Royal Ascot 2059 - A Preview

Some things, of course, have changed little over the years.

We still have the royal procession, even though it is now along the service road to avoid damaging the racing surface.

Queen Diana will miss the procession this year, having just given birth to the new heir, Prince Darren. Her place will be taken by Queen Kate, the Queen Mother.

One thing is for sure and that is the continued domination of the sprinting division by the Americans. This year is the 50th anniversary of the first American victory when Wesley Ward’s, Strike The Tiger became the first American winner at the Royal Meeting.

Now his son Riley is looking to train his tenth consecutive winner of the 4f King’s Stand Stakes. Historically the Kings Stand was a 5f contest before dropping to the proper sprinting distance back in 2017.

It is also hard to believe that earlier this century 30 runners used to contest the race.

Since the introduction of the ultra-polytrack surface all races are now limited to a maximum of 15 runners. Even though the new surface has been in place for over fifteen years, the debate about draw bias continues.

As always a strong challenge is expected from the United States Of Europe.

Ballydoyle trainer Joseph O’Brien, who took over the reigns of the training establishment when his father St Aidan retired, will once again have a strong challenge and will be looking to follow up his successful Southwell Derby meeting, where he trained the first six home in The Derby over the classic mile distance.

Of course one of the highlights of the week remains the Gold Cup, over the marathon, and almost unique, distance of 1m 4f. Although, once again, question marks will be raised about the future of the race as so few horses are able to cope with this ultra long distance and it looks like being a three or four runner contest again.

It is incredible to believe that horses used to be allowed to run over distances as far as 2m 6f on the flat, however the Animal Equality Bill of 2018 abolished such cruel practices, one of the few remaining laws from before the country withdrew from the United States Of Europe.

Once again the BBC will be providing coverage with the first two races being shown on BBC 19 before switching to BBC 23 in all regions except London which will have coverage behind the red button on BBC 22.

BBC Radio may broadcast coverage but are not saying on which station or at what time.

ATR will bring highlights of the races between "Ambulance Chasers Live" and "Chair Lift Special"

A Day At The Races

So many people say to me it must be an easy life being a racing journalist. Well I would be telling lies if I tried to pretend I did not enjoy it. However it is hard work and involves long days.

Here is my diary for Ladies Day at Ascot.

6:28 The alarm goes off and no chance of a lie in today, straight up to finish off the prep for todays racing.

6:50 Receive the latest going reports from the BHA, no change at Ascot, only Ripon has a going change.

Of course today is the opening of Ffos Las, a difficult clash but Ascot just edges it – I am going to make sure I get to their next meeting though.

8:00 Finishing off my racecards for today. Thank goodness there is a field limit of 30 as that just happens to be the number of runners I can just squeeze onto a sheet of A4. There is nothing worse than trying to read a race when all the colours are not to hand on a single page.

The advantage of doing my own racecards is twofold, firstly I can get all the runners on a single A4 page and, as I do the cards I get to see all the runners and have a first shot at learning the colours.

8:25 That’s the racecards printed off and now the dilemma – which way do I go to Ascot.

Usually it is a simple choice, M1, M25, A30 - an hour door to door. But now there are major roadworks on the M25. The alternative is the “back roads” via Aylesbury and Wycombe but that entails battling with the mad Mothers on the school run. A lose-lose choice.

10:15 The back roads route won, but 1¾ hours is no fun.

Normally press parking at Ascot is in car park 2, immediately opposite the main entrance.

I was hopeful when the car park badges came through specifying car park 2F. However I discovered on Tuesday that the “F” stands for far away. Right through car park two and down this steep hill.

They have a golf buggy running a shuttle from the car park to the High Street – on Tuesday I thought it was for wimps. Yesterday and today I used it – carrying a 25lb computer bag up a steep hill is no fun. Yes I admit it - I am a wimp!!

11:00 A quick walk around to test the going – pretty much the same as yesterday. Enough of the relaxing and it is back to serious work as I have to preview Friday’s races.

12:00 It is really hard work doing race previews, especially at such a competitive meeting. I need a break so time for some lunch and probably the only break I will get today.

Having said that lunch is a working lunch as I am finishing off the previews as I eat.

Also never believe what you see on TV – on Ascot TV Rupert Bell is about to hand over to Richard Hoiles in the commentary box for a preview of this afternoons racing. Cut to a cheery Richard Hoiles in the commentary box, even thanking Rupert for the handover – only thing is, he is currently standing about three feet away from me in the bunker.

There is only one topic of conversation here in the media centre – will Yeats win? It is surprising how, even the most cynical of hacks, want to see Yeats win

12:38 Time for another walk around outside and it is filling up now, although it seems quieter than last year.

13:18 I have finally finished the initial prep work for tomorrows racecard, plus adding Saturday’s final entries to the web site.

I can now, finally, concentrate on this afternoons action.

I have been here three hours and haven’t really started on todays stuff.

13:35 It is really odd seeing colleagues you see most days at various courses here in all their finery. Oddest one to see is Luke Harvey – not known for his sartorial elegance – even he looks smart in a topper.

14:15 Have just been upstairs to watch The Queen arrive – there is a rat run from the media centre to the viewing level further up the grandstand – means one can get around and miss the crowds.

There are seventy steps on the stairs and I have worked out I will make at least 40 return trips up them in the course of the week.

The viewing area we have is in the middle of the Royal Enclosure but we are exempt from the Royal Enclosure dress rules and only Ascot could come up with a “path” through the Royal Enclosure which is exempt from the dress code – although I have to admit it does feel odd walking through wearing a lounge suit.

Also every time I go through I pass the door to Sheikh Mohammed’s suite – one of his security entourage stands guard, wearing the full top hat and tails. He is always there whenever I pass – it must be a boring job.

14:27 In place for the opening race. I have a good view down the course and just behind my right shoulder is a nice HDTV. Only eleven runners in the first, although over the straight five, should be one of the easier races of the week to read.

I always try, wherever possible, to view the races through binoculars and I make comments in running as the race progresses. The trouble is the quicker I write the more unreadable my writing becomes.

It was very hard to start but, like most things, it becomes (relatively) easier with practice.

14:49 Well what a controversial start to the day. Plenty of interference from the American horse I wonder how many days Mr Velazquez will pick up for that ride?

Isn’t is amazing how quickly a jockey can go from hero to villain?

The other trouble with a controversial finish is it takes a longer to write up the race report.

Also having watched the replay several times and from several angles I had to change my initial view on the interference.

I thought the interference had cost Monsieur Chevalier the race but now I am of the view he just wasn’t good enough. Radiohead on the other hand did very well to recover from the interference and go on to win the contest.

Anyway the race is written up.

One big difference, which makes covering a big meeting more difficult, is getting information. At most meetings there are usually no more than half a dozen journalists, all in the one press room so we get all the result sheets and stewards enquiries bought through to the press room.

Here with hundreds of journalists and two centres, a fair distance apart, news does not filter down so easily.

15:15 A mad dash but I just manage to get to the parade ring to see the runners in the Ribblesdale then get back up to my vantage point in the stand and see Godolphin finally win a race at last.

At least some additional news to add to the report.

It is then a mad dash to get downstairs to the media centre and take in the press conference as Frankie is always good value for money.

15:30 Frankie was as good as ever and Rupert Bell made sure the press conference was quick, so as not to impinge into the Gold Cup.

So down to the parade ring and, luckily, none of the Gold Cup runners have arrived yet.

Ascot have held them back so all nine enter together, in racecard order – what a brilliant idea.

16:00 Well what can one say – what an emotional race – the roar as Yeats hit the front beats anything at Cheltenham or Aintree.

The roar was unbelievable – so loud it completely drowned out Richard Hoiles commentary.

Up in the press viewing area even the cynics are smiling.

As they walk back Johnny Murtagh is so emotional – kissing everyone – if he is not careful he will fall off the horse.

I stay up on the balcony longer than usual just to see the victors come back down the track and savour the atmosphere.

Back into the media centre to get the first report out – it is hard to find the right superlatives.

Aidan O’Brien is even showing emotion. This is a big story and connections are milking it – who can blame them. They are even keeping The Queen waiting – but I somehow suspect she doesn’t mind – she as much as anyone will appreciate the significance of what has happened.

16:20 Aidan O’Brien is human – he was great in the press conference, I have never known him be so effusive.

After all the Gold Cup follow-up I, and most of the hacks, miss the Britannia.

I have to confess missing the Britannia is a blessing in disguise – with thirty runners on the straight course it is impossible to do any decent report on the race without having to watch numerous re-runs on TV. As it happens it was a tight finish so I settle for giving the bare result and admitting I had not seen the race.

16:45 Right back on track now – The Gold Cup written up. I am sitting next to Matt Doyle of Skybet and he tells me they are offering 5/1 for number five for Yeats – they wouldn’t would they?

Down to see the runners for the Hampton Court then the rat run again upstairs again.

17:10 Well a another controversial finish and a stewards enquiry – I think the winner will keep the race but I think Moore will get a holiday. Only a brief report on the race but the enquiry drags on and delays me getting to the parade ring.

17:30 A 19 runner finale and not having time to get to the parade ring means I will be reading the race blind – ho hum.

Watching the runners in the ring serves two purposes. Firstly it gives you a chance to see their wellbeing and, as important, you can note any physical marking to aid identification. A big white face is a godsend when they are charging towards you – provided there aren’t too many with big white faces – you get the drift though.

17:45 Luckily an uncontroversial race so easy to do the report.

I am having trouble finding out what ban Ryan Moore has picked up but after some investigation I eventually find out he has picked up three days.

18:00 Catching up on the day and tying up loose ends, going through the press releases and RP and Sporting Life sites, just to make sure I have not missed anything important.

18:20 All the remaining hacks have stopped working and are gathered round the TV’s watching the first race from Ffos Las. It looks to be a decent course.

18:33 Finally finished now the drive home.

20:30 Finally get home, traffic was chunky, although nothing like as bad as it will be on Saturday.

Grab some fish and chips just before getting home and have a graze, scanning through the recorded BBC coverage as I eat.

21:00 Update the webs site and check the forums – always good for some controversy.

Now have to finish off racecards for tomorrow. More a matter of tidying them up. Noting any wearing blinkers or cheekpieces (another identification aid). Also highlight fillies – nothing annoys an owner or trainer more than getting the sex of their runner wrong in a report and finally marking any greys.

22:20 Racecards finished and time now to earn some money. Go through Fridays card looking for suitable investments – it hasn’t been a good week so far – but all gamblers are optimists.

23:45 Everything now ready for tomorrow. Just need to print off the racecards and time to hit the sack before we start again tomorrow.

Oaks Preview

High Heeled

Has reasonable form and hails from a stable who know what they are doing.

Was fourth to Sariska in the Musidora and York, her performance being blamed on the firm ground.

However with the going currently Good, Good to Firm in places and with no rain forecast she could be in trouble again at Epsom and is best ignored.

Midday

Runner-up to Debussy in the Blue Riband Trial here in April and she is trained by Henry Cecil, who has won this race eight times.

Her last win was in the Lingfield Oaks Trial which has produced the Oaks winner three times in recent years.

Her three-year-old form is certainly better than last years and she is a contender you would ignore at your peril.

Nashmiah

The most exposed contender who has twice finished behind Rainbow View.

Has had a couple of decent wins this seasons but her limitations are fully exposed.

In addition her stable seem to favour Wadaat and it would be no surprise if Nashmiah skipped Epsom in favour of the Royal meeting.

Oh Goodness Me

Third in the Irish 2000 Guineas on her latest start, running on really well in the heavy going.

There should be no question marks concerning her stamina, however the Irish 1000 Guineas was a weak renewal and the going at Epsom will be completely different.

Others preferred.

Perfect Truth

The only O’Brien contender in the fillies’ classic.

Finally made it to the winners enclosure when beating Phillipina in the Cheshire Oaks, setting a course record in the process.

However the way Phillipina was running on at the end suggests she has the ability to reverse the form and that O’Brien will not be claiming Oaks glory.

Phillipina

Still a maiden but her performance at the end of the Cheshire Oaks was eye catching and good enough to suggest she will reverse the form with a conqueror that day, Perfect Truth.

However she is still a maiden and that does not augur well, especially when considering she is up against some class fillies in this contest.

She is improving but whether she has sufficient improvement to take this one is very much open to question.

Rainbow View

Unbeaten as a two-year-old she went into the 1000 Guineas with high hopes of maintaining her unbeaten record.

In the end she only came home fifth, seemingly lacking pace at a crucial point in the race.

However she was staying on well in enough in the closing stages to suggest she needs further.

Her trainer said the fast ground at Newmarket was against her, even though she has winning form on good to firm as a juvenile.

If she runs to her form of last year she will be a serious contender but you have to take it on trust she is as good.

Sariska

Unexposed, she has done little wrong in her runs to date.Her last outing, taking the Musidora at York, was most impressive, showing a great turn of foot in the closing stages – suggesting a mile and a half is well within her range.

She still has plenty of scope for improvement and her York win underlined her ability to act on both firm and soft surfaces.

The Miniver Rose

The sort of filly who has made quiet progress without setting the world alight.

Was disappointing when fourth in the Pretty Polly at Newmarket before going on to come second in Newbury’s Oaks trial.

Unlikely to win this race she is, however, the sort who could grab a place at a tidy price.

Three Moons

Frankie Dettori’s mount and although she has done little wrong she is another who is outclassed at this level.

A decent short-head second to Midday at Newmarket in September, she went on to score an easy odds-on victory at Folkestone on her seasonal bow.

Second in the Pretty Polly Stakes she led two out and battled on gamely once headed.

The negatives are she looks to be outclassed and there is a suggestion 1¼ miles is her limit.

Tottie

Six and three-quarter lengths third to Midday in the Lingfield Oaks trial, there is nothing at all to suggest she can reverse that form.

One aspect in her favour is she has won at Brighton, which shows she can handle an undulating track like Epsom.

Wadaat

Something of an enigma, the filly is highly thought of by her trainer.Runner-up in the Italian Oaks last time out the run previously she ran an absolute stinker in the Lingfield Oaks Trial.

A run so bad even the trainer cannot offer an explanation.

Too much of a risk to back.

Verdict

It is hard to look beyond Midday and Sariska – but in which order. Difficult to say so I am going to let my heart rule my head and opt for a ninth Cecil win.

1 – Midday
2 – Sariska
3 – The Minerva Rose

Derby Preview

Age Of Aquarius

One of a host of Ballydoyle entries and, it is safe to say, probably not their leading light in the contest.

Began his career on the AW at Dundalk but showed sufficient potential to be entered for the Group 1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud last season where he came home fourth, a length and a half behind Fame And Glory.

Winner of the Lingfield Derby Trial in May, making the running and running-on having been headed a furlong out.

The Lingfield trial has not been strong in recent years and this year is no exception.

He is entitled to come on for that first run and there is no reason why he could not edge a place.

Black Bear Island

Winner of the Dante Stakes at York and the victory distance of a head does not tell the full story as he was left with a great deal to do in the closing stages and with a better ride could have won the contest much more convincingly.

Being a full brother to the 2002 winner High Chaparral he certainly has the genes to suggest he is capable of taking the Blue Riband.

He is still an improving horse and the extra two furlongs in The Derby should not inconvenience him, especially taking into account the manner in which he was running on in the Dante.

Must have a very real chance.

It looks as though Black Bear Island will be ridden by champion UK jockey Ryan Moore.

Crowded House

An impressive victory in last seasons Racing Post Trophy propelled the Brian Meehan trained colt to the head of the ante-post market over the winter.

However the omens have not been good this season.

He was taken out of the 2000 Guineas and sent directly to York’s Dante where he was, frankly, very disappointing.

He came home a lackluster eighth, showing none of the devastating turn of foot demonstrated as a two-year-old.

The trainer attempted to put a gloss on the performance by suggesting the colt needed the run more than they thought.

However it is hard to get away from the belief that the colt has not trained on.

Debussy

Winner of the Classic Trial here at Epsom he beat Oaks Midday in good style and if she runs well in the Oaks then his price will surely drop for the big one.

However next time out he seemed to have been put in his place in the Chester Vase, coming home third behind two of his rivals today in Golden Sword and Masterofthehorse.

It is said the tight course at Chester was not to his liking and the ground was also too firm.

Well he has proved the course here at Epsom is no problem (he is the only course winner in the field), however it looks as though the ground may go against him.

If the Met Office have completely screwed up and there is plenty of rain before Saturday then he may have an outsiders chance of a place.If, however, it stays dry I would not be surprised if he was taken out.

Fame And Glory

Carries the mantle of being the only unbeaten runner in this year’s renewal.Likely to start favourite he ticks all the right boxes and has the ideal profile of a Derby winner.

Trained by Aidan O’Brien-trained (and with Vincent O’Brien passing away this week what an emotional winner he would be).

He is by Montjeu sire of two winners of this race already, he is a Group 1 winner, and has been an easy winner of the top two Irish trials this season.

If you are looking for negatives then the only glaring one is that stable jockey Johnny Murtagh looks as though he has opted for stablemate Rip Van Winkle, however it would not be the first time a top rider has made the wrong pick.

Also the jockey that is set to take the ride, Seamus Heffernan has ridden the horse before.

Gan Amhras

Trained by last years controversial winning trainer, Jim Bolger, Gan Amhras is also following a similar approach to New Approach.

Third in the 2000 Guineas and coming on to tackle the Derby, the son of Galileo has trained on, showing considerable improvement and looking to be crying out for this longer trip. In the Guineas he was certainly putting in his best work in the closing stages, having apparently been outpaced in the early stages.

He certainly has the scope to come on again and rates a decent each way prospect.

Golden Sword

A shock winner of the Chester Vase where he seemed to be put in the race as a pacemaker and well fancied stablemate Masterofthehorse ran a tactically terrible race.

It is fair to say the result of the Vase was a “one off” and it looks as though Golden Sword is here as a pacemaker again and on this occasion he will not be winning.

Kite Wood

Godolphin’s attempt to win the race in 2009 and it looks destined to be another vain attempt.

Although the winner of Ascot’s Autumn Stakes last season, when trained by Michael Jarvis, he was a very disappointing fifth in the Dante.

Another who looks as though he has not trained on.

Masterofthehorse

Another Ballydoyle contended who is not one of the shining lights.

Controversially beaten by stablemate Golden Sword in the Chester Vase after a terrible ride from his jockey.

However even presuming he had won the Vase it was not a strong renewal and his form to date is not enough to take a Derby.

Montaff

Runner-up to Age Of Aquarius in the Lingfield Derby Trial, the form of that run was certainly an improvement on his two-year-old form.

He will have to improve again to have any chance of being placed in this contest, not an impossibility, but unlikely.

Rip Van WinkleShowed that Johnny Murtagh is perfectly capable of choosing the right horse when he prefered Rip Van Winkle to Mastercraftsman in the 2000 Guineas.

Taking into account his preparation had been interrupted by a bruised foot his fourth was a credible performance and he was certainly doing his best work in the closing stages.

It looks as though Johnny Murtagh is staying loyal to him in the Derby, however there are two big question marks hanging over him.

Will he act on the course and, more importantly, will he get the mile and a half?

Sea The Stars

Looking to be the first horse since Nashwan in 1989 to take the Guineas / Derby double.

The half-brother to 2001 Derby winner Galileo beat a high class field in the 2000 Guineas, looking as though a step up in trip is well within his compass, although whether 1¼ or 1½ miles is his optimum trip is the $64,000 question.

South Easter

Very unexposed, only making his debut in April this year, coming second in a maiden at Newbury before going on to take the Dee Stakes at Chester.

This year’s Dee Stakes was not a high quality renewal with a blanket covering the first four home.Probably the biggest unknown in the field.

On what has been seen in public he has little chance, however being the most unexposed he has the greatest potential to improve and spring a major shock.

Verdict

A few weeks ago William Hill were offering 5/4 that there would be an Irish 1-2-3. That looked to be a standout price and it still does.

I can see an O'Brien 1-2, with another Irish raider taking third.

1 Fame And Glory
2 Black Bear Island
3 Gan Amhras

More Random Musings

On one of the main racing forums there has been some discussion about the variable quality of food at racecourses.

However after an experience at Portsmouth greyhounds last Friday I am now very loath to criticise any catering at a horse racing course.

I was in what was loosely called the "restaurant" and the food beggared belief.

The paté way the type that comes out of a tin.

The "steak" at least answered the question as what they do with retired greyhounds, accompanied by tinned mushrooms and tinned peas - it says a lot when the chips are the highlight of the meal.

And the cheese board was some bright orange luminescent processed cheese with a cream cracker and a grape.

It was that bad, about 15 mins after going to bed the heartburn was so bad I thought, for a moment, I was having a heart attack!!!

- - - - -

I recently had my annual trip to Cartmel and if you have not been there – why not?

For a racing purist it hardly ticks any boxes, it is in the middle of nowhere, viewing of the racing is appalling.

However I defy anyone to have a more enjoyable days racing.

The atmosphere is fantastic, the setting beautiful and the sticky toffee pudding is to die for. Park the car in the centre of the course, take a picnic and enjoy.

- - - - -

Today (1st June) we have had the news of the death of undoubtedly the greatest trainer the sport has ever seen.Vincent O’Brien graced this earth for 92 years, 51 of those spent as a trainer.

He trained winners of Grand National three years running, the Cheltenham Gold Cup on four occasions.

Whilst with flat racing he won the Epsom Derby on six occasions between 1962 and 1982.

In total he won 16 English and 27 Irish Classics, 25 Royal Ascot victories and 23 Cheltenham Festival successes in a career that spanned over half a century.

His CV of flat trained horses reads like a Who's Who of racing - Nijinsky, Sir Ivor, Alleged, Sadler's Wells, Golden Fleece, The Minstrel, El Gran Senor, Ballymoss and Roberto to name but a few.

Had he just trained in one code he would have been a great, to have achieved so much in both codes is a feat that will never be equalled.

As his family mourn his loss they should also be proud of what he achieved.

- - - - -

It looks as though the final nail has been hammered into the coffin of Great Leighs.

A statement from the BHA said: "A sub-committee of the Board of the British Horseracing Authority has considered a Racecourse Licence application from Great Leighs Racecourse Limited and has today declined to grant that entity a racecourse licence.

Great Leighs Racecourse Limited will therefore not be entitled to take part in the 2010 Fixture Allocation Process."

The track went into administration and a great deal of the "blame" for the situation must rest with the management team and in particular John Holmes.

It is also my understanding that those behind the new venture are close friends and business associates of John Holmes and I also believe John Holmes still owns some of the infrastructure of the course.

With John Holmes seemingly having already burned his bridges with the BHA then I suspect his perceived involvement may well be a stumbling block.

One colleague summed it up perfectly in relation to John Holmes continued involvement. "It is like buying a house where the previous owner still owns the bathroom."

Although I am not the greatest fan of all weather racing Great Leighs undoubtedly has the best racing surface of the all weather courses and it serves an area which is somewhat devoid of racing.

Whilst its seeming demise is no great surprise, it is a shame nonetheless.

- - - - -

This week we also heard the news that broadcaster Clare Balding is being treated for thyroid cancer.

Thankfully thyroid cancer responds well to treatment and the prognosis is good.

It is sobering news and it hammers home that nobody is safe from this terrible disease.

We wish her a full and speedy recovery.