Royal Ascot - King's Stand Stakes

Royal Ascot (Day 1, Race 2)

King´S Stand Stakes (British Champions´ Series & Global Sprint Challenge) (Group 1) (Class 1) (3yo+)

Pick: Star Witness (win) & Bridgetown (each/way)

Artic: Looked like an exciting prospect at 2 when winning at Bellewstown and Curragh, winning listed race by 5 lengths in latter start before he racked up hat trick in Tower Stakes; Not gone close to matching that form since and this too tough on seasonal debut.

Bridgetown: Has progressed into one of fastest US Sprinters this season, only just maintaining blistering pace in Tampa Bay turf sprint before outclassing rivals in Gulfstream allowance race; Tracked another searing pace when outpointed late on by useful rival in in Twin Spires Turf Sprint latest (exceptionally fast time of 56.57s) and holds a major chance if able to do same again.

Group Therapy: Improved a ton for joining Noseda yard (now with David Barron), fairly bolting up in conditions race at Beverley before coming a close second at Sandown (decent event) and career best when second in Group two (decent efforts afterwards);Too keen after poor start when well beaten first time out and well held on Temple Stakes fifth latest.

Iver Bridge Lad: Consistent and tough sort who has found fine form this year, only just touched off in two listed races; That said, well beaten in Palace House Stakes and has a lot to do to be involved here.

Kingsgate Native: Top class when at peak form, a prime example Temple Stakes win last year; Didn’t match up to form for the rest of the year but still fourth in the July and Betfred Sprint Cup; Not easiest to predict but well capable of winning this if he comes here fit and well.

Mar Adentro: Has improved a lot since landing 5f handicap, third in Group 3 & Prix L’Abbaye; Not reached same form this time round and hard to fancy in this contest, despite fact that will be run to suit.

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 latest (first run back); Can progress if not bouncing, although this his toughest task.

Overdose: Sprung to prominence with a 10l win in an Italian Group 3 and win the void Abbaye (well clear); Showed that he retained all ability after injury but poor temperament when sixth in German Group 2 (lost race at starting stalls); Demolished ordinary opposition on return at Hoppegarten but well beaten on UK debut in Temple Stakes, unable to maintain blistering gallop (quick ground blamed); Could bounce back but even then this asking more of him.

Prohibit: Has continued progression throughout winter in Dubai, taking valuable event by a head before respectable fifth in high class Al Quoz sprint; strong at the finish on all starts this season, especially when finishing close up in Group company on last 3 outings (possibly unlucky not to win one); Race will be set up for him again so one of main contenders.

Sole Power: Shock winner of Nunthorpe Stakes last year who has proven that it was no fluke with this last two efforts, coming a solid third in the Palace House before getting up late to take advantage of searing early pace in Temple Stakes; Surely the strongest chance in the UK & Ireland of winning this.

Star Witness: Crack Australian sprinter and dual Group 1 winner, having taken 2010 Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield in February 2010 and Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington last October, efforts good enough to win this; Run some cracking races since, getting within 4 lengths of World Champion Black Caviar in Patinack Farm Classic; Connections have blamed temperament problem for his poor showing in Newmarket Handicap latest and if that the case, then has to have a big chance of being fourth Australian winner in recent years.

Tangerine Trees: Continued his ascent up the sprinting ranks by making all to win Rous Stakes at Newmarket last year and bettered that when showing blistering speed to win Palace House Stakes at Newmarket on seasonal reappearance; Well beaten when taken on for lead in Palace House Stakes last time out and same story likely here.

War Artist: Top class sprinter over many seasons and if judged on his close second to JJ The Jet Plane, then he’s as good as ever;  Does make some appeal at the odds with regular rider (who has excellent record here) and not one to be dismissed.

Astrophysical Jet: Drop back to this trip has been the making of her, easy wins in Flying Five Stakes & Newbury Group 3 marking her down as a top prospect for this year; Below best thanks to virus when last but one in Palace House but if that forgiven then one of main players.

Rose Blossom: Always had the talent to put together big performances and showed flashes of that when fifth in Nunthorpe; However, does seem reliant on getting an easy lead and a good break, which will be nigh on impossible here.

Sweet Sanette: Defeated Hong Kong's reigning champion Sacred Kingdom in a local Group 3 dash over 5f on her first start for her new stable, covering 5f in 55.92; That one of strongest performances in race and can go well at a big price.

Swiss Diva: Nothing short of brilliant last season, steadily progressing in recording a hat – trick of, all on soft ground, highlight when trashing rivals in Prix Petit Couvert; Unplaced in L’Abbaye however and likely to need this on seasonal debut.

Stone Of Folca: Showed promise for sprinting when twice occupying fourth place within the space of 3 days at this meeting in June, and Molecomb second; Well beaten in Temple Stakes last time out and this seemingly beyond him.

Holiday For Kitten: Three time winner who broke the track record when scoring over 51⁄2f at Keenland in Giant’s Causeway Stakes, a performance of note; That said, this tougher and may not be quite upto this task (much higher class than she is used).

VERDICT: As tough a renewal to rate since the race became a Group 1. Overseas raiders have taken 6 of the last ten renewals and with Australian victories accounting for four of those successes STAR WITNESS is of obvious interest. He has valid excuses for his below par runs and his best form is good enough to take this so he’s the pick despite the value having gone from his price. There are a wealth of alternatives but few make more appeal than international speedballs BRIDGETOWN & Sweet Sanette, both of whom have run sub 1 minute 5 furlongs. Best of the home team are Kingsgate Native and Sole Power.