Royal Ascot - Tercenetary Stakes

Royal Ascot (Day 3, Race 5)

Tercentenary Stakes (Group 3) (Formerly The Hampton Court Stakes) (Class 1) (3yo) Winner £39,739

Pick: Marksmanship (win)

Ahlaain: Carried over largely progressive form from last season when second in pair of Listed contests at Meydan this year, but limitations exposed since and has it all to do here.

Alkimos: Posted a strong debut effort (when well ahead of Midsummer Sun) and has gone on from that with easy maiden win and when quickening well to land same race that last year’s winner Asfare did at Doncaster last time; Should run well here.

Auld Burns: Has been in good form this year, following impressive sales race win with solid pattern effort at Sandown (form well represented since) and while he disappointed at Goodwood last time out, form of yard this week gives hope that he’ll be in better form; That said, passed over.

Happy Today: Was very taking fourth behind Biondetti (better than result says) and won well despite not handling Bath’s tight turns on second, last juvenile start; Continued where he left off when close second to Dordogne on reappearance backed up by respected Guineas fifth but still needs to improve on both runs.

Hunter’s Light: Created Group class impression when slamming Dee Stakes 2nd in maiden at Newmarket & speaks a lot that he is pick of Frankie Dettori ahead of Listed winner; Can go well.

Laajooj: Stepped up on debut for Godolphin when winning 1m Newbury maiden, and not disgraced when fourth in Dee Stakes next time out; Not sure if latest Listed race win (had lot to do with rider) actually gives him a major form shout, but respected nevertheless.

Loving Spirit: Did it readily on debut and didn’t necessarily disappoint when beaten by Mantoba on last 2yo start, although that form not been upheld since; 2,000 Guineas ninth respectable but seems well held on latest Listed fifth, albeit being bred to improve massively for comeback.

Maali: Going the right way and best effort yet when chasing home Alkimos in Doncaster conditions event over this trip; Won’t be reversing form today and that leaves him out of calculations.

Makrsmanship: Made a comfortable debut win in soft ground maiden at the Curragh (hands and heels) and that form has been well upheld since, with 5 horses having won since; Can improve for that and likely to be a big players on that evidence.

Midsummer Sun: Needed the run and far too raw when fifth of seven on Newmarket debut; off the mark with comfortable success at Haydock latest and while he needs to improve to score here (down in trip) obviously in good hands to do so.

Moriarty: Improved with every start last season, winning Convivial Stakes at Ebor meeting in good style and taking valuable conditions contest afterwards; Improved this season when just behind Happy Today in Fielden Stakes and again in Gallinule Stakes (strong at finish); Underrated outsider for leading trainer / jockey.

Pisco Sour: Showed marked improvement last year, following up two wins with a creditable Classic second to Fury, form which has since been boosted by creditable classic run for winner that day (then well beaten in Group 1 company); Third in Dante reads well and can be forgiven Derby effort; That said, Dante third could flatter him.

Slim Shadey: Held his form well over the majority of last season, coming second in a Listed contest at Newbury before a fourth in a big sales race; Ran well above his odds in Guineas but seemed to run well below par in Irish 2,000 Guineas effort.

Slumber: Showed nothing on debut but swept opposition aside when winning Epsom Derby trial on second start and better form when behind Derby runner up (not at ease on track) latest; Excellent chance on last start and can go well.

Specific Gravity: Very green when making late headway into fourth on Yarmouth maiden (started late; September); Showed benefit of that when bolting in over same trip next time out and promise still when fourth (travelled like winner but hung hard late) in Fielden Stakes; Well held on last disappointing run.

Tazahum: Improved on debut winning form when a well beaten second behind Dubawi Gold (has been vastly improved since then) & reappeared with impressive handicap win; Bettered that form when winning Heron Stakes (shaped as if he’d stay well) and one of major contenders here.

VERDICT: A more than up – to standard renewal with plenty of promise. Among those who make appeal are Listed winner Tazahum & Alkimos, taking the route given to last year’s winner Asfare, but Aidan O’Brien has two winners from seven runners and his MARKMANSHIP has potential in abundance and will be suited by the rain that’s fallen this morning. Slumber & Pisco Sour have good form on their best claims.