Royal Ascot Day Four Blog | David Probert, Hugo Palmer and Jim Crowley
In our Royal Ascot Day Four Coral Racing Ambassador Blog Hugo Palmer, Jim Crowley and David Probert give their thoughts on their runners and rides on Friday.
HUGO PALMER: 'I'VE MADE NO SECRET OF HOW MUCH THIS FILLY EXCITES ME'
14:30 Royal Ascot – Fitzella
I’ve made no secret of how much this filly excites me, and she didn’t disappoint when running a huge race to finish second at Ascot on debut. The winner that day, Military Code, didn’t do an awful lot for the form with his run in the Coventry Stakes here on Tuesday, but the Godolphin horses didn’t run that well all day, so I’m not reading too much into that.
Our filly then went to Haydock and won really nicely, beating a highly regarded Al Shaqab newcomer. She hasn’t missed a beat since Haydock, and has pleased me in everything she’s done at home. We’re drawn in the middle of horses, which should be no disadvantage at all, and I hope she can come here and show everyone why I am so excited by her.
JIM CROWLEY: 'THIS IS ONE OF OUR BIG HOPES FOR THE WEEK'
15:40 Royal Ascot – Mutaawid
Mutaawid went up ten pounds for his win two runs ago, so in the circumstances he ran a decent race to finish fifth at Epsom last time. He’s up in trip here, but he’s won over it previously so that’s no issue. We led at Epsom but it wasn’t an uncontested lead and I’m not sure he enjoyed that, so we’ll look to drop in more here. It’s a big field and typically competitive, but he’s a talented horse on his day and has each-way chances.
16:20 Royal Ascot – Falakeyah
This is one of our big hopes for the week. She’s won her two starts really well, it was good to firm at Newmarket last time so the ground will be fine for her. We are dropping back two furlongs to a mile, but I was all in favour of that, as she showed so much speed in the Pretty Polly.
I said after that race I didn’t think she was a mile and a half Oaks filly, so Epsom never really was an option, and she was a possible for the French Oaks, but had a slight setback which ruled that out anyway, so she’s been supplemented for this.
She is a very unexposed filly, we still don't know how good she is and that means our opposition here doesn't know either. What I do know is she's one of the most exciting fillies I've ever sat on and I hope she can show that here.
DAVID PROBERT: 'I RATE THIS AS ONE OF MY BEST CHANCES OF THE WEEK'
17:00 Royal Ascot – Alfareqa
This is a lightly raced filly who has only had three runs so far. It is great to pick up a spare ride for Shadwell, and fortunately, I can get down to 8st 6lb to be on board. I rate this as one of my best chances of the week.
She broke her maiden at Doncaster on her second start, and although she failed to follow that up at Leicester last month, it was another smart performance, as she finished second behind Pina Sonata who runs in the Group One Falmouth Stakes next month.
Fortunately, we have been handed a nice high draw. Owen Burrows is a great trainer to ride for, and I am so excited for this ride.
18:10 Royal Ascot – Enola Holmes
This filly has been running over 7f, but she has been unable to settle. She now drops down to 5f for the Palace Of Holyroodhouse Stakes, and this trip might suit her better.
She was sixth in the Fred Darling earlier this season and she has plenty of experience now. We are one of the outsiders in the field, but it would be great for the owners if she could run a big race.
Coral Racing Ambassadors, Royal Ascot Day Four