Paul Vettise previews Day 5 at Ascot, looking at the major chances in the stakes races as well as those horses with Australian and New Zealand connections.

Sprinter chasing G1 double

The G1 Diamond Jubilee S. headlines the closing day of the carnival with Godolphin’s Blue Point (Ire) (Shamardal {USA}) chasing a memorable sprint double after claiming top honours in the G1 King’s Stand S.

The Charlie Appleby-trained colt will start at short odds while at the other end of the market is the Singapore visitor Lim’s Cruiser (Casino Prince). Trained by expatriate New Zealander Stephen Gray, he earned his trip with a last-start second in the Listed Lion City Cup at Kranji.

Michael Pitman’s Enzo’s Lad (Testa Rossa) is also at long odds after failing to flatter in the King’s Stand, but tighter in the market is James Fanshawe’s The Tin Man (GB) (Equiano {Fr}). He is in form and from the family of the Group 2 Surround S. winner Princess D’Or (Dieu D’Or).

James McDonald will also be in action and partners the Richard Fahey-trained Sands Of Mali (Fr) (Panis {USA}), winner of the G1 Champions’ Sprint last October.

Dancer to show his style

Sir Michael Stoute’s Mirage Dancer (GB) (Frankel) will run favourite in the G2 Hardwicke S. after his lead-up success at Goodwood in the Listed Tapster S. His Australian connection is that he’s from the family of Arrowfield Stud stallion Scissor Kick.

Southern France (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) was a last-start runner up in the G2 Yorkshire Cup for Aidan O’Brien and his pedigree includes Group 1 performer Rosina Lad (NZ) (Faltaat {USA}).

Frankie Dettori will ride Lah Ti Dar (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) for John Gosden and the filly’s win two runs back in the G2 York Middleton S. puts her in contention. She is out of a half-sister to the G1 Ranvet S. winner Darazari (Ire) (Sadler’s Wells {USA}).

Pride in Jersey

A big field will thunder over the 1400 metre course in the G3 Jersey S. with plenty of interest in the performances of Roger Charlton’s lightly-tried colt Momkin (Ire) (Bated Breath {GB}) and Fire Fly (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), from the Aidan O’Brien yard.

They are both from the family of the G1 ATC Sires’ Produce S. winner Pride Of Dubai, now resident at Coolmore.

The horse to beat looms as the Appleby runner Space Blues (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), who has won three of his five starts including the Listed Surrey S. at his most recent appearance.

Further Australian interest will be taken in the performance of Marie’s Diamond (Ire) (Footstepsinthesand {GB}), who is to be ridden by Dettori for Mark Johnston. The 3-year-old is a half-brother to the Listed Mornington Cup and G1 Metropolitan H, placegetter Sikandarabad (Ire) (Dr Fong {USA}).

O’Brien runner one to beat

Lope Y Fernandez (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) was a debut winner at The Curragh for Aidan O’Brien and with Ryan Moore in the saddle he will be at cramped odds in the Listed Chesham S. to remain undefeated.

Ardenlee Star (USA) (Elusive Quality {USA}) was also a winner at Thirsk at his only appearance for trainer Richard Fahey and the colt has an Australian connection, in that he is from the family of the G1 Melbourne Cup winner Fiorente (Ire), now standing at Sun Stud.

Zmile (GB) (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}) is the mount of James McDonald and can improve on a debut fourth at Haydock. The filly is from the family of the G1 Cox Plate placegetter Folkswood (GB) (Exceed And Excel).

Mohican Heights (Ire) (Australia {GB}) was successful at the first time of asking for trainer David Simcock and the colt claims a tie to New Zealand with the G2 Wellington Cup winner Mister Impatience (GB) (Hernando {Fr}) making an appearance in his pedigree.