A Proper Flat Racing Feast at the Royal Course
Right, settle in with your pint because Ascot served up an absolute cracker of a card on Friday. Now, I'll be the first to admit that jumping over hurdles is more my cup of tea than watching the flat brigade gallop around like greyhounds, but when the royal course puts on a spread like this - packed with Group races and Royal Meeting trials - even this old jumps man has to tip his cap.
The Ascot racecard was stuffed fuller than a Christmas turkey with quality, headlined by the Longines Sagaro Stakes - that grand old Gold Cup trial that sorts the stayers from the sprinters quicker than you can say "stamina test". With Good to Firm ground and patches of Good, the conditions were spot on for some serious galloping.
Sagaro Stakes: The Stayers' Championship Heats Up
The Sagaro Stakes over a mile and seven furlongs was the main event, and what a field they assembled. Sweet William topped the ratings at 117, but don't let that fool you into thinking this was a foregone conclusion. This staying game is trickier than a three-card trick, and ratings only tell half the story when horses are stretching out over this trip.
William Buick getting the leg up on Caballo de Mar caught my eye - that combination has been clicking like a well-oiled machine this season. But it's Ryan Moore on Beylerbeyi that had me reaching for my notebook. The son of Sea The Stars might only be rated 101, but breeding tells, and when Moore chooses your horse over others in the field, you sit up and take notice.
Tabletalk with Rossa Ryan looked another with serious claims. That's a horse who's been knocking on the door in good company, and this trip should suit down to the ground. The way he stays on at the business end suggests there's a big one in him somewhere.
Commonwealth Cup Trial: Speed Merchants Gather
The Commonwealth Cup Trial Stakes brought the speed merchants to the fore, and what a collection they were. Wise Approach leading the ratings at 115 with Buick aboard made him the one to beat on paper, but six furlongs at Ascot can be a lottery when you get a field this competitive.
Brussels caught my attention - Ryan Moore again, and that's a horse who's shown serious early pace in his races. The way he quickens suggests this stiff six furlongs at Ascot could play right into his hands. Don't be surprised if he's mixing it with the big boys come Royal Ascot.
Ghost Mode looked overpriced in the market if you ask me. Colin Keane doesn't cross the Irish Sea for no reason, and this fellow has been showing steady improvement with each run. One for the notebook, that.
Paradise Stakes: Queen Anne Prep Gets Serious
The Paradise Stakes over a mile served as a Queen Anne Stakes trial, and the quality was there for all to see. Jonquil topped the ratings at 113, but it was Holloway Boy with Buick that had me most interested. That's a horse who's been progressive all season, and the step up to a mile looks tailor-made.
Rashabar with James Doyle was another that caught the eye. Rated 112 and clearly held in high regard by connections, this looked like a perfect prep race for bigger things. The way he travels in his races suggests the stiffer test at Ascot could unlock further improvement.
Chancellor looked the each-way value if you were having a punt. Robert Havlin knows his way around this track better than most, and at 109, this horse looked to have room for improvement at the top level.
Ones to Follow: The Future Stars
Now, here's where it gets interesting for those of us always looking ahead. From the two-year-old trial, keep a close eye on whatever impressed most - these early season juveniles often come on leaps and bounds for their debut runs.
In the staying division, any horse that ran with credit in the Sagaro Stakes wants following. The Gold Cup at Royal Ascot is the ultimate prize for stayers, and this race often provides the winner or at least the placed horses.
From the Commonwealth Cup trial, the first three home all want noting. That Royal Ascot sprint is one of the most competitive races of the entire meeting, and early form often stands up.
The apprentice handicap threw up some interesting performances too. These young jockeys are hungry, and when they get a tune out of a well-handicapped horse, it's worth remembering for future reference.
Looking Ahead: Royal Ascot Beckons
The beauty of a card like this is that it's essentially a giant audition for Royal Ascot. Every trainer worth their salt wants a runner at the royal meeting, and Friday's action will have sorted the wheat from the chaff in several key divisions.
The Sagaro Stakes form will be crucial for the Gold Cup picture. Any horse that ran well over this trip with cut in the ground will be of serious interest when the going gets testing at the royal meeting.
The Commonwealth Cup trial form typically stands up well, and with the prize money on offer at Royal Ascot, connections will be plotting their routes carefully based on Friday's evidence.
Mark my words - we'll be referring back to this Ascot card come the third week in June. The royal meeting might still be weeks away, but the pieces of the puzzle are already falling into place, and Friday's action provided plenty of clues for those sharp enough to spot them.
