17:40 Royal Ascot

Friday 21 June 2024

All14:3015:0515:4516:2517:0517:4018:15

King Edward VII Stakes (Group 2)

Off time: 17:40 | Winning time: 2m 29.11s

(4)

Agenda⁴⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Dylan Browne McMonagle| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 108

13/2

Confirmed promise of sole 2-y-o start at the Curragh when seeing off 8 rivals upped to 10.7f on return at Dundalk. Improved another sizeable amount when second to the ill-fated Hidden Law in the Chester Vase (12.3, good) and open to further progress.

Form: 3-12

(13)

Calandagan²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: S Pasquier| T: F Graffard| OR: 110

11/2

Progressive French raider who justified short odds in comfortable fashion in Group 3 at Longchamp (10.9f) 29 days ago. Well worth his place in this higher grade and must enter calculations.

Form: 31-211

(1)

Chief Little Rock²⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Wayne Lordan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 109

14/1

Made up into a useful juvenile and built on a satisfactory reappearance when winning Group 3 at the Curragh (10f) 26 days ago, unchallenged. Will stay 1½m and merits consideration with further improvement not out of the question.

Form: 2122-31

(3)

Defiance⁴¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: S De Sousa| T: R Varian| OR: 102

50/1

Camelot colt who was value for extra when making a successful debut in Sandown maiden. Unable to land a blow in Royal Lodge at Newmarket but ran well when second in listed race at Epsom (10.1f) on return. However, possibly stretched by this trip when below form in Lingfield Derby Trial last time.

Form: 16-27

(5)

Diego Velazquez¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 111| BF

2/1

Looked a smart prospect when winning first 2 starts, including Group 2 at Leopardstown. Excuses in Futurity Trophy at Doncaster and back on track with a promising effort in the Poulains on return. Ground perhaps softer than ideal in Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly last time and should stay 1½m.

Form: 116-48

(9)

Harper's Ferry^t1⁶⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Tom Marquand| T: E Walker| OR: 88

28/1

Showed bags of promise when second only start at 2 yrs and, having bumped into a smart prospect on his Doncaster return (10.2f), he went one place better with something to spare at Windsor (10f) 67 days ago. Refused to go into stalls for Dee Stakes at Chester on only intended start since.

Form: 2-21

(14)

Macduff^p1²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Rossa Ryan| T: R M Beckett| OR: 104

20/1

Progressed with each run as a 2-y-o and made a promising return to action when second in Sandown Classic Trial (1¼m, good to soft) in April, conceding first run. Seemingly failed to handle the track when well held in the Derby at Epsom and retains potential. Cheekpieces on for 1st time.

Form: 124-20

(10)

Mondo Man¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: W Buick| T: Mme P Brandt| OR: 111

25/1

Deauville maiden winner on second start who showed improved form when fifth of 15 in Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly (10.4f, soft) 19 days ago, despite being left with lot to do. Unraced on firmer than good but Buick retains the ride, and he can't be underestimated.

Form: 3-1325

(12)

Royal Supremacy³³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 100

40/1

Dual winner at 2 yrs who stepped up on his reappearance when second of 15 in Derby Italiano at Rome (10.9f, soft) 33 days ago. This demands a good deal more but the further step up in trip could suit.

Form: 141-32

(8)

Space Legend²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: James Doyle| T: W J Haggas| OR: 103| BF

9/2

Confirmed debut promise when ready winner of 10f Leicester maiden in April and showed much improved form upped in grade and trip when second in Goodwood listed event (11.2f) last month, finishing with running left after a less-than-ideal. Likely to progress further and merits strong consideration.

Form: 2-12

(6)

The Euphrates^v1⁴¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Declan McDonogh| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 102

40/1

Confirmed debut promise with victory in 10-runner maiden at Gowran (8.3f) in October and improved another chunk when second in Group 3 at Leopardstown on return. However, looked ill at ease on much firmer ground than previously when fourth in Lingfield Derby Trial last time. Visor on for 1st time.

Form: 31-24

(7)

Theory Of Tides²⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: K Shoemark| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 95

18/1

Galileo colt who has looked good prospect in winning both starts in minor events, latterly when defying a penalty at Yarmouth (11.5f) 25 days ago, pushed out. Will go on improving and well worth his place in this better company.

Form: 11

(2)

Voyage²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: P J Dobbs| T: R Hannon

18/1

Golden Horn colt who looked a good prospect when making a winning debut in a 1¼m Newbury novice (good to soft) in April. Unseated rider leaving stalls in Derby at Epsom since and remains open to improvement.

Form: 1U

(11)

War Rooms³⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Jim Crowley| T: Owen Burrows| OR: 104

40/1

Debut winner at Doncaster last July who stepped up on his reappearance when 6½ lengths third of 7 to Economics in the Dante at York (10.2f, good) last month, though was beaten fair and square. Upped 2f in trip.

Form: 13-63

Forecasts

Diego Velazquez (2/1), Space Legend (9/2), Calandagan (11/2), Agenda (13/2), Chief Little Rock (14/1), Theory Of Tides (18/1), Voyage (18/1), Macduff (20/1), Mondo Man (25/1), Harper's Ferry (28/1), Royal Supremacy (40/1), The Euphrates (40/1), War Rooms (40/1), Defiance (50/1)

SPACE LEGEND would have surely run out a comfortable winner with a clear passage in a listed event at Goodwood last month and, with further progress on the cards, he's taken to gain compensation in this higher grade. Theory of Tides defied a penalty in the manner of a fine prospect at Yarmouth and looks very interesting pitched into better company, with Ballydoyle pair Agenda and Diego Velazquez completing the shortlist.