DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
WEDNESDAY JUNE 17
2.30 ROYAL ASCOT
Wathnam Racing look to have a very strong hand in what appears an extremely competitive renewal of the Queen Mary but there is a possibility retained jockey, James Doyle, might have chosen incorrectly going for Wild Blossom instead of ALTA REGINA, who created an equally favourable impression when winning on her debut at Lingfield.
Unlike Wild Blossom, who made all the running on her opening gambit, the daughter of Sioux Nation was held up just off the pace early at the Surrey venue, but the turn of foot she displayed from two out to the line was extremely impressive and her performance was backed up by the data.
Posting a very fast time, Hamad Al Jehani’s filly fired in a 33.5 closing sectional to add some further gloss to her display and given she appeared to be getting quicker the further the race developed, she comes across as a horse who will appreciate further in time.
With that in mind, the stiff five at Ascot should play even more into her strengths and providing she ends up being on the right side of the draw, she can take high rank.
Of those at bigger odds, it could be dangerous to rule out the claims of PERSHAADA of being competitive and she deserves to be played accordingly.
Richard Hannon’s filly dropped the ball when well fancied on her first two starts but she made amends in no uncertain terms on her turf debut at Goodwood last time out and her winning speed figure suggested she had run to a decent standard.
Clearly well suited by a strongly run five furlongs based on her effort at the Sussex venue, the form of the race has already worked out as well as the data suggested it might with the third horse almost beating today’s favourite, Senorita Bonita, next time out and with a high draw not a bad thing based on recent evidence, a smooth passage towards the nearside can see her outrun her odds.
ALTA REGINA – 1-point each-way@15-2 (five places)
PERSHAADA – ½ point each-way@50-1 (five places)
3.40 ROYAL ASCOT
An extremely complex looking Group 2 for the fillies and mares and, with the race being on the round track, the prospect of further issues for the participants are greatly increased.
Blue Bolt sets the standard with her Group 1 second to Fallen Angel last season and made a bright start to the campaign with a stylish victory at Goodwood, but she looks plenty short enough up against several improving fillies, CAROLINA DELCARPIO being the pick of those in that category.
Paddy Twomey doesn’t waste too many bullets at these big meetings and the daughter of Lope De Vega arrives here in cracking shape following a taking victory at Leopardstown last time out.
The way she picked off the useful, more established older gelding, Tokenomics, at the Dublin venue oozed star quality and with the distinct promise of more to come, she makes plenty of appeal at her morning odds.
She is not the only Irish raider without claims of taking the prize over the water, JANCIS being another one to come into the conversation on several counts.
Impressive when scooting away with a competitive, well-run affair at Newmarket two starts ago, excuses could be easily made for her below par effort back on home soil last time out when she raced on the wrong part of the track, and she certainly has enough talent to feature with a trouble-free passage.
CAROLINA DELCARPIO – 1-point each-way@8-1 (four places)
JANCIS – ½ point each-way@20-1 (four places)
4.20 ROYAL ASCOT
Arguably the race of the meeting with Daryz taking on Ombudsman a truly mouth-watering prospect but the pair might not get things all their own way up against ALMAQAM, who posted a career high performance in the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh last time out.
The talk beforehand was Ed Walker’s gelding might need the run, and conditions weren’t necessarily ideal, but he cast aside those negatives with a display of the highest class, readily accounting for the likes of Bay City Roller and Minnie Hauk.
Given the nature of the gallop set, unsurprisingly the son of Lope De Vega posted a very fast speed figure and with the runner-up going on to endorse the form in the Coronation Cup last week, he could easily follow in the same footsteps of Ten Bob Tony from the same stable.
ALMAQAM – 1-point each-way@13-2
5.00 ROYAL ASCOT
Admittedly its early days, but the high numbers seemed to hold sway on the straight track here yesterday and with the favourite, Indalo, drawn low, there could be better value options housed towards the nearside rail.
Of those in double figure draws, the likes of Archivist, CHECKANDCHALLENGE and EBT’S GUARD all have strong claims but with the latter pair both holding previous C&D form, they are the recommendations against the field.
The pair contested one of the best trials for the Hunt Cup at Newbury last time out and they both run well in defeat.
The former didn’t get the clearest of runs and left the impression there would be other days for him further down the line and back over a C&D that saw him finish a creditable sixth in the 2024 Queen Anne Stakes, he could easily take advantage of his tumbling mark (111 at his peak).
The latter impressed with the way he tanked his way through most of the race at the Berkshire venue and it was only inside the final furlong when his petrol gauge started to flicker.
Seventh in last season’ renewal when drawn on the wrong side, the five-year-olds record over the C&D since reads 132 and, in the hope he ends up being on the correct part of the track this time around, William Muir & Chris Grassick’s inmate should give another good account.
CHECKANDCHALLENGE – ½ point each-way@20-1 (six places)
EBT’S GUARD – ½ point each-way@28-1 (six places)
6.10 ROYAL ASCOT
The change of terms and conditions for this race provides a very different dynamic for the Windsor Castle and ONE NUMBER, who would be a million over the traditional five-furlong trip, could easily come into his own over this stiffer test.
Joseph O’Brien’s colt ran a race full of promise on his debut in a warm maiden at The Curragh and he looks the type who can take a hug step forward.
Towards the rear early at the Kildare venue, the son of Jack Christopher took off inside the final furlong to finish a never-nearer second to the useful Celeron and he rates a sporting choice to back up the impression he created.
ONE NUMBER – 1-point each-way@10-1 (four places)