Horses To Follow
By RICHARD DUNWOODYRichard Dunwoody takes a look back at Royal Ascot and considers some horses to follow for the future:
Art Connoisseur maintained his unbeaten record with a hugely impressive success in the Coventry Stakes and though he is quoted at 14/1 for next season’s 2,000 Guineas with several firms, a couple of the beaten horses might be worth following.
In particular Himalya, who was fourth, caught the eye. Jeremy Noseda’s colt looked immaturegoing to post and at the business end of the race, having travelled strongly to well inside the final furlong, and did extremely well to get within two and a half lengths of the winner. This muscular colt, making only his second start, could develop into a decent Group performer, possibly over sprint trips, but a mile next year could be well within his compass. This Danehill Dancer colt is surprisingly still available at 50/1 for the Guineas with Coral.
I had the honour of presenting the trophy to the winning owner of the Chesham Stakes. Imagine how thrilled I was when Her Majesty The Queen’s Free Agent powered home under Richard Hughes (the colt was also tipped strongly on my Diamond service).
Trainedby Richard Hannon, Free Agent appears to have a stout pedigree, so to score by five lengths on his debut over six furlongs at Leicester showed he had stacks of ability. In the Chesham, he came from last to first, challenging between horses, to win going away.
He is 40/1 with Boylesports for the 2,000 Guineas and 28/1 for the 2009 Derby.
Whisperit quietly, but could this be the year that Sir Michael Stoute finally wins the St Leger? He has the first three in the betting in the shapeof Derby second Tartan Bearer, seven-length Queen’s Vase winner Patkai and King Edward II Stakes runner-up Conduit.
Thelast-named is 8/1 with William Hill for the final Classic of the season and the way he finished after being hampered and having to pull round horses to get within half a length of Campanologist means he must go down on the shortlist. He looks the type for something like the Great Voltigeur.
All The Aces,who got warm in the preliminaries, was also coming back into contention late on to get within two lengths of the winner and he looks progressive.
Every one of the 10 runners in the Wolferton Stakes boasted an official rating of 100 or more, making it one of the best handicaps ever staged at the Royal meeting.
Having had a chat toSteve Drowne in the build-up to the meeting, it was great to see him have three winners - priced at 100-1, 28-1 and 12-1. The last of those, Superseus, was given a great ride in the Wolferton. Nothing wanted to o on and the pace did not suit the hold-up horses, allowing Steve to dictate affairs from the front and quicken off the final bend.
But both Buccellati and Halicarnassusare worth taking out of the race. Buccellati found very little room and finished fourth, while Halicarnassus suffered even worse traffic problems, but caught the eye in fifth.
