Ratings Update: Rest of Royal Ascot

Tuesday

The finish to the Ascot Stakes was contested by two horses who both competed over hurdles last winter, though without a huge amount of distinction, and this wasn't quite so jumps-dominated a renewal as has very much tended to be the case of late, with the next three home all regulars in similar long-distance Flat handicaps.

The Grand Visir (114 from 109p) was well backed at long odds and posted a smart effort to provide trainer Ian Williams with a first Royal Ascot success, appearing to relish the emphasis on stamina as he found plenty to hold off the sustained challenge of favourite Buildmeupbuttercup (up 6 lb to 104). He's good enough to compete at listed/minor pattern level on this evidence, though it could be that the Cesarewitch is top of the agenda for the rest of the season.

The Wolferton Stakes had undergone a change of conditions last year, and a further elevation must surely be on the cards judged on the quality and depth of the field assembled for the latest renewal, with a Group 1 winner, a pair of Group 2 winners – including the winner Addeybb (up 2 lb to 123) – and a Group 3 winner filling the first four places, very much a case of the cream rising to the top.

The most impressive winner of the opening day?

Addeybb flies home in in the closing Wolferton Stakes for trainer William Haggas and jockey Daniel Tudhope 🚀#RoyalAscot pic.twitter.com/cVcTd1ntbh

— Ascot Racecourse (@Ascot) June 18, 2019

Wearing cheekpieces for the first time, Addeybb went unpenalized for his Group 2 success last April and proved better than ever here to record his first win since, overcoming some early scrimmaging and a wide trip to score decisively. It's easy to forget that he was sent off second-favourite in the Lockinge last year and, on this evidence, he looks well worth his place back at the top table.

Wednesday

The first two editions of the revamped Queen’s Vase went the way of multiple Group 1 winners Stradivarius and Kew Gardens, respectively, and while it might be fanciful to expect this year’s winner Dashing Willoughby (up 7 lb to 112) to scale the same heights, he shouldn’t be underestimated with the St Leger in mind, always well positioned here (possibly an advantage in being prominent) and finding plenty when challenged by Barbados to land the spoils.

The Duke of Cambridge didn’t look a vintage renewal on paper, with only two of the 17 runners having previously won at Group 2 level. The first seven home were all four-year-olds, though, four of them having run a career best on one of their previous two starts, and therein lies the strength of the race, with the first two – Move Swiftly (118p from 112) and Rawdaa (remains on 117) – both looking like horses with the potential to make their mark at the top level before the season is out.

The Hunt Cup featured the usual quota who weren't seen to best effect, with the draw playing a significant part, those in stalls 1-16 racing towards the far side and 17-31 stands side, the latter group at a clear advantage and producing the first four home.

That being said, there are still strong grounds to suggest that this will prove typically solid form – indeed, three of the leading quartet are rock-solid operators in this type of race, including the winner Afaak (up 5 lb to 117), and the runner-up Clon Coulis (up 10 lb to 114) took really well to it, while the highly likeable Kynren (remains on 112) fared best of the far-side contingent.

Thursday

The second leg of Frankie Dettori’s four-timer on Gold Cup day came courtesy of Sangarius (up 6 lb to 118p), who was back to looking a potential top-level performer with his reappearance behind him, stepping up in trip acting as a part-catalyst, too, though it was his turn of pace that ultimately separated him from the pack.

He also benefited from getting a trouble-free run in the straight, something that cannot be said of the runner-up Fox Chairman (up 10 lb to 117p), who finished with running left after being repeatedly stopped in his run – he remains open to more improvement after only three starts and promises to prove the winner’s equal at least in any future meetings.

It's a day three double for @FrankieDettori as Sangarius wins the Group 3 Hampton Court Stakes for Sir Michael Stoute 🙌 pic.twitter.com/B9eI5Zd7MX

— ITV Racing (@itvracing) June 20, 2019

Dettori was again seen to best effect in the Ribblesdale Stakes, always in the right position to ensure that Star Catcher (109 from 102p) got first run on Oaks-third Fleeting (remains on 110), who probably achieved more at Epsom than the winner had to here. Indeed, this had the feel of a substandard renewal, overall, though it's fair to say it hasn't been a vintage year for middle-distance fillies and Star Catcher is entitled to be considered right up there with them, having taken this step up in grade in her stride so comfortably.

All eyes were again on Dettori and the five-timer bid in the Britannia Stakes, and his mount Turgenev (up 6 lb to 115) certainly played his part in the drama, making such a remarkable feat look a strong possibility for much of the contest, before being run down by the more patiently-ridden Biometric (up 12 lb to 108p) close home. Those who tried to keep pace with the runner-up were cooked a long way out, making his effort all the more admirable, and he should prove capable of making his presence felt when returned to pattern company in the not too distant future.

Similar comments apply to Constantinople (up 8 lb to 119p), who emerged as much the best horse at the weights when chasing home stablemate South Pacific (108p from 98) in the concluding King George V Stakes. Aidan O’Brien also saddled the third Eminence (up 5 lb to 101p) for good measure, in a race that should typically throw up plenty of winners over the summer.

Friday

The King Edward VII Stakes has often failed to live up to its status in recent years, but this year’s renewal featured a colt with genuine Group 1 aspirations in the shape of the Derby-third Japan (up 1 lb to 124p), who delivered on the day in no uncertain terms, his performance more than up to scratch, the best in the race since Nathaniel in 2011.

It was far from smooth sailing for him – he was forced wide on the home turn and conceded first run to Bangkok (113 from 109+), who made his move on the inner – but, such was the strength of his finishing burst, it mattered not a jot, Japan thoroughly impressive come the line. It’s not hard to make him top of the pile for the St Leger on the back of this (will stay further), but there are plenty of options between now and then, his trainer suggesting that he could next return to Ascot for the King George or head to France for the Grand Prix de Paris.

🇯🇵 Japan wins the Group 2 King Edward VII Stakes

Lift off for Ryan Moore and Aidan O'Brien!#RoyalAscot pic.twitter.com/c3b1dwjOmz

— ITV Racing (@itvracing) June 21, 2019

There was a historic outcome to the Sandringham Stakes, with the victory of Thanks Be (up 9 lb to 95p) making Hayley Turner the first female jockey to ride a winner at the Royal meeting for 32 years, while the form of the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes is about as strong as you can get for a middle-distance handicap; the sons of Frankel who occupied the first two places – Baghdad (up 3 lb to 121p) and Ben Vrackie (up 5 lb to 119) – are Group 3 level at least judged on this, both still not fully exposed, either.

Saturday

The level achieved by those who fought out the finish of the Jersey Stakes looks just smart at this stage, with a bit more needed if they are to emulate recent winners Ribchester and Expert Eye and go on to make their presence felt at the top level. Space Traveller (up 12 lb to 117) produced a significant career best to outpoint favourite Space Blues (loses ‘p’ on 117) on the day, but his rather patchy profile to date raises concerns as to whether he will be able to back this up.

The Roger Varian/Andrea Atzeni combination celebrated a notable double in the Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum colours on the final day, with Defoe (remains on 126) landing the Hardwicke Stakes and Cape Byron (up 3 lb to 122) winning his second big handicap in as many starts this season in the Wokingham Stakes.

The Hardwicke proved a slightly underwhelming renewal, especially after the reappearing Masar (remains on 125) had severely compromised his chance in the very early stages, and Defoe didn’t need to replicate his recent career best to prevail, his biggest challenge coming from what had seemed an unlikely source in the shape of Czech raider Nagano Gold (up 7 lb to 121), who was arguably a little unlucky given he was affected by Masar's bad early stumble.

Defoe should continue to give a good account when returning to the highest level, and Cape Byron is also seemingly headed in that direction, with the July Cup mentioned as a possible target after his ready Wokingham success. The form of that effort – remarkably his first start at six furlongs – would have seen him place in the preceding Diamond Jubilee, and, completely unexposed as a sprinter, he'd be a fascinating runner if taking up his Newmarket entry.

A double on the day for @Atzenijockey as Cape Byron delivers the Wokingham Handicap in style...#RoyalAscot pic.twitter.com/yUtzTSudPG

— Ascot Racecourse (@Ascot) June 22, 2019

Finally, there was little depth to this year's Queen Alexandra, with the fact that the trainers of the first four home had, between them, been responsible for the previous seven winners of the race showing just how unique a contest it has become. In the event, Cleonte (remains on 111) relished the marathon trip as expected to give Andrew Balding a second win in the race after Chiberta King in 2013, and he'll continue to make appeal at a realistic level whenever stamina is at a premium.