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Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Babouche could deliver something special for Lyons and Keane
By James Toney at Royal Ascot Colin Keane's new status brings added pressure at Royal Ascot but winning a Group One for the trainer who has supported him for so long would be something extra special. Keane has made a fine start to his status as Juddmonte's retained jockey, piloting the brilliant Field of Gold to victory in the St James's Palace Stakes, with three other places this week too. Last year he delivered his Dad Gerry a first Royal Ascot winner and repaying trainer Ger Lyons's long-time support in the Commonwealth Cup would match that achievement. It's eight years since Lyons only previous winner at the meeting and Babouche, racing in those famous pink and green silks, represents a gilt-edged chance of doubling that tally. After Lyons and Keane combined to win at the Breeders' Cup last year, the Co. Meath trainer admitted he didn't have the ammunition to match the jockeys ambition. "He's the most understated Champion Jockey in the world," he said. "I need the world to wake up to him." Juddmonte were clearly listening, so there's extra significance for Keane in this ride for his mentor and old boss in their colours, choosing Babouche ahead of their other contender Jonquil. She was a two-year-old Group One winner at the Curragh last year and impressed to win at Naas on her last outing, dispelling Lyons's early season anxiety about her form. "We asked the questions in her last race and she answered them with bells on. She was back, it was the Babouche we all know and love," said Lyons. "She's a Group One winner and we've always loved her and we've been working towards this for a while." Advertisement Babouche got the better of Aidan O'Brien's Whistlejacket in the Lacken Stakes and he'll be looking for revenge as one of two Ballydoyle entries. Also flying the flag for the Green Team is Joseph O'Brien with Lady With The Lamp, Adrian Murray's Arizona Blaze and Eddie and Patrick Harty's Carla Ridge, a 100-1 winner at Naas last year. "We always thought this race would suit Whistlejacket," said O'Brien, narrowly leading British rivals John and Thady Gosden in the trainer standings after three of five days. "The more competitive the race, the better I think he will be, a high tempo from the start would be absolutely ideal. I wouldn't discount Ides of March either, he will love this ground and seems in good form." The absence of O'Brien's Lake Victoria from the Commonwealth Stakes made Friday's other Group One a little weaker, the Irish 1000 Guineas and Breeders' Cup heroine would have been a hot favourite after five unbeaten starts. Ryan Moore has selected January ahead of other Ballydoyle entry Exactly, as he looks to finally crack that 150 Group One winning barrier in partnership with O'Brien. "Ryan really likes her," added O'Brien. "The run in the Irish Guineas was with a view to this race and I was happy with Exactly's French Guineas run too, she just didn't quite get the luck she needed." There have been seven Irish winners across the opening three days of the meeting, with Paddy Twomey and Henry de Bromhead joining O'Brien in the winners' enclosure. Donnacha O'Brien has a chance of joining them with Albany Stakes hopeful Balantina, with Tom Marquand taking the ride. O'Brien's super star filly Porta Fortuna won this race two years ago, Donnacha's first Royal Ascot success and followed up to win last year's Coronation Stakes too. Balantina races in the same colours and an eye-catching win at the Curragh in May only enhances her credentials, despite the fact the market is fronted by his father's Frankel-colt Signora. "She's been in great form since winning at the Curragh and I've no worries about the track and ground suiting her, it'll be competitive but she'll run well," said the two-time Royal Ascot winning trainer.
Irish Times
18 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Times
Underestimating Jonquil could prove costly in vintage Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot
A decade of evidence indicates that quality control can rise and fall in Royal Ascot's Commonwealth Cup, although Friday's renewal looks like being firmly on an upswing. A potentially vintage renewal contains a number of horses that could contend for outright sprint championship honours by the end of the season. The brief for Europe's first ever European Group One sprint for three-year-olds might have been written with last year's champion juvenile Shadow Of Light in mind. Godolphin's star ran a fine third to his stable companion Ruling Court and Field Of Gold in the 2000 Guineas, quickening up and looking a likely winner only for his stamina to peter out. He was barely past the post before the Commonwealth Cup was being mooted as a perfect fit. READ MORE It hasn't prevented a bumper field of 22 lining up, with two other Group One winning two-year-olds travelling from Ireland . Colin Keane has chosen to stick with his old ally Babouche over Juddmonte's other big hope, Jonquil, and she again takes on old rival Whistlejacket who she comprehensively beat at Naas last month. A handful of other progressive sprint types also take their chance, including a US hope in Shisospicy, whose Qatar ownership have claimed Oisin Murphy to ride. Murphy rode Shaquille to win the Commonwealth two years ago. He proved himself top-notch by subsequently landing the July Cup and the first Commonwealth winner was an undisputed champion in Muhaarar. The decision to go sprinting is not surprising considering the depth of mile talent at Juddmonte's disposal If subsequent winners such as Eqtidaar (2018) and Advertise (2019) underlined how it can be enough to peak on a single day, this latest edition could prove a level above that. Shadow Of Light is a worthy favourite and a peak-form Babouche is a worthy contender. With that said, underestimating Jonquil's chance might prove costly. Keane's discard has been picked up by Christophe Soumillon, a Commonwealth Cup winner on Perfect Power three years ago. Oisin Murphy riding Jonquil to victory at Newbury Racecourse in April. Photograph:Jonquil was just a head off Henri Matisse in the French 2,000 Guineas when running a remarkable race. Both the winner and his subsequent French Derby winning stable companion Camille Pissarro came from off a very strong pace. Jonquil, in contrast, sat just off it and when headed close home by Henri Matisse rallied to notable effect. That was under Oisin Murphy, who also rode him to win the Greenham on quick ground. The decision to go sprinting is not surprising considering the depth of mile talent at Juddmonte's disposal. With Murphy claimed and Keane opting for Babouche, the Commonwealth cards may end up falling in Soumillon's favour. Friday's other Group One is the Coronation Stakes, where a trio of Irish-trained fillies will try to become the 18th from this county to win since the war. Joe Murphy's Irish Guineas third, Cercene, is joined by the Ballydoyle pair Exactly and January. Ryan Moore's call to ride the latter is significant considering Exactly ran well in last month's controversial French Guineas. That saw Zarigana get the classic in the stewards' room. The French star will be the focus of attention in this Coronation although the supplemented Falakeyah could prove a potent threat. An Oaks programme looked likely for Falakeyah after a resounding Pretty Polly success at 10-furlongs. Instead, she drops in trip for this. A stall-two draw could help her adopt front-running tactics again and she may prove very difficult to peg back. [ Colin Keane labels Field Of Gold 'the best I've ridden' after securing first Group One Royal Ascot win Opens in new window ] [ Colin Keane appointed as Juddmonte's number one jockey in Europe Opens in new window ] Johnny Murtagh twice won the King Edward VII Stakes as a jockey and could have a major shot at saddling the winner of the so-called 'Ascot Derby' this time. Zahrann has a little bit to find with rivals such as Amiloc and Wimbledon Hawkeye on official ratings, but looks to be rapidly progressive. He came from off the pace to win at Listed level in Leopardstown last time and previously sluiced up on quick ground in Cork. Joseph O'Brien runs three in the Sandringham Handicap although it is Dancing Teapot that looks intriguing off a low weight. Chris Hayes comes in for the spin on a full sister to Dancing Gemini, who won nicely at Gowran on her last start and sports first-time cheekpieces. Signora caught the eye on her Naas debut in a Group Three and should step up considerably for that in the Albany Stakes.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Royal Ascot: Field Of Gold strikes to deliver performance worthy of occasion
Royal Ascot's uncanny ability to deliver performances to suit the occasion was to the fore once again on Tuesday as Field Of Gold, the odds-on favourite, overwhelmed his rivals in the St James's Palace Stakes with a sustained burst of speed a quarter of mile out that put the result beyond doubt well before the furlong pole. If there is a better performance over a mile by a three‑year-old later on in the season, it feels long odds‑on that Field Of Gold will be the horse to produce it. John and Thady Gosden's grey colt was one of three Classic winners in the field, though his winning performance was further evidence that, had Ruling Court not been allowed first run in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket, the fast-finishing Field Of Gold would surely have taken that too. Ruling Court was only third here, nearly four lengths behind Henri Matisse, the French 2,000 Guineas winner, who was in turn three and a half adrift of Field Of Gold at the line. Advertisement Related: Royal Ascot 2025 day one updates: news, previews and more – live Kieran Shoemark shouldered the blame for Field Of Gold's defeat at Newmarket and Colin Keane, newly appointed as the Juddmonte operation's retained rider in Europe, enjoyed one of the smoothest rides of his career in his saddle on Tuesday. 'Good horses make it look easy,' Keane said. 'I don't know when was the last time three Guineas winners clashed, but Field Of Gold was very good at the Curragh and very good again today. If anything, the leaders probably didn't bring us far enough and we got there plenty soon, but he's tough and genuine. I am fortunate enough to be riding him and, at this moment, he is the best horse I have sat on.' Gosden said afterwards that if Field Of Gold had not run in the Irish Guineas, a step up in trip in the Eclipse Stakes at Sandown next month would have been a possibility, but his winner is more likely to wait for the Sussex Stakes, over a mile at Glorious Goodwood, for which he was cut to even-money favourite from around 4-1. Advertisement 'This year, he has been exemplary in everything he has done,' Gosden said. 'He is a pleasure to train because he's a pretty laid‑back character, which is very useful. It was never the plan to go to Ireland, it became the plan [after his defeat at Newmarket], so he's had a trial, two Guineas and this. It's a lot of racing and we're not even beginning to be halfway through the season. 'When they win like that, they make it look easy, but they are taking a lot out of themselves, so I wouldn't want to be seen as someone trying to run him back in the Eclipse quick off this.' Royal Ascot stages three of its eight Group One races on the opening afternoon and, while the Juddmonte colours prevailed in the feature event, two trainers from outside the small group of powerhouse bloodstock operations celebrated landmark wins earlier in the day. Harry Eustace's Docklands, at 14-1, edged out the 5-2 favourite, Rosallion, by a nose in the opening Queen Anne Stakes, while American Affair, from Jim Goldie's stable 20 miles south‑west of Glasgow, had a neck to spare over Frost At Dawn in the King Charles III Stakes. For both trainers, it was the first Group One success of their career. Advertisement 'I have lost my voice,' Eustace said after his win with Docklands, who was winning for the first time since taking the Britannia Handicap at this meeting in 2023. 'That was pretty sweet. He has been an absolute legend for us and if ever there was a track where you'd want a horse that's a specialist, it's here because it's the best racing.' American Affair's latest win before Tuesday's Group One success was in a handicap at York's Dante meeting in May off a mark of 98. 'I have trained the family for three generations, so it's very sweet,' Goldie, who saddled his first runners in 1995, said. 'I was quite confident he could do it today. He has the talent. I knew he was probably one of the fastest horses in the race, but it's how you control that. We've come down a day early, got him relaxed and it all fell into place. It means a lot.' Hopes for a winner in the Royal colours were dashed later in the day as Willie Mullins's Reaching High, the 11-4 favourite, finished ninth behind Henry de Bromhead's Ascending (20‑1) in the Ascot Stakes Handicap after a tricky passage in the straight. Advertisement The scarlet and purple silks will be on a likely favourite again on Wednesday when Rainbow's Edge, a lightly raced four-year-old filly, goes to post for the Kensington Palace Stakes at 5.35pm. See The Fire a red-hot fancy Jeff Smith, the owner of See The Fire, paid a £70,000 supplementary fee to get her into the Prince Of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot on Wednesday, and it can prove to be money well spent when his four-year-old filly goes to post for the feature event on day two of the meeting. See The Fire is a daughter of Arabian Queen, who won York's International Stakes at 50-1 in Smith's colours back in 2015, and showed glimpses of top-level ability in the autumn of her three-year-old season. Advertisement She has looked much-improved with another winter behind her, however, and travelled like the best horse in the Gordon Richards Stakes at Sandown in April before lack of a run started to tell in the closing stages. See The Fire (4.20) then stepped up significantly for the outing in the Middleton Stakes at York, where she powered a remarkable 12 lengths clear of her field and stopped the clock in a time that backed up the visual impression of the form. A 3lb sex allowance from the market leaders, Los Angeles and Anmaat, is another plus and she is an attractive bet at around 5-1 to underline her improvement with a first Group One success on Wednesday. Royal Ascot 2.30 A huge field of lightly-raced juvenile fillies includes seven unbeaten runners and 13 that won last time out, but Karl Burke's Zelaina has dominated the market since running away with a Nottingham maiden earlier this month. She achieved no more or less than several rivals, however, and while American-trained challenger Lennilu is an obvious danger, the 12-1 on offer for Staya catches the eye too. George Scott's filly travelled extremely well and then quickened impressively to win at Yarmouth first time up in a strong time. Advertisement Royal Ascot 3.05 This mile-and-three-quarter trip is at least two furlongs more than most of these three-year-olds have tried as yet, so plenty can be expected to progress for the experience and Francis-Henri Graffard's Asmarani could take the biggest step forward. He ran well enough to finish a close second in a Group Three when dropped back to 11 furlongs last time but has plenty of stamina on both sides of his pedigree and this trip will probably be his optimum. Royal Ascot 3.40 A repeat of her form when pulling nearly five lengths clear of her field in the Dahlia Stakes at Newmarket should be enough to see Cinderella's Dream register another Group Two win. Hamilton 2.15 Rampant 2.50 Baggot Street 3.23 Canon's House 4.00 Havana Rum 4.40 Blufferonthebus 5.20 Cymbidium 5.55 Desert Of The Sea Royal Ascot 2.30 Staya 3.05 Asmarani 3.40 Cinderella's Dream 4.20 See The Fire 5.00 Qirat (nb) 5.35 Independent Expert (nap) 6.10 Rogue Legend Advertisement Worcester 2.40 Rocks Up Late 3.15 Jeudidee 3.50 Chicago Storm 4.30 Whizz Kid 5.10 Twirling 5.40 Carlton 6.20 Gore Point Lingfield 5.45 Writteninthestars 6.15 Rory Rocket 6.45 Due Date 7.15 Sawgrass 7.45 Golden Handshake 8.15 Classic Cause 8.45 Offiah's Boy Ripon 6.30 Duskaura 7.00 Modern Times 7.30 Lord Protector 8.00 Mr Cool 8.30 Jenubiyah 9.00 Azucena Royal Ascot 5.00 A pair of lightly-raced four-year-olds – My Cloud and The Liffey – dominate the betting for this year's Royal Hunt Cup and fit the profile of several recent winners of this ultra-competitive handicap, but neither has as much experience as Qirat over Ascot's straight course and Ralph Beckett's runner appeals as a better bet at around 12-1. He was headed in the final strides of the Victoria Cup over seven furlongs here, and on very similar ground, when making his seasonal debut in May and both the run and first-time blinkers could prompt further improvement. Advertisement Royal Ascot 5.35 Stephen Thorne's Independent Expert could outrun her odds of around 16-1. Her trainer is in only his second season with a licence but has an impressive 23pc strike rate this year and has also shown an aptitude for improving recruits from other stables. His first runner at the Royal meeting got off the mark for her new yard with a decisive victory at Naas last time and a 7lb rise in the weights does not look too severe. Royal Ascot 6.10 The usual big field for the Windsor Castle but Rogue Legend stands out on his form to date and a rival may well need to show abnormal improvement to give him a race.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Royal Ascot tips: ‘He's down in grade with a brilliant jockey taking charge' – Templegate aims to follow up winning NAP
TEMPLEGATE tipped up Tuesday NAP Carmers at 6-1 and watched him storm home in the Queen's Vase at 9-2… let's aim for more of that on day three. Back a horse by clicking their odds below - and bag yourself some of our best free bet offers. DETAIN (5.35, nap) He was just denied in the French Derby earlier this month and will enjoy this drop in grade. He can give Colin Keane another big-race success as he continues to impress in his new role as No1 jockey for Juddmonte. ILLINOIS (4.20, nb) Trainer Aidan O'Brien thought he would be saddling reigning champ Kyprios for this 2m4f epic but he was forced to retire after picking up an injury just three weeks ago. For most yards, that would end their Gold Cup dreams but Ballydoyle have a supersub in this four-year-old who is crying out for a real marathon. We saw this son of supersire Galileo's quality last season when he won the Queen's Vase at this meeting. He then ran big races at Longchamp and York before going down to stablemate Jan Breughel in a head-bobber for the St Leger. He finished the season with a smooth success across the Channel over a staying trip at the Arc meeting. Chester's Ormonde Stakes was chosen for his comeback run and he didn't disappoint under Ryan Moore. He's bred to relish this trip and has much more to offer as a four-year-old. She was a cracking second in the Musidora at York and has much more to come on just her third start. 2.30 CHARLES DARWIN has evolved into a high-class colt and can take the Norfolk Stakes. This strapping son of No Nay Never was impressive at Naas last time and already looks well up to this standard. He's proven over the trip and has a lot more to come. Afjan has the potential for huge improvement after a smooth success on debut at Chantilly just 18 days ago. He came through traffic problems to win going away. Naval Light was very green on debut at Beverley last month and took a long time to hit top gear. He rattled home only for the line to come too soon and will improve. Norfolk Stakes trends FRENCH raider GRAFT can make light work of the Norfolk Stakes. Stick with horses that won on their last start and it's a slight plus if that win was over this 5f trip. Horses that have run at Ascot before have a poor record. Your fancy should have run within the past four weeks. Most winners of this have been on the track no more than four times and we haven't had a favourite win since back in 2008 which is bad for Charles Darwin. The trends wipe out most of the fancied runners and leave us with an each-way bet on GRAFT who comes over from France. Sandal's Song flew home on quick ground to win on debut in the States last time. He will enjoy conditions and is right in the place picture under James McDonald. Don't rule out big-priced French raider Graft, a strong finisher who impressed in Listed company at Chantilly last time. This will be the quickest ground he's faced but he's bred to like it. 3.05 SING US A SONG hit full voice when winning on handicap debut at Sandown last time. This son of Camelot went from the front and fought off allcomers to win with plenty in hand. He will relish this extra quarter-mile and trainer Ralph Beckett has won two of the past four runnings of this. Merchant looks a big threat having proved himself over this trip when winning at York last time. He had the race put to bed a long way out and even an 8lb rise in the weights doesn't look harsh. He likes quick ground and can go close for William Haggas. Gunship got the job done nicely on the all-weather at Newcastle last time. He wasn't stopping at the line and could easily repeat his third behind the tip from that Sandown race. Serious Contender can live up to his name under Ryan Moore. He came back from a break to win on handicap debut at Leopardstown. He's had a little break since then and should appreciate this stiffer test. Masai Moon makes his handicap debut for Charlie Appleby and is another with scope for more as he tackles this longer distance. Omni Man looks the pick of the big prices after a good Roscommon success. 3.40 PUT your hands together for SERENITY PRAYER on this wise step up in distance. She caught the eye when winning at Newbury on debut and then chased home Oaks runner-up Whirl in the Group 3 Musidora at York, sticking on gamely for second. This longer trip promises to bring out more from this well-bred filly. She's got a serious engine and looks tailor-made for this test. Catalina Delcarpio demands respect after chasing home Oaks fourth Lava Stream at Navan. Ribblesdale Stakes trends GARDEN OF EDEN is rosy for the Ribblesdale Stakes. Most winners are above 94 in the official ratings and most winners of this have been on the track at least three times. All scorers in living memory had won at least one of their past five and it's best to have run within the past 50 a big plus to have won this season too. That sees us left with a shortlist of Caspi Star, Catalina Delcarpo, Garden Of Eden and Serenity Prayer. Given Aidan O'Brien is going for his third win in a row GARDEN OF EDEN looks the one to beat. She's lightly raced and bred to improve at 1m4f so looks the danger. Caspi Star was a more than decent third in the Cheshire Oaks last time and should appreciate this stiffer stamina test. Go Go Boots wasn't herself in the Oaks where the track didn't suit but had shaped well before that behind Serenity Prayer. First-time blinkers may help if that Epsom effort hasn't left a mark. Garden Of Eden took a big step forward when landing a Listed event at Naas and Ryan Moore sides with her over two Ballydoyle stablemates. 4.20 DEFENDING champ Kyprios may be missing but Aidan O'Brien can still strike gold with ILLINOIS who looks ideal for this stamina test. He showed his liking for Ascot by winning last year's Queen's Vase before going close in the St Leger when just edged out by stablemate Jan Breughel in a head-bobber. Ryan Moore on his Thursday rides The world's No1 jockey speaks in association with World Pool... LOGICALLY speaking, this racing game is a biological sport — it's all down to breeding. And CHARLES DARWIN (2.30) is bred to be one of the elite. He's a son of brilliant sprinter No Nay Never and a brother to Blackbeard, who was fourth in the Coventry as a two-year-old and won the Group 1 Middle Park at three. Charles Darwin has three runs under his belt, which is a big help coming to a stage like Royal Ascot. He won his last two starts pretty comfortably and sets the standard for this five-furlong dash. I had the choice of SERIOUS CONTENDER (3.05), Propose and Light As Air in the King Charles Stakes. They are all nice sorts but I decided on Serious Contender who has been put away since winning at Leopardstown on his reappearance this season. He's in good shape. Light Of Air was probably unlucky not to beat Serious Contender the last time at Leopardstown and the step up in trip will suit him. In the Ribblesdale, I'm on GARDEN OF EDEN (3.40) who won a Listed race at Naas and is a tough filly who will be suited by the step up in trip. She found plenty for pressure and showed a good attitude, so I'm looking forward to getting back on her. Stablemate Ecstatic is a likeable filly too. She's got lots of ability and we're yet to see the best of her. Hopefully, ILLINOIS (4.20) can prove to be a good replacement for Kyprios in the Gold Cup. Illinois has never gone this far but I've won it on a couple of four-year-olds who came into the race with the same profile. He won the Queen's Vase here last year, is a winner of the St Leger, won well at Longchamp on his final start last season and then made a winning return at Chester this year. He gives every impression he'll stay and likes quick ground. Candelaria is another four-year-old who is open to improvement, while Trawlerman has been here and got the T-shirt so is a solid challenger. It's not quite as hot as it can get in the SERENGETI (5.00) but he takes his chance in the Ascot Stakes. He made the running in the French Guineas but faded. This is a drop in class but it's hard to know his level. TRINITY COLLEGE (5.35) comes into this meeting off the back of a very good fourth in the French Derby and has every chance of winning this on all known form. Detain finished just ahead of him in that, so is a worthy favourite. Reyenzi is an outsider to look out for. I'm riding ROI DE FRANCE (6.10) for John Gosden in the last. He's got to carry plenty of weight but has run well in some very hot handicaps. He is capable of making the frame. He's a resolute galloper who's looked a thorough stayer every time he's been asked to go up in distance. French raider Candelari looks a live threat. He's lightly raced for a four-year-old and won four of five starts. He took a Longchamp Group 1 in style last month, powering home over an extended 1m7f. Gold Cup trends ILLINOIS can hand Aidan O'Brien an incredible tenth Ascot Gold Cup win. No horse older than the great Yeats in 2009 has won this beyond the age of six in decades. That cuts out three of today's hopefuls in Trawlerman, Coltrane and Dubai Future who is nine and would be the oldest winner since Beeswing in 1842! We lose Sweet William because you need to have won one of your past two starts. You generally have to be in the teens when it comes to the official ratings too which is bad news for Wonder Legend and Yashin. So it's Candelari v Illinois when it comes to the trends. Given you have to go back 20 years for the last French winner, we'll go with ILLINOIS who comes from Aidan O'Brien who is the most successful trainer in the race's long and decorated history. That win came on firmer ground than official going suggested, and he's improving fast. This test could be right up his street too with classy Mickael Barzalona in the saddle. Old warrior Trawlerman ran a blinder in this last year when chasing home Kyprios and returned to winning ways at Sandown last time. He'll likely be up there pressing Illinois from the outset. You have to go back a century for the last seven-year-old winning their first Gold Cup. Sweet William is quirky but tough and ran third in this 12 months ago. He's sure to stay and shouldn't be far away again after a decent comeback third at York last time. 5.00 RAAFEDD straight to the payout queue with this William Haggas improver. He cost £370,000 as a yearling and had a couple of quiet runs before winning impressively at Newbury last month. He showed a sharp turn of foot and hit the line hard over 7f. This extra furlong should suit and his opening handicap mark of 92 looks more than fair. Teroomm brings some sharp form, having landed the always-competitive Silver Bowl at Haydock to complete a hat-trick. He has a 6lb rise to contend with but looks a tough colt for Roger Varian who won this in 2020. Britannia Stakes trends TEROOMM can zoom home to win another fiendishly tricky Britannia Stakes. The draw has played a big part in this with only winner from single figures in the past 12 runnings. So Seagolazo, Hawksbill, Consolidation, Hott Shott, Chaplin, Afentiko, Defence Minister, Shameful and Fifth Column may struggle from their stalls. Looking at official ratings, Wolf Of Badenoch, La Botte, Supido and Arabian Story are a little high. It's best to have finished first or second last time which can't be said of Dividend, The Fingal Raven, Brise Noir, Serengeti, Linwood, Shout, Tribal Nation and The Lost King so they have to be crossed out. God Of War, Parole D'Oro and Brave Mission have yet to win this season. We've managed to cut them down to six – Teroomm, Thunder Wonder, Fearnot, Iceford, Raafedd and Arctic Grey. That's not a bad shortlist from the original 30 runners! For a single bet, Roger Varian has won this race before and that has to be a positive for his TEROOMM who comes here on the back of three wins. Brave Mission improved again when second over 7f on handicap debut here, shaping as though today's extra furlong would suit. Fearnot was a wide-margin course-and-distance winner in May and must be respected despite a 10lb hike. Fifth Column has hit form since being gelded and landed a Sandown handicap with something in hand. The addition of cheekpieces could unlock more. Consolidation impressed on handicap debut at Goodwood and this extra furlong will suit. La Botte is another with plenty going for him. 5.35 DETAIN can make his Classic class pay dropping back to Group 3 level for the Gosdens. He ended last season with a solid Futurity Stakes run on ground that was much too soft and, after a scoot around Chelmsford in April, left that form behind when a close-up sixth in the French 2,000 Guineas. He improved again when upped to this trip in the French Derby where he was beaten less than a length. That's high-class form and there's more to come. His main danger was a nose behind him at Chantilly - Trinity College for Aidan O'Brien. He went from the front in France and faded in the dying strides. He was the second string last time but has Ryan Moore in the saddle today. Jackknife is a half-brother to Group 1 winner Defoe and made a promising debut at Epsom. He shaped nicely when third in a Listed race at Sandown latest and should improve for stepping beyond a mile for the first time. High Stock has had just two runs, winning the Wood Ditton and then narrowly going down in the Dee Stakes. He's open to improvement and is dangerous. Tornado Alert must be right in the hunt too after his sixth in the Derby when he didn't get home. 6.10 AKKADIAN THUNDER can make a big noise in this red-hot handicap. He was a tidy winner for David O'Meara at Doncaster just 12 days ago, comfortably seeing off Billyjoh — last year's second who is a contender again — and he's only 6lb higher after that excellent effort. He's run well before over this specialists' trip and comes here in flying form for a yard that knows how to land big pots. English Oak has been quiet for a while but is just 1lb higher than when blitzing this 12 months ago — and now gets first-time cheekpieces. He's been popular with ante-post punters. Gleneagle Bay is another with standout recent form, finishing a head third in last month's Victoria Cup despite being away from the main action. He's joined Amo Racing since and goes up just 3lb. Never So Brave was unlucky not to get past Myal at Chester last time, having been hampered late. That followed a good season for Sir Michael Stoute and a midfield run in the Jersey Stakes here. He's unexposed and should run a nice race. Roi De France was one-paced in the Victoria Cup and needs more off just 1lb lower, but he changed hands this week for £380,000 and cheekpieces go on for the first time. Templegate's tips Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who:
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
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Royal Ascot 2025: Field Of Gold sparkles in the St James's Palace Stakes
Field Of Gold (8-11 favourite) ran out a superb winner in the battle of the 2,000 Guineas heroes as he grabbed glory in the St James's Palace Stakes on the opening day of Royal Ascot 2025. The John and Thady Gosden-trained three-year-old had been second in the Betfred 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket behind Godolphin rival Ruling Court last month before landing his own Classic success in the Irish version at the Curragh three weeks later. And the Juddmonte-owned Kingman colt was sent-off the odds-on favourite to reverse the form with Ruling Court and also beat Aidan O'Brien's Emirates Poule d'Essai des Poulains (French 2,000 Guineas) winner Henri Matisse (4-1). And under Juddmonte's new leading man Colin Keane, who had partnered him to victory in Ireland, Field Of Gold proved he is the star of the Classic generation. Advertisement He was settled in rear with Henri Matisse, under Ryan Moore, for much of the early part of the race. But after the turn for home in the Group One mile, Field Of Gold made smooth progress through the pack and hit the front with over two furlongs left to run. He quickly moved clear and came home a superb three-and-a-half-length winner over Henri Matisse with the Charlie Appleby-trained Newmarket hero Ruling Court, under Liverpool FC fan William Buick, a further three-and-three-quarters-of-a-length further adrift in third. READ MORE: Royal Ascot 2025: American Affair wins King Charles III Stakes READ MORE: Royal Ascot 2025 Day Two: Los Angeles to win the Prince Of Wales's Stakes It was a dominant display to mark Field Of Gold as the outstanding miler of the season so far. But he could step up to 1m2f for next month's Coral-Eclipse Stakes at Sandown, for which he has been cut to 11-10 favourite by some firms. Advertisement If he stays over a mile, he may head to the Glorious Goodwood Festival at the end on next month and a clash with the older generation which will include the first two home from the Queen Anne Stakes earlier in the day, Docklands and Rosallion. But on this effort they will both be hard pushed to get the better of the flying grey. Field Of Gold is a best-priced 6-4 favourite for that Sussex Stakes at Goodwood. It was the 11th Royal Ascot victory since the John and his son Thady Gosden became joint trainers but a 67th overall for the 74-year-old's Clarehaven Stables. John Gosden said: "It was exciting to say the least, They're proper horses, they've gone some strong pace and when Colin skipped round them going two, three wide and I thought 'ooh, you']re going well' and when he kicked I thought 'you've gone too soon', you know this track. "I didn't watch him I looked back but I couldn't see anyone coming thank goodness. He's a proper horse, wonderful performance and we'll give him a holiday now." Jockey Colin Keane after victory in the St James's Palace Stakes with Field Of Gold on day one of Royal Ascot 2025 at Ascot Racecourse on Tuesday, June 17 2025 -Credit:PA Keane, who has recently taken over as the main jockey for Juddmonte, was landing only his third victory at Royal Ascot and first in a Group One. He added: "Good horses make it look easy. It was a very good renewal of the race, I don't know when the last time three Guineas winners clashed but he was very good at the Curragh and he was very good again today. Advertisement "I was happy enough [with track position], I was beside the three main rivals. I thought Ryan was always going to be behind us somewhere. If anything they [the leaders] probably didn't bring us far enough and we got there plenty soon but he's tough and genuine, a good horse. "Fortunate enough to be riding him and at this moment he's the best horse I've sat on. I'm in a very privileged position, these colours are colours that when you go racing, you're always looking at them so to get a Group 1 winner at the first ride associated with them is just brilliant." Prince Saud of Juddmonte told ITV Racing: "We are very fortunate to have a horse of this calibre, not only winning but the style by which he won was very impressive wasn't it? "Being a son of Kingman makes it even more of a value to all of us. It is Prince Khalid's legacy and I think we are seeing a marvellous achievement being achieved today and I'm very thankful for the trainer and the jockey and all the Juddmonte staff; we are all very indebted to them. I hope everyone enjoyed it, I hope it has contributed to horseracing at large, he's a wonderful horse." Advertisement On the possibility of running in next month's Coral Eclipse at Sandown, he added: "I don't know, we will be talking generally about it but definitely John's opinion is very highly ranked." On runner-up Henri Matisse, Ballydoyle trainer O'Brien said: 'We're very happy; he ran a very good race. You're never happy when you get beat, but he still ran a very good race. I think we will stay at a mile. We had it in our heads that he would go to the Sussex Stakes after, so we'll see, but that's what was in our heads.' On third home Ruling Court, trainer Appleby added: "William said 'I was never really travelling comfortably' and obviously at this level you need to be able to get up there and just travel on the bridle and give your horse a breather to be able to try and go through those gears at the business end. "William said 'if I'd got off him today I'd never have said he could have won a Guineas, had the pace for the Guineas' and it's all going back to where we felt we were in the spring. We felt we were a mile and a quarter horse and of course we thought we were confident we could be a player in the Guineas but if he had finished third or fourth in the Guineas, we'd have said 'delighted, let's step up in the Derby'. That was our original pencil plan but he wins the Guineas and obviously we were then gung-ho to go to the Derby, I still feel it was the right decision not to have gone there on the ground because I do feel, okay he's had a decent race today on quick ground but I do think he'll bounce out of this quicker than he would have done had we ran him in the Derby. "It's never ideal to have to then say we're going to regroup and head here but I don't think that was anything to do with what we saw today to be brutally honest but I'm happy the horse has pulled up fine and the one thing we'll be doing from now on is stepping up in trip. It's too soon to be jumping on and say we're looking at the Eclipse but working back from the Juddmonte is the most likely target"
