2016 Flat Issue 8 - an upswing for a few

Headlines

Stars Twinkle Across Ascot

Son Outshines Rivals in Jubilee

Dartmouth is Right Royal Winner

Report

We start at Ascot on Friday where in the 1m 4f group 2 Across The Stars ( Steve), went to post, tracked leaders, effort over 2 out, carried left and led narrowly 1 out, ran on and in command close home, winning by 1 1/4l. He gets 55.6 points.

At Ascot on Saturday in the 1m 4f Group 2, Dartmouth ( Martin), took his chance, midfield, pulled out and headway just over 2n out, ridden to lead narrowly just over 1 out, edged right when duelling with 2^nd inside last, ran on gamely, winning by a head. He gets 54.6 points.

In the 6f Group 1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes twilight Son ( Bob), went to post, took keen hold, chased leading pair, effort over 1 out, went 2^nd and every chance entering final furlong, ran on to lead last 50 yards, ridden out, winning by a neck. He gets 109 points.

The  John Torpey Memorial Trophy

                      June               Total

Bob                    251.9             361

Neil                   195.1             311.9

Tony                  206.1              308.7

Martin                122.5             293.6

Peej                   109.6              292.7

Cliff                   184.1            286.5

Cod                    184.1            252.5

Lee                     91                196.9

Steve                  67.6             143.6

News

Ryan Moore is to ride new Irish Derby favourite Idaho after stablemate US Army Ranger was ruled out with a bad scope.

Michael Dods believes a series of circumstances led to the disappointing performance of Mecca's Angel in the King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot.

The five-year-old has undergone a series of tests following her poor display in the five-furlong Group One for which she was sent off the 6-4 favourite. "We left her until the end of last week until we did anything. I just wanted to give her time to settle down," Dods told Racing UK.

"We covered everything - bloods, scopes, X-rays, scans. The one thing that has come to light is that she was in season last week at Royal Ascot "There was more than one thing. I've always said she wants good to soft ground so the proper soft ground was a bit too soft and then she didn't get a lead. "When you put all three things together it just wasn't happening with her. "When Paul (Mulrennan) realised she wasn't going he didn't knock her about.

"I'm sure she'll bounce back but the main thing is she came back sound, ate up and everything else is fine with her." Dods' objective now is to make sure his star mare is in the best possible shape to defend her crown in the Nunthorpe Stakes at York in August

Dermot Weld admits he would have preferred another week to prepare Harzand for Saturday's Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby The Aga Khan-owned colt finally provided the legendary trainer with a first win in the Investec Derby at Epsom earlier this month despite some drama on the morning of the race. Harzand pulled off a shoe in transit and also managed to prick the sole of his foot with a nail and it needed plenty of treatment to allow him to make the line-up at Epsom.

The rest is history, but all that effort took its toll on Harzand and Weld just hopes the Curragh Classic is not coming too soon.

James Fanshawe may swerve the Darley July Cup with The Tin Man in favour of an easier target.

Aidan O'Brien is hoping the ground at Newmarket will quick enough to allow Air Force Blue to run in next month's Darley July Cup "He won't run again until the ground is good or faster, but we are happy with him," said O'Brien.

Aidan O'Brien's superstar filly Minding heads 10 entries in Sunday's Sea The Stars Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh