Royal Ascot - Golden Jubilee Stakes 2011

Royal Ascot (Day 5, Race 3)

Golden Jubilee Stakes (British Champions´ Series & Global Sprint Challenge) (Group 1) (Class 1) (3yo+) Winner £227,080

Picks: Amico Fritz & Star Witness (each/way)

Amico Fritz: Creditable fifth even though he raced stands – side (bias) in this last year & gained a Group 2 win last year; Once again a winner on seasonal debut and could go well at big price with ease in ground sure to help.

Bated Breath: Unbeaten in first three and excuses when beaten on first tires in Group company last year; First run was write off & very impressive in winning last two races, both strong enough contests; This biggest test yet by far and although more to come, needs to find it.

Dalghar: Found plenty of success dropping back to 6/7f last year after fifth in strong renewal of Queen Anne last year, albeit without winning; Comeback run for this yard was encouraging but certainty needs more than that to figure here.

Definightly: Dramatic improvement last season when he pulverised his fields in handicap and Listed company, again continuing progression when winning at Masions Laffite; Softer ground holds no fears but absence is a negative.

Delegator: Not long ago since he was taking big hand in high class mile races, and shaped as if ability was there last season before injury (bruised foot) intervened; Made successful return to sprinting when mowing down field in Duke Of York Stakes; Has big chance if ground quickens, but faster the better for him.

Genki: Smart handicapper/group horse who held himself up with high credit, namely when third in Betfair Sprint Cup and also winning his group in Wokingham; Successful reappearance in Abernant Stakes was solid form for the level but well beaten in Duke Of York latest and not fancied.

Hitchens: Made transition from top-end handicaps to listed company late last year, winning 6f event on AW; Efforts the last thrice not backed up that form, so fourth in York Group 2 sprint looked like result to be treated with caution; Good winner of Greenlands Stakes but that form not really working out and looks exposed; No soft ground wins.

Jimmy Styles: Won 6f Listed race at Doncaster earlier this season but had race fitness on his side and never going pace to challenge in Abernant Stakes won by Genki; Similar scenario envisaged today.

Kingsgate Native: Top class when at peak form, a prime example Temple Stakes win last year (also past winner of Nunthorpe and this race for past yard); Didn’t match up to form for the rest of the year but still fourth in the July and Betfred Sprint Cup; Probably didn’t improve on Temple Stakes second when sixth in King’s Stand; Cheekpieces could improve his performance but soft ground or ground with cut unhelpful to his chances.

Moinesur Chevalier: Brilliant juvenile, winning Super Sprint & Molecomb stakes in a season that read 6 from 8; Off track for long time afterwards but made good late headway in strong looking listed race (first run back); Shaped as if he wants 6f when running on late in King’s Stand but still doubts over him today.

Palace Moon: Placed in top handicaps twice last season, third in Wokingham last year before runner-up in Bunbury Cup at Newmarket; Not reached same form since and readily outpointed in lesser race last time.

Royal Rock: Looked to have a lot more to offer when winning Bengough Stakes but no better than third since, and that when readily outpointed by Society Rock latest; Needs more.

Society Rock: Impressive winner of 6f Ascot Listed event on reappearance last year; Beaten when travelling like much the best in Newbury Sprint, but career – best when second in Golden Jubilee (Seventh in July Cup afterwards); Disappointed on comeback and while giving Bated Breath a real race, never looked like getting him beat last time.

Star Witness: Crack Australian sprinter and dual Group 1 winner, having taken 2010 Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield and Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington last October, efforts good enough to win this; Run some cracking races since, getting within 4 lengths of Black Caviar in Patinack Farm Classic; Second in King’s Stand on Tuesday when looking as this trip would suit (although never looked like he was going to get there) and does have some soft ground form so has to be considered.

Bewitched: Took giant steps forward last season when winning 4 times, including a Group 3 double at the Curragh (notably on soft ground) and Ascot (also won two listed races); Better than ever when covering Zoffany with ease on debut (form obviously boosted) and has a big chance of improving dreadful record of fillies and mares in this (although only 17 have tried, albeit well fancied ones).

Elzaam: Successful juvenile campaign, only just being caught by Strong Suit in the Coventry before muddling defeats in conditions contest (behind July Stakes winner) and when caught close home in Horris Hill; Made amends for not staying 7f on reappearance when bolting up in Listed contest and deserves a shot at this, although soft ground really wouldn’t help.

Hooray: One of best two year olds of last season, winning Lowther, Sirenia & Cheveley Park Stakes with ease from the front, best performance notably when with cut in ground; Well beaten in 1,000 Guineas but chased strong pace and didn’t appear to stay a mile, back to winning ways under giant penalty at Epsom latest; Can make a bold bid but will need to get to lead her.

VERDICT: The rain has gotten right into the ground and it’s a soft ground affair, so treat this with caution. The only horse in the market leaders guaranteed to go on properly soft ground is Bewitched but a filly hasn’t won since 1991 which also counts against Hooray. The best place to start may well be AMICO FRITZ, who was fifth in this last year and has a number of soft ground wins as well as 7 furlong form. The only one of the market leads who makes any appeal apart from him is Star Witness who is the each/way saver.