'I'd love to see her have a crack at the Sandringham' - Royal Ascot eyecatchers

Royal Ascot is just over a fortnight away and the clues have been coming thick and fast in the last few weeks.

There were several who caught the eye over the last few days with the royal meeting in mind and here are four who could make a name for themselves at the big banquet in Berkshire.

Wodao, Windsor Castle

Southern Hills was beaten twice before winning the Windsor Castle in 2019, so don't let the fact Wodao has been beaten three times put you off this year.

The speedy son of Showcasing bumped into The Antarctic at Tipperary and again at Naas, acquitting himself very well on both occasions. That said, he looked an improved operator at Navan on Saturday when he won the 5f maiden by almost four lengths.

Wodao and Gavin Ryan win the 5f maiden at NavanCredit: Patrick McCann

He was properly pestered for the early lead by Bossy Parker, yet he still managed to quicken again at the 2f pole when Gavin Ryan asked him to stride on. That impressed me and the winning time was quicker than the handicap later on the card too.

Unibet introduced him at 10-1 for the Windsor Castle and that seems fair enough. Ascot will suit him and I could see his taking a bit of catching over the minimum trip.

Watch a replay of Wodao's impressive victory at Navan

Zanbaq, Sandringham

Zanbaq had to work harder than expected to justify her skimpy price in a pretty poor novice stakes at Haydock on Friday, but she was keen and it turned into a sprint over a trip that was on the sharp side, so she still strikes me as a very well-handicapped filly off a mark of 99.

Zanbaq impresses under Dane O'Neill at HaydockCredit: John Grossick

I would love Roger Varian to have a crack at the Sandringham with her as that sort of test would be right up her street.

Zanbaq did remarkably well to win her sole start at two as she missed the break at Kempton and her second start in a Listed event at Goodwood was packed full of promise.

The way she was supported there suggests connections think she is a stakes filly, so a mark of 99 certainly catches the eye. She had more ability than her rating is letting on.

Watch Zanbaq's eyecatching run at Haydock

Statuette, Albany Stakes

The 9-2 offered by bet365 for the Albany immediately after her stylish maiden win at Navan didn't last long, but the general 3-1 available on Statuette remains much too big. She is a 6-4 shot in my book.

She's out of the unbeaten Triple Crown winner Justify and the double Group 1 winner Immortal Verse, and everything about her screams superstar. She was getting into top gear only when the line came at Navan and, although she won by three lengths, she was six clear 50 yards after the line and Ryan Moore had a job pulling her up.

There is some substance to the form too, as the runner-up was only just beaten in a Curragh maiden previously. Statuette is as good a juvenile as I have clapped eyes on this season.

'She's got an incredible pedigree' – sizzling Statuette the new Albany favourite

Yashin, King George V Stakes

In the immediate aftermath of Yashin's emphatic success in the feature premier handicap at Navan on Saturday, Jessica Harrington wasn't sure whether the son of Churchill would be high enough to get into any of the handicaps at Royal Ascot, and if she may have to go down the Queen's Vase route instead.

Yashin and Shane Foley land the spoils at NavanCredit: Caroline Norris

She shouldn't have worried and, to these eyes, he has the King George V Stakes written all over him.

Tashkhan got into it last year off 86, so Yashin, who won off that mark at Navan, is already guaranteed to get in you'd imagine.

The extra two furlongs there ought to bring about further improvement and you would have to love the way Yashin found more when Vina Sena tried to lunge late. There was plenty left in the locker.

Watch Yashin seal victory at Navan on Saturday

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