Andrew Nelis racing

Andrew Balding is pinning hopes on the QEII at Ascot to provide another crowning moment after a season he senses could have worked out very differently for his 2000 Guineas hero Kameko. Since his Classic victory at Newmarket, Kameko has run in the Derby over a mile and a half, the Sussex Stakes over a mile and the 10-furlong Juddmonte International..                    Andrew Nelis Racing 

Tue 4 Aug 2020 Denis Hogan  has been dealt a “devastating” blow with the death of crack sprinter  Sceptical . Unraced for Godolphin, the four-year-old cost just £2,800 at the sales and proved a real star for Hogan and owners Hilltop Racing. He won four races in a row, including the Listed Woodlands Stakes at Naas, before travelling to Royal Ascot for the Diamond Jubilee Stakes, finishing a close third under Frankie Dettori to Hello Youmzain and Dream Of Dreams.                         Andrew Nelis Racing 

John Gosden has yet to firm up plans for Royal Ascot heroine Fanny Logan after deciding against running her at Goodwood. The daughter of Sea The Stars claimed the sixth and most notable victory of her career to date with an impressive display in the Hardwicke Stakes at the showpiece meeting in June. She sidestepped a clash with esteemed stablemate Enable in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot and was expected to bid for Group One glory in last week’s Nassau Stakes. However, she did not line up on the Sussex Downs, with Gosden revealing she has not been at her best on the Newmarket gallops. “I’m just freshening her up. I was just not 100 per cent happy with her – that is why we haven’t run her since Royal Ascot,” said the Clarehaven handler. “There is no immediate plan with her as she had two quick races, up at Haydock and then in the Hardwicke at the Royal meeting. “The intention is to give her more of a late summer, early autumn campaign.”.. . ...

Royal Ascot hero  Battleground  puts his tall reputation on the line in the Veuve Clicquot  Vintage  Stakes at  Goodwood  on Tuesday. As well as being a son of American speedster War Front, Aidan O’Brien’s youngster is the first foal out of the yard’s brilliant racemare Found – best known for winning the 2016 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. Despite finishing a never-nearer fifth on his racecourse debut at Naas in early June, Battleground was a well-supported favourite for the Chesham Stakes 10 days later – and that confidence was justified with an emphatic victory..

Roger Varian has paid tribute to his "trainer's dream" and Royal Ascot winner Mountain Angel. The six-year-old was being prepared for the Group Two Sky Bet York Stakes when suffering a fatal injury in his final gallop before this weekend's race. Mountain Angel proved himself better than ever by beating the classy Sir Dragonet in the Wolferton Stakes at the Royal meeting last month - and Newmarket trainer Varian was so impressed that he was planning ahead to a possible return to Ascot in October for the Champion Stakes...                Andrew Nelis Racing .

Enable will face just three rivals - all trained by Aidan O'Brien - as she bids for a piece of history at Ascot on Saturday afternoon. John Gosden's six-year-old mare will become the first horse ever to win the King George on three separate occasions if she can go one better than on her seasonal comeback in the Coral-Eclipse earlier in the month. Standing in her way are just a trio of horses from the Ballydoyle camp, namely Japan, Anthony Van Dyck and likely outsider Sovereign....

Trainer Clive Cox has the Prix Morny at Deauville in mind for the Kodiac colt, who stunned punters and bookmakers alike as he took the Coventry Stakes as a complete outsider at 150-1 in a field of 15. "I think he'll probably go for the Prix Morny," said Cox. "We're looking towards that. That would be our plans and thoughts at this stage...                 Andrew Nelis racing.

Dandalla stretched clear in impressive fashion to win the Albany Stakes for Karl Burke and Ben Curtis. Another to have won at Newcastle since racing resumed, Dandalla could be noted travelling well a couple of furlongs out and when Curtis asked the question, the 13-2 shot responded in style. Pulling clear in the final furlong, she easily accounted for Setarhe to earn quotes of 16-1 for next year's 1000 Guineas.

Lipizzaner and Lope Y Fernandez have been backed to strike for Ballydoyle in the Norfolk Stakes and Commonwealth Cup on day four. Paddy Power report the twice-raced Lipizzaner, drawn in stall 14, to have been supported into 11-4 (from 4) for the Group 2 two-year-old event. Lope Y Fernandez finished third to Siskin in the Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas a week ago and is vying for Commonwealth Cup favouritism at 9-2 (from 11-2) with Pierre Lapin. O'Brien's Royal Lytham, ridden by Pat Cosgrave, has also attracted support at big prices and is 20-1 (from 33). The progressive Hamish has been supported for Hardwicke Stakes glory with the William Haggas-trained four-year-old into a general 7-1 (from 10). James Doyle's mount was as big as 12-1 on Thursday morning and has winning handicap form on soft ground..

Stradivarius became a three-time Gold Cup winner at Royal Ascot with arguably his most impressive performance to date. Held onto for as long as possible by Frankie Dettori - who was claiming his eighth victory in the great marathon race - the son of Sea The Stars simply cruised into contention on the turn in and sauntered alongside long-time leader Nayef Road, who wasn't giving up easily for Ryan Moore. But Stradivarius turned on the after-burners with a couple of furlongs to go and streaked clear to win by 10 lengths and enter the record books in tremendous style..

Molatham gave Jim Crowley a fifth winner at Royal Ascot this week when rallying to beat Monarch Of Egypt in the Jersey Stakes. The pair dominated the business end of the race, with Molatham edging out Aidan O'Brien's runner in the dying strides. Monarch Of Egypt was last early, but was delivered by Ryan Moore to hit the front and look the likely winner in the final furlong..

Highland Chief came from way off the pace to give Paul and Oliver Cole a landmark success in the Golden Gates Handicap at Royal Ascot. The Coles were the first to register a victory with a dual licence when racing resumed – and are now the first to be jointly credited with a winner at the Royal meeting. Carrying top-weight, Highland Chief (20-1) only had two behind him turning into the straight, but fairly took off down the centre of the track..

Roger Varian and James Doyle teamed up to win the Wolferton Stakes at Royal Ascot in fine style with Mountain Angel. Fifth in the race to subsequent Group One hero Addeybb 12 months ago, Mountain Angel enjoyed a dream run up the inside to win in clear-cut fashion. Prince Eiji - a stablemate of the 8-1 winner - appeared to have them all on the stretch at one stage, but Doyle waited for a gap to appear on the rail and when he did he took full advantage.  

Keen form students will no doubt take a close interest in Born With Pride when she takes her chance in the Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot. The William Haggas-trained filly went into the winter as a leading fancy for the Investec Oaks on the back of a taking debut success in a Listed event at Newmarket in November, her only start as a juvenile. She made her eagerly-awaited reappearance in the Classic Trial at Sandown earlier this month, where she was on the face of it disappointing, but there remains real optimism that she can prove herself a smart performer..

Wesley Ward  is confident Kimari can strike Royal  Ascot  gold at the second attempt, in the  Commonwealth  Cup. The popular American trainer was hopeful the speedy filly would provide him with a fourth victory in the Queen Mary at the showpiece meeting a year ago, but she was narrowly denied by the Mark Johnston-trained Raffle Prize – ridden by Ward’s regular ally, Frankie Dettori. Kimari made a successful start to her three-year-old campaign in a Listed event in early April – and with Dettori  onside again on Friday rather than in opposition, Ward is anticipating a bold showing. He said: “She might have won at Royal Ascot last year but for Frankie – if you can’t beat ’em join ’em! “Not all my horses do well from two to three, but she really has, which is why we’re bringing her back. “My team tell me she is in really good form. Kieren Fallon has been riding my horses in Newmarket, and out of them all she is his pick for the week. “It would b...

Fujaira Prince made a triumphant return after a year off the track when running out a ready winner of the Copper Horse Handicap. The Roger Varian-trained gelding had been absent since finishing third at this meeting in 2019, but was sent off the 3-1 favourite and did not let his supporters down. Varian said: "Well done to Andrea. He gave him a great ride. It looked a tricky draw (16), but he was intent on getting out and getting a position. He was able to sit second, one off the fence..

Dark Vision was a length-and-a-quarter winner of the Royal Hunt Cup, under William Buick for Mark Johnston. The four-year-old, owned by Godolphin, had finished second on his seasonal return at Newcastle this month to Sir Busker - winner of the Silver consolation race which had opened the card. Dark Vision prevailed at 15-2 from Montatham - with Pogo and Vale Of Kent third and fourth respectively, and a gap back to the remainder of the 23-strong field.

Lord North  produced a devastating turn of foot to run out a convincing winner of the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot. Stepping up to Group One company for the first time, last year’s Cambridgeshire winner bridged the gap in some style. John Gosden ’s charge had looked good when winning the Group Three Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Haydock earlier this month – but this was even better as he destroyed a quality field. Bangkok  made the running with  Addeybb  and  Japan  close up, while  James Doyle  was happy to sit Lord North (5-1) at the rear of the seven runners..

Russian Emperor finished with a rattle to claim a last-gasp success in a thrilling renewal of the Hampton Court Stakes at Royal Ascot. Runner-up to stablemate Cormorant when hot favourite for the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial at Leopardstown last week, Aidan O'Brien's colt was sent off at 100-30 for what looked a competitive Group Three event. Berlin Tango - who had beaten Tuesday's King Edward VII Stakes winner Pyledriver on his latest appearance at Kempton - travelled strongly into the home straight under Oisin Murphy before quickening to grab the lead.

£20 Risk Free First Bet Roger Teal will send talented sprinter Oxted straight to next month’s Darley July Cup at Newmarket after deciding to bypass an outing at Royal Ascot. The Lambourn handler planned to give the four-year-old a first start at Group One level in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes on Saturday following his inaugural Pattern race victory in the Group Three Abernant Stakes at Newmarket. However, after having a change of heart, Teal will now give Oxted his top level debut on the July Course. Teal said: “Oxted is fine but I just want to give him more time, so I will keep him fresh for the July Cup. “He is only four so I thought Ascot would come too soon. If I look after him now, he will look after me later. “The owners are all happy to wait for Newmarket.”.