Seven colts have been declared for the Royal Lodge Stakes on Saturday, featuring two unbeaten colts from powerful connections.
All eyes will be on Burning Up, who runs in the prestigious black and yellow Bow Echo silks. Bow Echo was similarly unbeaten in two races prior to winning the Royal Lodge last season.
The Too Darn Hot colt won both of his races at Haydock, successfully carrying a penalty in the latter. He drew two lengths clear from Arthurian on debut, who was close up in Listed company next time out.
He’s a half-brother to connections’ Novakai, who was second in the 2022 Group 1 Fillies Mile. Karl Burke will be hoping he can have his own Bow Echo, and believes he is ready to step up to this level.
Burke told the Racing Post: “He’s an exciting horse. He doesn’t overdo himself at home. So he’s a hard horse to read but his form is working out really well. He’s very progressive and he’ll be better next year. But he deserves his chance in a race like the Royal Lodge. He’s a lovely horse, he’s improving physically and he looks tremendous.”
Godolphin field the other unbeaten colt in First Law as they bid to end a barren soil in the contest. Also by Too Darn Hot, he cost 1,000,000 GNS as a yearling and has already made his mark. A winner despite greenness on debut, he followed that up in the Ascendant Stakes at Haydock. His RPR was 5lbs lower than Bow Echo’s in the race last season prior to taking the Royal Lodge, but he is closely matched on form with Burning Up.
Aidan O’Brien hasn’t won the Royal Lodge since 2019 with Royal Dornoch, and he fields Acomb Stakes winner Haffner. The Justify colt won at York with some authority, but failed to back that up in the National Stakes. The yard has been under a cloud with O’Brien admitting a ‘low-grade’ infection around, so it’s plausible he can bounce back.
Quest For Stars is the Godolphin second string. He looks to bounce back from a distant third in the Group 1 Golden Fleece. The Sea The Stars colt was unbeaten in three prior, including in the Listed Stonehenge Stakes.
Andrew Balding won this with The Foxes in 2022 and he fields Quicken Away, who steps up sharply in class. He caught the eye on debut in rear at Newbury, before making all in a competitive maiden at Goodwood.
Rocket Boy was behind both Quest For Stars and First Law the last twice, but cannot be discounted.
Charlie Johnston’s Ghaiyyath colt Iwasjustsaying was a beaten favourite last time out and while remains of promise, may be one for next season.