'He would have a favourite's chance if he ran' - analysis and key quotes for Ascot opener

With the stalls on the stands’ side, it’s usually an advantage to be drawn high over this course and distance, as seen in last year’s race when Quinault (drawn nine of 14) made a beeline for the stands’ rail in the early stages.

The ground is set to be testing, with more rain likely on Saturday morning, and the ability to handle conditions and see out the stiff seven furlongs should prove to be two key attributes.

Drawn in stall seven, the progressive Run Boy Run bids for a hat-trick after back-to-back wins on the July course and he proved that he’s just as good on a softer surface when winning a four-runner handicap a fortnight ago. He was strong in the finish that day and looks feasibly treated from just 4lb higher.

Rebel Territory is starting to look like a seven-furlong specialist, having won twice over the trip last season (including course and distance) and he shaped as if he retained plenty of ability on his belated return at Goodwood last month.

If the leaders overdo the early fractions, it could set up nicely for The Wizard Of Eye (stall 12) who was a course-and-distance winner in the Victoria Cup earlier this season and far from disgraced when sixth in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes, shaping as if he would relish a return to seven furlongs.

Another with a high draw (10) is Grey’s Monument, who bounced back to form when making the frame in a Class 2 at Newcastle when last seen, and a stiff seven furlongs is right up his street. The four-year-old gets the services of Joe Leavy, who has been riding the crest of a wave this season and is good value for the 3lb he still claims.
Analysis by Phill Anderson

What they say

Charlie Fellowes, trainer of The Wizard Of Eye
He’s had a setback since Ascot but is ready to go again. I have never run him on soft ground, but he ran very well on it at Goodwood earlier in his career. He has also performed poorly on soft at Newbury. The history is inconclusive. I have got to decide over the next 24 hours whether to run or not in the knowledge that he loves the track and would have a favourite’s chance if he ran.

Amanda Perrett, trainer of Rebel Territory
He’ll love the ground. I’m just a bit concerned about the quick run after his Goodwood reappearance a fortnight ago. He ran a nice race that day; he was very fresh and well. The main target for him is the big 7f handicap at Ascot next month.

Eve Johnson Houghton, trainer of Streets Of Gold
He’s in good form and ran really well with some cut in the ground at Chepstow last month. We’re putting cheekpieces on as he’s very high in the handicap and we’ve got to try something to help him.

Ian Williams, trainer of Aalto
He will appreciate some cut in the ground, but hopefully it’s not bottomless, which it was at Chepstow last time when he ran poorly.

Roger Varian, trainer of Mission To Moon
He likes the track as he showed when finishing fourth in the Britannia Handicap at Royal Ascot. Seven furlongs on soft ground should be ideal for him.

David Evans, trainer of Blue Prince
He ran okay on soft ground at Chester. He’s learning to settle now, and when things go right for him he’s a nice horse. I think he’ll get even better as he gets older. It’s a decent race, but he goes there in good order.
Reporting by Richard Birch

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