Dawn Approach, who assumed favouritism for Royal Ascot‘s Coventry Stakes with an authoritative victory at Naas on Monday, may sidestep that contest in order to wait for the seven-furlong Chesham Stakes on the final day of the meeting.
The unusual conditions of the Chesham, a Listed race restricted to horses whose sires have won over further 10 furlongs, mean that the contest can frequently be one of the weakest events of the week at the Royal meeting.
But stamina appears the strong suit of Dawn Approach, who rallied in determined fashion at the furlong-pole when challenged by the Richard Hannon-trained Mister Marc and pulled clear.
The stiff finish at Naas certainly appeared to suit Dawn Approach and trainer Jim Bolger was left considering his Ascot options, the Derby victory of his sire, New Approach, qualifying the colt for both contests.
“He has the choice of the Coventry or the Chesham and he’ll go for one or the other,” said Bolger. “Kevin [Manning, the jockey] said they went five-furlong pace the whole way. It was a fierce gallop but he stuck at it well.
“Trip doesn’t really matter to him. Like most horses, he would like better ground. That was a little bit loose but he handled soft ground at the Curragh and he’s fairly versatile, ground-wise. He’s got a great temperament.”
Parish Hall, a Derby contender until struck by injury on the eve of his intended reappearance in last month’s Irish 2,000 Guineas, will not make Royal Ascot, with Bolger reporting: “He has a small wound where the infection broke out and it will take time.”
While speculation continues as to which Group One contests Camelot will take in over the months ahead, it was the thought of just one that kept Willie Muir buzzing. Muir’s difficult start to the campaign yielded just a seventh victory when the 14-1 chance Saint Hilary took the fillies’ maiden here.
However, as this followed a positive performance from Muir’s stable star, Stepper Point, in the Group Two sprint at Chantilly 24 hours earlier, the trainer was left with high hopes.
“Only last week, I had three come back sick horses with bad scopes and it’s been a terrible, terrible time, but I’m just hoping the worst is over now,” he said.
“This filly could be very good but we’ll take our time rather than doing anything silly like running her in the Ribblesdale [at Royal Ascot] because I like her a lot.
“The one I really do think could be the best I’ve ever had is Stepper Point and when he got beaten at Newmarket first time out this season, I cried most of the way home. I was devastated because the only horse I’ve ever had that works like him is Averti [who was second in the Prix de l’Abbaye in 1998].
“But he ran a nice race to be second to Wizz Kid and Christophe Soumillon said, if we took him back to Longchamp at the end of the season, we could win the Abbaye with him, as he felt he still just needed the run.
“We got offered serious, serious money for him at the end of last season but the owners have been brilliant and said they wanted to see the project through. Without that kind of support, you might as well pack up. It means a lot and I’d love to win a Group One with him.”
Victory at any level is never an outcome to be taken for granted, as Wayne Rooney is finding out from his first steps into racehorse ownership.
Pippy, one of three horses the footballer and his wife, Coleen, have put into training with Tom Dascombe this season, has yet to beat a rival after trailing home last of seven at Carlisle, 10 lengths behind his closest rival.
Bought for £60,000 just two months ago, Pippy can only improve on his efforts so far.