Banker or Blowout?

Royal Ascot is now only days away and the five-day spectacle will be sure to throw up some magnificent performances. But where there will be ‘bankers’, there will be ‘blowouts’ so here are my thoughts on horses to stick with and those who may misfire.

Tuesday

2.30 – Inspiral @ 9/4 (Blowout)

It was hard not to be disappointed by John & Thady Gosden’s star filly on her return in last month’s Lockinge Stakes. Finishing behind her stablemate Audience and both Charyn and Witch Hunter backs up claims from her trainer to suggest she needed the run but still, she should have been much closer than 13 lengths behind. Another reason why I will be taking her on is her tendency to be slow out of the stalls. Her two defeats here, including in last year’s renewal of this race, have both been following poor gate speeds and she was slow on her comeback run this year also. Her race can’t be won coming out of the stalls, but it can certainly hinder her chances of winning.

4.25 – Notable Speech @ 11/8 (Banker)

Winning the 2000 Guineas is never easy but winning it on your first start on turf is a remarkable achievement and that is exactly what Notable Speech did. Despite being easy to back, he swooped around the outside of City Of Troy and flew up the hill to score cosily. The form has already been franked with Rosallion heading to the Curragh and winning the Irish 2000 Guineas but with any progression from Notable Speech, he should be a tough nut to crack, and I expect him to enhance his claims as the best three-year-old in Britain.

Wednesday

4.25 – Auguste Rodin @ 7/4 (Banker)

Despite being winless in 2024, Aidan O’Brien will be hoping his 2023 Derby and Breeders Cup winner will be able to get back to winning ways next week. Beaten by White Birch in last month’s Tattersalls Gold Cup was disappointing but the master of Ballydoyle remains optimistic his horse will fare better if the weather doesn’t turn for the worst. I would expect Ryan Moore to have his mount close to the pace and make his move around the bend with White Birch running on late in what looks like a race to be dominated by the Tattersalls Gold Cup 1,2.

Thursday 2.30 – Whislejacket @ 11/8 (Banker)

Fast and furious will be the order of play in the Norfolk Stakes and whilst Aidan O’Brien is winless in this race since 2017, this looks to be a fantastic chance to add his name back onto the honours board. His speedy two-year-old had to settle for second over six furlongs on debut but put in a dazzling display on his first attempt at the minimum trip to win by nearly four lengths. His ability to put distance between himself and Arizona Blaze who is already proven as a solid performer was especially taking and that will stand him in good stead if repeating that sort of performance at Ascot.

4.25 – Kyprios @ 10/11 (Blowout)

There is no doubt in my mind that if the Kyprios of 2022 appears at Ascot next week, he will be extremely difficult to beat. However, after his injury woes in 2023 and his two appearances against weak opposition in 2024, this will be a real challenge for Aidan O’Brien’s six-year-old. There are battle-hardened horses in the field this year and those with brilliant credentials so at a shade of odds-on, I will be happy to take Kyprios on in the Gold Cup.

Friday 3.45 – Opera Singer @ 5/2 (Blowout)

Another Ballydoyle runner who will be a warm order for their respective races but this horse, I feel, should not be the price she currently is. Not only will she have to reverse the form with Fallen Angel after Karl Burke’s filly put her in her place in the Irish 1000 Guineas, but she will also face the other British raiders including Elmalka who stormed home to win the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket. It looks like an extremely warm race and one that is shaping up to be a thriller, however, I feel 5/2 is short and worth taking on with other horses in the field.