2017 Flat Issue 7 - exclusive Ascot preview interviews

Headlines

Highway Man hijacks Hamilton Points

Tribute is class Act at Kempton

Report

We start at Kempton yesterday where in the 7f fillies handicap, Tribute Act ( Martin) took her chance, Dwelt, held up in last pair, progress and threaded between rivals from 2f out, burst through to lead 1f out, pushed clear, winning impressively by 1 ¾ l. She gets 27.6 points.

At Hamilton in the 6f handicap, Dandy Highwayman ( Cod), went to post, Prominent on near side of group, headway to lead over 1f out, soon ridden, drifted left well inside final furlong, ran on strongly winning by 1 ½ l. He gets 26.2 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

                 June          Total

Tony               12            214.8

Martin             109.8          240.3

Cliff                00             149.4

Steve              80.4           144

Neil                 12             132.7

Lee                  684           112.9

Peej                 00              99.4

Bob                00               92.9

Cod                 26.2            78

News

Once again the punter has seeking out trainers views on their hopes at Royal Ascot next week, Wesley Ward told me about Lady Aurelia, Ward says: “I have a guy who rides for me called Julio Garcia, who was a world-class jockey. He has magical hands and he just gets her to melt in his hands. She has learnt to settle and that was the most satisfying thing about her win at Keeneland. Even this week, I was expecting her to be a bit anxious when she came back to Ascot, but I think she’s like a horse for a course, you know? Ryan said he was amazed – like me, I think he thought she might be a bit off the bridle and fractious, but once they got to the six-furlong start, she just pricked her ears, kicked off and sailed away. I believe that over five-eights (five furlong) she is a world-class sprinter. We didn’t know how she would come back after that bleed at Newmarket and obviously you don’t know if they will train on from two to three either, but I thought she was impressive at Keeneland. The speed figure was impressive, she was visually impressive, it was a good performance. I imagine she’ll need a lifetime-best to win the King’s Stand, but I think she can do it.”

Charlie Hills on Magical Memory in the Diamond Jubilee, He had a racecourse gallop at Newmarket before he went to York and I was very pleased with his comeback run there. I was a bit worried about the ground there, but he travelled well in the race and didn't have a great draw. I feel that he is a bigger and stronger horse this year and I have been happy with him since York. He goes there with a big chance"

Dubai Sheema Classic winner Jack Hobbs is among 17 horses left in the Prince Of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot on Wednesday following the confirmation stage.

Sir Michael Stoute is double-handed with Ulysses and Queen's Trust, while Roger Charlton has Decorated Knight, who took the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh last month.

Dermot Weld is responsible for The Grey Gatsby, who was second in 2015 when trained by Kevin Ryan.

Also Jockey Jim Crowley spoke to the punter about one he sees as a live chance he has, KHAIRAAT (Sir Michael Stoute/Wolferton Stakes)

"He was impressive at Chester and he seems to be a really nice horse. He would probably be my standout ride for the week. He did win well at Chester, but he only had 8st 7lb on his back and got it easy up front. Nonetheless, I still quite like the horse. He is the sort of horse that Sir Michael Stoute does well with and hopefully he will keep on progressing."

John Gosden's Shutter Speed will face 15 rivals in the Prix de Diane at Chantilly on Sunday.

My gallop scout was at Newmarket and reports that Michael Stoute’s MIRAGE DANCER skipped away from his lead horse and looks to be coming good at exactly the right time. The King Edward VII Stakes his likely Ascot target.

Also  ULYSSES, who looks at the top of his game for the Prince Of Wales's Stakes.

Jocley Luke Morris told the punter he is looking forward to riding Marsha in the King Stand stakes, "She's an exciting ride and I'm looking forward to it. She put up a good performance to win at Newmarket and hopefully she will have stepped

forward from that," Morris told At The Races.

"Realistically, Lady Aurelia sets the standard form and she's not far behind hopefully. It's a cracking race."

And Finally 2the punter fancies next week, Nebo of Charlie Hills, Alpha Centauri of Jessica Harringtons