Friday 1 July 2016 09:12, UK
Sky Sports News HQ's Alex Hammond previews this weekend's racing action and fancies Cardinal Walter to go well at Newcastle.
Wasn't it a marvellous week? I can't remember a year when there were so many 'feel good' stories. As for my favourite, I think it has to be the win of Profitable in the King's Stand on the opening day. Not only had I kept the faith with the horse, having backed him to win at Haydock on his previous start, but it was such a wonderful and no doubt surreal day for jockey Adam Kirby who had become a father for the first time just a couple of hours earlier.
The money poured in (along with the rain) for Mecca's Angel, but I wasn't to be swayed and I'm so glad I stuck with my own judgement. I'm sure something will transpire as to what happened to the well beaten favourite and it was disappointing that she ran quite so badly, but Profitable was one of a few investments throughout the meeting that made it a memorable Royal Ascot for me. The emotion that Kirby showed in his post-race winning interviews was great to see and it really captured what it means to those taking part. There were no flashy statements, just heartfelt words, and it was emotional to watch.
Profitable aside, who is clearly a top-notch speedster on the up, it was hard not to be impressed with Lady Aurelia after her devastating win in the Queen Mary. In the immediate aftermath of the race trainer Wesley Ward said he didn't think the Nunthorpe would be her likely target, but if he changes his mind she would be of interest at York given the generous weight allowance for juveniles; his Acapulco almost pulled it off last year. I'm just looking forward to seeing how she fares next time in a stronger race to see if she's as good as she seems.
I haven't given up on Max Dynamite yet despite on the face of it another disappointing run. I backed him each-way for the Gold Cup and he was absolutely flattened just over a quarter of a mile from home and wasn't able to recover. I know the winner came from off the pace and was very impressive, but there will be races for Max Dynamite that won't include Order of St George. I wonder if Willie Mullins might have to Melbourne Cup in his mind once again?
Another non-winner to take from the meeting is Queen Kindly from the Richard Fahey yard. She's not the most striking of individuals but has an engine and as a daughter of Frankel will already be very valuable. However, although she could only finish third in the Albany, she should improve when getting better ground and it would be disappointing if a group race win wasn't added to her CV by the end of the season.
I'm going to chuck one more in, I backed Brando in the Wokingham and he was only just pipped, finishing second. He is sure to line up in many of the big sprint handicaps this season and this four-year-old hasn't stopped improving.
It'll be different, that's for sure. As a traditionalist it will take me a while to get used to it, but like most things that change, there is often early resistance. If positive reports on the new surface are to be believed, the track is a real asset to the sport and it won't detract from the competitiveness of races such as this.
So, to the race, and Steve Rogers was last seen when disappointing favourite in the Chester Cup. He was well backed and well beaten that day with no apparent explanation for the performance. With an all-weather record that boasts three wins from four starts, you wouldn't be surprised to see Roger Varian's charge bounce back.
Gang Warfare was also beaten in the Chester Cup and, like Steve Rogers, he is useful on an artificial surface. Simon Crisford's horse has top weight to carry which doesn't make life easy, but he is an improving sort and can't be discounted despite his burden.
Cardinal Walter is an interesting one for Nicky Henderson if he gets a run. Henderson won the Chester Cup with No Heretic and could have the trophy of another big Flat handicap in his cabinet on Saturday afternoon. This horse ran well over this trip on his return to the Flat at York last time out and a reproduction of that off 1lb higher could see him run well. He is unproven on an all weather surface which is a negative and at the time of writing we don't know which stall he will be coming out of or whether he lines up in either the main event or not, but given a decent draw he could go well.
Nakeeta is another with strong claims. Given a kind draw he has strong enough form if he can adapt to the Tapeta surface. He's ultra-consistent and ran a cracker from a wide draw to be second in the Chester Cup last time out. I don't think a 3lb rise for that effort is too harsh and he's on my shortlist. He's 8/1 joint favourite with Sky Bet.
I'll be waiting for declarations to see who gets in and who is drawn where, but wherever Cardinal Walter runs (either in this or the consolation race, the Betfred Northumberland Vase) I'll be having a small investment on him to run into a place. Nakeeta can't be left out of calculations either.
Halfway through writing this preview the news broke that US Army Ranger would be missing the race as he hasn't scoped clean in pre-race vet tests, which can indicate a low grade infection. I would have told you prior to that, that I wasn't confident about the chance of Harzand after trainer Dermot Weld voiced concerns about his recovery from the foot problem he sustained just before winning the Epsom Derby. While it doesn't appear to have been a serious issue (he spread a plate and a nail pricked his foot), he has been on antibiotics to aid his recovery.
With US Army Ranger out Ryan Moore will now ride Derby third Idaho instead.
I was going to suggest an each-way bet on Red Verdon and if he is a reasonable price I would stand by that. Ed Dunlop supplemented the colt for Epsom and connections haven't walked away to lick their wounds, they have gone in again and supplemented him for this too. He ran well at Epsom, not getting the best of runs, and whilst he wouldn't have threatened the protagonists that day, he ran well and can do so again.
I still can't get Port Douglas out of my mind. He set the pace at Epsom and couldn't sustain that, but if he is ridden with more restraint, looks capable of running into a place. Moonlight Magic is another to consider for Jim Bolger as the colt didn't handle the track at Epsom and trailed in last. He is capable of much better.
The short answer is no, if she runs here! Aidan O'Brien is going to see how she is on Thursday before committing for the race.
However, whether Minding runs or not, I'm happy enough to have a small each-way bet on Koora. I've been waiting for her to run again after a storming second place in the Middleton Stakes at York's Dante meeting last month. Luca Cumani has had a dreadful time of things - with no winners at all in May - but seems to have turned the corner with two winners at Pontefract on Sunday.
Whilst I'd have preferred to see her step up beyond this mile and a quarter trip, if that run knocked the rustiness off her, she should make her mark with the stable back firing. The rain that has fallen won't inconvenience her either. She's 7/1 with Sky Bet and I hope we get more than a handful of runners declared from the 10 entries.
