Royal Lodge Stakes 2010

2.30 Ascot
Juddmonte Royal Lodge Stakes (Group 2) (Rnd) (Class 1)  (2YO only) 
Winner £70,962

Pick: Frankel

Eskimo: Confirmed debut promise when justifying very short odds in facile style at Tipperary, before not getting best of runs in Cesham Stakes here at Royal Meeting; Tounge tie and Rysan Morore may get best out of him but hard to see him making major impact; Stable's no'2.

Frankel: Very highly regarded sort who made serious impression when earning quotes of 25-1 for next year's Derby for the Guineas when winning a better-than-average maiden in style at Newmarket on debut; Those qoutes shortened with easy demoltion of 2 rivlas in Doncater condtions event last time, but looks major prospect.

Happy Today: Shaped better than result when fourth on debut at Newmarket last month (strong form) prior to routine win at Bath; Lot more needed but surely not done improving for team with excellent record in these events this year.

Klammer: Was impressive in landing first 2 starts before his Coventry fifth and has done well since, coming solid third to King Torus before then landing Listed event in France; Most exposed of sixtet but holds soild level and not to be underestimated.

Silm Shadey: Is getting better with every start, coming good fourth behind Wottoon Bassett last tme; Good deal more needed here though, espcially upped to 1m,

Treasure Beach: Progressed with each start and was unlucky not to complete hat-trick in same nursery stablemate Joshua Tree was second in before winning this last year; Could well come on again, and major player given stable's record with this type in this contest.

VERDICT: Aidan O'Brien has won this race with “handicappers”, so Treasure Beach demands respect, while I wouldn't be too quick to dismiss Klammer entirely. That said, I'd be very surprised if FRANKEL got beat here on his rise to the top, having set a ridiculously fast time considering he had nothing to race with on his last outing at Doncaster.