13:15 Tritonic
Alan King’s runner disappointed when last seen in the Zetland Handicap at Newmarket last October but prior to that had put up a smart performance when winning at Newbury.
He looks fairly weighted off a rating of 95 and can start his season on a winning note in the opener.
13:50 Dream Castle
A top-class performer in his younger years and still capable of a bold show, especially now he drops down to Listed company. The in-form jockey William Buick takes the ride for the first time and that is a positive. There are plenty of runners in this contest on a recovery mission, but Dream Castle may have been overlooked in the market.
He can grab a slice of the action at huge odds.
14:25 Monarch of Egypt
Aidan O’Brien’s runner showed a fair level of form in decent company as a juvenile and showed he had trained on when putting up an eye-catching performance despite being out of the frame in the Irish 2,000 Guineas last weekend. He was all dressed up with nowhere to go at the two-furlong marker but couldn’t get out of the pocket he was traped in.
He basically finished on the bridle behind a bunched-up pack and the drop down to the long sprint of 7 furlongs looks ideal for him now.
15:00 First Prophet
Owned in partnership by he former footballer Dexter Blacklock who was still green when making a winning debut at Newbury. He only got the message late on about what his job entails when quickening clear in the closing stages.
All runner have had just the one run and are open to any amount of improvement. He impressed with his laid-back attitude and should have taken that first start in his stride and matured mentally and physically.
15:35 Stradivarius
This winning machine has already beaten most of these on plenty of occasions, including when winning the last two Ascot Gold Cups. Provided the ground doesn’t come up too soft, he looks like being the cornerstone too many multiples on Thursday.
16:10 Khaloosy
Roger Varian’s colt improved dramatically from his first start to his second last season, when running out an emphatic winner at Wolverhampton when eased down to win by four and a half lengths.
He’s lightly-raced and has a beautiful pedigree also and looks to have quite a bit of early pace drawn around him in stall 19. This will help to drag him into the contest where it matters at the business end.
16:40 African Dream
John Gosden’s runner will be at the top of the market after just failing to give away a 7lb penalty at Newbury to a much higher-rated runner in Stylistique.
It’s a rare opportunity for her rider Kieran O’Neill on the big stage and he is a massive part in the John Gosden operation so it’s only right he gets this chance.
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