2019 Flat Issue 8 - Neil takes Royal Ascot Grand Slam prize

Headlines

Technician scores at Longchamp

Al Hilalee lands Chantilly Prize

Blue Takes Points again at Ascot

Japan lands King Edward V11

Defoe stars in Hardwicke Stakes

Report

We go back a week to Longchamp where in the 1m 2f listed stakes Technician ( Neil) went to post, Well into stride, led, shaken up over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, driven and responded well to regain lead inside final furlong, driven and kept on well final 100yds, winning by a short neck. He gets 32.4 points.

At Chantilly in the 1m 4f group 2 Al Hilalee ( Peej), took his chance, Made all, shaken up and went for home 1 1/2f out, ridden and edged left 1f out, went slightly right when jockey changed whip hand final 100yds, driven out, winning by a neck. He gets 41.8 points.

On Friday at Ascot in the 1m 4f group 2, Japan ( Tony) took his chance, Held up towards rear, wide and headway entering final 2f, edged right and led approaching final furlong, ran on well, winning by 4 ½ L. He gets 43.9 points.

In the 1m fillies group 11 Coronation Stakes, Hermosa ( Cod, Neil), took her chance, Tracked leader, pushed along over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, soon headed, kept on one pace, finishing 1 ½ l 12nd, She gets 12 points.

On Saturday in the 1m 4f group 2 , Defoe ( Neil, Steve), took his chance, Held up in 6th on outside, pushed along 3f out, switched left and headway towards outside over 2f out, 2nd inside final 2f, went right and led over 1f out, ridden and stayed on well, winning by ½ l. He gets 23.3 points.

In the 6f Group1 Diamond Jubilees stakes, Blue Point, ( Bob, Martin, Peej), made a quick reappearance, tracked leading pair, always going well, 2^nd 2 out, led on bit 1 out, soon clear, tired close home, winning by a head. He gets 52.1 points.

Grand Slam Points.

Neil  239.6

Steve 177.2

Bob 169.2

Martin 129.4

Tony 107.7

Cliff 105.9

Peej 105.4

Cod  24

So Neil takes leg 1 of the Grand Slam, and 20 bonus points

The  John Torpey Memorial Trophy

                 June                    Total

Neil        268.7                   637.5

Cliff          105.9                    376.5

Steve         153.9                     354.1

Bob            189.3                346.3

Peej           170.8              285

Tony      134.9                  280.9

Martin    129.4                252.2

Cod        50                  187.2

News

Broome and Norway have entries for the Irish Derby on Saturday,

Technician will be trained for the William Hill St Leger at Doncaster. The grey bounced back to winning ways in a Listed event over 10 furlongs at Paris Longchamp earlier this month, having disappointed badly in a Derby trial at Chester previously. Martyn Meade told the punter He came out of his last race bouncing.  "I don't want to over-run him. I haven't got an absolute plan, but we'll think about running him in the next couple of weeks or so.

"He ran well enough over 10 furlongs, but ultimately we want to think about pushing him up in distance all the time. We think he's a mile-and-a-half horse."

Meade senses Technician may well even have the necessary stamina for the Classic on Town Moor in September.

He said: "I don't think the Leger will be too far by the time we get to then - hopefully he'll have had a couple of runs over a mile and a half by then.

"That is certainly a nice one to aim at.

Sea Of Class is on target for next month's King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes after her reappearance run at Royal Ascot did not go to plan.

Invincible Army is to make a quick reappearance in the Betfair Exchange Chipchase Stakes at Newcastle, after falling short in Royal Ascot's Diamond Jubilee Stakes.

Blue Point has been retired after his incredible Royal Ascot sprint double last week.

The five-year-old became the first horse since Choisir in 2003 to win the King's Stand Stakes over five furlongs on Tuesday before following up over a furlong further in Saturday's Diamond Jubilee. He pulled up well from the weekend and after discussions with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed, we came to the conclusion that he owes us all nothing," said Appleby.

Last year's Derby hero Masar will continue his comeback in next month's Princess of Wales's Tattersalls Stakes at Newmarket.

Aidan O'Brien has pointed to two potential options for Japan following his hugely impressive victory in the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot on Friday.

O'Brien said: "We probably have two choices with him. There is either the Grand Prix de Paris (at ParisLongchamp on July 14) or come back (to Ascot) for the King George (July 27). "I would say they would be the options, but we will see what the lads want to do.

William Haggas is likely to run Addeybb at the Curragh this weekend, with a forecast hot and dry spell in England putting his initial Coral-Eclipse plan on hold.

Wild illusion runs in the Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh tomorrow.