THERE’s something rather dishy about Philippa Cooper, and one of racing’s top owner-breeders might just pull of an historic win at Ascot on Thursday afternoon.
Philippa owns SWEET WILLIAM (4.20) who lines up in the most prestigious race of week, the £650,000 Ascot Gold Cup.
AlamyRobert Havlin with Philippa Cooper will aim to land the Gold Cup with super Sweet William[/caption]
It’s time for a new kid on the Gold Cup block, with Kyprios now retired and his trainer Aidan O’Brien relying on Illinois.
The latter might just blow the field apart and, as well as being proven at the track with a Queen’s Vase win last year, has been really well backed ante-post.
However, Illinois, last year’s Gold Cup second Trawlerman and interesting French raider Candelari will have to be right at their best to deny Sweet William a place at the very least.
Last year Sweet William was rated 109 when third, but the six-year-old — who runs under the Normandie Stud banner — is now on a mark of 116, which shows you he’s better than ever.
Trainer John Gosden has his runners in great form and has already been in the winners this week, notably with fabulous Field Of Gold on the opening day.
Rab Havlin gets on well with Sweet William who goes on any ground and is a rock-solid each-way wager at around 7-1.
Day Three of Royal Ascot 2025 starts with the Group 2 Norfolk Stakes for colts over five furlongs.
WISE APPROACH (2.30) looked a machine on debut at this track which was good news for Godolphin as he cost 1,000,000gns.
The son of former Coventry second Mehmas was unable to carry a penalty against re-opposing First Legion at York next time, but that was over six furlongs and I suspect he will enjoy dropping back in distance.
He still promises much for Charlie Appleby and William Buick and is another fair each-way bet.
Up next is the mile-and-a-half King George V Handicap for three-year-olds.
The well-backed Merchant has a nasty draw to work from, otherwise he would have been a big fancy.
The one who interests me is the James Ferguson-handled GUNSHIP, owned by Qatar BS, China Horse Club and David Howden.
He has form with Sing Us A Song from Sandown where he looked badly in need of this longer trip as he stayed on well from the back of the field into third.
Stall ten looks a perfect position to work from and Oisin Murphy takes the ride which can only be positive.
Another Group 2 in the Ribblesdale for three-year-old fillies over 1m4f at 3.40pm.
None of these have a crazy high rating but SERENITY PRAYER should have more to give at this trip.
The Andrew Balding runner was impressive on debut at Newbury and then chased him Whirl in the Musidora at York where she stayed on strongly.
That gives big hopes for this distance and she’s bred to stay well being out of a Galileo mare. Murphy is on top again.
After the Gold Cup is the Britannia Handicap for three-year-olds over 1m.
CONSOLIDATION looks as though he will relish a step up in trip and he gets it here for Ralph Beckett and James Doyle.
Gelded at the end of last season, my selection returned with a battling success at Goodwood and gets the help of the Wathnan No1.
Hopefully a low draw is not a problem.
Up in class again now for the Group 3 Hampton Court Stakes for three-year-olds over 1m2f at 5.35pm.
Big chance here for Detain although he’s not a horse I like much as far as head carriage is concerned.
I’m happy to support TORNADO ALERT each-way for Saeed bin Suroor and the classy James McDonald.
The Guineas fourth and Derby sixth promises to be well suited by this intermediate trip and he has a perfect box to get a position from stall four.
Finally the Buckingham Palace Stakes Handicap over 7f.
WITCH HUNTER is down to 103 – the rating he had when taking this in 2023 – and he is an absolute specialist over this trip.
Last season he was fourth in the Group 1 Queen Anne when rated 109 so, while he has dropped 6lbs, is still just 2lb off top weight in this contest.
It could be tricky to win against some low-rated rivals sure to improve, but he really does have the ability to at least make a splash if he’s on a going day.
Sean Levey will be on top for Richard Hannon.
So best of luck and pray for Yeeehaaas!
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