Royal Ascot 2018 Ratings Update: Handicaps and other races

Royal Hunt Cup

A race that produced one of its most impressive winners in recent years, Settle For Bay (up 8 lb to 116+) clearly a long way ahead of his mark to make such short work of his rivals, in what may prove a strong renewal as well, plenty further back shaping well for one reason or another and shortlist material next time.

Settle For Bay is clearly a highly progressive sort at up to a mile, and he'll remain of interest moving forward, either in other valuable big-field handicaps or at a slightly higher level. Afaak (now 118) deserves extra credit for proving best of the rest, underlining the progression he has made from last season and, on this evidence, he’ll be at least as effective back up in trip, and could yet do better.

Flaming Spear (up 6 lb to 117) further enhanced his record when fresh, running a cracker on his first start since leaving Kevin Ryan, faring best of the smaller far-side group and finishing fifth overall. He probably needs this big-field scenario to show his best (free-going sort), but he’s clearly on a good mark, and is another to be interested in, a substantial sort who is low mileage for his age after all.

Settle For Bay takes the victory in the Royal Hunt Cup at @Ascot

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Britannia Stakes

As ever, a large field of lightly raced types, many having just their first or second run in a handicap, and it is sure to be strong form. Ostilio (up 9 lb to 109) progressed again, in a much tougher handicap than last time, doing remarkably well given how much use was made of him, clear before halfway and staying on strongly in the final furlong. He is worth extra credit over the bare result given how difficult it is to pull off forcing tactics in a race of this nature, and will remain of interest, already well on his way to being smart, with further progress hard to rule out.

The runner-up Curiosity (up 4 lb to 107) took another step forward, unsurprisingly looking well suited by the big field given his strong-travelling nature, and he will continue to give a good account; a race of this nature is well within his compass, even after another rise in the weights.

First Contact (up 7 lb to 107p) and Sam Gold (down 2 lb to 106p) are two who didn’t manage to get competitive, but shouldn’t be judged too harshly on their performance, and both should have more to offer. The former will be effective at beyond a mile, while Sam Gold had created a good impression at Doncaster prior, and is better judged on that effort for the time being.

King George V Stakes

Always a very strong race, full of progressive three-year-old handicappers, this year no different, and it's certain to produce lots of winners in the coming weeks and months. Baghdad (up 9 lb to 108p) progressed again to win, defying a 10 lb higher mark and showcasing a terrific attitude to hold off the persistent challenge of Corgi (104 from 95). Baghdad is proving most determined and he will likely stay a mile and three quarters, the Melrose at York a likely target.

However, it was First Eleven (108p from 97p) who shaped like the best horse at the weights, and was arguably unlucky not to win. He was denied a run two furlongs out, kept in by Corgi, and was forced to switch approaching the final furlong. He stayed on strongly up the rail, but just failed, in front soon after the line; he’ll go on improving and is one to follow.

Sandringham Stakes

Another strong renewal and Agrotera (up 6 lb to 102p) now looks ready for a higher grade, yet she should be able to fit another handicap or two in before. It was a trademark Jamie Spencer ride she received, still last of all two furlongs out, starting her irresistible run soon after and dashing to the front inside the final furlong. She was well on top at the finish, and she is very much one to keep on side.

The second and fourth home, Ortiz (89p from 83) and Desert Diamond (remains on 96p), are others to be interested in, both losing little in defeat, and seem sure to do better themselves. The latter looked strong over a mile and a quarter the time before and will be of more interest back over middle distances.

Ribblesdale Stakes

Magic Wand (113p from 103) achieved the best performance in the race since the early years of the decade – only Riposte and Princess Highway rated superior at this stage – beating Wild Illusion (remains on 111) by four lengths, and would have likely beaten the runner-up at level weights, too.

Magic Wand left the impression there will now be more to come and a third clash with Forever Together would be fascinating, though at present that seems unlikely to be in the Irish Oaks. Forever Together, perhaps surprisingly, is likely to drop in trip for the Pretty Polly, and Magic Wand will very much be the one to beat at the Curragh in her absence.

Hardwicke Stakes

The smallest field assembled for the Hardwicke since 1992, uncompetitive to boot for form and potential, Crystal Ocean (up 1 lb to 130p) outstripping his rivals on both counts. He produced one of the best recent performances in the race, and not hard pressed to do so either, with his rider not once going for the whip.

He is firmly on the way to establishing himself as a top-class performer, this the most high profile success of his still young career but it surely won't be the pinnacle, impressing with the authority in which he conducted matters, and we're yet to see the best of him. Crystal Ocean has been rightly installed as favourite for the King George on the back of this with doubts over Cracksman's wellbeing, though a clash with that rival on-song would be a thing to savour.

Click to read Ratings Update: Group 1 

Click to read Ratings Update: Two-year-old races