Blank day for Update

Kyprios followed in the hoofprints of Kay Tara (1998 & 2000) by regaining his crown in the Ascot Gold Cup having missed last year's renewal. The six year old had been workmanlike in victory at Leopardstown last time but produced an improved effort to get the better of old rival Trawlerman in a pulsating finish. Ryan Moore's mount prevailed by a length and, in doing so, giving Aidan O'Brien a ninth victory in the week's showpiece event. The former Triumph Hurdle winner Vauban travelled as well as anything looking a major threat turning for home but his effort petered out soon afterwards. Willie Mullins' runner looked a blatant non stayer and remains of interest for races such as the Goodwoood Cup (30th July) and Lonsdale Cup at York (23rd August) later this summer.

It was a bitterly disappointing day for the Royal Ascot Update with the selections in the King George particularly poor. The Britannia Stakes was one of frustration with Top 40 entry Mickley winning and providing Ed Bethell and Callum Rodriguez with their first Royal Ascot winners. The selections ran well in third (22/1), sixth and seventh but not quite good enough. King's Gambit lost the Group 3 Hampton Court Stakes at the start with a sluggish beginning and not looking comfortable thereafter. In fairness, Harry Charlton's colt did remarkably well to get within three parts of a length of the winner Jayarebe because he was never travelling. Things will hopefully get better over the remaining two days.

Conversely, the Top 40 Prospects in AOTF had a tremendous day with three winners, including Mickley (15/2) and English Oak (100/30) at Royal Ascot. The first named was raised seven pounds for his win at Doncaster last time but it wasn't enough to halt his progress relishing the step up to a mile for the first time. Bought to race in Hong Kong beforehand, he has been a most progressive young gelding who would have had Pattern race potential if continuing his career in the UK. English Oak also looked every inch a Group horse in a handicap when trouncing 25 opponents by upwards of three lengths in the Buckingham Palace Stakes which rounded off proceedings on Thursday. Ed Walker's fast improving four year old had won easily at Haydock last time and upped nine pounds as a result. However, the son of Wootton Bassett never looked like getting beaten on the biggest stage of all under James Doyle. Having travelled strongly in behind the leaders, he was committed soon after the second marker and powered clear. Entered in the July Cup at Newmarket (13th July), he possesses the speed for six furlongs and won't look out of place next month, if connections elect to go down that route.

Finally, Divine Presence (11/8) got off the mark at the third time of asking this year when gaining a last gasp victory on her handicap debut at Wolverhampton. The well bred daughter of Dubawi ought to have won at Bath last time and made the most of her opening mark of 75 here. Given a patient ride by Tyler Heard, the John & Thady Gosden trained runner was still in rear turning for home but quickened up well to lead close home by a neck.