Bren O'Brien previews Day 3 at Royal Ascot, looking at the major chances in the stakes races and those runners with connections to Australia and New Zealand.
Stradivarius eyes Gold Cup defence
The G1 Ascot Gold Cup has long loomed as the highlight of this year's Royal Ascot carnival, with Stradivarius (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) aiming to become the first horse since the legendary Yeats (Ire) (Sadler's Wells {USA}), who made it four straight wins ten years' ago, to win the famous race in consecutive years.
John Gosden's 5-year-old has established himself as the world's best stayer in an amazing last 13 months, which has featured six straight victories, all at Group 2 or Group 1 level. He was a narrow victor in this race 12 months ago and tackles a couple of emerging stars this year.
Chief amongst them is G1 Melbourne Cup winner Cross Counter (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}), who steps out to the 4000m for the first time in his career. Charlie Appleby's 4-year-old has won four of his past five starts, with the Melbourne Cup his only win at Group 1 level. His lone run this year has been in the G2 Dubai Gold Cup, where he impressed.
Cross Counter (GB) was the winner of the 2018 G1 Melbourne Cup
The other key contender is the Mark Johnston trained Dee Ex Bee (GB) (Farhh {GB}), who was runner-up in last year's G1 Derby at Epsom, during a winless 3-year-old campaign. He has returned as a 4-year-old a much better horse, winning the G3 Sagaro S. at this track in dominant fashion in May and then claiming the G3 Henry II S. at Sandown with similar ease.
Lloyd Williams has Master Of Reality (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) engaged for trainer Joseph O'Brien. The 4-year-old former French-trained galloper caused an upset on his seasonal debut in the G3 Vintage Crop S. at Navan but was beaten in the Listed Levmoss S. last time and looks to have his work cut out.
He hails from the same family as Australian stakes winner Theanswermyfriend (High Chaparral {Ire}) as does Magic Circle (Ire) (Makfi {GB}), who contested last year's Melbourne Cup.
Aidan O'Brien-trained pair Cypress Creek (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Capri (Galileo {Ire}) both have connections to Melbourne Cup runner-up Bauer (Ire) (Halling {Ire}), while Called To the Bar (Ire) (Henrythenavigator {Ire}) is from a half-sister to Australian Group 1 winner He’s Your Man (Fr) (Cape Cross {Ire}).
Brazen ambition in Norfolk
The 2-year-old races this week always capture attention in Australia and New Zealand with plenty of horses by stallions who operate in this part of the world.
The G2 Norfolk S., which opens proceedings on Thursday, is no exception.
Darley's Brazen Beau, who contested the G1 Diamond Jubilee S. at this carnival four years ago, has Dubai Station (GB) in the race, while Rosemont's Starspangledbanner, who won the Golden Jubilee in 2010, has Firepower (Fr).
Brazen Beau (pictured) is represented by Dubai Station (GB)
Sidestep, who stands at Telemon Thoroughbreds in Australia, has the French-trained colt Real Appeal (Ger), while Windsor Park's Charm Spirit (Ire) has Air Force Jet (GB) running for Joseph O'Brien and Qatar Racing.
Cool Sphere (USA) (Orb {USA}) has James McDonald on board and hails from the same family as NZ Group 3 winner Zilzie (NZ) (Generous (Ire})
Coolmore's American Pharoah (USA) has his first-ever Royal Ascot runner in Maven (USA), who is considered one of the leading chances for Wesley Ward, who won this race last year.
American Pharoah (USA) will be represented by Maven (USA), his first ever Royal Ascot runner
The clear top pick in the race is the Paddy Twomey trained Sunday Sovereign (Ire) (Equiano {Fr}), who was an impressive seven-length winner at his most recent race at Tipperary.
The Richard Fahey prepared Ventura Rebel (Ire) (Pastoral Pursuits {GB}) is afforded a chance as well off his upset win here in a short course race early last month.
Another chance at Ascot glory for blue hen Hveger
Cape of Good Hope (Galileo {Ire}) looks well poised to further enhance the reputation of Australian-bred mare Hveger (Danehill {USA}) in the G3 Hampton Court S.
The 3-year-old's full brother Highland Reel (Ire) was a winner for Aidan O'Brien in the G1 Prince of Wales at Royal Ascot two years ago, while Hveger's half brother Haradasun (Fusaichi Pegasus {Ire}) won the G1 Queen Anne S. for Aidan O'Brien 11 years ago.
Cape of Good Hope was beaten into fourth in the G1 French Derby last start but he can make amends here, with his two major rivals seemingly Fox Chairman (Ire) (Kingman {GB}) and Sangarius (GB) (Kingman {GB}), who is related to Arrowfield stallion Scissor Kick.
John Gosden's Kick On (GB), who is by Charm Spirit (Ire), and is a half to Australian Listed winner Raw Impulse (GB) (Makfi {GB}), also comes off the French Derby where he finished ninth.
Old Glory (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), also shares a connection with Australia through his Group 2 winning half-brother Assign (Ire) (Monjjeu {Ire}) who was raced by Lloyd Williams.
Williams and Joseph O'Brien have a representative here in Buckhurst (Ire) (Australia {GB}), who was third in the G3 Gallinule S. at The Curragh last time out and may find this a little tougher.
He is from the same family as stakes-winner Savile Row (NZ) (Makfi {GB}) and Group 1 placed colt Arrogant (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}).
Cap Francais (GB) (Frankel {GB}), who is from the family of Group 1 winner Nova Star (Iglesia) and Roseman (Ire) (Kingman {GB}), who is related to Britt’s Best (NZ) (Danehill {USA}), also share connections to local stakes winners.
McDonald has a ride in the Hampton Court aboard the Michael Bell-trained Eightsome Reel (GB) (Iffraaj {GB}).
Blue and green run in Ribblesdale
The famous Sangster colours will be in action in the G2 Ribblesdale S. in the outsider Love So Deep (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}).
Trained by Jane Chapple-Hyam and owned by a syndicate including Adam Sangster's Swettenham Stud, she was third in a Listed race at Goodwood last time out.
Swettenham Stud stallion Puissance de Lune (GB) has a full brother in the race in Queen Power (Ire) (Shamardal {USA}), who shares favouritism with the Ballydoyle hope Fleeting (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}).
Queen Power (Ire) is a full brother to Puissance de Lune (GB) (pictured)
There are several others with connections to Australia including leading chance Frankellina (GB) (Frankel {GB}), who is from the same family as Goldoni (Ire) (Dylan Thomas {Ire}) and New Zealand stakes winner Brocco Babe (Brocco {USA}).
Fanny Logan (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) is from the family of Australian Group 1 winner Darazari (Ire) (Sadler's Wells {USA}), Fresnel (GB) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) is related to NZ Group winners Art Beat (NZ) (Captain Rio {GB}) and Perfect Start (NZ) (Perfectly Ready) while Star Catcher (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) has recent Listed Scone Cup winner Special Missile (Smart Missile) on his pedigree page.
Two rides for K-Mac
Both of Kerrin McEvoy's rides on the day come up in the non-stakes races aboard Awe (GB) (Bated Breath {GB}) in the Britannia S. and Allmankind (GB) (Sea The Moon {Ger}) in the King George V S.
McDonald rides Almania (Ire) (Australia {GB}) in the King George and Hot Team (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) in the Brittania.
