when running to maximum capacity. Always well positioned throughout, the son of Deep Impact picked up the running two out and despite facing two tough challengers late on, he found extra reserves to hold them at bay. Just as good over 1m4f, one would imagine the King George back at the Berkshire venue would be high on the list of potential targets in the short term, while long terms, the Breeder’s Cup is another major consideration.

June 20 – Ascot – Mickley – 81

An embarrassment of riches regarding top quality time figures on day three of the Royal meeting but we’ve picked out the Britannia as the race worth following going forward. Flagged up on these pages several times this year, Ed Bethell’s inmate was one of many potential big improvers over the trip but even so, it was hard to envisage him winning in the manner he did on the day and he looks the type to continue to progress. Already bought to race out in Hong Kong, it’s a shame we want get the chance to watch his career develop on these shores but there were plenty of others in behind him at the Berkshire track that should turn out to fly the flag for the race throughout the rest of the season, namely Skukuza and Native Warrior who both come of the race with great credit.

June 21 – Ascot – Fairy Godmother – 75

Up until day four, the juvenile times had been rather disappointing so it was good to finally see a genuinely classy performance put up by a two-year-old who would have surely run a good deal quicker but for meeting trouble in running. The mere fact she managed to win, let alone post a big speed figure is testimony to her ability and although some of the post-race reaction by the bookmakers looked stingy at the time, it’s hard to argue with some of the quotes now the dust has settled.

June 22 – Ascot – Bedtime Story – 76

Just like London buses, Aidan O’Brien’s filly produced the second standout performance on the clock in successive days and just as her stable companion, she did so with a very smart turn of foot in the closing stages. Staying this trip supremely well, the way she disposed of some smart colts suggested she could be the real deal over further and it will be fascinating to see how this exciting filly is campaigned from here on in.

June 22 – Newmarket – Omnudsman – 76

A keenly contested novice event, with several previous winners in the field, and it went the way of a potentially smart performer making his racecourse debut. Settled off the decent early tempo, John & Thady Gosden’s inmate took a while to find his stride but once in full cry late on, he came through strongest of all to score going away. Not only was his overall time figure very good for a race of its kind, his final three furlong sectionals (34.2) were the best on the card and on the evidence of this display, he already looks one destined for pattern race success further down the line.