A beautiful warm morning.
Mrs D and I are back in the car heading to Ascot for what promises to be a huge day for the yard. It’s less than three months ago since we saddled Trip To Paris in the Rosebery Handicap at Kempton and the men with white coats would have been on our doorstep should the Gold Cup have been mentioned as a potential target after he finished fourth in that race.
But now, 10 weeks on, he lines up in the most prestigious staying contest on the planet as a 12-1 shot and we are all extremely excited to let him take his chance. As I have said before, this is an incredibly sporting decision by his incredibly enthusiastic owners and one I hope will be rewarded by a positive performance.
As things stand it looks like Forgotten Rules will take his chance, and he is a stayer out of the very top drawer, while Mizzou is afforded plenty of respect and Kingfisher shouldn’t be discounted if the trip proves within his compass. We don’t envisage that being a problem for TTP, and the ground shouldn't be an issue either, so there won’t be any excuses come what may.
We also saddle Dutch Uncle in the King George V Handicap and while there maybe isn’t a superstar in the line-up, the race is as competitive as would be expected and he’s been dealt a really tough draw in 17. The step up in trip should suit, but that applies for most of the principals, especially Dissolution, who is very much the one to beat. Our horse doesn’t want the ground absolutely rattling so that will need monitoring.
As for the rest of the card, I think Disegno will go well in the Tercentenary Stakes back on quicker ground, while Curvy is very live player in the Ribblesdale with the extra two furlongs very much in her favour.
Five declarations for Saturday spearheaded by a trio at the Royal meeting. Red Cadeaux lines up in the Hardwicke Stakes under James Doyle, while he will also partner Times Up in the Queen Alexandra Stakes. Zarwaan also goes in the Wokingham under Paul Hanagan.
Have a wonderful ladies’ day!
Ed