I’m wild about WESTOVER in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes (3.35) at Ascot.
Cazoo Derby victor Desert Crown is absent from the midsummer clash of the generations, but that doesn’t mean this year’s QIPCO-supported test isn’t without huge interest.
Unlucky Oaks runner-up Emily Upjohn, re-routed from Ireland after traffic problems last weekend, is in opposition, along with last year’s King George runner-up Mishriff, fellow Group 1 victors Pyledriver and Broome – and that’s not to mention last October’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe hero Torquator Tasso.
But it’s Westover, in receipt of 11lb from his four male rivals, who is taken to come out on top. The Ralph Beckett-saddled son of Frankel would have given Desert Crown something to think about at Epsom but for meeting trouble in running at the two-furlong pole.
And he showed his true merit with a humbling of seven foes in the Irish Derby four weeks ago, powering clear on the climb to the line to score by seven lengths.
Colin Keane’s strong-galloping mount could scarcely have been more impressive at the Curragh and he still has plenty of untapped potential as he takes on his elders for the first time.
Emily Upjohn was unfortunate to lose her unbeaten record last time and is feared most, while Torquator Tasso, whose Longchamp triumph came on a Parisian quagmire, rates a danger to all if able to reproduce his best form on today’s playing surface.
AIR TO AIR gets the vote to bring his rivals down to earth in the Moët & Chandon International Stakes (3.00).
The George Boughey-trained son of Toronado didn’t make his return to the fray until the end of last month, facing four opponents for a seven-furlong handicap at Great Yarmouth. Air To Air went off a well-backed 13-8 market leader and landed the money in style with a length-and-a-quarter beating of Spirited Guest.
A 4lb rise from the handicapper could have been worse, and, while there is a big gulf between a five-runner race in Horatio Nelson country and the signature handicap of the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes undercard, Rossa Ryan’s partner has plenty more to offer.
After a taking debut at Thirsk last month, GLENLAUREL is capable of taking the step up to Group 3 company for the Princess Margaret Keeneland Stakes (1.50) in her stride. The daughter of Lope De Vega – unraced dam Nada is a half-sister to Dubawi – was always travelling easily before asserting to score by three and three-quarter lengths.
That performance foretold of a future in Pattern company, and Andrea Atzeni’s mount can prove the point by staying unbeaten.
Zanbaq heads the market for the Group 3 Longines Valiant Stakes (2.25), but German challenger NOVEMBA makes greater appeal. Sent from Cologne by Peter Schiergen, Gleneagles’ daughter drops in class after running with credit at a higher level since landing a Group 2 contest at Düsseldorf in May of last year.
At York, DUBAI FUTURE can build on a return to winning form at Royal Ascot last month in the Group 2 Sky Bet York Stakes (3.15). Having done the bulk of his racing at Meydan during the past couple of seasons, the gelded son of Dubawi made his mark back in Europe with a three-length supremacy in the Listed Wolferton Stakes on the Royal heath.
There was no fluke about that 20-1 success and another good account is on the cards here.
Twelve months ago, VENTUROUS captured the Sky Bet Dash Handicap (2.40) from a British Horseracing Authority mark of 95, so the nine-year-old veteran, conditioned in tandem by David Barron and daughter Nicola, is of strong interest from a rating of 93 here.
The opening Sky Bet “Jump Jockeys’ Nunthorpe” Handicap (2.05) looks wide open. NIBRAS AGAIN lifted this race three years ago and, although seeking to end a barren spell, has plummeted down the weights.
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