Group 1 win for Bluestocking

Bluestocking gained a much deserved win at the highest level at the fourth attempt in the Group 1 Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh. Returning to the scene of her agonising defeat in the Irish Oaks last summer, Ralph Beckett's filly stayed on strongly to reel in Emily Upjohn who had set sail for home early in the homestraight. The daughter of Camelot won the Group 2 Middleton Stakes at York on her seasonal reappearance by six lengths and she looks better than ever as a four year old. It will be interesting to see if she remains over ten furlongs (211) or reverts back to a mile and a half later this year - cut in the ground brings out the best in the Juddmonte filly and that is likely to dictate her programme. Not entered in the Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp in October, she could be aimed at the Prix de L'Opera during the same weekend. 

Subscribers to the Royal Ascot Update will be aware that the once raced Jan Brueghel was suggested at 16/1 for the St Leger at Doncaster in September. Aidan O'Brien's son of Galileo enhanced his prospects of Classic success with a narrow victory in the ten furlongs Group 3 earlier in the afternoon. A full brother to Irish Derby winner Sovereign and Queen Alexandra Stakes winner Dawn Rising, he is bred to stay well and the trip here looked bare minimum for Ryan Moore's mount. While he only prevailed by a neck, he beat a 102 rated runner-up and it was four and a half lengths back to the third. O'Brien indicated afterwards that the Group 3 Gordon Stakes at Goodwood (1st August) will be next followed by a trip to Town Moor in the Autumn. Fingers crossed we have a tasty ante-post wager.

William Haggas' remarkable run of form continued on Saturday with three more successes for Somerville Lodge. The Newmarket trainer sent out 4 winners on Thursday, 2 on Friday and a treble on Saturday. Montassib landed his second Pattern race of the campaign when capturing the Group 3 Chipchase Stakes at Newcastle arriving late under Cieren Fallon and collaring Kinross who was making his belated seasonal reappearance. The six year old has found his niche over sprint trips with his form figures over six furlongs now reading 151161 and he formed a fine alliance with Fallon (4 from 9). Wiltshire (7/2), who is highlighted in the Stable Switchers section of AOTF, won for a second time since joining the yard last Autumn. Contesting the six furlongs handicap at Gosforth Park, the four year old came from nearly last under Fallon to win going away by a length and a quarter off a mark of 95. Bought for 92,000gns in October by William's son Sam, he is unbeaten in three runs on the all-weather and wants cut in the ground on the turf.