O’Brien and Moore – the power combo (Pic – Racing TV)
Ryan Moore has enjoyed a terrific four days at Royal Ascot and the Betfair Ambassador gives his thoughts on his rides today.
The going is good to firm and the action kicks off on Gallop TV at 15h30.
- 15h30 – Bedtime Story
You couldn’t have asked for more from her than a smooth win on her debut at Leopardstown, and the fourth has come out and won well since. I rode in the race, and I thought it went like a decent contest, and she did it very well. You’d expect her to improve on that run here, and she clearly has a good chance.
- 16h05 – Continuous
We are obviously happy with him, or else he wouldn’t be here, and he has done plenty of work, but it is his first run back and that is definitely something to bear in mind as he takes on race-fit, in-form rivals. But I think it is fair to say he is just about the best of these on the evidence of his St Leger win and his Arc fifth, so we are hoping for the best. He is a very brave horse with the best form and he will improve for the race.
- 16h45 – The Wizard Of Eye
There is no stand-out in here, maybe Kinross, so a few will be fancying their chances. So I can see why Charlie [Fellowes] has gone for it with The Wizard Of Eye, and he impressed here on his return. That 7f handicap win only came off 99, so he was doing nothing that most of these could have done in the same position, but hopefully a strongly-run 6f can see him improve and put him in with a chance.
- 17h25 – River Tiber
He would not have been out of place in the St James’ Palace Stakes after a very encouraging third in the Irish Guineas on his return, but we thought this was a very good spot for him. As we saw last season, he doesn’t lack pace, and last year’s Coventry winner looks the clear form pick in this, along with Haatem, going into the race. Haatem finished over a length in front of us in Ireland but he carries a 3lb penalty here. Mountain Bear is not out of this, though, and nor are a few others like Task Force.
- 18h05 – Harry Three
Rated 110 a couple of years ago, he shaped promisingly enough on his return after a long absence at Salisbury, and he can race off 104 here. He is lightly-raced and handles the trip and ground, so he has his chance.
- 18h40 – Old Faithful
Cambridge definitely has his chance down in class off a mark of 100, but I ride the progressive Old Faithful , who has only gone up 6lb for his two victories of late, and he did it nicely for me at Navan last time. Both have fair shouts in what is obviously a very open handicap.
- 19h15 – Queenstown
I think he could well take all the beating in here, as he has shaped very well behind Kyprios on his last two starts. He obviously has his stamina to prove over this extreme test, but he could excel over it. We will see. Dawn Rising could be a dangerous opponent. I won this race on him last year. He has warmed up for this with two runs over 1m6f behind Kyprios and Queenstown, and this greater test of stamina is clearly going to suit.
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