Is this Aidan O'Brien runner a handicap blot in the Copper Horse?

Tuesday: 6.10 Royal Ascot
Copper Horse Stakes (Handicap) | 1m6f | 4yo+ | ITV4/Sky

The compressed nature of Royal Ascot handicaps means a Group horse is often required to land one. The Copper Horse Stakes went to Ebor winner and Irish St Leger second Fujaira Prince in its inaugural running in 2020 and only 8lb separates top and bottom this season.

The 105-rated pair Alounak and Raymond Tusk head the weights but have run in 59 races between them on the Flat. They surely have little in hand off their marks.

It is the next three in the handicap who stand out as unknown quantities with substantially more scope for progression having contested only 14 races between them.

Stowell is the one who brings course-and-distance form to the table. He finished third in the Queen's Vase here last term for John and Thady Gosden and that training partnership supplied 2021 winner Amtiyaz.

Stowell has recorded a couple of lifetime bests on Racing Post Ratings over 1m4f at four and hinted a return to further would suit on both occasions.

The fact Aidan O'Brien was pondering a Gold Cup bid with Cleveland indicates he could be chucked in off 103 and, unlike Stowell, he is proven in a big-field handicap.

A 5lb rise for his Chester Cup success is lenient and he is Group 1-entered later in the year. Cleveland has stepped forward with each run and dropping to 1m6f will prove no hindrance. He is the right favourite.

The final runner to note is the thrice-raced Okita Soushi for Joseph O'Brien. He ran a screamer on his seasonal return when second to battle-hardened stablemate Raise You in the 1m4f Listed Orby Stakes off level weights.

While Raise You ultimately dominated the field, the impression was Okita Soushi would improve for the run and an extra two furlongs. He is well capable of surpassing the winner's level granted more experience.

The first-time tongue-tie worked a treat there and his 111 RPR for the performance matches that of Cleveland's Chester Cup triumph. At a double-figure price, he could be the value in the race.
Race analysis by Robbie Wilders

'He's been glowing for two months now'

Six years after his last appearance at the meeting, Not So Sleepy makes his return to Royal Ascot for trainer Hughie Morrison.

Much has changed for the gelding since then. Most significantly, the ten-year-old is now a Grade 1-winning hurdler, having landed the Fighting Fifth in a dead-heat with Epatante in November.

He has racked up success at Ascot too, although again over jumps, with two victories in the Grade 3 Betfair Exchange Hurdle.

Not So Sleepy was no match for Honeysuckle on his last start in the Champion Hurdle, but he swaps one major festival for the next as he bids to land the closing contest on Tuesday's card.

Not So Sleepy: dual Graded winner at Ascot returns to the FlatCredit: Edward Whitaker

"We were looking at one of the long-distance Flat races at the start of the season but didn't want to run him alongside Quickthorn, who has the same owners, so we thought to aim him here," Morrison said.

"Ideally, we would want soft ground but he's actually got cracking form on good to firm. He's not going to get any younger and is in fantastic shape, and we just want to run him. He's been glowing for two months now and he's telling us that he'd like a day out."

What they say

David Probert, rider of Alounak
He's just taken a while to come to himself, but he took a step forward on his last run. He's always been talented and hopefully he can show a bit more here.

Alan King, trainer of Raymond Tusk
He'll run provided the ground is not too quick. He's in good form and we've given him a break since he disappointed at Newmarket.

Thady Gosden, joint-trainer of Stowell
He ran well last time and is in good shape. The race fits in well for him and while he does carry plenty of weight, he has run well round there before.

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of Cleveland
We weren't sure at Chester whether he had enough experience, whether he was well enough handicapped or whether the race was too long. But he got the trip well and won nicely and handled the track well. He obviously stays. He's back to 1m6f and back right-handed but he seems in good form since Chester and we're going to learn a lot more about him.

Kevin Philippart de Foy, trainer of Juan De Montalban
The horse was a winner over a mile and a half last time and hit the line strongly. He's quite a big horse with a big stride and carries a pedigree to stay, so we'll try to step him up and he looks like he'll stay from his homework, but that is the question mark for the race. It's a tough old task with a rise of 9lb but he's been well since his win.

David O'Meara, trainer of Get Shirty
He's done nothing wrong in three runs this year. The form worked out from Thirsk and then at Ripon in April he bumped into Rajinsky, who was placed in the Chester Cup, before winning nicely again at Hamilton. The trip should be fine but the ground will be a touch on the fast side, which is a little bit of a worry. I think he'll be okay and we're looking forward to it.

Gordon Elliott, trainer of Platinumcard
He's in good form. He looks to have plenty of weight, so we're happy to take a bit off his back with Ryan Sexton. He's a good young jockey who seems to be riding plenty of winners.

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Okita Soushi
I thought he ran very well in a Listed race at the Curragh last month and I could see him running well. He's improving all the time and has an outside chance.

Charlie Appleby, trainer of Bandinelli
Twice now, after a break, his first run back has been disappointing. We've got to put a line through that, nothing came out of the race at all. We will change his headgear around to try and get a bit more concentration, but if you take the best of his winning form he deserves to be there.
Reporting by Catherine Macrae

Tuesday at Royal Ascot:

2.30 Ascot: 'He's improving all the time' - find out who reckons they can beat Baaeed

3.05 Ascot: 'I really do believe he's the real deal' - Hannon excited about Coventry chance

3.40 Ascot: Golden Pal v Nature Strip: Wesley Ward and Chris Waller on their sprint stars

4.20 Ascot: Charlie Appleby bullish over 2,000 Guineas hero Coroebus in St James's Palace

5.00 Ascot: Royal Ascot or Cheltenham? It's Mullins v Elliott again in Ascot Stakes

5.35 Ascot: 'Hopefully he has a big chance' - Juan Elcano bids for a second Wolferton win

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