Longlai
ROYAL ASCOT THURSDAY
3:40 G2 Ribblesdale Stakes
Aristia (Hollie Doyle)
I was delighted with her run in Listed Company at Newbury last time, which has worked out to be pretty strong form, and she wasn’t beaten all that far. I liked the way she stayed on strongly to the line so the step up to a mile and a half will definitely suit and it’s rare that we put a horse straight into this class after just two runs unless we think they can do themselves justice. I’m under no illusions that she has to improve again but she’s a decent filly who has always shown plenty of ability from day one. She’s a big price but I’d like to think she’s capable of running a decent race.
5:00 Britannia Handicap
Siam Fox (David Probert)
He’s currently in the form of his life having won his last two and carries a 5lbs penalty for scoring at Doncaster on Sunday, but the fast ground is in his favour and he appears to be drawn very well right up against the stands side rail. We’ve done nothing with him at home since the weekend except enjoying some time in our grass pens and he seems happy and fresh so hopefully he’ll run well.
Longlai (Pat Dobbs)
He likes decent ground and a stiff, fast run mile should really play to his strengths and there might still be a little more improvement in him. Obviously this is a massively competitive race but we’ve got him there in good shape and if he can avoid any traffic problems he’d have a good each way squeak.
6:10 Buckingham Palace Handicap
Magical Wish (Liam Browne)
He hasn’t won for a while but is extremely consistent and rarely runs a bad race which is probably why it’s taken the handicapper and age to drop him a few pounds but we’re helping eradicating that even further by putting up Liam Browne who is a decent rider and good value for his 7lbs claim. He’s a very tough horse who loves the hurly burly of these type of races so could easily out run his big odds.
We’ve got Mafia Power running in the 4:30 at Chelmsford and I’d be pretty hopeful with regard to his chances because he’s been a great form of late, has plenty in his favour and this looks a very suitable race for him. Over at Lingfield I am expecting an improved showing from Host in the 8:10. His last run at Sandown was on soft ground and he didn’t enjoy the underfoot conditions, so we can put a line through that race, but back on his favourite AW surface I would expect him to run well with Thore in the plate.