Royal Ascot 2018 Ratings Update: The two-year-old races

Coventry Stakes

The Coventry Stakes stands the purpose of being the first really major two-year-old race of the year, and it didn’t disappoint, producing as exciting a winner as we’ve seen in a while in Calyx (up 8 lb 118p). He lived up to the promise he’d shown at Newmarket ten days prior with a superb effort to win, despite being on the disadvantageous stand side.

Whilst he may be highly sprung (wears a blanket for stalls entry), he couldn’t be in a better yard to keep a lid on him, and considering that this race has seen seven of the last 10 winners go on to score in Group 1 company, it would be a major disappointment if the Kingman colt didn’t follow suit. The next two, Advertise (up 21 lb to 109p) and Sergei Prokofiev (up 3 lb 109p), showed form good enough to win a lesser running of this race, unlucky to have come up against such a talented rival, and they are likely to continue progressing.

Calyx justifies the hype and wins the Coventry Stakes at @Ascot!

Watch LIVE on @ITV pic.twitter.com/aKBp8196ta

— ITV Racing (@itvracing) 19 June 2018

Queen Mary Stakes

This year’s Queen Mary Stakes looks a sub-standard renewal, with a heaped finish and the slowest winning time since Langs Lash in 2008. For all that, though, there are some promising types amongst the 22 finishers, particularly Shades of Blue (now 100p), who looks as good a prospect as there is in the field, despite finishing third. A combination of inexperience and her high draw in 22 hindered her chances, and considering that she has plenty of strengthening to do, she has plenty of potential.

The first two home, Signora Cabello (up 11 lb to 100) and Gossamer Wings ( up from 81p to 100), are both forward two-year-olds, particularly the winner, whose attitude is particularly likeable, and both should continue to perform well this season in similar contests.

Norfolk Stakes 

The Norfolk Stakes looked open on paper heading into the race, and it produced as tight a finish as possible, in which Shang Shang Shang (up 13 lb to 102p) became the first filly to win the race since Superstar Leo in 2000, just holding off the challenge of Pocket Dynamo (now 105), with Land Force (now 103)third.

The form of the race looks inferior to the Coventry, with which it shares the same status, though the winner showed a commendable attitude to prevail when looking as if she may be swallowed up in the final furlong. The stable’s previous Norfolk winner No Nay Never went on to land the Prix Morny, though Shang Shang Shang would need to find substantial improvement if she is to follow in his footsteps.

Albany Stakes

Main Edition’s (up 5 lb to 104p) effort to win the Albany Stakes was similar form to that seen in the Queen Mary, with the principles finishing in a heap, though there is likely to be some useful types amongst the field, including the winner, who has plenty of scope and is likely to continue to make an impact in the best fillies’ races. The two who finished in behind the winner, La Pelosa (up 8 lb 102p) and Fairyland (102 from 96p), are both open to progress, too.

It's a first Albany Stakes win for @MJR_Middleham as Main Edition makes it three-from-three in the hands of @the_doyler @Ascot

Watch LIVE on @ITV4 now! pic.twitter.com/myFKB5zZ1U

— ITV Racing (@itvracing) June 22, 2018

Chesham Stakes

The betting for the Chesham was dominated by the form pick Natalie’s Joy (103), who came into the race having posted an impressive timefigure on debut at Goodwood, but she didn’t look the same horse here after fluffing the start. This clearly wasn’t her running, and she’s worth another chance to confirm the abundant promise of her debut.

The underperformance of the favourite opened the door to Arthur Kitt (101p) to take advantage, looking more of a stayer than his two useful siblings, finding plenty in the final furlong to hold off Nate The Great (101p). Whilst this was only useful form at best, he appeals as the type to go on improving and will be suited by the step up to a mile in due course.

Windsor Castle Stakes

Saturday’s card featured a new slot for the Windsor Castle, previously the last race on the first day, but it's hard to think it deserves such a prominent pitch. Plenty in a large field were vanity runners, though the form of the principals was on a par with the supposedly superior Norfolk Stakes, the first two - Soldier’s Call (up 14 lb to 104p) and Sabre (now 102) - good enough to have gone close in that event.

Click to read Ratings Update: Group 1s 

Click to read Ratings Update: Handicaps