15:05 Royal Ascot

Friday 21 June 2019

All14:3015:0515:4016:2017:0017:35

King Edward VII Stakes (Group 2)

Off time: 15:05 | Winning time: 2m 29.16s

(5)

Bangkok²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: S De Sousa| T: A M Balding| OR: 104

10/1

Won a red-hot Doncaster maiden on reappearance at the Lincoln meeting and justified favouritism in the Classic trial at Sandown next time. Only beat one home in the Derby but possibly didn't handle the track and that effort is worth forgiving.

Form: 244-110

(4)

Eagles By Day⁴¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: D Tudhope| T: M L W Bell| OR: 93| D

25/1

Off the mark at the third attempt when bolting up in a Salisbury maiden in April. Well beaten in the Derby trial at Lingfield next time though (Pablo Escobar second) and has plenty to find on form after that.

Form: 2-216

(1)

Humanitarian²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: R Havlin| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 107

12/1

Gained wins in novice events either side of the winter and struggled for much of the Derby last time, though did stay on in to seventh. Will have more to give at some point but likely in need of more time to compete at this level.

Form: 21-17

(7)

Jack Yeats⁵³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: D O'Brien| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 92

16/1

Left his debut effort behind as a juvenile to finish a close second on reappearance at Leopardstown before justifying favouritism up in trip at Naas last time. Takes a big step up in class from maidens but step up in trip should suit.

Form: 7-21

(2)

Japan²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 117

6/4

Improved from debut to win his next two starts, notably a Group 2 at Naas (1m). Looked in need of a step up in trip when fourth in the Dante and duly improved when an excellent staying on third in the Derby. Hard to beat on that evidence.

Form: 711-43

(6)

Pablo Escobarr^t⁴¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: James Doyle| T: W J Haggas| OR: 103

13/2

Off the mark on his second start for this yard at Goodwood. Narrowly denied on reappearance but took his form to a new level when a 4L runner-up to subsequent Derby winner in the Lingfield Derby trial; each-way claims with more to come.

Form: 2421-22

(8)

Pondus²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Oisin Murphy| T: J R Fanshawe| OR: 98

4/1

The form of his fourth at Nottingham on debut now looks much stronger with the winner finishing runner-up in the Guineas. Has won both starts since on contrasting ground, bolting up at Sandown last time and step up in trip likely to suit.

Form: 411

(3)

Private Secretary²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 106

9/2

Showed promise as a juvenile and unbeaten in three starts this year, landing a Listed race at Goodwood last time. Good value for the winning margin that day and shapes like this extra furlong will be beneficial. More on his plate but could go well.

Form: 22-111

Forecasts

Japan (6/4), Pondus (4/1), Private Secretary (9/2), Pablo Escobarr (13/2), Bangkok (10/1), Humanitarian (12/1), Jack Yeats (16/1), Eagles By Day (25/1)

JAPAN is hard to oppose after an excellent effort in the Derby last time, arguably unlucky not to win the race at Epsom and he looks sure to benefit from a class drop here with no concerns about the potential ground having won on good (good to firm in places) and heavy as a juvenile. Pablo Escobarr finished a very encouraging second behind the subsequent Derby winner in the Lingfield trial and he hails from a yard enjoying a fantastic week. Private Secretary could go well for Frankie Dettori who enjoyed a fine day here on Thursday.