Horse Racing
Season
Diamond Jubilee Stakes - Form Comments

22/06/2018 15:44

G1 – 1200m – Turf

1 Bound For Nowhere This US-trained speedball ran fourth of 12 in a 1200m G1 here last year, a really good show after being blocked in his challenge. Has gained two decisive victories in the US this year, latterly with a stylish G2 victory at Keeneland.
2 City Light This French colt announced himself to British racegoers when landing a valuable all-weather 1200m sprint at Lingfield in March, form that has worked out well. Last time he accelerated impressively to win a G3 at over 1000m at Longchamp.
3 D’bai Won a handicap over the straight 1600m here last year, but has been racing over shorter trips lately. The figures suggest that his last two runs have been career bests – winning a 1434m G3 at Haydock last time without having the best of trips.
4 Harry Angel The likely favourite even though he is yet to win from four starts at Ascot. Unbeaten everywhere else and Champion Sprinter of 2017 after two G1 victories. More settled than he used to be and he was a fluent winner of a G2 at York last time.
                        
5 Intelligence Cross His three career wins have come over this trip, though on slower ground than is expected here. Led for some of the way before fading in a G2 at The Curragh last month finishing over 7L behind today’s rival Merchant Navy.
6 Librisa Breeze This flying grey loves Ascot having won three times here including a G1 last October, his trademark closing style winning the day. Fourth in this last year, he needs a strong gallop which pays to his power-packed finish. Prefers slow ground.
7 Merchant Navy A G1 winner in Australia, winning more races than he lost there. A stylish G2 winner over 1200m at The Curragh on his first start for Aidan O’Brien. His come-from-behind style means that a fast pace is important and he should get that.
8 Projection A smart gelding all of whose career starts have been around this distance. He led briefly before finishing third to today’s rival The Tin Man in a Listed race at Windsor last month. The owners were keen to run here, but he’s surely not good enough.
9 Redkirk Warrior This super speedy Aussie raider  has won three G1’s back home including the prestigious Newmarket Handicap (1200m) for a second time at Flemington in March, giving today’s rival Merchant Navy 12lb. That was a scorching performance.
10 Sir Dancealot Briefly looked dangerous when he made a forward move in a G2 at York two starts back, but ultimately well held by today’s rival Harry Angel who is also better off at the weights. Has won at Hamilton subsequently but is likely to struggle here.
11 Spirit Of Valor Only beaten a neck in the G3 Jersey Stakes (1400m) at this meeting last year and then won a G2 at The Curragh. Returned to form when second to Merchant Navy in a G2 over 1200m at The Curragh last time, showing that he has speed for this trip.
12 The Tin Man Generally runs very well at Ascot with three course and distance victories including this race last year, coming with a strong late surge. This does look a stronger renewal than last year but he did bounce back to winning form last time.