SILVESTRE DE SOUSA: Royal Ascot Wednesday

It’s the second day of the Royal meeting and there was a bit of a last-minute change on Monday at declaration time with my intended Royal Hunt Cup mount Johan missing the race because of the fast ground. Luckily, I managed to pick up a nice spare with What’s The Story. I’ve also got a nice ride in the Queen Mary to look forward to as well…

I’ve again recorded a Zoom room with the lads which I hope can point you in the way of a few winners. CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE ZOOM ROOM FROM 20 mins 55 secs for Wednesday’s card 

WEDNESDAY

ROYAL ASCOT

OLIVIA MARALDA – 2.30pm (Queen Mary Stakes)

I’m hoping I’ve picked up a really nice ride in the opener for Michael O’Callaghan (pictured below). Olivia Maralda apparently should have won first time out at the Curragh and then bumped into a really nice one at Navan last time. She’s dropping back in trip again, but I like a speedy filly like this who will run all the way to the line and stays that bit further. We’ve drawn stall one which on first glance I wasn’t delighted about, but I was pleased to see the American filly Love Reigns drawn near us in stall five. She won’t be hanging around and hopefully will give us a lovely lead. I see Clive Cox’s Katey Kontent isn’t far away either so the far side may just be the place to be. That said, I do like Amy Murphy’s filly Manhattan Jungle who will be running against the stand side rail. I think she’s pretty good too.

3.05pm (Queen’s Vase)

No ride for me in the next where I like the look of Roger Varian’s Eldar Eldarov. He’s immaculately bred and unbeaten in two starts to date. He got going late last time and he could be the one if he stays. Obviously, you’d have to respect the Godolphin pair Hafit and Nahanni.

3.40pm (Prince Of Wales’s Stakes)

Only the five runners in the feature with a truly international feel. Bay Bridge looks the one to beat on the back of his Brigadier Gerard victory. I guess the only worry would be the fast ground, but he looks a colt on the upgrade. He may have most to fear from Japanese raider Shahryar who was really impressive in Dubai and won’t mind the conditions.

WHAT’S THE STORY – 5.00pm (Royal Hunt Cup)

As mentioned above I had originally planned to be riding Johan here for Mick Channon but the fast ground means he doesn’t run. Luckily, I’ve picked up the ride on What’s The Story (pictured below, left) who is now down to a mark of 94 having run in this last year off 105. He was a good fourth at York two starts back and I’m hoping he can bounce back to the form that win some competitive races a few years back. This does look competitive though with last year’s second Astro King looking the obvious one.

6.10pm (Kensington Palace Stakes)

I’m very keen to see how White Moonlight gets on for Saeed bin Suroor despite her terrible draw in 20. This race is on the round course so things can get a little messy. She had been off for three years before blowing the cobwebs away at Chelmsford recently and is still an exciting mare who we have yet to see the best of.

Good Luck
SDS

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