Rosallion has been tipped to win the Gr 1 BoyleSports Lockinge Stakes. (Picture: Sky Sports Racing)
At The Races
1 1:50 PM SA Time – Sky Sports Racing Aston Park Stakes (Group 3)
Courage Mon Ami returns from 21 months off, but he is already a Group 1 winner after taking the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot in 2023. He cannot be easily dismissed, although the drop in trip may not be in his favour. AL AASY got up late to land the Gordon Richards over 1m2f at Sandown on his return and the eight-year-old, who won this in 2021, has every chance again, despite his advancing years. King’s Gambit is another to consider if the first-time blinkers bring about any improvement.
Top Tip: Al Aasy (1)
Watch out for: Courage Mon Ami (2)
2 2:25 PM – Highclere Castle Gin Carnarvon Stakes (Listed)
Symbol Of Honour found the seventh furlong beyond him at Newmarket, but he is three from four over this trip and is not easily overlooked. Ides Of March was second to the classy Whistlejacket at Navan and he could be the biggest danger to DEFENCE MINISTER. The Too Darn Hot colt lost his unbeaten record when pulling too hard in the Middle Park on soft ground last autumn but he can get back to winning ways if he settles, with the quicker surface a bonus.
Top Tip: Defence Minister (4)
Watch out for: Ides Of March (5)
3 3:00 PM – Trade Nation London Gold Cup Handicap (Heritage Handicap) (GBBPlus Race)
The Charltons have won four of the last nine renewals of this race, suggesting Wave Rider could go well on his handicap debut, with a first-time hood an interesting addition. GENEALOGY still holds Group 1 entries and with the form of his sixth to Delacroix at Newmarket boosted by the winner scoring twice since to become a leading Derby contender, he is hard to oppose off a mark of 96 for Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore, who can do little wrong at present. Ernst Blofeld and Lightening Mann are others to at least consider.
Top Tip: Genealogy (2)
Watch out for: Wave Rider (7)
4 3:35 PM – BoyleSports Lockinge Stakes (Group 1) (Str)
The stage is set for a third clash between last year’s English and Irish 2000 Guineas winners Notable Speech and ROSALLION. The former was the ready winner of the Newmarket showpiece and having later enjoyed Group 1 glory in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood, his credentials are straight from the top drawer. However, Rosallion went from strength to strength after the HQ clash, with a memorable Classic win at the Curragh three weeks later. The son of Blue Point went on to emphatically turn the tables on Notable Speech (seventh) when he tenaciously landed the St James’s Palace at Royal Ascot. Richard Hannon’s colt is simply too hard to ignore. The hat-trick seeking Dancing Gemini is not to be underestimated, while the fillies Tamfana and Fallen Angel could also lay claim to some place money.
Top Tip: Rosallion (7)
Watch out for: Notable Speech (4)
5 4:10 PM – Childwickbury Stud Fillies’ Trial Stakes (Listed)
Anything representing Aidan O’Brien is noteworthy at present and the class-dropping Ecstatic is no exception, despite her no-show on soft ground in a Group 3 at Navan last month. A quicker surface could spark a revival, while Winter’s Song, Revoir and Sand Gazelle are all potential improvers, but the vote goes to WONDER STAR. The daughter of Sea The Stars firmly enhanced her reputation with an assertive display in breaking her maiden at Ascot last week and looks a very bright prospect.
Top Tip: Wonder Star (10)
Watch out for: Ecstatic (3)
6 4:45 PM – Hong Kong Jockey Club Handicap
Having won both starts since being gelded, Completely Random is at the top of his game and has a decent chance of completing a hat-trick. However, he has another 6lb rise to cope with after his Leicester success and a personal best is required again. With that in mind, the consistent ARAMRAM could be the way to go, as he seems unaffected by creeping up the weights. Richard Hannon’s colt can gain compensation for several near-misses in some deep sprints. Run Boy Run and Rosario are other strong contenders.
Top Tip: Aramram (10)
Watch out for: Completely Random (4)
7 5:20 PM – BoyleSports Home Of The Early Payout Handicap (Str)
MY CLOUD made a strong impression when scoring on his handicap debut at Ascot last month and even a 10lb rise might prove to be on the lenient side. Roger Varian’s four-year-old could have lots more to offer and can continue his rise through the ranks. Ebt’s Guard accounted for Classic (third) when victorious in the Spring Cup here two starts ago and can confirm that form to have a say. Of the remainder, Witch Hunter makes the most appeal.
Top Tip: My Cloud (8)
Watch out for: Ebt’s Guard (7)
8 5:55 PM – World Pool Handicap (Str)
Nakeeb got off the mark at the third time of asking at Doncaster earlier in the month and now makes his handicap debut off a possibly workable mark of 86. However, REGALIAN looks the more appealing option. William Haggas’ three-year-old struck on his debut at Newcastle prior to finishing a respectable third under a penalty at Southwell. With the likelihood of more to come, the now-gelded son of Kingman can score. Solar Army is another to consider.
Top Tip: Regalian (4)
Watch out for: Nakeeb (3)
