Inisherin returning to scene of finest hour in great form
Kevin Ryan's speedball was one of the most impressive winners of the entire meeting 12 months ago when blitzing his rivals in the Commonwealth Cup, so it was a little underwhelming that he could only finish fifth in Newmarket's July Cup next time and he really disappointed in the Sprint Cup at Haydock.
However, having undergone wind surgery during the off-season, Inisherin bounced back to form when landing the 1895 Duke of York Stakes on his seasonal debut last month and Adam Ryan, assistant to his father, expects him to take his game to another level on Saturday.
He was pushed all the way to the line, but Inisherin is back to winning ways, holding off a charge from Flora Of Bermuda to win the 1895 Duke Of York Clipper Stakes
Ryan Moore | @kevinryanracing pic.twitter.com/6fGBW4Bixw
— York Racecourse (@yorkracecourse) May 14, 2025
'We made no secret of the fact he was only about 80 per cent at York and we feel he's taken a big step forward in his training since,' he said.
'We're delighted with him and really looking forward to Saturday. The stiff six (furlongs) obviously suited him down to the ground last year, so you can't be anything but happy coming back here.
'It's going to be a top-class race, we're under no illusions, but I wouldn't swap him for anything.
'They don't give Group Ones away, but as I say I wouldn't be swapping our fella for anything in the world. Hopefully it's a good race and if he runs his race he should be there or thereabouts.'
Royal Ascot sprints are international affairs these days and this year's renewal is no exception, with Inisherin joined at the head of the market by leading contenders from France and Japan.
Satono Reve carries Japanese hopes at Royal Ascot (Adam Morgan/PA)
Satono Reve is a fascinating challenger from the Far East, who produced a sparkling workout in Newmarket last week, while Lazzat has been a star for Jerome Reynier, winning his first six career starts before being touched by the William Haggas-trained Lake Forest in the Golden Eagle in Australia.
A tilt at the Hong Kong Mile did not pay off and he was also beaten on his first start of this year at Saint-Cloud, but a dominant display on his most recent start in a Listed event at Chantilly was enough to persuade powerhouse owners Wathnan Racing to step in ahead of his British debut.
'Lazzat is a horse we've been following for a very long time and he was unlucky in Australia in the Golden Eagle at the back-end of last year and it was a similar story in Hong Kong, which didn't pan out for him either,' said Wathnan's racing adviser Richard Brown.
'But we were deeply impressed with what he did in France on his comeback run, the time was very good and I think the straight six furlongs at Ascot will be right up his street. Six and seven should be his best distances, so a stiff six should be perfect for him.
'He's a great addition to the team and we're looking forward to seeing him in the Wathnan colours.'
The Qatar-based operation have a second string to their bow with another new recruit in Andrew Balding's Flora Of Bermuda, who was a neck second to Inisherin at York in mid-May.
Brown added: 'She ran a great race behind Inisherin at York and was arguably unlucky not to have won that day, it's great to have her on the team.
'The draw (stall four) is probably not the best, but she's a filly who comes from behind and hopefully it won't impede her chances too much. She's a really admirable filly and we're looking forward to seeing her run.'
Lazzat is joined on the trip across the Channel by Topgear, who has won his last three starts over seven furlongs for Christopher Head.
Topgear returns with a smart front-running performance in the Group Three Prix du Palais-Royal at ParisLongchamp! 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/JWhxGv5yR0
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) May 25, 2025
Other runners include Aidan O'Brien's Australian recruit Storm Boy, who needs to put a disappointing Irish debut behind him, and Clive Cox's pair of outsiders James's Delight and Jasour, with the latter turning out quickly after finishing down the field in Tuesday's King Charles III Stakes.
Cox said: 'Jasour has come back very well after Tuesday. It wasn't the early plan (to run again) but he has come back very well indeed and I think six furlongs is definitely more his gig.
'James's Delight was excellent in Ireland (last time out). He's also in good form but he wouldn't have minded easier ground. He's in great shape though and is looking to follow up a very exciting success on the Curragh.'
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