Royal Ascot Day five – our man on Stradivarius and the Gold Cup, Oisin Murphy and Saturday’s action

THE person who overcomes adversity is the true champion.

Stand up, Oisin Murphy.

He gave two horses two great rides yesterday. One won him a Group 1, one lost him one.

The betting was  quick to suggest Frankie Dettori and Wesley Ward’s Campanelle would get the Commonwealth Cup in the stewards’ room. The bookies got it right — but did the stewards? I’d have let the result stand.

Murphy was on first-past-the-post Dragon Symbol.

Yes, the horse edged right, but in a tough battle Campanelle had two furlongs to go past. The one time he did inch ahead, just yards before the line, Frankie then put his whip down. In that moment Murphy gave his horse two cracks and he got back up.

At the line he  was going away.

On the basis our rules favour the best horse in the race — in other words the winner — I would have let the situation stay as it was.

To have  a Group 1 taken away like that  was tough on Murphy and Watson.

Yet such is the mark of a champion Murphy bounced back straight away to bang in Alcohol Free in the Coronation Stakes. It was a cracking ride.

If anything this week we have learned  Dettori is human.

Racing’s premier showman still has a good chance of ending the week on top of the pile for a third year running — but he will have kicked himself for getting Stradivarius in a hopeless position in the Ascot Gold Cup.

Whether he would have won with a clear run is subjective, but it’s fair to say Subjectivist was a super winner for Mark Johnston and the terrifically modest Joe Fanning. He’s a demon from the front and a bit more wicked than he makes out!

Of course, the Gold Cup was  the feature event over five days which mixed glorious sunshine and lashing rain. It’s Great Britain, people. What do you expect?

On the track it was a week of high class racing.

Palace Pier was  supreme in the Queen Anne and I can’t wait to see him step up to a mile and a quarter. I think he might be even better over that trip.

Oxted showed the ‘Fallon Factor’ lives on as young Cieren was superb on him in the King’s Stand, while Poetic Flare was toughest of the tough in the St James’s Palace Stakes for Jim Bolger. What a colt.

Then what about Love’s comeback in the Prince of Wales’s? Ryan Moore gave her a peach from the front and she’s a filly to enjoy for the rest of the season.

On the jockey front, well done to Laura Pearson and Marco Ghiani for getting on the scoresheet at Royal Ascot. Both are top people with plenty of skill.

And we have one more day left!

ITV coverage on Day Five starts with the  Chesham. I know Oisin  is very keen on the chance of MASEKELA (2.30) and that’s good enough for me!

The youngster won on debut at Goodwood in decent style and is bred to love this extra furlong.

NAVAL CROWN (3.05) can take the next for the Boys In Blue. Used as a pacemaker in the 2,000 Guineas he ran a corker to finish fourth and the drop to this trip will be ideal. He goes on any ground and has track form. Huge each-way value.

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Oisin Murphy bounced back to win the Coronation Stakes on Alcohol Free[/caption]

Up to Group 2 class next with the Hardwicke over 1m4f. This is wide open.

ILLARAAB (3.40) is up in class but he just keeps on winning. Stepping up to this trip at York last time he improved again to land a handicap in great style and has the ability to go on any surface. Has to find another 5lb here but might well do so.

GLEN SHIEL (4.20) can take the  the Group 1 Diamond Jubilee.

He was a big-priced winner of Champions Sprint at Ascot in October and is decent odds again for Hollie Doyle. Ratings-wise he’s bang in the mix and it would certainly be a sweet win for Watson after yesterday.

GULLIVER (5.00) will need luck in the Wokingham but is now down to a very handy mark

KING FRANKEL (5.35) remains a promising handicapper for Mark Johnston. Frankie is an interesting jockey booking.

Finally, Royal Ascot 2021 closes with the Queen Alexandra and it has to be FALCON EIGHT (6.10).  The trip should be no issue and he brings in plenty of class with a BHA rating of 110.

And if I am right about all of the above  it  means Frankie could take Murphy to a countback in the race to end up top jock!

Yeeehaaa!

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