Hot To Trot: Royal Ascot Special

Dean Ivory

Dean Ivory is no stranger to big-race success at Ascot, with Librisa Breeze and Tropics both winning valuable events there in recent years, but the Hertfordshire trainer is still searching for a first victory at the Royal meeting. That could all be about to change if his recent form is anything to go by, however, and Ivory will be hoping the aforementioned Librisa Breeze is fit enough to do himself justice in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes on Saturday. The five-year-old was much improved last season, winning big-field handicaps at Ascot in July (International Stakes) and October (Challenge Cup), both at seven furlongs, and wasn't disgraced when three lengths sixth to The Tin Man in the Champions Sprint Stakes over C&D last time. He certainly showed enough to suggest he has the necessary tools to make his presence felt in sprints at the highest level, though a career best will likely be needed on his return from eight months off the track here. Meanwhile, Lancelot du Lac is set to take his chance in the race that follows the Diamond Jubilee, the Wokingham Stakes. He was third from 2 lb higher in the weights two years ago and appears to have been underestimated in the market this time round, having looked as good as ever in four starts on the all-weather this winter.

Michael Bell

Michael Bell was dealt a crushing blow when his exciting two-year-old filly Main Desire was ruled out of the Royal meeting due to injury, but he still looks set to field several runners with live chances over the course of the meeting, including Big Orange in the feature event on Thursday, the Gold Cup. Big Orange has really endeared himself to the public in recent years, winning consecutive renewals of both the Princess of Wales's Stakes and the Goodwood Cup, and he put the finishing touches to his Ascot preparation with a ready victory in the Henry II Stakes at Sandown last month. He has an extra four furlongs to contend with in the Gold Cup, but no horse will be trying harder, and his style of racing should mean he is bang there as the field turn into the straight. Bell also appears to hold sound chances with both Fire Brigade and Ronald R in the Britannia Stakes later that afternoon, with Ronald R perhaps the most interesting of the pair. He resumed his progress with a determined victory on his seasonal reappearance at Newmarket last month and remains potentially very well treated from just 7 lb higher in the weights, while course winner Graceland is another to consider if making the cut for the Ascot Stakes on Tuesday.

Roger Varian

Three years can be a long time in the life of a trainer and, having failed to saddle a winner at Royal Ascot in each of the last two seasons, Roger Varian will rightly feel more than a little relieved if putting that right in 2017. It would be no surprise were he to do so given the fine form of his string at present and it will certainly be interesting to see what the Nurlan Bizakov-owned pair Serenada and Tomyris are capable of when lining up in the Ribblesdale Stakes (Thursday) and Coronation Stakes (Friday), respectively. Both stepped up on the form of their maiden victories at York's Dante Festival last time - Serenada when two and three quarter lengths third to Shutter Speed in the Musidora Stakes and Tomyris when winning a listed race - and remain with potential after just three previous starts apiece. Defoe is another lightly-raced sort to watch out for, having won a competitive handicap on soft ground at Newbury last time. He holds entries in both the King George V Handicap (Thursday) and the Queen's Vase (Friday), with the longer distance of the latter perhaps preferred on the likely quicker surface. Horroob (Britannia Stakes) and Appeared (Duke of Edinburgh Stakes, Friday) are others to have been given a positive mention by the trainer recently.