17:35 Royal Ascot
Tuesday 20 June 2017
All14:3015:0515:4016:2017:0017:35
Windsor Castle Stakes (Listed)
- 2YO only | Class 1 | 5f | Good to Firm | 22 Runners | Turf | Weighed In
- Off time: 17:40 | Winning time: 59.2s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Easy winner at Ripon on latest start having shown promise when trained in Ireland but this certainly looks a tougher contest and he's unproven on faster ground. Jockey booking a positive and interesting to see whether any money arrives for him.
Some promise on his debut at Newmarket, when a little green in the early stages but well beaten in a follow up bid at Beverley last time. Needs a sizable chunk of improvement to get involved and others have shown plenty more.
Yet to get his head in front on any of his four starts to date and looks well out of his depth in this company.
Cost a fair amount and started to show a bit more ability at Brighton last time, staying on well towards the end of the contest. Would need to improve a vast amount to get involved in this company though.
Winner of both of his first two starts, showing a good attitude on both outings. No match for the winner here last time over C&D but beat the rest of the field well enough and holds each-way claims yet again.
Some promise at Doncaster on debut and bounced back after a disappointing Chester run with a smart win at Bath last time, seemingly appreciating the return to faster ground. Needs to improve again and Crowley prefers Mokaatil.
Winner at Windsor on third start, showing some good early speed and seeing out the job well come the end. That level of form wouldn't normally be enough to take this contest but did that job well enough and not without an each-way shout if he progresses again.
Showed plenty of promise on his debut at Navan and duly confirmed that with a win at Dundalk on second start. War Front progeny generally like faster ground so no surprise to see him run well once again here and connections won this in 2015 with Washington DC.
Dragon Pulse colt who made all in convincing fashion to win at Chester last month, getting the better of stablemate Auntie Pam. That rival didn't do much for the form subsequently but he won that contest in impressive enough fashion to suggest he may be able to grab a place here.
Winner on debut but struggled badly in a deeper contest last time out. Needs to bounce back to form if he's to have any chance in this company and his draw out on the wing is unlikely to be ideal.
Exceed And Excel colt who showed some promise on debut, despite looking very green in the early stages. Will have learnt plenty from that but the yard would appear to hold stronger claims with Another Batt.
Helmet colt, cost £62,000 as a Breeze-Up purchase. Never got going at Doncaster on debut but much better at Leicester last time, showing a game attitude to hold on for pressure in the final furlong. Yard's two-year-olds usually very forward in the Spring so may not have as much to come as some in here.
Finished third on his three completed starts (unseated rider two starts back) and has clearly been aimed at faster ground. Unlucky not to have got his head in front to date but this by far his toughest test and first-time cheekpieces need to bring about plenty of improvement.
Steadily progressing with each start and won at Wetherby last time out but looked well suited to the softer ground there and yard probably have a better chance with Dragons Tail.
Plenty to like about his debut effort, showing plenty ability having displayed greenness in the early stages. Should come on plenty from that and he's the pick of the owner's retained jockey over Dahik. Should run well.
Yard have done well with their juveniles this year and this colt won well at Leicester on debut justifying a gamble. Stayed on gamely that day and likely to be plenty more to come this season, but Buick prefers the chances of Sound And Silence.
Won his debut at Nottingham in impressive enough fashion but couldn't back that up in softer conditions at Naas. Return to fast ground ought to suit and he would appear to be the stables first-string on jockey bookings.
Winner at Newmarket on debut but struggled badly in Listed contest last time. That run likely to be too bad to be true and it's probably significant he's the choice of the stable jockey. First-time cheekpieces applied.
Zoffany colt who won a maiden at Naas on debut. Couldn't back that up last time in a deeper contest though and this looks tougher again.
Yard won this with Hootenanny back in 2014 and yard's runners have to be respected at this meeting, particularly two-year-old races over 5f. Justified favouritsm on debut in fast ground and ought to go well again in retained blinkers. Yard also have Nookta Sound in the race.
Havana Gold filly who cost a mere £800 as a yearling but that didn't stop her winning at Leicester on debut and every chance she can make her presence felt once again for her new owners. Interesting runner.
Yard won this in 2014 with Hootenanny and yard have a fine record around here, particularly when combining with this jockey. Easy winner on debut over 4½f and likely to improve plenty for that run. Blinkers retained and interesting to see how she fares in the market compared to her stablemate.
Non-Runners
4
(3)
Black Orange41
Weight: 9-3| Age: 2
T: Miss Gay Kelleway J: M Dwyer
NR
5
(7)
Chatburn10
Weight: 9-3| Age: 2
T: D O'Meara J: D Tudhope
WD
Forecasts
Declarationofpeace (13/8), Nootka Sound (9/2), Elizabeth Darcy (9/1), Another Batt (9/1), Roussel (12/1), Dragons Tail (14/1), Sound And Silence (16/1), Black Orange (20/1), James Garfield (25/1), Mokaatil (25/1), Simmy's Copshop (25/1), Corinthia Knight (33/1), Marchingontogether (33/1), T For Tango (40/1), Dahik (40/1), Chatburn (50/1), Last Page (66/1), Excellently Poised (66/1), Declarationoflove (66/1), Areen Faisal (66/1), Magnus (66/1), June Dog (66/1), City Guest (100/1), Autumn Lodge (200/1)
Wesley Ward probably holds the key to this contest and it's NOOKTA SOUND who makes most appeal after a fine debut effort. Elizabeth Darcy proved herself on fast ground on her debut while Mokaatil and Marchingontogether may be capable of landing a blow in this company. However, it's Declarationofpeace who could be the main danger to the selection and ought to improve for the switch to good to firm ground.
- Nootka Sound
- Declarationofpeace
- Elizabeth Darcy
Prize Money
1st: £45,368.002nd: £17,200.003rd: £8,608.004th: £4,288.005th: £2,152.006th: £1,080.00
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