Today is a good trial for the Gold Cup, while Dee Ex Bee landed the 2019 renewal here for trainer Mark Johnston and subsequently finished runner-up to champion stayer Stradivarius in the Royal Ascot showpiece. The 2020 edition was run at Newcastle in early June following the resumption of British racing after its Covid-19 enforced lockdown. The winner that day was Nayef Road who gave Johnston his fourth Sagaro Stakes success, the trainer having also saddled the great Double Trigger to consecutive victories in 1995 / 1996 as well as the 1995 Ascot Gold Cup.
In addition to the Gold Cup trial we are delighted to have another Group three contest with the Pavilion Stakes (renamed as a Commonwealth Cup Trial) a 6f contest for 3yo's along with another listed event the Paradise Stakes over the mile (now a Queen Anne Stakes Trial). In recent years the fields have been rather small especially for the 2yo races we will see what the declarations present us soon. We note that the apprentice handicap has now moved from the end of the card to the beginning with a relatively new handicap now bringing the meeting to a close.
Here's a link to the days race card; racecard link
Going and Weather
The forecast going is described as 'Good'. There is a bit of a chill in the air and possible forecast for a drop of rain in the afternoon however as we'll be at home following the meeting online that won't matter either way, it's the nearest local meeting to my birthday (Friday) and always better than being at work with other activities slowing opening up too we begin our route back to a more normal life.
Here are my selections for this afternoons meeting;
13:00 Women In Racing Manny Mercer Apprentice Handicap1m [Class 3 9 runners]
A slightly earlier start this year and we get underway with an Apprentice Handicap which has traditionally been the final race on the card. Let's continue to support and praise the many women in racing indeed, so it's good that the field is headed by CLIFFS OF CAPRI (Jamie Osborne) for who 5lb claimer Saffie Osborne rides for her trainer father. Back riding having broken her arm is back amongst the winners and this could be another for her.
Danger down the other end of the handicap is Papa Stour for champion AW apprentice jockey Marco Ghiani this 6yo has been a multiple winner on the all weather and slowing seeing his handicap mark easing. While support for recent Spring Mile third Mostawaa could be worth noting racing off a similar mark here for Ellie Mackenzie (5lb).
Result - 1st (6) Keyser Soze @12/1 [Angus Villiars].
13:35 Royal Ascot Two-Year-Old Trial Conditions Stakes
5f [Class 2 5 runners]
This race has a small turnout as has been the trend all 2yos in the line up and only five declared, where we have three previous winners of their sole run so far. The pick of these three for me would be CHIPOTLE (Eve Johnson Houghton) who won the Brocklesby Stakes at Doncaster, the others are Gubbass [Non Runner] for Richard Hannon who is always dangerous in this event, and The Gatekeeper for Mark Johnston.
The two newcomers, War of Courage for Alice Haynes and Wrought Iron for Jamie Osborne would need to be a little bit above average in my opinion although they do receive 4lbs in weight, and Jamie's yard have been having good winners of late.
Result - 1st (1) Chipotle @6/5 [Charles Bishop].
14:10 Naas Racecourse Royal Ascot Trials Day British EBF Fillies' Conditions Stakes (3yo)
7f 213y [Class 3 6 runners]
Another race that has small fields usually and no change this season either with just the six declared all 3yo fillies in the line up. Charlie Appleby runs two for the Godolphin owners Creative Flair and Danilova where the latter is the one for me in the match with Adam Kirby riding. DELTA BAY is my main selection here, this Nathanial filly won her maiden at Newmarket and Frankie made all the running there and this course is his favourite, so very likely a good day for him and trainer John Gosden. Looks a wide open renewal though nothing looks that outstanding this season here.
Result - 1st (2) Creative Flair @9/4f [W Buick].
14:45 Longines Sagaro Stakes (Group 3)
1m 7f 209y [Class 1 7 runners]
Time for our feature race and the first of the Group 3 contests, just 7 stayers being declared it's also not helping any each way or placepot entries. Last year's winner (at Newcastle) Nayef Road reappears, although will have to beat off the reigning stayers champion and 2020 Ascot Gold Cup winner STRADIVARIUS (pictured above) who is way ahead of all these on ratings and should be a banker with Frankie Dettori riding at his favourite track.
At a big price STAG HORN could be one for the place as a stayer on the rise, with Hollie Doyle in the saddle and the 4yo should be one to follow in staying events this season.
Result - 1st (6) Stradivarius @4/7f [L Dettori].
15:20 QIPCO British Champions Series horseracinghof.com Pavilion Stakes (Group 3) (Commonwealth Cup Trial)
6f [Class 1 10 runners]
Another field of ten for our next Group 3 race and are headed by SUPREMACY trained by Clive Cox and winner of last season's Group One Middle Park stakes at Newmarket. Likely to be a short price here, should win if tuned up ready on debut before bigger things later in season.
Possible place bets would be Method [Non Runner] who was runner up in another Group 3 (Cornwallis Stakes, Newmarket) might continue to show improvement as 3yo and also of interest is Saint Lawrence, only a neck down in a big field handicap at Newbury earlier in year, third in the Horris Hill also at Newbury end of last season and ran well given he has a tendency to veer left / right on leaving the stalls, this straight track should help.
Result - 1st (7) Rohaan @22/1 [R L Moore].
15:55 Charlie Waller Trust Paradise Stakes (Queen Anne Stakes Trial)
1m [Class 1 9 runners]
At last a field of nine declared for the listed event over the mile, Doncaster Lincoln winner HAQEEQY reappears in a listed event and should be taken very seriously even without his talented claiming jockey Benoit de la Sayette who is now serving a long ban. The horse ran on well to secure that big handicap and it's not unusual for winners of this event to move on to bigger things. Solid Stone is interesting having been kept in training under Sir Michael Stoute has been winning last year in handicaps and worth a second look again today.
While Muraad is versatile with regards to ground conditions I think might want to reconsider handicaps again, the Richard Hannon pair of Oh This Is Us (Won 66/1!!) and Qaysar are respected with preference for the latter who could be the one to place again in a listed event.
Result - 1st (5) Oh This Is Us @66/1 [Tom Marquand].
16:30 Great Racing Welfare Cycle Handicap
5f [Class 4 11 runners]
Last year they added in an additional handicap event to create a seven race card, it's a five furlong sprint with a field of 11 declared headed by Rewaayat trained by Charlie Hills and could well be the one to be on despite the weight burden. Rose Hip at least returns to her level again, and will win races again this year while Outrage and Diligent Lady [Non Runner] will be our place bets against the top selection in a race that lacks a lot of sparkle coming after all the quality events earlier in the day.
Result - 1st (9) Pettochide @25/1 [Saffie Osborne].
Good luck today.
Results will appear here during Wednesday evening, if I'm sober enough to update things then. Please check out the Pontefract blog too which is also taking place today. 
