2019 Flat Issue 7 - Grey clouds over the field

Headlines

Counsel is a Wise pick at Sandown

Glittering Lord lands Queen Anne Stakes

Blue Points the Way in Kings Stand

Addeybb lands Wolferton Stakes

Ocean is a Crystal Clear winner

Stradivarius is pure Gold

Report

We start at Sandown on Saturday where in the 7f handicap Wise Counsel ( Peej), took his chance, Prominent, led well over 1f out and sent for home, nearly 2 lengths up final furlong with a few tail swishes, kept on but joined post, dead heat. He gets 23.6 points.

At Ascot on Tuesday in the 1m Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes Lord Glitters (Neil), took his chance, Held up in rear, headway 2f out, ran on to lead narrowly final 110yds, kept on gamely final strides, winning by a neck. He gets 98.4 points.

In the 5f group 1 King Stand stakes Blue Point ( Bob, Martin, Peej), Battash ( Martin), went to post,

Blue Point, went to post early, always prominent, ridden to lead inside final 2f, pressed 1f out, ran on gamely and found extra final 75yds, in command near finish, winning by 1 ¼ l. He gets 53.3 points. Battash Held up towards nearside, switched right halfway, headway soon after, quickened to challenge 1f out and edged right, no extra towards finish, 2^nd 1 ¼ l. He gets 24 points.

In the 1m 2f listed stakes, Addeybb ( Steve) went to post, raced wide but in touch, bumped and hampered after 1 f, good headway 2 out, led just inside last, ran on strongly, eased close home winning by 2 ½ l. He gets 36 points.

On Wednesday in the 1m 2f Group 1 Prince of Wales stakes Crystal Ocean ( Cliff, Neil, Steve), Magical(Bob, Cod, Steve, Tony) took their chances. Crystal Ocean , Soon tracking leader, taken wide in straight, challenged 2 out, soon ridden to lead, wandered under pressure, ran on well, winning by 1 ¼ l. He gets 54.1 points. Magical, soon settled in 3^rd, went 2^nd and switched right over 1 out, stayed on same pace, never catching winner, 2^nd 1 ¼ l. She gets 12 points.

Today in the 2m 4f Group 1 Gold Cup Stradivarius ( Bob, Cliff, Neil, Steve, Tony) took his chance, tracked leaders on inside, going well in 5^th turning in to straight, switched left 2 out, led 1out, stayed on strongly, winning by 1l. He gets 51.8 points.

Grand Slam Points.

Neil  310.2

Steve 153.9

Bob 117.1

Cliff 105.9

Martin 77.3

Tony 63.8

Peej 53.3

Cod  12

The  John Torpey Memorial Trophy

                 June                    Total

Neil        204.3                    605.5

Cliff          105.9                    376.5

Steve         153.9                     354.1

Bob            137.1                 294.2

Tony      91                         237

Martin    77.3                   200.1

Peej           76.9              191.1

Cod        38                     175.2

News

The punter spoke to some trainers about their cahnces in the next 2 days, John Gosden Private Secretary, He was never going to run in the Derby and he was always going to come to this race as a fresh horse. He is in great form. We are testing him trip-wise, as he is by Kingman. He was ridden at Goodwood to get the trip. I'm sure Frankie (Dettori) will tuck him in and switch him off to see if he is good enough. I am very happy with the horse, though."

Aiden O’Brien, Japan,

"We haven't done a lot with him since the Derby, but he seems in good order since then," We thought he would take a big forward from the Dante to the Derby and we were delighted with his run there. He has the potential to improve again."

Aidan expects Ten Sovereigns will feel the benefit of dropping back in trip to six furlongs when he lines up in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot on Friday. He travelled so well in the Guineas, he ran a great race but this was the trip he was very comfortable at last year so you'd imagine he'll be happy. He was still in front on his side in the Guineas until late on having been up there all the way so we were actually delighted with him in the Guineas."

On Hermosa, Obviously her two runs have been over a mile this season. We were delighted with her at Newmarket and delighted with her at the Curragh. She's been well since then.

"We were going to go to France (for last Sunday's Prix de Diane) but decided to stick to a mile as we think Ascot will suit her, she should be fine on the track. We're looking forward to running her."

Charlie Hills talked about Khaadem, Khaadem, for me, is bred to be a sharp horse and looks it. I think he is a talented horse. He is buzzy and we have just got to keep on top of him. To be fair, he did nothing wrong the other day at Newbury. Is he good enough - who knows? We have got to take on Ten Sovereigns among others so we will see. "I think Khaadem will handle a bit of easier ground - whether it stretches his stamina, that is another matter - but in terms of underfoot conditions he would handle that."

Tuesday's King's Stand hero Blue Point is one of 18 horses declared for the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot on Saturday. Charlie Appleby's speedball successfully defended his King's Stand crown with a tremendous performance to see off old foe Battaash on the opening day of the showpiece meeting. The five-year-old will now bid to become the first horse since Australian raider Choisir in 2003 to win both major sprints in the same week. Appleby saidt: "He's come out of Tuesday's race well and it was always in the back of our minds that we might do do this, but we didn't want to say too much after Tuesday's race because we wanted to see how he came out of it.

Phoenix Of Spain is set for a break following his below-par effort in the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot. Hills said: "He was a little bit sore (after the race). Hopefully he has not done too much to worry about, but with these things you let the dust settle and see how he is in a couple of days.

Last year's Derby winner Masar returns to action in the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot on Saturday.