A Proper Day's Sport at the Royal Course
Well now, what a grand day we had at Ascot on Saturday! Seven races of proper competitive flat racing, with the Victoria Cup as the centrepiece and enough intrigue in the supporting card to keep even the most discerning punter entertained. The going was riding good with some quick patches, and by Jaysus, didn't the horses respond accordingly.
From novice stakes to competitive handicaps, today's card had the lot. The quality of jockeyship on display was something to behold - Murphy, Doyle, Hornby, and the gang all putting on a clinic. But let's get down to the nitty-gritty of what we witnessed and, more importantly, what horses deserve a second look going forward.
The Victoria Cup: Where Legends Are Made
The £100,000 Victoria Cup over seven furlongs was always going to be the day's main event, and with 29 runners going to post, it lived up to every bit of its billing. This is the sort of race that separates the wheat from the chaff, and any horse that runs well here is worth following for the rest of the season.
Witch Hunter and Golden Mind headed the weights at 103, but in a race like this, it's often the lightly-weighted improvers who catch the eye. The presence of Sean Levey on Witch Hunter was telling - he doesn't often get the big rides unless there's serious confidence behind them.
What struck me most was the international flavour with runners like Royal Zabeel and the aptly-named Ten Pounds. Jason Watson taking the ride on Royal Zabeel suggests the Godolphin team fancy their chances, while Andrea Pinna on Ten Pounds brings that Italian flair we've been seeing more of lately.
The one that caught my eye beforehand was Completely Random with Kaiya Fraser aboard. Sometimes the name says it all, but there's nothing random about a horse rated 100 getting a claiming allowance. That's the sort of angle that wins you Victoria Cups.
Progressive Types Worth Following
Beyond the feature, there were several performances that screamed 'follow me' for the rest of the season. In the opening EBF Novice Stakes, any winner from that field of ten is worth noting. Trust Yourself with James Doyle catches the eye - when Doyle takes a ride on an unrated novice, you sit up and take notice.
Victory Gold partnered by Oisin Murphy is another that demands respect. Murphy's been in flying form this season, and his agent doesn't pick rides willy-nilly. These novice events at Ascot often produce future Group performers.
In the Fillies' Handicap, Zgharta and Alobayyah both carried 89 ratings, suggesting they're already operating at a high level. But it's often the ones rated in the mid-80s that offer the best value going forward. Politely with Saffie Osborne could be one to keep onside - Osborne's strike rate when she gets a decent ride is impressive.
Trainer and Jockey Combinations to Note
The jockey bookings today told their own story. When you see the likes of James Doyle taking multiple rides on a card, you know the quality is there. His mount Defence Minister in the Victoria Cup looked well-handicapped on paper, and Doyle's presence suggests connections are expecting a big run.
Oisin Murphy had a full book of rides, including Mudbir in the big race and Classical Allusion in the extended mile-and-a-quarter handicap. Murphy's been riding with serious confidence this season, and when he commits to a horse, they usually run their race.
The presence of Saffie Osborne on several fancied runners shouldn't go unnoticed either. Her claim is becoming less relevant as her strike rate improves, and trainers are booking her for quality rather than the weight allowance.
Distance Specialists and Future Targets
The extended mile-and-a-quarter contest threw up some interesting angles. Siempre Arturo with Jason Watson looked the class act on paper, but it's races like this where the staying types often emerge for bigger targets later in the season.
Kirchner with David Egan is one I'd be keen to see over further. That breeding suggests he'll appreciate every yard of a mile and a half, and Egan's booking suggests connections think likewise. These are the types that pop up in valuable staying handicaps at the summer festivals.
The shorter sprint to close the card was a proper cavalry charge with 19 runners. Lord Roxby looked interesting with the claiming rider Alex Jary taking a valuable 7lb off his back. Sometimes these big-field sprints throw up horses that go on to better things when dropped back in grade.
Looking Ahead: Where Next?
The beauty of a day like today is that it sets up storylines for the rest of the season. Any horse that ran well in the Victoria Cup will likely be targeted at similar valuable handicaps throughout the summer. The Stewards' Cup at Goodwood, the Ayr Gold Cup, and the various heritage handicaps all beckon.
For the novices and lightly-raced types, today was about education as much as winning. The ones that showed promise here will be stepping up in class, and any that won will be worth following when they reappear in Pattern company.
The fillies who ran well in their handicap will likely be aimed at similar contests, but also keep an eye on them for the valuable fillies' races at the summer meetings. These are often the types that find improvement when stepped up in trip or class.
All told, it was a cracking day's sport at the royal course. The sort of afternoon that reminds you why flat racing at its competitive best takes some beating. Now, who's buying the next round?
