David Probert Saturday Blog | Ascot
13:40 Ascot – Sukanya
I was taken aback by Sukanya’s performance on her debut at Newbury last month. She looked professional in everything she did that day, and the way she quickened inside the final couple of furlongs suggests she is smart.
Jack Channon thinks a lot of this filly, which is why he is stepping her up to this level. This is going to be a much tougher challenge for her, but if she can take another step forward, she could land some valuable prize money.
14:20 Ascot – Glittering Surf
Glittering Stuff began her career with back-to-back victories on the all-weather at Kempton. On her last start at York, she ran in a Listed race, but unfortunately, she was a little keen and the ground was too quick for her.
We had some decent targets for this filly this season, but we had to go back to the drawing board following the run at York. Hopefully, she can get back on track with a big performance here. My only concern is if the track gets any faster. Ideally, we’d like a little rain overnight to soften things up a little.
15:00 Ascot – Pals Battalion
Pals Battalion has been a consistent sprinter this season. He had some great form on the all-weather earlier in the year, and he has gone close a couple of times on turf. This is a very competitive heritage handicap, and in these sorts of races, you always need a little luck.
We have been drawn into stall one, and I am not sure if that is a good draw or not. Hopefully, he will be on the right side of the track, and he can use his pace to good effect.
15:35 Ascot – Fearnot
Fearnot is only a little horse, and we have been very impressed with what he has produced so far. He finished third of 30 runners in the Britannia Stakes, going down by just half a length. I thought I was on the winner in that race in the final furlong, but we just got collared for the first two places.
This colt clearly enjoys the 1m trip at Ascot. I’d ride him positively again, and I think he has a great chance of another success at this course. I am excited to get back on board.
16:45 Ascot – Belcamo
Belcamo has been over hurdles on his last six starts. Prior to that, he had some decent form on the Flat, including a victory over this 1m4f distance. We do need to concede weight to the rest of the field, but he should be fit, and there will be no doubts about his stamina.
King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes
There are only five runners in this year’s King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, but it is a strong renewal, and it is a tough race to call. We have the front two from the Coronation Cup at Epsom. There is very little between those two horses.
A lot of respect must be given to Rebel’s Romance for what he has achieved around the world. He has picked up huge prize money across the globe. He is seven years old now, but he remains one of the best 1m4f horses in the world.
I also like Andrew Balding’s filly, Kalpana. She has run two big races in Ireland this season. She will be getting 3lb from the opposite sex here, and she has run well at Ascot before. It’s an absolute cracker.
David Probert, Coral Racing Ambassador