Four key lessons learned from day two of Royal Ascot

Newcastle nuggets

There were nuggets aplenty in those first few days of racing at Newcastle after resumption.

Frankly Darling hinted at it when landing the Ribblesdale on Tuesday and Dark Vision and Sir Busker confirmed it 24 hours later by taking the Royal Hunt Cup and its consolation race, 15 days after fighting out the finish of a comeback mile handicap at Gosforth Park.

That augurs well for Newcastle winners Dubai Station and Palace Pier when they tackle Group 1 assignments later this week.

Draw dilemma

The opening Silver Royal Hunt Cup suggested a high draw is a must for the remainder of the week with the first four coming from stalls 18, 17, 21 and 19 in the 22-runner race.

The first seven home in the Royal Hunt Cup raced on the stands’ side, although runner-up Montatham joined the group from stall five and winner Dark Vision was drawn in stall 11.

Sir Busker leads close home under Oisin Murphy in the Silver Hunt CupCredit: Edward Whitaker

Eighteen runners in the Windsor Castle raced towards the stands’ side, with winner Tactical drawn in stall 20, but the runner-up and fourth came from stalls five and one. While there is no denying a stands’ side run is favourable, a low draw is not a definitive barrier to a big run on the straight course.

Held-up, no problem

While it appears an advantage to be drawn near the stands’ side, there is no favourable racing style with Sir Busker and Dark Vision showing that hold-up performers can go well in big-field handicaps when the gaps open at the right times.

Sir Busker had plenty to do when switched left over a furlong out in the Silver Royal Hunt Cup but powered home to seal a three-quarter length win under Oisin Murphy.

William Buick repeated the feat aboard Dark Vision in the Hunt Cup, in which the first three raced in rear early on, while Hampton Court winner Russian Emperor and Prince Of Wales’s Stakes scorer Lord North were others held up and produced with a telling run.

Windsor Castle pointers to Eye’s Norfolk claims

The ready victory of Tactical in the Windsor Castle Stakes was a positive for backers of Norfolk Stakes favourite Eye Of Heaven.

Eye Of Heaven: favourite for the Norfolk Stakes on Friday

Tactical finished two lengths behind Eye Of Heaven on debut at Newmarket. He was slightly hampered that day and stepped up on his first start, while Eye Of Heaven’s winning effort can also be marked up as he raced away from the stands’ side rail.

The runner-up that day, Get It, also boosted the form when fourth behind Tactical on Wednesday.

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