Royal Ascot - King Edward Stakes

Royal Ascot (Day 4, Race 2)

King Edward VII Stakes (Group 2) (Colts & Geldings) (Class 1) (3yo) Winner £86,750

Pick: Nathaniel (win)

Alexander Pope: Has been a steady improver this season, following up listed third with win in well contested Gallinule Stakes; Needs to find a lot more but can do so and new trip may help.

Dordogone: Made a very good impression when making a winning start in 9f Goodwood maiden & has progressed again especially this year, winning Fielden Stakes and bouncing back from subsequent disappointment when battling  on best in Lingfield Derby Trial (although unlucky second very disappointing in French next time out); This demands more of him although yard have good record.

Fiorente: Caught eye on debut behind World Domination at Newbury and bolted up next time out as was expected at same course, although that form not on par with debut; Yard have good record in this (4 wins since 1991) and can go well but others are taken in preference.

Fulgur: Looked like type to make a three year old every inch of last year, breaking maiden after two decent efforts in defeat; Looked like quite an impressive prospect on final start but not backed that up this year and held on form.

Genius Beast: Built on already solid two year old form when a clear cut and decisive winner of the Bet 365 Classic Trial at Sandown, taking advantage of whole field dispersing across the track; Better form when third in the Hocquart last time out but that form taken a hit of late and others preferred.

 Glen’s Diamond: Stepped up from maiden win at land Nursery at two (two wins from three starts); Looked group class when winning with off mark of 90 in 1m1f Musselburgh handicap on seasonal debut & confirmed that impression when running out ready winner of Dee Stakes and supplementary entry speaks volumes.

Glencadam Gold: Highly promising at two when mashed by stablemate on debut before running out easy winner of maiden himself; Improved with every run this season and realized handicapping potential with easy defeat of Hawaafez by 2¼ lengths in Newmarket handicap on first attempt at this trip; Not totally dismissed although stable has far better candidate.

Hurricane Higgins: Progressive although quirky and should have won Lingfield Derby trial but for hanging violently all the way down the straight; Well held in Longchamp Listed event last time and this different test.

Mijhaar: Realized debut promise and then some when, demolishing rivals over 10f at Haydock on reappearance & that form boosted since, so entitled to major respect and can go well here with improvement coming.

Nathaniel:  Got closer to Frankel than any other when finishing half a length behind him last year (both on debut, notably on soft ground); Ridiculous to take that form at face value but nothing wrong with his three runs since, when chinned by Picture Editor at Doncaster and breaking maiden with ease at Haydock; Ran Derby second Treasure Beach close at Chester and has big chance based on that form (which has backed up since).

World Domination: Massive hype thoughought last season and this season, partly based on excellent pedigree, and went some way to justifying hype when winning  1m3f Newbury maiden on debut; Only fourth in Dante but clearly too raw for that off a slow pace (form upheld since) and can make a bold bid.

VERDICT: This could be a quite a good renewal. On form this could rest between World Domination and NATHANIEL, with preference for the latter on the basis that he could be more suited to cut in the ground. A supplementary entry for Glen’s Diamond speaks volumes and Mijhaar can progress.