Roxy Art
Yesterday was a frustrating one as the ground turned soft at Hamilton, possibly to the detriment of our runners, and Fabulous Red was unlucky in running when second at Ripon. She once again showed her courage and determination, and is certainly competitively handicapped, so I hope that her luck will change shortly.
We look set for another dry day at Ascot on Gold Cup day, with cloud cover overhead but no rain forecast. The fast ground on offer should suit our runner Global Giant in the Gr.3 Hampton Court Stakes at 3.05, though he is up against it in this grade. A son of Shamardal, he showed promise in two starts at two, notably when winning a maiden on the July course last summer. His comeback run behind the re-opposing Wadilsafa was not without promise, and he then finished fifth to another of today’s rivals National Army at Doncaster. He shaped as though there is more to come on both occasions, but I am under no illusions that he is an outsider today under Gerald Mosse.
A more realistic win proposition is Sanam in the 2.20 at Chelmsford. A well-bred son of Oasis Dream, from the family of Barathea and Gossamer, he is not obviously bred for today’s two mile trip at first glance. However, he got off the mark in a twelve-furlong handicap at Newcastle on the AW last time, and was doing all his best work at the finish - whilst there are a few stayers lurking in the pedigree. A six pound rise in the weights and a higher level of opposition inevitably makes this more difficult, but he has snuck in at the foot of the weights, so can hopefully run well under Luke Morris.
Our final chance today comes courtesy of Roxy Art in the 6.50 at Lingfield, a six-furlong novice event open to all sexes. Running against the boys won’t make life easy for her, but she is a talented filly that is ready to get started. Drawn in stall seven, hopefully her rider Fran Berry can find a good position early on and she will enjoy her introduction to racing.
I hope you all enjoy the excellent action at Royal Ascot this afternoon.
All the best,
Ed.