IN a week at Ascot when temperatures soared to 33 degrees in typically British fashion today we welcome Winter!
There’s a feeling the fillies might be a little more dashing than the boys – again perhaps not a surprise in meeting dominated by heightened fashion – and after the eclipse of the 2,000 Guineas hero Churchill it’s now the turn of the dual 1,000 Guineas heroine Winter to strut her stuff.
Winter tackles the Coronation Stakes at 4.20pm, and she’ll be a short price to bag her third Group 1 of the season.
In many ways she’s been a bit of a surprise for Aidan O’Brien, the Ballydoyle genius and multiple champion trainer.
It’s easy to forget Winter was stuffed in maidens at Naas and Gowran Park before finally getting off the mark at Dundalk.
She was a 9-1 shot in the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket, and some thought she might have been lucky to beat market leader and hampered stable companion Rhododendron.
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However, for any doubters at the Curragh the Galileo filly was hugely impressive, smashing Roly Poly nearly 5l.
Some of my favourite horses have landed the Coronation, like Al Bahathri, Sonic Lady, Kooyonga, Marling, Banks Hill, Russian Rhythm and Attraction.
I fully expect Winter to add her name to that list.
By the time the Coronation comes along,I’m hoping I will have banged in a a winner or two.
Let’s have a look at the rest of the card…
2.30pm Albany Stakes
I bumped into Jessica Harrington in the Ascot car park Wednesday night, and there’s no doubt she’s hugely excited about ALPHA CENTAURI, who goes for the Niarchos family.
The daughter of Mastercraftsman has looked immense in defeating Actress at Naas a couple of times and I fully expect her to play the leading role here. Lump on!
3.05pm King Edward VII Stakes
It’s fair to say KHALIDI was very poor in the Derby, finishing nearly 14l behind Wings of Eagles having never had any chance at all.
However, he was impressive at Goodwood in the Cocked Hat at Goodwood and I just feel it might be worth forgetting that last effort.
Olivier Peslier is a good booking – he rode Queen’s Trust just as I wanted earlier in the week and only just missed a place at a big price – and the odds are tasty.
3.40pm Commonwealth Cup
I have to admit despite the racing industry saying how great it is, I’m still not a fan of this race, as the three big guns – who are sure to serve up quite a treat – should all be against older horses in the King’s Stand or Golden Jubilee.
But it is what it is, and I can’t wait to see CARAVAGGIO hack up for O’Brien.
This is a really hot horse, unbeaten in five starts and I have a feeling connections can’t even think about defeat, even with Harry Angel and Blue Point in the line-up.
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5.00pm Queen’s Vase
It’s about time Irish champion Pat Smullen banged in another Ascot victor for Derby hero Dermot Weld, and HARIPOUR looks just the type to relish the trip in this marathon for three-year-olds.
A winner when blinkered first time at Navan last time over 1m5f, he would not be the first horse the master of Rosewell has improved with headgear.
Matt Chapman's Royal Ascot tips
- 2.30 – Alpha Centauri
- 3.05 – Khalidi
- 3.40 – Caravaggio
- 4.20 – Winter
- 5.00 – Haripour
- 5.35 – Wadigor
5.35pm Duke of Edinburgh Handicap
A tricky finale. As he gradually steps up in trip, surely the improver is WADIGOR who hopes to make it four on the bounce for Roger Varian.
Sheikh Ahamed’s (Mtoto) hope was impressive at Kempton last time, and had previously proved himself on turf at Newmarket.
With no Postponed in the yard anymore this four-year-old gives Varian one of his best chances of the week.
So here we go again. In a sizzling week Churchill proved not all battles can be won but Highland Reel proved his doubters are just numptees.
As we edge towards the end of Royal Ascot 2017 Winter now has the chance to put a chill on proceedings.
But don't worry about that. Before she runs Caravaggio will have hopefully warmed us up.
The human version's paintings combined a realistic observation of the human state with dramatic use of lighting.
I know what state I will be in if Caravaggio quickens clear - but there won't be much humanity about it! Yeeehaaa!
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