Royal Ascot 2013 - Chesham Stakes

2.35 Royal Ascot (Day 5, Race 1)

Chesham Stakes (Listed) (Class 1)  (2YO only)

Winner £34,026

Advice: 1 pt each/way Ithimal (15/2 general)

Berkshire: Probably the most promising debut of the field when third in good 6f Newbury maiden, racing solo for 4f after not settling properly before sticking on for third; Big field today should ensure more cover immediately of interest here with pedigree giving hope for him improving over 7f and should go well. 

Bunker: Stable’s only runner in race (won this in 2008 and 2009) and lot to like about the way that this one quickened up smartly to land Haydock maiden and that form now working out well, and the way that he found extra to seal the deal there suggests that he’s going to be even better over this trip, so has to be high on the shortlist.

Calrssian: Bred to be decent (dam Group placed at 6f at 2, and has produced winners) but this too big an ask for newcomers on debut.

Ciitzen Kane: Bred to enjoy stamina tests as Granddam 1m3f Listed winner but may need more than today to show best and passed over.

Freedom Square: Expected to turned promising debut effort into win at first time of asking but never settled at Gowran (soft); Tongue tie worked for him when strong at finish of Curragh maiden two weeks ago, and if repeating the same form, might have place claims here.

Friendship: Only promising debut in Listowel but that maiden shaped like a good one and stayed on nicely for third behind two useful horses with benefit of previous experience; Shouldn’t have the same greenness today, looked as if he’d be suited by Ascot, and respected for leading trainer/jockey combination this week.

Khee Society: Been crying out for this trip based on two 6f starts but stablemate well ahead of him and would need to improve significantly for it to reverse that last time out form.

Know Your Name: Should enjoy this trip based on how he ground things out at Nottingham latest but this a much hotter contest and others preferred today. 

Lone Warrior: Screamed that he would improve for this trip when belying weak market position, poor start and greenness to land Salisbury maiden in nick of time; This obviously a much better race but can’t think he’d race that poorly again and preferred of the outsiders.

Master Carpenter: Form of Ascot third here got a boost when winner ran such a big race in Windsor Castle and second career win in a minor contest at Pontefract last month is a good standard; High on the shortlist and sure to improve for 7f.

Scargill: Third time luck when winning Redcar Seller, after which he left Channon yard; Now needs a lot more and well held behind Master Carpenter.

Sheperd Gate: This is the deep end for debut and this likely to be the minimum trip for him.

Sir Jack Laden: Clear of third when stepping on reappearance when runner-up in a 7f Haydock maiden 9 days ago, but lots more needed and not like he was threatening winner either; Needs more.

Somewhat: Most impressive debut win in the field when storming away from field at Musselbrugh, winning by seven lengths in the end and clocking a strong time; Could have gone to any of the juvenile events here but strong claims for yard that dominated this race at turn of the century.

Street Force: Lots of promise based on his debut fourth at Sandown, very green before staying on for close fourth; much more needed (fellow newcomer Bureau was second) and potential for all that she would need to turn around that form.

Autumn Lily: Justified strong market support when an impressive winner of Haydock contest at 5/6 despite being green in front; Looked as if she’d enjoy the step up in trip that time and should go well once again.

Bureau: Bred to be successful (half sister to several winners, including useful winner at 1m) and ahead of Street Force in Sandown maiden; Potentially interesting.

Ihtimal: Some might suggest she’s more exposed than most after being a front running second on two starts but that form amongst the best here, second to Albany winner on debut and then a neck behind a débutante stablemate who was fifth in yesterday's race; That form is of a high standard and going to take some beating today if she can improve for 7f.

Tinga: Trainer has good record (Trainer won this in 2005 and saddled last year's runner-up at) and fast finishing third at 11/2 on debut gives impression we’ve not seen the best of her by any stretch and could be flying late today; Deserves respect.

VERDICT: A fierce contest with so many promising to improve for today’s experience. Bunker and Somewhat deserve their places as market leaders and should take the beating, but IHTIMAL’S two runs so far have seen her bump into some good types and promising to stay at least this far, she can take the beating. The same stable’s Autumn Lily was deeply impressive on debut and can take a hand, while Ballydoyle’s Friendship should improve plenty from a promising first run and may get involved. Best of the outsiders are Berkshire and Lone Warrior.