Kyprios won the Gold Cup in 2022 and has been selected to win again this year by the At The Races tipster (Picture: Sky Sports)
1 3:30 PM SA Time – Norfolk Stakes (Group 2)
WHISTLEJACKET tasted defeat at short odds on his debut over 6f at the Curragh back in April, but he quickly made amends with an impressive victory in Listed company over 5f there most recently, beating the reopposing Arizona Blaze into second. With that effort still fresh in the mind, this full-brother to Little Big Bear gets the vote to emulate his sire, No Nay Never, who took this prize back in 2013. There was little to separate Shareholder (first) and Moving Force (second) when the pair met over 5f at Beverley earlier this month and, with the latter-mentioned 7lb better off on this occasion, it would be no surprise if he were able to get the better of his old adversary and emerge as the main danger to the selection. Tropical Storm and Milford are a couple of others who warrant respect.
Top Tip: WHISTLEJACKET (13)
Watch out for: MOVING FORCE (8)
2 4:05 PM – King George V Stakes (Heritage Handicap)
Aidan O’Brien’s Chantilly heads the early betting after his Newbury third and, as a son of Galileo, the step up in trip may bring some improvement. However, he may struggle to reverse placings with the runner-up from that contest, PONIROS, who also has plenty of scope for benefiting from an extra couple of furlongs and the draw has been kind to the son of Golden Horn. Naval Force is trained by Donnacha O’Brien and was value for further when losing lengths at every bend before staying on to score at Roscommon over shorter and he could go well at a big price if he keeps to the straight and narrow. Going The Distance and Persica are others to consider, though there is a chance they may now be in the grip of the handicapper.
Top Tip: PONIROS (8)
Watch out for: CHANTILLY (3)
3 4:45 PM – Ribblesdale Stakes (Fillies’ Group 2)
DIAMOND RAIN may not have been out of place if going for the Oaks last month, but she has been saved for this instead following a taking Listed success at Newbury, where the runner-up has come out and franked the form since. A narrow winner on debut here over 1m, Charlie Appleby’s unbeaten filly should have too much for Kalpana, who was a creditable second in Listed company at Newmarket last month and should improve for the step up in trip. You Got To Me has strong claims on her penultimate success at Lingfield, despite being outclassed in the Oaks, and she can uphold form with the reopposing Rubies Are Red (second), and Danielle (third).
Top Tip: DIAMOND RAIN (2)
Watch out for: KALPANA (6)
4 5:25 PM – Gold Cup (Group 1) (British Champions Series)
The classy KYPRIOS was a popular winner of this in 2022, a campaign which saw him add three further Group 1’s onto an already stellar CV. Injury kept him out for much of 2023, but he’s been impressive on both of his starts this year, albeit at a lower level, and the son of Galileo can cement his place as the leading stayer once again. Conditions might not be ideal for Trawlerman, who beat the selection here on Champions Day in October before returning with a creditable third in the Dubai Gold Cup in March, but that won’t be the case for Coltrane. He defeated Caius Chorister (second) and Sweet William (third) in the Sagaro here last month which should have left him cherry-ripe, while unexposed stayer Gregory and the Willie Mullins-trained Vauban are no back numbers either.
Top Tip: KYPRIOS (3)
Watch out for: COLTRANE (1)
5 6:05 PM – Britannia Stakes (Heritage Handicap) (Str)
Arguably the most competitive three-year-old handicap of the season and this year’s renewal looks as open as ever. Native Warrior scored a shade cosily when opening his account in a maiden at Nottingham last month and makes his handicap bow off what looks a workable mark. The son of Wootton Bassett looks nicely drawn in stall 31 and he must enter the reckoning. However, QIRAT was slightly more taking when overcoming a troubled passage at Goodwood in late May and edges the verdict. A 4lb rise in the ratings for that handicap bow may underestimate Ralph Beckett’s charge and another big pot could be headed his way. The hat-trick seeking Volterra isn’t taken lightly upped in class, while a first-time visor could eke some improvement out of the Aidan O’Brien-trained Air Commander. Fellow Irish raider Follow Me arrives on the back of a career-best performance having landed the spoils at the Curragh and the Shalaa colt makes more each-way appeal than most.
Top Tip: QIRAT (19)
Watch out for: NATIVE WARRIOR (25)
6 6:40 PM – Hampton Court Stakes (Group 3)
King’s Gambit won a tough handicap at Newbury in good style on his reappearance. He should prove competitive in this higher grade, but FIRST LOOK brings Group 1 form to the table. Andre Fabre’s colt took a big step forward when runner-up in the French Derby at Chantilly, and he seems versatile as regards the going. The Blue Riband Trial winner at Epsom, Bellum Justum struggled in the Derby, but could go well back over this shorter distance, while the Ballydoyle colt Portland is another down in trip after landing a Listed race at Leopardstown. Taraj finished a creditable third in a Group 3 contest at Leopardstown over 1m2f on his return to action, while Bracken’s Laugh had the measure of Jayarebe when second in the Dee Stakes at Chester and is another to consider.
Top Tip: FIRST LOOK (5)
Watch out for: KING’S GAMBIT (7)
7 7:15 PM – Buckingham Palace Stakes (Handicap)
Richard Hannon has won two of the last four runnings and he has both Dark Thirty and Tacarib Bay entered this year, who could both go well off their current marks. Fresh has won here three times, twice over C&D, with the latest off 10lb higher in September 2022, and he showed signs of a return to form when beaten less than two lengths at Haydock last time, but a chance is taken on ALZAHIR. Danny Tudhope rides for David O’Meara, who has four runners, and he might be the jockey’s pick after returning with a three-length fourth at Chester, despite pulling too hard and failing to last home. Likely to do better after his first start in eight months, he may be the surprise package. Early favourite English Oak strolled away with a lesser race at Haydock and while he is 9lb higher following that success, Ed Walker’s colt is expected to mount a serious challenge.
Top Tip: ALZAHIR (14)
Watch out for: FRESH (23)
