15:05 Royal Ascot

Tuesday 15 June 2021

All14:3015:0515:4016:2017:0017:3518:10

Coventry Stakes (Group 2)

Off time: 15:06 | Winning time: 1m 13.55s

(9)

Angel Bleu¹⁸

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: H Crouch| T: R M Beckett| D

28/1

Continued run of marked race-by-race progress when landing 6f novice event at Pontefract 18 days ago, relishing the step up to 6f. Hard to rule out further improvement.

Form: 311

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

(17)

Berkshire Shadow⁶⁰

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding

11/1

Overcame inexperience (missed break) when making winning start in 9-runner maiden at Newbury in April. That race worked out well and step up in trip bound to suit (dam won up to 1m and stayed 1¼m).

Form: 1

(13)

Caturra²⁵

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: A Kirby| T: C G Cox

22/1

Showed why he was heavily backed to win on debut (managing only fourth) when a decisive winner at Bath (5f) 3 weeks ago. No surprise were he to leave bare form of that behind.

Form: 41

(15)

Dashing Rat²²

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: Marco Ghiani| T: W Stone| BF

200/1

Stuck to the task when runner-up over 6f at Brighton 3 weeks ago but he's now had 4 goes without success and is right up against it.

Form: 8322

(11)

Dhabab¹⁴

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: R Havlin| T: J & T Gosden| D

4/1

Fetched £200,000 as a breeze-up buy and looked a good prospect when a 2-length winner of a 12-runner maiden at Leicester a fortnight ago (6f). That form yet to be tested but he's one to note.

Form: 1

(1)

Ebro River¹⁹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: James Doyle| T: H Palmer

12/1

Clearly isn't a straightforward type given he has hung both ways already, but evidently has more than his share of talent, supplementing his Doncaster success in the National Stakes. Up in trip.

Form: 611

(2)

Eldrickjones¹²

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: D Tudhope| T: R Fell & S Murray| BF

66/1

Heavily backed to land a big-field maiden at Thirsk 12 days ago only to find one too strong. That was a promising first effort but this a totally different assignment.

Form: 2

(7)

Gisburn³²

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: P J Dobbs| T: R Hannon| D

6/1

Half-brother to smart 6f performer Encrypted. Showed plenty when fourth to Berkshire Shadow in an extended 5f maiden at Newbury and built on that markedly back there over 6f a month ago. Big player.

Form: 41

(8)

Golden War²⁵

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: J P Spencer| T: C Hills

80/1

Bred to stay well and made a pleasing debut when second of 6 at Goodwood 3 weeks ago. Stiff 6f clearly up his street but needs to leave that level behind.

Form: 2

(10)

Masseto²⁴

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: Gavin Ryan| T: Donnacha O'Brien| BF| D

15/2

Overcame inexperience and unpromising track position to make winning debut in 11-runner maiden at Navan (5.8f). Still not the finished article when runner-up in Group 3 Marble Hill Stakes.

Form: 12

(14)

Secret Strength¹⁰

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: Tom Marquand| T: R Hannon

50/1

Displayed a willing attitude when landing 5-runner novice at Musselburgh 10 days ago (5f). Well worth another shot at 6f but others possess more scope.

Form: 241

(4)

The Acropolis⁹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| D

6/1

Eye-catching debut under a considerate ride at the Curragh and looked much more the finished article when justifying strong support at Listowel (6.3f) last week. Sure to progress again.

Form: 41

(12)

The Gatekeeper¹⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: B A Curtis| T: C & M Johnston

125/1

Well prepared to win a Musselburgh novice on debut in April. In danger of going the wrong way based on last couple of starts, but drying ground may aid his cause. Plenty to find, though.

Form: 1254

(6)

The Organiser²⁴

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: David Egan| T: J Tuite| D

20/1

Travelled with plenty of purpose and was very impressive when landing 8-runner novice at York on debut 24 days ago. That wasn't a deep race for the track but he's a useful prospect in his own right.

Form: 1

(5)

Tolstoy²⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| D

11/1

Kingman colt who got off to a winning start in 11-runner novice at Yarmouth a month ago (6f). Form isn't anything special (steadily-run race) but he's open to progress for top yard.

Form: 1

(16)

Vintage Clarets⁵⁰

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: P Hanagan| T: R A Fahey

25/1

Derived plenty from his debut in the Brocklesby when landing 10-runner novice at Beverley and was impressive when dominating 3 rivals at Ayr. Tries 6f for the first time and he may improve for it.

Form: 411

(3)

Kaufymaker^b1⁶¹

Age: 2| Weight: 8-12| J: John Velazquez| T: Wesley Ward| OR: 106

8/1

Blinkered when impressively winning 6-runner maiden at Keeneland by 6¼ lengths from Bode By You, drawing clear final 1f. Sure to progress and much depends on whether she sees out 6f fully.

Form: 1

Forecasts

Dhabab (4/1), The Acropolis (6/1), Gisburn (6/1), Masseto (15/2), Kaufymaker (8/1), Berkshire Shadow (11/1), Tolstoy (11/1), Ebro River (12/1), The Organiser (20/1), Caturra (22/1), Vintage Clarets (25/1), Angel Bleu (28/1), Secret Strength (50/1), Eldrickjones (66/1), Golden War (80/1), The Gatekeeper (125/1), Dashing Rat (200/1)

GISBURN was taking on exclusively newcomers at Newbury last month, but it's hard to find fault in a 6.5-length victory backed up by the clock. His strength at the finish was most impressive and he's fancied to wear down Kaufymaker, who, like many Wesley Ward-trained representatives, comes with a big reputation. The Acropolis will go on improving and completes the shortlist.