June 20th: Royal Ascot: Winner at Maisons-Laffitte on his only run, Suits You, a son of Youmzain, just held on from a fast-finishing and arguably unlucky Ballydoyle in the Chesham. The runner-up has improved plenty from an inauspicious start at the Curragh and as a filly against colts has performed well. The step up in trip suited Sixth Sense who only gave best inside the last furlong. Palawan improved greatly on his Leicester debut in fourth. Force is too hot-headed for his own good at present. Tonkinese was squeezed out at a crucial moment but looked to be running on the spot at the time.

In the Listed Wolferton Handicap, for the first time this season the draw was kind to Mahsoob. Racing from 106 he made it count, although he took his time (a trait of his) on a course that with its short straight did not play to his strengths. Chances are he will improve again for another two furlongs. The winning margin should not be taken literally and he remains on any positive list.

In winning the Hardwicke, one of the showpieces of the meeting, Snow Sky punched a hole in established form. Making all at a moderate pace, he quickened off the bend to hold two supposedly faster rivals: Eagle Top and Postponed. Okay, the race was not run to suit the second and third, they were too free early and their jockeys seemed intent on what the other was up to as opposed to riding a race; but to be fair to the winner, he does seem to have improved from three to four. Telescope was one of the first to crack. These were too good for him.

It was America from Australia in the Diamond Jubilee. Undrafted – fourth in the July Cup to Slade Power last year on his only other appearance in this country – came through late to head Brazen Beau, who ran a monster race on his own on the stands’ side. Astaire ran the race of his life in third. The older sprinters from this country are not up to scratch, so look out for a boil-over in the July Cup.

The consistent Interception – a lover of fast ground – landed something of a gamble in the Wokingham. There were good efforts from Watchable and Gameshow but, at this level in such desperately keen handicaps, it is hard to hit the scoreboard once your mark flattens out.

Oriental Fox returned to action successfully when landing the final event – the Queen Alexandra. What can you say? After a year’s absence from a yard capable of producing their charges fit if nothing else, he outstayed those in behind.

June 19th: Royal Ascot: In the Albany, a patient ride from Richard Hughes paid dividends on Illuminate, who, travelling smoothly throughout picked up those at the head of the pack that folded after such a fierce gallop. This was a major step up for a filly that had won a Salisbury maiden.

After two promising runs Balios earned his payday with victory in the Group 2 King Edward. A solid second last time at Newmarket, he is a most attractive proposition that relished the step up in trip. Mr Singh and Father Christmas were next to finish. It was good to see improvement from Ol’ Man River in the tongue-tie. Not so good to see Stravagante finish distressed.

The tinder box that was the Commonwealth Cup went to Greenham winner Muhaarar who, dropped back to six fairly scooted clear after a red-hot pace was set. Limato headed a top class field in second, ahead of Anthem Alexander and Salt Island. Back on this fast ground he showed what he is capable of. He reversed form with Adaay, who was not beaten far. Tiggy Wiggy and Hootenanny (has won over a mile in America) were burned off. Once again Tendu fluffed the start but made up plenty of ground to finish on the heels of the principals. She needs to sort out her antics at the stalls in which case she can win a major event.

In a driving finish the French Guineas winner Ervedya wore down Found close home with a late-closing lunge in the Coronation Stakes. Lucida was a close third, always chasing the leaders from the rear and never quite reaching them. There were a lot of potential negatives for Found to overcome here (trip, ground and the fact she has not recovered last year’s top class form). She has run well and may be better over 1m 2f – the Lupe at Goodwood springs to mind as an obvious target. Arabian Queen battled bravely once headed. She is not quite up to this standard but is not far below it.

Richard Hughes made it look easy in a rough Duke Of Edinburgh Handicap. Out from his wide draw and always perfectly placed, he kept it simple to hold Ajman Bridge (deserves to land a race such as this) and Astronereus.

Back to action after his second in the Racing Post as a juvenile, under the strongest drive from Ryan Moore Aloft lifted the Queen’s Vase. Apparently he was not cherry-ripe for this and will presumably improve for racing. He is a tough little nut.

18th June: Royal Ascot: Fast ground was no problem for Waterloo Bridge who picked up the two big guns to win the Norfolk. A winner at Tipperary on his fourth start, he seems to be getting better with racing. Of the market leaders, Log Out Island got the better of King Of Rooks (seemed to stumble a furlong out); it is possible they did too much too early. Riflescope was a close fourth, slightly devaluing the form. After a slow start Ajaya recovered to finish on the heels of the first five and should be sharper next time.

Good horses look good and make it all seem easy. Time Test did that with a smooth display in the Group 3 Stakes. Always travelling as if on an oiled rail, he quickened impressively to mow down Peacock and Mustadeem, with Disegno in fourth. With the three behind him all representing Golden Horn’s form, we should not underestimate Time Test, who could easily be a Group 1 contender.

Godolphin attempted to be clever in the Ribblesdale by setting a moderate pace on Entertainment into order to help Pleascach to get home. The reasoning was sound but they reckoned without the tough Curvy, who picked up from the turn to outstay and outgun the Irish Guineas runner-up. Pamona, buffeted in a rough last two furlongs by the first two in the straight, stayed on strongly in third in what was a good renewal.

What a season it has been for Trip To Paris! Unlucky at Kempton in March from a mark of 88, here he won the Group 1 Ascot Gold Cup. His strength is a turn of foot that he can exploit at the end of 1m 4f or 2m 4f. Held up he once again weaved through his field to hit the front a furlong out and stride clear. Kingfisher did not have the best of runs, but the winner is deceptive and could easily confirm this form. Forgotten Rules may have done better with an easier surface.

Bouncing off the tarmac, dropped in class, War Envoy continued a tremendous run for all concerned in the Britannia. Out of the money, Quick Defence who only broke his maiden a fortnight ago and another to handle the ground, finished second on the stands’ side and is capable of netting a mid-season handicap of this nature.

Space Age made all from a wide draw in the King George Handicap. His will-to-win served him well at Newmarket last time and once again here as he found plenty on more than one occasion. Lightly-raced Scottish was the last challenger. Marma’s Boy, Rocky Rider and King Bolete ran creditably under the circumstances in a handicap where the principals normally pay the price in rating terms.

June 17th: Royal Ascot: Ivawood stretched his losing run to close on a year in the Jersey. His penalty always threatened to make life tough but maybe three hard races this season and quick ground was his undoing. A consistent two-year-old, Dutch Connection successfully defied his 3lbs penalty in what proved a rough contest. The filly, Fadayyil, was second – this drop back to seven obviously suited. Bossy Guest again ran well. Fanciful Guest was staying on; Toscanini travelled but may be a sprinter; Sir Isaac Newton got no run when needed; Hathal stayed on and will do better.

Pre-race confidence in Acapulco was justified in spades when, held onto by Ryan Moore, once unleashed she blitzed the Queen Mary field. A big filly that is apparently much better on turf than dirt, she is all speed. Easton Angel chased her in vain but still ran well. Having been switched Besharah finished third. She might appreciate an extra furlong. Kurland stepped up massively on her maiden debut in fourth.

A decent two-year-old (at one-time considered as a Guineas prospect – ran in the Oaks at three but didn’t stay), Amazing Maria came back to her best and some to win the Group 2. Rizeena, who comes alive here and does not like Newmarket, was second in a race that unpicked itself in running. Cladocera and Bragging were third and fourth. The rest were virtual non-runners. Euro Charline refused to load; Integral ran flat; Lightning Thunder was too free.

On his fifth run and never out of the first two, Free Eagle came back to land a massive payday in the Prince of Wales. Fragile and beset with difficulty, this was a major training performance from a master. Neat rather than small, but not over big, Free Eagle (the horse that was touted as the one to lower Australia’s colours last year) has an engine and is expected to improve for this his first run since last year’s Champion. The Grey Gatsby was possibly unlucky in that the gap did not come and he was in front a stride after the line. Western Hymn, a reformed character this year, ran another blinder in third. The much improved Criterion was very close in fourth, making up ground from a slow pace.

Perfectly produced by Ryan Moore, an always travelling GM Hopkins pounced late to lift the Hunt Cup. He is very effective on fast ground. Temptress, Chil The Kite, Balty Boys, Speculative Bid (not a trouble-free passage) and American Hope were on the heels of the winner.

To a degree Always Smile threw away the Listed, after hitting the front and jinking. This allowed Osaila to lunge late. Touchline recovered from a slow start and was also unfortunate. Jellicle Ball was fourth.

June 16th: Royal Ascot: It’s ten out of the last eleven for Solow, who, always in the first three, committed early, battling when challenged on ground plenty firm enough. He is high class. Esoterique, who ran the race of her life, was a surprise runner-up. Equipped with a tongue-tie for the first time, Cougar Mountain responded to urgings in the closing stages to rattle home for third. He is not short of ability (not beaten far in several Group 1s) but the fact remains he has only as yet won a maiden. The ground was blamed for a tame effort from Night Of Thunder; whilst Able Friend lost the race in the paddock.

Six races in and Buratino, a revelation over six furlongs last time at Epsom, confirmed it was no fluke when repeating the dose in the Coventry. He has improved dramatically since his debut at Chelmsford in March (has ever a winner of this started so humbly?). He is not bred to stay beyond a mile. Air Force Blue burst through to hit the front momentarily but lacked the zip of the winner. Nevertheless, this was a step in the right direction and he is a fine specimen of whom more will be heard. Eltezam – much more effective on fast ground – was third, Beaverbrook fourth. Age Of Empire was not disgraced. Round Two ran below expectations. War Department (slow to start but beaten a long way) and Sir Roger Moore (pulled too hard) found this all too much but both have the ability to improve if getting their acts together.

Goldream, impressive in the Palace House at Newmarket but a flop in the Temple, inched out Medicean Man and Muthmir (has to be considered a top sprinter) in the Kings Stand. Now eight, time might be running out for Sole Power. As a Group 1 this did fall a little short.

In the final sprint it was all Gleneagles in the St James’s Palace. With a super action and a killer kick to match, he dominated on the quickening ground, winning with ears pricked. Latharnach passed pace-setter Consort inside the final furlong. French Guineas winner Make Believe fired blanks on this occasion. Maybe the ground was against him.

It was Clondaw Warrior from Fun Mac and Elishpour in the Ascot Stakes: all laid out for this as you have to be.

Second to Coventry disappointment Round Two last time, Washington DC narrowly prevailed in the Windsor Castle under another Ryan Moore drive. It was touch and go as Areen, who threw away any chance he had in the National Stakes, delivered a very strong and sustained challenge inside the final furlong. Steady Pace, another National Stakes casualty in that the race at Sandown was not run to suit, was third. His position pays a compliment to King Of Rooks. Soapy Aitken was a well-fancied fourth in what looked a keen renewal. The American filly Ruby Notion exited the stalls as if on fire and under the circumstances did well to hang on for fifth. Not beaten far (seven lengths or thereabouts), Nelspruit – behind Buratino at Epsom – gives credence to his win in the Coventry.

June 13th: Sandown: Awesome Power provided Her Majesty with a birthday winner in the Class 3 handicap. Difficult to evaluate on his form from last year, receiving 11lbs from Western Reserve (a horse with a similar profile going into this) he quickened nicely.

Basem was always clawing back the principals in the Class 2 handicap, getting up near the finish to win with something in hand. Still lightly-raced you would think there was more to come. Jacob Black and Master The World ran up to form from their last meeting in second and third. For the prize-money this was not as competitive as the numbers suggested beforehand.

The Listed Scurry Stakes was all about Waady, who is three from three at the Esher track over this five furlongs. Expertly handled by Dane O’Neill, who knows him well, he was much too good for Profitable. Likely looked edgy.

A strong message for Classic Win in the class 3 handicap proved wonky in every respect. Reluctant to load, he pulled too hard and predictably fizzled but didn’t stay anyway! Godolphin has developed into a horror show! The other message, Grand Inquisitor, did it all right and won nicely.

At York Easier ground helped Top Notch Tonto to return to form in the Listed. Gabrial and Fire Ship were no match on this occasion. Wannabe Yours pulled too hard.

Twilight Son maintained his unbeaten sequence in the Charity Sprint. The drop of rain will have helped but he is a quality sprinter, winning today from 94. His trainer (responsible for Limato) will be pleased to back in the numbers. Talking horse Scalzo (colty in the paddock) found this too much.

Online Alexander forfeited her chance when rearing at the start in the Scottish Sprint at Musselburgh. Under the circumstances she did well to run through the field and is worth another chance in a similar handicap.
Behind Queen Mary hopeful Besharah on debut at Ascot, Ejaazah showed plenty of pace to win the juvenile at Chester. She looks a nursery type.

12th June: York: The only filly in the juvenile maiden, the pint-sized Rosina came out best in a race that did not look out of the ordinary. After a slow start Geno scrambled into second, ahead of Kodimoor. Secret Ambition lacks pace and may do better stepped up to six.

Sandown: Last of ten on debut, Albernathy looked a different horse when cruising to the front in the seven furlong maiden and resisting a sustained challenge from Von Blucher. The runner-up should win next time; the winner will probably face a stiff test at somewhere like Newmarket’s July course. Third-placed See You When showed promise, as did Machine Learner in fourth. Well-backed Inherent Vice ran like a lunatic.

Rembrandt Van Rijn saw out his race well to win the Class 3 handicap from a mark of 90. Although not a strong handicap he won it the hard way and looks on the upgrade. Field Of Fame was not as keen as at York but did not find much when asked. Following promise at Newbury after a year off he appears to be treading water.

According to his stable Muntadab is can improve on his narrow win in the Class 4 handicap. Word has it he is considerably better than a 78-rated horse.

June 11th: Newbury: Newcomers Twin Sails and John Splendid fought out a tight finish for the opening maiden over six furlongs. House Of Commons shaped nicely in third after bouncing out and staying on once headed.

Second at Goodwood last time to a smart filly in Speedy Boarding when upped in trip, against less exulted company she was able to dictate in her maiden over ten furlongs. She is bred for this kind of trip and will probably stay further. Gold Sands plugged on but the ground looked plenty lively enough. She should soon shed her maiden tag, possibly over twelve furlongs. La Boheme was third. Excuses were made last time but this looks to be the extent of her ability.

Speedy Boarding continues on the upgrade; her win in the Listed confirms as much on only her third start. A strong filly she was too good for her rivals and is learning her craft all the time.

June 6th: Epsom: Last seen when a distant third to Jack Hobbs at Sandown, a confidently-ridden Stravagante made a mockery of his mark of 89 in the ten furlong handicap. Clearly he has improved tremendously since last in action and he looks very smart.

Not quickly away but once unleashed, Buratino (who seems to have improved for a sixth furlong) cleared away from the useful Nelspruit to win the Listed Woodcote in style. Beaten five lengths by King Of Rooks last time in the National Stakes and a similar distance by Log Out Island at Ascot, this emphatic success obviously pays a major compliment to those two. Nelspruit kept on for second, but once the winner kicked found himself in his exhaust. After only one run Aleko was fazed by the whole experience and this is best forgotten.

The travesty that was the Coronation Cup (£212,000 on offer but only four runners – the credible participants coming from France) was won by Pether’s Moon, hitherto only a Group 3 horse at best. Dolniya attempted to make all, flicking her ears throughout and not looking entirely comfortable on either the track or the ground. She disposed of last year’s runner-up Flintshire but ended up as a sitting-duck inside the last furlong.

Bookmakers got their result in the Dash when former Kingsclere-trained Desert Law – now down to an all-time low mark of 89 – blitzed clear of Monsieur Joe, Boom The Groom and Steps, who as usual only got going when it was all but over.

Well done to all concerned with Golden Horn! He won The Derby like a top class animal, vindicating the decision to switch targets from the French equivalent to take on this extra yardage. He took it in his stride under a cool ride, confirming Dante form with runner-up Jack Hobbs. Storm The Stars continued an upward profile to finish third, Giovanni Canaletto fourth. The fiery Epicuris was fifth. Of the rest Elm Park was too free early; pacemaker Hans Holbein was sacrificed for his better fancied stable mates. There were no excuses in behind.

It turned out to be mission impossible for Oasis Fantasy in the Class 2 handicap. Well back from a wide draw he was switched and finished like an express train. He has not had the rub of the green so far this season and will presumably face another weight rise. Blue Surf got first run and lasted. Gothic ran well in second, only just ahead of the unfortunate Oasis Fantasy.

Last year’s winner, Ashpan Sam repeated the dose in the concluding Class 2 handicap over six furlongs. That’s another Derby meeting for another year. Next big show is in twelve days’ time at Royal Ascot…

June 5th: Epsom: A step up in trip proved ideal for the little ball that is Arabian Queen, who made all and quickened clear of some indifferent fillies in the Group 3 over a mile. Better company found out Crowley’s Law, who still performed with credit, whilst Odeliz could once again manage no better than a place.

The excellent Edward Greatex proved the worth of his claim when steering Elbereth to victory from out of the handicap in the Class 2 handicap. She held on by a diminishing margin from penalised Fire Fighting. Master Of Finance was third. The reliable Spirit Of The Law ran as if he may be about to hit form. Seagull Star looks a dodge.

Class got Arod home in the Group 3 Diomed but his gassy nature meant he had to do it the hard way. Atzeni gave him a canny and sympathetic ride. A horse with plenty of ability, he is the sort to run well in Group 1 races when there is a packet of pace to help smother his keenness. With a 5lbs penalty, Custom Cut did best of the rest.

In a messy finish for the handicap, Abseil found the 7lb hike from last year when winning this event just too much. He did not look entirely happy but was closing at the finish behind course winner Gratzie and Merry Me.

In a strong renewal of the Oaks, Qualify ran down hotpot Legatissimo in the Oaks. Such a success was hardly foreseeable but, having accelerated to pass her field in a hundred yards, Legatissimo wilted close home but you couldn’t categorically say she failed to stay. That said her pace suggests ten furlongs will be preferable next time. Lady Of Dubai stayed on well for third, lacking the turn of foot to grasp the first two inside the last furlong. Even so it was a big effort, particularly from her outside draw. It was a rough ride in behind. Legatissimo created a chain reaction when checking Jack Naylor (already beaten) who rolled on to Together Forever, who in turn bashed Diamond And Rubies (rallied well). Both sufferers looked held at the time but were almost knocked sideways. Crystal Zvezda ruined her chances by pulling throughout and has to be given another chance. Her run here illustrates what a big ask it is for inexperienced horses in the amphitheatre that is Epsom on such a big day.

With a 4lb penalty Code Red won the Listed Surrey Stakes, run at a cut-and-thrust pace from the outset. The pack was closing but never threatened to get there. Mister Universe and Secret Brief (Consort’s form) headed the rest, with promise shown by Hail The Hero in fourth.

Al Bandar wound up the day with some cheer for punters and plenty for his jockey (De Sousa rode a hat trick) and his trainer: Simon Crisford.