Storm Boy presents a challenge for the world class jockey.
"Storm Boy will need to take a good step forward"
Ascot | Race 1: Listed Chesham Stakes
I kick off the final day with a nice Justify filly called MOMENTS OF JOY.
She's one from one having responded well to pressure to win on debut at Leopardstown two weeks ago. She showed a good attitude to battle all the way to the line and should take a good step forward.
Humidity, Treanmor and Venetian Lace were all winners over six furlongs on their first start and have to be respected stepping up in trip.
Ascot | Race 2: G2 Hardwicke Stakes
PALLADIUM is a hard one to weigh up given I've not ridden him before and he's been mixing the Flat with Jumps.
His return to the Flat at Goodwood having won a hurdles race over the winter was promising. He finished a close-up third and the first three home that day pulled well clear. Quick ground will be a new challenge for him, so we'll just have to see how he acts on that.
Rebel's Romance has some high-class form in the book, while Kalpana is well-fancied too.
Ascot | Race 3: G1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes
STORM BOY will need to take a good step forward from his last run.
If he brings his best form from Australia he'll be there or thereabouts, but we didn't see that at the Curragh so it's hard to be too confident. It's a good renewal, with horses from France and Japan in there too.
Satono Reve probably has the best bits of form on offer, having run third and second behind Hong Kong's top sprinter Ka Ying Rising. I rode work on him the week before Ascot and he did everything nicely. He'll handle quick ground, though this will be the first time he's run over a straight six furlongs, but he's quite a relaxed horse, so I don't see that being a problem.
I like Topgear too. He impressed me last year in the Prix du Pin at Longchamp and then again on his reappearance at the same track. He's one to keep on side.
Inisherin is the other one I know a bit about, having won on him at York. I think he'll improve for that and shouldn't be underestimated.
Ascot | Race 4: G3 Jersey Stakes
The drop back in trip should suit COMANCHE BRAVE.
He was a good second to Henri Matisse over seven furlongs on his reappearance and ran with plenty of credit to finish fifth in the Irish Guineas.
The form of both of those races has worked out very well and he now looks to have every chance in a race like this.
Ascot | Race 5: Wokingham Stakes
I'm back on ARAMRAM for Richard Hannon having won on him at Newbury last time out.
He's gone up a bit in the handicap which makes life a bit tougher, but he feels better than a handicapper to me.
I'm not sure the stiff six furlongs is ideal for him, but I'd like to think he's got a chance off his current mark.
Ascot | Race 6: Golden Gates Stakes
ROOSEVELT is back up in trip after disappointing last time out over seven furlongs at Fairyhouse.
The horse he beat on his maiden win over 1m4f has come out and won since, so that's a confidence booster in what otherwise looks a very tough race to call. We're drawn in stall one, which is often a very tricky place to jump from.
Ascot | Race 7: Queen Alexandra Stakes
I'm delighted to be riding SOBER for Willie Mullins.
He's already a winner in Group company and was placed in the G1 Prix Royal-Oak in 2022 before being gelded.
He's not been with Willie for long and has had one start over hurdles since moving over from Andre Fabre's, so we've not got much to go on in that sense, but his form from France is good. I'd like to think he's got a very good chance.
