Royal Ascot begins just over one month from today. Few sights would be more welcome at the meeting than a victory for the famous royal silks.
A number of potential participants for HM The King & HM The Queen race this weekend. Warrant Holder and Queen’s Companion run at York and Newmarket respectively on Friday. Golden Orbit, meanwhile, could turn out to be an Epsom Oaks contender after she races at Newbury on Saturday.
Despite those heady ambition for Ralph Beckett’s filly, it is Portcullis who will receive the majority of royal attention. Trained by John & Thady Gosden, he belied significant early greenness to storm clear in the Wood Ditton Maiden at Newmarket. That race is often a pointer towards a useful star of the future. Portcullis definitely looks one of those.
That five-and-a-half length success augured well for what comes next. He races in the finale at York on Friday, with William Buick in the saddle. It is only a “confined” novice event he runs in, but the St James’s Palace entry could spark great interest for his potential Ascot participation.
“He’s strengthened and developed” – John Gosden
Although trading at narrowly odds-on for York’s final race of the Dante meeting, Portcullis faces some serious rivals. Both Weheedd and Ervani were second on their debuts for powerful yards. As they have not won, whereas Portcullis has, they will receive 6lb from the royal runner.
John Gosden, speaking to Racing TV, is happy with the progress his colt has made. He understands the quality of the field, but knows Portcullis has trained on well since his green debut.
“He’s coming here on Friday and has trained well since the Wood Ditton. He’s strengthened and developed, he’s still a young horse who is a little inclined to get in a hurry about things, but we’re happy with him.
“I see a nice field (in Portcullis’ York race). William has put in a very nice colt that was second to a horse of our (Organise) at Yarmouth. He looked smart that day, so it will be no penalty kick.”
Portcullis is a general 25/1 chance for the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot. The opening day Group 1 is likely to be one of the races of the meeting given potential runners. 2000 Guineas hero Bow Echo is unbeaten and heads to Berkshire next. Gstaad and Puerto Rico have also been confirmed as likely runners by Aidan O’Brien.
17:15 York
GoodDarley EBF “Confined” Novice Stakes (For Horses With No More Than Two Runs) (GBB Race)
- First Prize: £20616
- 0m 7f 192y
- Class 2
- 8 runners
Runners: 8 runners
Type: Flat Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Mostly cloudy
Terms and conditions
*Odds displayed on this page are sourced directly from online bookmakers. Please check all details before placing your bet(s). 18+ only.
Betting Forecast
12/1 Pearl, 10/11 Portcullis, 50/1 Celtic Chariot, 10/1 Ervani, 25/1 Lord DOr, 33/1 Test Run, 7/4 Weheedd, 25/1 Always Blue
Verdict
Royal runner PORTCULLIS was seriously impressive in the Wood Ditton at Newmarket last month and is taken to make it 2-2. Weheedd is another very nice prospect, however, having finished second on his debut in a hot novice at Yarmouth last month. He looks to be the standout danger, ahead of Wetherby runner-up Ervani.[Ben Hutton]
Selections
Daily Record:
Weheedd