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

Saturday: 5.00 Royal Ascot
Wokingham Stakes (Heritage Handicap) | 6f | 3yo+ | ITV/Sky

It seems incredible to say, and it needs to be read in relative terms, but there is not that much pace in the Wokingham.

This race, along with the likes of the Stewards' Cup at Goodwood and Ayr Gold Cup, is a byword for the cavalry-charge handicap. But looking at the field this year, there are not that many candidates to lead them into battle. Perhaps Ascot's reputation as a track that favours hold-up horses has reached its logical endpoint.

Make no mistake, there are plenty of quick horses and a good handful with a history of making the running. But for every one of those, there seem to be at least three stalkers. To compound matters, those speedier sorts are spread across the track, making even an educated guess at where the field might congregate extremely difficult.

The other thing missing from this year's Wokingham is the up-and-comer. Normally there are at least a couple of lightly raced sorts who gobble up a sizeable portion of the market. This year the nearest we have are Ventura Tormenta, who has not run since 2020, and Asjad.

In three runs for James Horton, Asjad has finished first, 12th and first. The most recent was at York last month, when a strong pace suited and he seemed to be going as fast as he could all the way. Ascot requires horses who can travel as well as finish off, so there is a question about whether this will set up quite so well.

With so few potential handicap blots, those with plenty of experience in big handicaps can force their way up the shortlist. Gulliver, at eight one of the oldest in the field, has been fourth and fifth in this race and shaped well when third to Asjad at York. He managed to be both outpaced and get there too soon, which rather underlines his talent. But it is well known that he is not a battler and needs to be presented late.

The other eight-year-old is Summerghand, whose willingness is beyond question. He last ran at the Dante meeting, when a faintly promising sixth to Dakota Gold. He too has history in this race, having been nosed out by Hey Jonesy in 2020. He also has conditions in his favour, with six of his nine turf wins having come on good to firm, and is running off his lowest mark since that narrow defeat in this race two years ago.

With less pace and fewer improvers than we have become used to in the Wokingham, and loads of each-way concessions on offer, it may be worth chancing some of the well-treated old-timers. It is worth noting that in the last ten years there has been only one three-year-old winner and one aged four. This particular cavalry charge would seem to suggest that sometimes there is no substitute for battle-hardened experience.
Race analysis by Keith Melrose

Another hard question for Rohaan

It is tough to win the Wokingham when you are set the stiffest task in the field. Doing it two years running is asking the impossible, isn't it?

David Evans hopes that is not the case as he prepares for a bid to make history with Rohaan, who took this ultra-competitive handicap off a BHA mark of 112 last year.

No horse has won the Wokingham twice this century and only four have done it ever, stretching back to the handily named Wokingham in 1881 and 1882.

Rohaan is 3lb lower 12 months on but still tops the weights, on his first run in a handicap since last year's race.

Fifth in the Group 1 Flying Five at the Curragh was the pick of his efforts in better company in the interim and he is reckoned in better shape than when suffering a heavy Group 2 defeat at York last time.

"He's probably the best he's been for a long time," Evans said. "It's a big ask but he's in good order.

"He's showing a lot of zest at home now, he's keen and ready to go. If he finds his old form he's going to be thereabouts but it's hard to say he'll do it again – it's hard enough to do it once."

Runner-up Fresh was beaten a neck by the winner when rated 16lb his inferior last year and gets just 11lb now.

But the ground will be much quicker and trainer James Fanshawe said: "I'd like to see a shower before racing but the forecast keeps changing.

"He's got a very good record over six furlongs at Ascot. I'm keen to run him and we'll take him down there but he's best with ease in the ground and we'll have to see what it's like."

What they say

James Horton, trainer of Asjad
He's in good shape. He hated the track at Newmarket but won quite cosily at York and has a good shout.

Asjad (centre) wins at York last month with Gulliver (left) a length behind in thirdCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Michael Dods, trainer of Commanche Falls and Blackrod
We've waited for this with Blackrod and he's in good form but I wouldn't want the ground to be too firm and he needs pace around him. Commanche Falls may be better drawn but he's on a high mark.

Ross O'Sullivan, trainer of Warrior Brave
He came out of the last day really well and he'll love the quick ground over there. It's a lottery of a race and you'll need a bit of luck but we couldn't be happier with him. He's in good shape.

David O'Meara, trainer of Summerghand and Gulliver
Summerghand's draw in 27 doesn't looks ideal based on what's been happening this week but I have been looking forward to running him, he's gone close before. Gulliver ran a lovely race first time at York. He'd ideally want a little more juice in the ground but he looks to be drawn on the right side and has run well in the race before.

Nicolas Caullery, trainer of Batwan
He's in great form and was a little unlucky at Chantilly. He needs covering up but found himself in front, so he did too much, too soon. He still finished upsides with Egot and Marianafoot, who finished first and second in a Group 3 next start. He has a nice weight and is in great form.

Alastair Donald, racing manager to King Power Racing, owners of Lampang, Bielsa and Fivethousandtoone
We've been waiting for this with Lampang. He was very impressive when he won at Ayr. The gelding operation has revived him and he's got a good jockey in James McDonald. Bielsa will run only if the rain arrives. If it does, he would have an excellent chance. Fivethousandtoone is interesting after being gelded. He's training well and has a low weight.

Ken Condon, trainer of Quarantine Dreams
He's had two good runs at Naas and the races are working out quite well. It's his first run in a handicap and it's ultra-competitive but we're hoping he'll give a good account of himself. He has a nice draw and he'll enjoy a strongly run race.

John Quinn, trainer of Mr Wagyu
A draw near the rail isn't a problem as he's a go-forward horse. His win last time was nearly a career best, he's at the top of his game and he's got a chance.

Ed Walker, trainer of Popmaster
It was great to see him bounce back to form at Chelmsford, where he was possibly unlucky not to win, although the blessing was he avoided a 5lb penalty.

Marco Botti, trainer of Silver Samurai
We're delighted he got in and he has a good profile. He's enjoyed a drop in trip and change in tactics. He won really well at Haydock last time and he's in great form.
Reporting by David Carr

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?

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

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

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