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Monday 16 June 2008

Runaway Temple Stakes winner Fleeting Spirit bids to justify favouritism in the Group One King’s Stand at Ascot on Tuesday.

Trainer Jeremy Noseda reports that she has done nothing wrong since winning at Haydock last month and - as long as she gets decent or fast ground - is likely to be there or thereabouts at the shake-up.

Trainer Jeremy Noseda told jeremynoseda.com: “I am very happy with Fleeting Spirit. Her build-up has gone well and she appears to be in tip-top order. It looks as if she will get her favoured fast ground: now we’ll just ask for a good break and a little bit of luck in running.”

Group Two Park Stakes winner Arabian Gleam contests the Queen Anne Stakes, but is likely to have to put up a career best performance just to make the first three.

Noseda said: “Arabian Gleam ran well in the Lockinge [where he was fifth]. He is a tough and hardy horse, who always runs a solid race. Realistically, if he could hit the frame then I would be delighted.”

Noseda will send out both Himalya and Awinnersgame for Tuesday’s Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot. Both colts have already secured maiden successes with Himalya striking first time out at Doncaster and Awinnersgame building on his debut second at York with a comfortable win at Haydock.

Himalya, in particular, showed an abundance of talent as he strode clear of his rivals at Doncaster, only to show some novicey tendencies late in the piece.

But he shaped like a very exciting prospect and it will be intriguing to see how he fares in the Group Two, traditionally the strongest juvenile heat of the week.

Noseda said: “We are pretty sure that he is a very talented horse. He did everything right in his first race until the last half-furlong.

“But he seems to have grown up since that race and we’ve learnt from that ourselves. I’m sure he will put up a bold show.

“Awinnersgame is a good, tough solid horse who will be suited by a strongly-run race and will be going on at the finish. He will definitely give a good account of himself.”

Trainer Peter Chapple-Hyam is hoping Tariq produces his trademark turn of foot in Tuesday's Queen Anne Stakes at Ascot, the scene of the colt's brilliant Jersey Stakes triumph last year.

His latest start - and seasonal return - came in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury where he served up an encouraging effort, finishing third to Creachadoir, who will be absent at Ascot.

Trainer Peter Chapple-Hyam told peterchapplehyam.com: "Tariq is in great form and worked really well last Friday. He has come on from his Newbury run and I couldn't be happier with him.

"We are just hoping for a truly-run race like last year's Jersey so that he can travel in behind and then be produced late on. On his day, he possesses a serious turn of foot."

Wednesday is likely to see Shallal thrown into a very hot-looking Jersey Stakes. He has had just the one start this season, finishing fourth in the Greenham Stakes in April.

Chapple-Hyam said: "I'm happy with Shallal as he has been working well. But it looks a very tough race for him."

Jaser, fourth in the Silver Bowl at Haydock, is a probable to line up in the Britannia, while Skid Solo may be the yard's only two-year-old runner at the Royal meeting with Thursday's Norfolk Stakes under consideration.

Prince of Wales's Stakes (Group One)

Ascot, 3:45pm Wednesday 18 June 2008. 1m 2f.

The French raiders on the opening day of Royal Ascot have received a thumbs up from jockey Olivier Peslier.

Of Prix d'Ispahan winner Sageburg, a supplemented entry in the Queen Anne Stakes, Pesiler told At The Races: "The horse is fine but he can be a little but nervous so will need to switch off in his race. He stays a bit further than a mile but Ascot is a stiff track and the trainer is confident that the mile will be fine for him."

French 2000 Guineas winner Falco takes on English and Irish Guineas winner Henrthenavigator in the St James's Palace Stakes.

Peslier continued: "This is going to be a very strong race and Henrythenavigator will be very tough to beat. Falco is a very tall, strong horse and has needed a bit of time but his inside draw is good as he has a lot of early speed. My horse is a champion and it will be a big clash with Henrythenavigator - but we will see who is best."