A breath-taking victory by Field Of Gold in the St James’s Palace Stakes on Tuesday set up the rest of week at Royal Ascot with sun-drenched afternoons, top-class horses and huge crowds expected to continue.
The ladies claim the day on Thursday at Royal Ascot (Pic – Ascot Racecourse on FB)
The clerk of the course expects little to no rain and will continue to water what is described as ‘fast’ ground.
Today is Ladies Day, the highlight of which is the Ascot Gold Cup, run over two and a half miles.
The great Kyprios retired recently due to injury and a new champion will emerge from a field of eight for the coveted Gold Cup (17h20).
With the great depth of middle distance older horses it’s interesting that Ballydoyle have only one replacement in the form of four-year-old Illinois. A classy son of Galileo, he finished a neck behind Los Angeles at York before finding fellow stablemate Jan Brueghel a neck too good in the St Ledger last season. Strong form up to two miles and his seasonal return in a Group 2 at Chester last month has been boosted. Ryan Moore rides.
His biggest threats will come from the Gosden yard in the form of the Godolphin owned Trawlerman and Sweet William.
Both bring top-class staying form to the table having placed behind Kyprios over the last couple of seasons, including in this race last season when they finished second and third, respectively.
A close call, but at the prices and going on his seasonal victory at Sandown, the William Buick ridden Trawlerman gets the nod.
Friday’s highlight is the Coronation Stakes, a Group 1 for three-year-old fillies, run over a mile.
Thirteen contest following the withdrawals of both Bedtime Story and Shes Perfect, and all eyes will be on the French raider Zarigana who won the French 1000 Guineas last month.
Aidan O’Brien’s saddles Exactly, a daughter of Frankel, who finished just over a length behind Zarigana. She cannot be easily dismissed together with the unexposed Shadwell owned Falakeyah who is two from two and definitely on the up.
However, on the ratings, Zarigana looks a standout with the stiff uphill finish sure to suit.
Going update after racing on Wednesday
The going at Ascot is Good to Firm on the Straight Course and Good to Firm, Good in places on the Round Course. The plan is to put 5mm on both courses tonight.
Chris Stickels, Ascot’s Clerk of the Course, said: “We had a lovely day, with great racing again. The track held up very well. We are changing the rail tomorrow on the Round Course, so the track will be at its full extent all the way round. We are planning to put 5mm on the whole course between now and tomorrow.”
