Better late than never

Once again the bookmakers came firmly out on top on the final day of Royal Ascot with the SP's of the first six winners being 12/1, 22/1, 80/1, 7/2, 22/1 and 20/1. The trend was set in the opening Chesham Stakes with the Update selections Pearls And Rubies (advised @ 10/1) and Golden Mind (12/1) finishing second and third - the pair were beaten a head and half a length respectively. Both horses ran crackers but had nothing to show for it as they found the Irish trained Snellen too good. Pearls And Rubies would have benefited from some company as she hung to her right inside the final furlong, while Richard Fahey's third was momentarily checked by Content when starting his run and that cost him vitual momentum. 

Later on the card, the likes of Wellington (Jubilee Stakes), Free Wind (Hardwicke) and Khanjar were disappointing, but thankfully Dawn Rising (2/1) provided the Update with a much needed winner in the finale, the Queen Alexandra Stakes. The six year old was given a text book ride by Ryan Moore fending off the persistent challenge of The Grand Visir inside the final furlong. It could have been very different had Run For Oscar got a clear run with Charles Byrnes' runner encountering traffic problems along the far rail. 

Overall, it was a disappointing week with only half a dozen winners. The likes of Triple Time (33/1), Jimi Hendrix (22/1) and Saint Lawrence (22/1) all received favourable mentions in the Update but weren't selected. It was also galling to see Tower of London (page 20) win the Ulster Derby at Down Royal on Saturday having suggested Aidan O'Brien's colt was well handicapped for the King George V Stakes on Thursday. Despite winning a Listed event at Leopardstown on his previous outing, the son of Galileo's handicap mark remained the same (99) and looked well treated. Needless to say, the full brother to the stable's Irish Derby and St Leger winner Capri bolted up by over four lengths and is ready for a return to Pattern company.

As far as Ahead On The Flat is concerned, it was a decent week at Royal Ascot with Top 40 Prospects Courage Mon Ami (Gold Cup) and Coppice (Sandringham Handicap) winning. Artistic Star, Bluestocking and Torito also ran well in defeat, while Gregory (Unraced Three Year Olds section) made it three out of three in the Group 2 Queens Vase Stakes on day two.

The Top 40 had another winner on Saturday, too, with Imperial Emperor making a welcome return in the one mile novice stakes at Newmarket. Touted as Charlie Appleby's Derby horse during the winter/early spring, the son of Dubawi met with a setback and those plans were abandoned. A smooth scorer on the July track, he made all the running and wasn't hard pressed to beat Sniper's Eye by nearly three lengths. The brilliant Baaeed won the same event in 2021 and Imperial Emperor is an exciting proposition for the second half of the season. Expect him to step up in trip next time and the Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe entry is very much one to follow.

Switching codes, Guinness Affair was an impressive winner of the two miles novices' handicap chase at Hexham on Sunday for Value Racing Club. The Jamie Snowden trained gelding, who has won a bumper and twice over hurdles, returned from an absence of 601 days when finishing third on his chasing bow at Warwick last month. The seven year old had clearly come on plenty for the outing as he repeatedly outjumped the warm favourite Kicksaftersix before pulling away for a 14 lengths victory. Another terrific purchase, Guinness Affair has won 4 of his 7 career starts.