BROOME can sweep his rivals aside to land a shock win the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth QIPCO Stakes (British Champions Series) (4.45pm) at Ascot on Saturday afternoon.
Aidan O’Brien’s six-year-old may finally be about to land a really big Group One prize in the feature at the Berkshire track.
A small but select field go to post for the midsummer championship and on the back of victory over course and distance at last month’s Royal Ascot, Broome can provide something of a surprise victory for O’Brien and jockey Ryan Moore.
The Classic generation, in Irish Derby hero Westover and the rerouted Cazoo Oaks runner-up Emily Upjohn head the betting, while the globetrotting Mishriff and last season’s shock Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe scorer Torquator Tasso are all ahead of Broome in the betting and on his past record at the top level may have it all to do.
His only Group One success in 11 attempts was in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud last season, but in a similar small field and masterclass ride from the front by Moore saw the son of Australia run out a fine three-and-a-half-length winner of the Group Two Hardwicke Stakes at the Royal meeting. He had last year’s Irish Derby and St Leger hero Hurricane Lane in behind.
Although today’s opposition is much stiffer, Moore is likely to adopt similar front-running tactics and on fast ground he likes he may be able to draw the sting out of his younger rivals and stay on for a famous victory.
Favourite Westover may be the one to get closest to him.
Kevin Ryan’s GLENLAUREL can make it two wins from two starts in the Group Three Princess Margaret Keeneland Stakes (Fillies) (1.50pm).
The Lope De Vega filly scored in good style on her debut at Thirsk last month and can double up stepped into Group company for the first time.
The Roger Varian-trained KIND GESTURE can bring up a hat-trick of victories in the Group Three Longines Valiant Stakes (Fillies & Mares) (2.25pm).
The daughter of Decorated Knight stepped up on a debut second at Nottingham with Novice Stakes wins at Wetherby and Windsor. And the three-year-old can also take the step up in Group company in her stride and land a hat-trick of victories.
It’s a typically competitive renewal of the Moet & Chandon International Stakes (Heritage Handicap) (3pm) and George Margarson’s ROPEY GUEST may land a deserved victory.
The five-year-old had run superbly on his last two starts, finishing a length second to Inver Park over course and distance in the Buckingham Palace Stakes at last month’s Royal Ascot. He was also second to Bless Him in the Bunbury Cup at Newmarket earlier this month.
With some luck in running he can make it third time lucky and land a Heritage Handicap.
Others who can win at Ascot are the unbeaten Charlie Appleby-trained NAVAL POWER – under Liverpool FC fan William Buick – in the Listed Pat Eddery Stakes (Formerly The Winkfield Stakes) (4.10pm); John & Thady Gosden’s SAGA – who was also second at Royal Ascot last month – in the Porsche Handicap (4.45pm); and KING OF STARS, from the Michael Appleby stable, in the finale, the Garrard Handicap (5.20pm).
At York Willie Haggas’ DUBAI HONOUR can make a winning return in the Group Three Sky Bet York Stakes (3.15pm).
The four-year-old gelding ran some fine races last year, winning three times including in Group Twos at Deauville and ParisLongchamp.
He has not run since being down the field in the Group One Longines Dubai Sheema Classis in Meydan at the end of March. With his sights lowered this may be an ideal starting point to get his head back in front.
Michael Dods’ course and distance winner GALE FORCE MAYA can go in again in the Sky Bet Dash Handicap (2.40pm).
The six-year-old mare has had a profitable season, winning a couple of handicaps at Newmarket and over course and distance on the Knavesmire. She was also a good third over course and distance in a Group Three contest on her most recent start.
She can score again ahead of chiefly the Marco Botti-trained Silver Samurai, who disappointed at Royal Ascot having landed a decent handicap success at Haydock Park at the end of May.
National Hunt jockey Tom Scudamore has won the Sky Bet “Jump Jockeys’ Nunthorpe” Handicap (To Be Ridden By Professional Jump Jockeys) (2.05pm) for the past two seasons and has a good chance with Michael Appleby’s Val De Travers. But the Kevin Ryan-trained course and distance winner EEH BAH GUM, under champion jumps jockey Brian Hughes, may come out on top.
Iain Jardine’s FLORIDA FILLY can bring up a hat-trick of victories in the Sky Bet Horse Racing In Running Nursery Handicap (3.50pm); while others who may score on the Knavesmore are Philip Kirby’s hat-trick-seeking RED FORCE ONE in the Sky Bet Proud To Support Macmillan Handicap (4.25pm); the Martin Todhunter-trained MOLINARI in the Sky Bet Request A Bet Handicap (5pm); and PIASTRELLA, from the Nigel Tinkler stable, in the finale, the Sky Bet Paying Extra Places Handicap (5.25pm).
At Newmarket the Charlie and Mark Johnston-trained I’M A GAMBLER – under Scouse jockey Franny Norton – can go one better than at Hamilton last time and win the Glenn Roeder Race Day Handicap (3.07pm).
Others who may win at Headquarters are Ed Dunlop’s SOCIETY LION in the Select Tech Handicap (3.42pm) and another Johnstons' horse ridden by Reds fan Norton – RED KITE – in the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Handicap (4.17pm).
Wright Ones
ASCOT
1.50pm Glenlaurel
2.25pm Kind Gesture
3pm Ropey Guest
3.35pm Broome (NAP)
4.10pm Naval Power
4.45pm Saga
5.20pm King Of Stars
NEWMARKET
1.27pm Bold Act
1.57pm Lalania
2.32pm Francesco Clemente
3.07pm I’m A Gambler
3.42pm Society Lion
4.17pm Red Kite
4.52pm Cotai West
YORK
2.05pm Eeh Bah Gum
2.40pm Gale Force Maya
3.15pm Dubai Honour
3.50pm Florida Filly
4.25pm Red Force One
5pm Molinari
5.35pm Piastrella
SALISBURY
5.25pm Hot Day
6pm Signcastle City
6.30pm Minhaaj
7pm Conflict
7.30pm Strike
8pm Atlantis Blue
8.30pm Alkhattaaf
NEWCASTLE
1pm Highland Premiere
1.35pm Thaayer
2.12pm Amaysmont
2.47pm Solutre
3.22pm Victory House
3.57pm Lady Celia
4.32pm Thundering
5.03pm Taxmeifyoucan
LINGFIELD
5.08pm Wannabe Betsy
5.40pm Mhajim
6.10pm Rocking Ends
6.40pm Brynteg
7.10pm King of The Dance
7.40pm Shigar
8.10pm Melodramatica
8.40pm Healing Power
SUNDAY’S NAP: Little Jo (Pontefract 2.20pm)
