John O'Shea excited by Holler ahead of Royal Ascot

John O'Shea said on Thursday morning that he believes Holler will put in a bold front-running display in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot.

The Godolphin-owned colt, winner of a Group One at Randwick racecourse in March, has reportedly acclimatised well to life in Britain.

He confirmed his well-being with an encouraging workout on the Limekilns gallops in Newmarket and there were no hesitations afterwards from the trainer when pressed as to how regular jockey James McDonald will ride him next weekend.

"He'll be on the speed," said O'Shea. "He's a leader and he's a big, tough, hard-knocking horse. He likes to gallop, has great gate speed and will be right up on the bunny."

Holler had also held an entry in the five-furlong King's Stand Stakes at the Royal meeting, but his trainer is convinced the extra distance in next Saturday's Diamond Jubilee will suit him much better.

O'Shea said: "He's very wintry (in his coat), but he seemed to handle that bit of work so I'm happy enough with that.

"He's been here about a week, and there have been no issues with his travelling and he's back to his racing weight.

"He's a horse that likes to control his races and probably at five furlongs he does not have that luxury. He has more chance to get in his rhythm over six furlongs."

Holler has a lot to live up to being a sprinter from Down Under charged with the task of representing the country that has produced the likes of Takeover Target and Miss Andretti, but O'Shea feels there's every reason to be optimistic.

He said: "He's a good horse, maybe one tier down from some of the best Australian sprinters around but he's a multiple weight-for-age performer in Australia so that, by definition, means that if he can bring his A-game then he'll be competitive."

O'Shea oversees a massive operation at his yard in Randwick, New South Wales, with close to 400 horses on the books, but admits he still has plenty to learn when it comes to preparing horses for England's top summer Flat festival.

"I'm still learning my craft when it comes to Ascot. It's a new experience for us all but it's something John (Ferguson, Godolphin racing manager) would like us to achieve on an annual basis. We've got to have horses good enough, though.

"It's very difficult knowing exactly where to work them and how to work them. Ideally we didn't want to be running up steep inclines with horses that are not used to it so it's been a learning experience for sure, for the whole team.

"Ascot is a very good draining track and from what I gather it doesn't seem to get very wet. It's not as if it's going to be bottomless so I'd have thought he'll be fine.

"I would suggest the July Cup would be doubtful after this meeting. He's had a long campaign, he ran in the Australia Stakes (Moonee Valley, January 23) and here we are in the middle of June and he's still active. At some stage we've got to give him a break."

Holler is an 11/1 chance with Sky Bet for the Diamond Jubilee Stakes, with Magical Memory heading the betting at 5/1.