ROYAL ASCOT – THURSDAY

4:20 G1 Gold Cup

Mojo Star (Rossa Ryan)

He wasn’t actually beaten all that far in the Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe which came at the end of a season where he’d run in three Classics and finished second in both the English Derby and St Leger, so I thought he ran a great race under the circumstances. We’ve not rushed him this year and given him a nice long break with the intention of a midsummer/autumn campaign and he’s been in great form at home. We’ve taken him away to Kempton once a week for the past few weeks so he shouldn’t really be wanting for fitness and while you can never class the Gold Cup as a prep race, we have targets further down the line so it isn’t the be all and end all if he doesn’t win. I don’t think he’ll have an issue with the step up in trip and he’s a very high class horse so will hopefully run a big race.

5:00 Britannia Stakes

Oh Herberts Reign (Pat Dobbs)

I thought he put up a good effort at Epsom last time but I’m not entirely convinced he saw out the trip that day so we’re dropping down a couple of furlongs and the likely fast pace will really suit because he can race quite keen. He’s a smart colt and could easily run well at decent odds with Unibet.

Unibet 15 To Go is available on this race

6:10 Buckingham Palace Stakes

Mum’s Tipple (Alec Voikhansky)

I was delighted with his run in the Victoria Cup over course and distance in May because it was the first time in quite a while that he really seemed to enjoy himself and kept straight and I have to admit I’ve been very happy with him ever since. I think seven furlongs suits him better nowadays and with Alec’s 7lbs claim he could be very well treated off what is effectively bottom weight of 8st10lbs. Royal Ascot has long been the target and I wouldn’t rule him out at all.

Unibet 15 To Go is available on this race