'He goes there with a good chance' - key quotes for the Golden Gates Stakes

Saturday: 5.35 Royal Ascot
Golden Gates Stakes (Handicap) | 1m2f | 3yo | ITV/Sky

Introduced as part of the expanded programme in 2020, its two winners have both come from double-figure draws, suggesting that a high number is certainly not the disadvantage one might anticipate in big fields on the round course.

That means a berth in stall 13 might not be as unlucky as some would imagine for strongly fancied Missed The Cut, who graduates to handicaps on a mark of 95 – it was originally 92, but he’s been put up 3lb for standing in his box – after two impressive victories at Pontefract and Salisbury.

The form of his five-and-a-half-length Salisbury success has been advertised by the subsequent wins of the third, Balhambar, and the fourth, Daiquiri (in commanding fashion off 77 in his first handicap).

Trainer George Boughey has booked James McDonald to ride Missed The Cut, and it’s not difficult to see why bookmakers are running scared of him.

The John and Thady Gosden-trained Honiton is interesting on two counts. Firstly, he finished a highly creditable third to Wednesday’s Group 2 Queen’s Vase hero Eldar Eldarov over 1m2f at Newcastle last month.

Secondly, he simply bolted up by nine lengths in a Sandown maiden last Saturday, and there’s a strong likelihood he could be firmly on the upgrade.

Team Gosden also fields Aldous Huxley, who made a bold bid to land a Goodwood Listed race last time.

Time will tell that there was no disgrace in being caught by the strong-running Lionel, who promises to develop into a high-class stayer and, while it will need a Group 3-type performance from Aldous Huxley to win off a mark of 101, that possibility could not be ruled out.
Race analysis by Richard Birch

Falling Shadow one to keep on right side

Falling Shadow looked an upwardly mobile three-year-old with a bright future when he landed a Newbury maiden last month by two and a half lengths from Tuxedo Junction.

The son of Invincible Spirit surged clear passing the furlong pole, and went into numerous notebooks as a likely winner of a valuable handicap at a major meeting. He was gelded soon after that success.

Double Cherry, who finished third, bolted up in his first handicap by three lengths at Goodwood last Friday off a mark of 78 to give a timely boost to the form.

Falling Shadow’s trainer Charlie Appleby, who also runs Blue Trail, the mount of James Doyle, said: “William [Buick] was very impressed and complimentary when he got off Falling Shadow at Newbury, and this looks a good race for him.”

Blue Trail was withdrawn before an Epsom handicap on Derby Day after his rider was hit in the face by a rival horse at the start.

All-weather winners tend to fare well at Ascot, and the Teofilo colt, successful at Southwell and Kempton, looks a powerful second-string to Appleby’s bow.

The trainer said: “Blue Trail had an unfortunate incident in the stalls at Epsom. It’s unfortunate he ‘won’ the race without the jockey. He looks a very strong contender stepping up to a trip we’ve been looking forward to seeing him over.”

What they say

Thady Gosden, joint-trainer of Aldous Huxley and Honiton
Aldous Huxley was a good second in the Cocked Hat Stakes at Goodwood last time and shapes as if this drop back in trip should play to his strengths. Honiton won well at Sandown a week ago. He has come out of that in good shape and should enjoy the track and the ground.

James Horton, trainer of Phantom Flight
He's done nothing wrong, he's rated 95 after three starts and he's only been beaten by one horse. He'll be suited by the step up to a mile and a quarter and we'll find out how good he is.

George Boughey, trainer of Missed The Cut and Tollard Royal
Missed The Cut was impressive in his maiden, and probably even better in his novice which had plenty of depth to it. His work has been good, and he goes there with a good chance. The step up to a mile and a quarter will suit Tollard Royal, and he is well drawn in stall 11 to get forward. I think it’s worth upgrading his Haydock effort last time, and I believe he has a good each-way chance.

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of Sun King
We were a little disappointed with him the last day at Navan but I'm not sure things suited him there. A nice even pace is what he wants and that is what he is likely to get here.

Tom Ward, trainer of Asgoodassobergets
He had solid form in France as a two-year-old and remains very lightly raced. The track and trip will suit and, while it’s not the best of draws in a big field, I’m hoping he will run a nice race. A mark of 88 is fair on his French form. A mile and a half stretched him at Wolverhampton and he’ll appreciate the drop in distance. He’s a nice horse. He’s still progressing.

Hughie Morrison, trainer of Bushfire
I'm hoping a thunderstorm arrives but he's got an engine and I hope he stays the trip.

Day five at Royal Ascot:

2.30 Ascot: Is this Ballydoyle's next star? Aidan O'Brien on the exciting Alfred Munnings

3.05 Ascot: Is Noble Truth the one to beat? Jersey Stakes analysis and insight

3.40 Ascot: Will Hurricane Lane be fully tuned up on his return in Hardwicke?

4.20 Ascot: 'Same preparation and same form' - but will Home Affairs emulate Nature Strip?

5.00 Ascot: Trainer quotes and analysis to help you solve a Wokingham like no other

6.10 Ascot: 'He looked like he wasn't stopping' - can O'Brien and Moore claim Ascot closer?

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