Matt Brocklebank looks back on Royal Ascot with a handful of horses he feels can win Group One races before the season is out.
ROSEMAN (Roger Varian)
4th in Queen Anne Stakes - click here for FREE video replay
The miling division may be lacking an absolute star at the moment but that's not to say this year's Queen Anne Stakes won't work out well.
The glaringly obvious eyecatcher was the seventh home Mohaather, who barely came off the bridle throughout such was his troubled passage under Jim Crowley, but finishing a little further ahead there was loads to like about the performance of Roseman.
The Kingman colt improved for a run last season, indeed he progressed markedly throughout 2019 before signing off with a ready Listed success over recent Diomed Stakes winner Century Dream at Newmarket in November.
Tuesday's effort was a seriously promising seasonal reappearance and it wouldn't be a surprise to see him now switched back to 10 furlongs, having been tried over the trip once as a three-year-old (unraced at two).
He handles any ground but evidently appreciates a bit of cut underfoot and, winding the clock on, he may well have developed into a realistic Champion Stakes contender by the time Ascot comes around in the autumn.
NAZEEF (John Gosden)
WON Duke Of Cambridge Stakes - click here for FREE video replay
Nazeef was a strong fancy for John Gosden and the team in Tuesday's Group Two and she duly delivered in gritty style.
The daughter of Invincible Spirit has power and pace in equal measure but the prospects of her getting 10 furlongs later this season appear bright.
She's unbeaten now since her debut third at the July Course last summer and, out of a Dubawi mare, further improvement as she develops can definitely be expected.
Gosden suggested a rest will be prioritised now, having won the Snowdrop at Kempton already in early-June, but races like the top-class Nassau Stakes and the Prix de l'Opera at Longchamp should now be firmly on her radar later in the campaign.
MOLATHAM (Roger Varian)
WON Jersey Stakes - click here for FREE video replay
Varian is eyeing up targets such as the Prix Jean Prat and the Lennox Stakes with Molatham after his Jersey win and the horse has now clearly consigned his disappointing final juvenile effort to the past.
It was assumed the soft ground was completely against him when a well-held fourth behind Military March and Al Suhail in the Autumn Stakes but he really toughed it out and didn't seem to mind the conditions on Thursday.
Perhaps it wasn't the deepest Jersey ever staged but Monarch Of Egypt gave Siskin a bit of a fright on one occasion last term and he and the winner pulled over three lengths clear of the third, 40/1 shot Symbolize.
Molatham has size and scope but it's the way he travels through his races that really sets him apart and if he stays the mile this year he could bridge the gap and put it up to the leading players in that division in a race like the QEII.
SANTIAGO (Aidan O'Brien)
WON Queen's Vase - click here for FREE video replay
Santiago had our curiosity after breaking through at the third attempt at Listowel last September, but now has our attention having been unleashed as a fully-furnished three-year-old in the Queen's Vase.
He's bred to be a crackerjack middle-distance performer, being a son of Authorized and out of a nine-furlong winning half-sister to French Derby third Motamarris.
The stark step up in distance from a mile last year to the mile and three-quarters at Ascot really brought the best out in him and Aidan O'Brien admitted post-race that he's seen as a Cup horse for the future, with the St Leger his big end-of-season target this time around.
We know he stays, he has a touch of class and this piece of form looks pretty good with runner-up Berkshire Rocco having chased home Investec Derby favourite English King in the Lingfield trial.
DARK LION (Roger Varian)
4th in Coventry Stakes - click here for FREE video replay
What a week for Roger Varian and not just those who starred with winning performances.
One representative who didn't quite get the rub of the green was the well-regarded Dark Lion, whose Coventry run should be upgraded.
He was quietly supported into 7/1 just before the off, despite only finishing fourth first time out at Newmarket earlier in the month, but the scruffy start from a high draw almost immediately put paid to his chances of success.
He showed a nice turn of foot mid-race, though, and stuck to the task bravely away from the main action towards the other side of the track.
The first six home emerged from stalls 6, 4, 3, 15, 2 and 1 so he stands out a mile in that respect.
He's from a family of quality milers and 10-furlong performers so the future looks rosy as top-class opportunities open up over longer distances later in the season and it's not hard to see him ending up contesting races like the National Stakes, Dewhurst or Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf if allowed to travel.
Responsible gambling
We are committed in our support of responsible gambling. Recommended bets are advised to over-18s and we strongly encourage readers to wager only what they can afford to lose.
Sky Bet's responsible gambling tools are detailed here and if you are concerned about your gambling, please call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133, or visit begambleaware.org.
Further support and information can be found at GamCare and gamblingtherapy.org.
