Another winner for the Royal Ascot Update

Constitution River set up a mouth watering clash with Ombudsman in the Juddmonte International Stakes at York next month following his decisive victory in the Coral Eclipse at Sandown on Saturday. The Wootton Bassett colt is unbeaten in three runs this term having landed the Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly last time. Sitting off a furious early gallop set by stablemate Flushing Meadows, Ryan Moore's mount made his move early in the homestraight before taking over two furlongs from the finish. Pushed out to score by three lengths, the Ballydoyle colt outclassed his six rivals. Older horses Gethin and Saddadd were put firmly in their place and, while the former may have preferred slower ground, the latter struggled to lie up during the early exchanges. The winner is a top-class three year old and it promises to be a tremendous clash on the Knavesmore with further spice added by the fact there has been on going needle between the O'Brien and Gosden stables re team tactics. That is what sport is all about and it is hoped the marketing department of the racing authorities pull their fingers out and really push the boat out and promote the race as a clash of the generations and a needle match between two top stables. 

Subscribers to the Royal Ascot Update will be aware that Secret of Life was highlighted as a filly to follow. Indeed, Ralph Beckett's three year old was due to contest the Listed Eternal Stakes at Carlisle last month but presumably due to the heatwave, the daughter of Pinatubo didn't make the long journey to the Cumbrian track. Instead, she was rerouted to Sandown for the Coral Distaff over a mile. Making all the running, Rossa Ryan's mount produced a fine performance galloping on relentlessly and crossing the line nearly three lengths in front. It was a smart effort and one could imagine her contesting something like the Group 1 Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket or the Group 1 Prix de L'Opera at Longchamp in the Autumn. She has the potential to mix it at the highest level. Thank you to those subscribers, who snapped up the early prices (7/1 & 8/1), for their emails afterwards. 

The biggest disappointment of the day was undoubtedly the lacklustre effort produced by Klassleader in the Old Newton Cup. An impressive winner of the Sky Bet Jorvik Handicap at York in May on his reappearance, William Haggas' four year old was a short price to add another valuable prize to his portfolio. However, Tom Marquand's mount looked in trouble during the first couple of furlongs and was on and off the bridle thereafter. Despite finishing runner-up on good to firm ground last year, it is hoped the fast conditions were the reason for his laboured performance. Beaten around ten lengths in seventh, this was too bad to be true. With the Sky Bet Ebor at York (22nd August) his chief target, one suspects William will be keen to give him another run beforehand in a bid to atone for his lifeless display here.