Royal Ascot 2013 - King's Stand Stakes

3.05 Ascot (Day 1, Race 2)

King's Stand Stakes (British Champions Series & Global Sprint Challenge) (Group 1) (Class 1)  (3YO plus)
Winner £198,485

Advice: 1 pt each/way Swiss Spirit (17/2 general)

Ballesteros: Fourth in the L’Abbaye when running on late but never really had a chance to trouble the leading trip that day and since not landed a blow; One of quite a few who needs to have everything drop right for him but others look better equipped to show up prominently here.

Doc Hay: Up against it even on his best form, which saw him win the Portland and also a 5f listed race last year, but just shown nothing close to that form here and others make more appeal.

Heeraat: Made up into a very smart handicapper last year and still not as eposed as some here; Pulled hard at Beverley last time after his fourth behind Sole Power at Newmarket  (had previously won very impressively in Newbury handicap) and while a place not beyond him, others make more appeal.

Jack Dexter: Potentially of interest as Group class sprinter given his blocked run in the Duke of York Stakes latest, all his best work has come at the end of 6 furlong races and things may pass him by here.

Kingsgate Native: Winner of a Nunthorpe and Golden Jubilee Stakes in the past who has enjoyed a enjoyed a brief but brilliant renaissance this year, flashing home for second to Sole Power at Newmarket and then revering that form to land Temple Stakes latest in three way drive from Swiss Spirit and Reckless Abandon; Chance if in the same form but wouldn’t back to maintain that advantage over those two.

Medican Man: Fourth in this 12 months ago and has won in Dubai this season as well as Haydock success, but will do well to better that result this time around.

Move In Time: Crack sprinter who has refound form this season, winning big field handicap at Doncaster, coming third in Group 3 at Newmarket and then finishing runner up at Longchamp latest.

Pearl Secret: Took sprinting world by storm when winning first four starts, most impressive in handicap (Doncaster) and listed event (Sandown); Could never really land a blow in the Nunthorpe when he looked green and got blocked when making some steady headway; This course should suit him a little better and still got potential to improve but this a stiff comeback to say least.

Prohibit: Little disappointing when unable to land a blow in Prix Hampton on comeback despite having had poor start and struggling for room 2 furlongs out; Only midfield in this last year and former winner living on past glories here.

Shamexpress: Always been held in high regard but very much a late bloomer (third in the Coolmore Stud Stakes last year at 50/1); Neat win at 6/4 in Premium Handicap over 5 furlongs but never able to land a blow over same trip in the Lighting Stakes, so bit of a surprise when landing the Lexus Stakes, although nobody can deny how impressive he was coming from near last to first that day; Not unfeasible that this test will offer him chance to repeat similar feat but getting a stone from runner up and comes here with something to prove, unlike the three previous Australian winners of that race who won here; That said, still deserves respect.

Shea Shea: Crack sprinter in South Africa who won Grade 1 at Turrfontein in effortless style and after disappointing start to life in UAE, set and then smashed his own course record in the Al Quoz Sprint latest, beating quality case of sprinters in style including Sole Power; That form makes him the one to beat here and should go close, but this finish a lot stiffer than Meydan so will need to strike at right time and in right place; Will take a lot of beating.

Sole Power: No Group 1 wins in nine attempts since his 100/1 shock Nunthrope win but now an established class act over this trip and shouldn’t be too far away judged on his fourth to Shea Shea and Group 3 win, for all his defeat in the Teple Stakes was a little disappointing and hard to see him reversing that form for all Ascot might suit him more.

Spirit Quartz: Capable of running big races at the highest level, as shown when second to Ortensia in last year’s Nunthorpe and winning Chantilly Group 2 when last seen; Joseph O’Brien an interesting booking for him and talented enough on his day so as not to be dismissed.

Stepper Point: Hasn’t got anywhere near the form required to win this.

Swiss Spirit: Took time to show proper form last year but sharp improver since last August and impressive when just touched off in Temple Stakes, having been hammered and fallen behind early only to make ground late; Unlucky to lose that time and with stiffer finish sure to suit, can go well.

Angels Will Fall: Couldn’t land a blow behind Sole Power in Palace House and then behind Society Rock in the 6 furlong Duke of York Stakes; Can’t see her being good enough.

Bungleinthejungle: Speedy and useful juvenile who landed two Group 3 contests last year (Molecomb and Cornwallis) while also coming second in Flying Childers; Only fourth on return in Sales race and then third last in the Palace House Stakes; Hard to fancy.

Reckless Abandon: Top two year old sprinter last year, going unbeaten in 5 when winning Norfolk, Robert Papin, Morny, and Middle Park over 5 and 6 furlongs; Worry that his type might not train on but returning effort in Temple Stakes was superb one and this stuff finish will suit him; First rate chance.

Hoyam: Useful 2 year old who threatened from off the pace in Flying Childers at Doncaster but never looked Group 1 class and only placed the last twice in listed evens and others make much more appeal.

VERDICT: As ever a big field, although there are plenty of those who on form will be struggling to get involved. Shea Shea is a worthy favourite who must go close but is short for a race of this nature with a stiff finish possibly not to his liking as well. The feeling is that he’s the best horse in the race, but may need most things to fall right than one would want for such a price. Seven of the last 10 winners of this have been international raiders but with Shamexpress’s form looking weaker than the three Australian winners to take this after winning the Lightning Stakes, the best value might be with crack young British sprinters SWISS SPIRIT and RECKLESS ABANDON, both of whom should enjoy today’s test enough to convincingly reverse form with Kingsgate Native, and are value at the prices. Sole Power should enjoy this course more than most and will be thereabouts, while Pearl Secret has talent but is set a stiff task on his seasonal debut.