Royal Ascot 2013 - Diamond Jubilee

3.45 Royal Ascot (Day 5, Race 3)

Diamond Jubilee Stakes (British Champions Series & Global Sprint Challenge) (Group 1) (Class 1)  (3YO plus)

Winner £283,550

Advice: 1 pt win Gordon Lord Bryon and Sea Siren (9/1 general)

Dandy Boy: Winner of Wokingham handicap, famously in faster time than Black Caviar carrying more weight than last year’s winner, and not had much go right for him since; Fourth in last year’s Sprint Cup at Haydock and this right up his street, although the value has gone out of his price now and work to do even on his best form. 

Gammarth: Winner of listed event in April at Maisons Laffite and runner up in pair of Group 3 events last year; Little realistic chance.

Gordon Lord Bryon: Took off last year, only midfield in Wokingham but when a coinstent Group performance who was second in Sprint Cup and then winner of Prix Jean Luc on Arc day and fourth at Sha Tin; Didn’t take to Tapeta after comeback run but never got the breaks he needed at York latest and must take some beating if in that form.

Havelock: Graded winner at upto 1m in US, liking firm ground and AW (Polytrack), but defeat in
Churchill Grade 3 latest exposed already obvious limitations.

Hawkeyethenoo: Another former handicapper who had made the jump, and encouraging runs the last twice, especially when fourth at York in Duke of York Stakes; Found lot of trouble in running there and sure to be close if the cards drop right with strong pace.

Krypton Factor:  Classy sprinter as defeat of Rocket Man in UAE little more than a year ago suggests, but only sixth in this last year and would need to be in better form this time, which he isn’t judged by his admittedly solid UAE form.

Lethal Force: Unlucky when fourth in the Jersey last year but make into a Group horse over 7f and found niche over 6 when close second to Society Rock at York latest; Right to go close on that form but others around him had more to do there and

Maarek: Developed into leading sprinter last year on soft surface, winning here on British Champions Day, but can go well on soundish surface as showing when fifth to Society Rock; Must improve on that.

Reply: Third in last year’s Irish guineas but turned into more of a sprinter since; Back to best with good to firm ground and 7 furlongs, and one suspects that might be what he needs to show best; Work to do today.

Sirius Prospect: Big improver in 2011 where he looked to be a group class horse in the making; Not had things go his way on start in pattern company but getting there towards end of last season

Slade Power: Taking after same connections’ sole power when improving last summer, winning two listed events and proving to be a disappointing eight here on only C&D start; Should have won Curragh Group 3 on return but gaps didn’t come; Still has more to offer and can be considered a threat.

Society Rock: Winner of his in 2011 and been at the top echelon of 6 furlong sprinters ever since; Blew chance at start when fifth last year but made amends when winning Sprint Cup, although lifeless when only fifth here behind Maarek (to be fair, nearside did supply winner); Cracking return when defying penalty to land Duke of York Stakes and will do well if not blowing race at start.

Soul: Fourth last year and then a deeply impressive Group 3 winner but twice a disappointment since and beaten by Mince afterwards (albeit by just a head); Would need softer ground and first run of season as well.

Intense Pink: Had run of race when winning Listed event over 7f here; Good third in Lingfield Group 3 on return and once again. 

Mince: 2-2 over this C&D when making giant strides last year, winning 5 times on a variety of ground and giving aspirations to Group 1 level; Disappointing this season, never landing a blow when

Sea Siren: When on form, one of the class acts of this field, a triple Group 1 winner in Australia, beating Mental (subsequent UAE 6f Group 3 winner for Godolphin, but a class act in Australia at the time) at Moonee Valley; Second in Doomben 10,000 ended a barren run and if in that form, can go close.

Zanetto: Progressive through this year, winning sales race at Newmarket on second run back and also Listed race in impressive style (albeit he got first run on the others); Fourth here the time before that needs explaining though and passed over with competition being much deeper.

Roshdu Queen: Unbeaten in four as 2yo, making all to win Lowther and Cheveley Park in good style (form working out reasonably), and good return when trying to blaze a trail in Fred Darling, foot on the gas all the way before being run down by decent types in fourth; Reverse tactics expected and can go well if cards drop right.

VERDICT: A fiendish puzzle for punters with surprises the name of the game here – four have been 20/1 or bigger and six have been 12/1 or bigger. Best of that brigade might be the 3yo filly Roshdu Queen if all goes well, but the two that make most appeal are Australian raider SEA SIREN and GORDON LORD BRYON, both of whom are 6f specialists who will have big chances if able to repeat their last time out performances. This is a favourites graveyard, but Society Rock should take the beating today if not standing in the stall.