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| Staff Writer |
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As Royal Ascot week approaches, anticipation mounts among racing enthusiasts as leading trainers unveil their top contenders. This year's Royal Ascot holds special significance as King Charles III plans to attend in honor of his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II's love for the sport. Despite his ongoing cancer treatment, the King is determined to witness his horses in action. With the floodgates now open, trainers from far and wide set their sights on Royal Ascot, each vying for a chance to etch their names into racing history at one of the sport's most iconic gatherings.
In the family enclosure on the Rowley Mile, amid the Royal Ascot buzz, a Hurricane fighter aircraft stood as a symbol of history. Meanwhile, on the track, another kind of flying machine took center stage in the form of Mountain Breeze, a favourite for the Gr.3 Albany Stakes.
After a remarkable performance in the opener, the daughter of Lope de Vega showcased her prowess once more. Trained by Charlie Appleby and ridden by Pat Dobbs, Mountain Breeze defied a 5lb penalty, building on her debut win at the Guineas meeting.
Transitioning smoothly to the 6F fillies' novice, she surged clear out of the Dip, leaving newcomer New Charter in her wake.
Appleby's assistant Alex Merriam said, "Mountain Breeze was entitled to be a short price after how she won last time and this is probably more her trip. It was a straightforward task even though she had a penalty and she was pretty professional today. I'll have to speak to Charlie Appleby but I would suggest she'll go straight to the Albany."
Dobbs has a decent strike-rate for Appleby and was impressed with Mountain Breeze.
He said, "She's a nice filly who won despite not handling the track. My agent Tony Hind is also agent for William Buick, who had to go to Newbury."
Mountain Breeze finds herself in esteemed company, as the race has seen victory from two subsequent 1,000 Guineas champions in recent years: Cachet in 2021 and Mawj in 2022.
Paddy Power representative Paul Binfield was impressed. He said: "Mountain Breeze looks the best British-based two-year-old filly we've seen so far this season. She has an electric turn of foot and looks the one to beat in the Albany Stakes."
Trainer Owen Burrows is eagerly anticipating a rematch with Classic victor Notable Speech in the upcoming St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot, where his contender Alyanaabi aims to pose a real challenge. Alyanaabi, owned by Shadwell and sired by Too Darn Hot, displayed promising form as a juvenile, clinching a Group 3 victory and finishing second in the Dewhurst Stakes behind City Of Troy. Despite finishing fifth in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket, Alyanaabi impressed, overcoming track disadvantages to finish within four and three-quarter lengths of Notable Speech.
Reflecting on Alyanaabi's performance in the Guineas, Burrows remarked, "He's come out of the Guineas in good form. The race developed away from him but that isn't really an excuse from us because he still ran a cracking race too." With sights set on the St James's Palace Stakes, Burrows is keen on another showdown with Notable Speech, acknowledging the challenge ahead.
"We'll have four and three-quarter lengths to make up, but we might just ride a slightly different race this time," Burrows noted. While recognizing Notable Speech's prowess, Burrows remains hopeful that Alyanaabi can narrow the gap and pose a stronger challenge in the upcoming encounter.
Trained by Ralph Beckett, Remarquee is set to make her appearance at the Princess Elizabeth Stakes in Epsom as part of her journey to secure a spot at Royal Ascot. The filly showcased her talent at three, clinching victory in the Fred Darling at Newbury in her first outing last season.
She followed this success with strong performances, earning silver in both the Coronation and Falmouth Stakes, facing tough competition from Tahiyra and Nashwa. Despite a promising start, her 2024 return at the Chartwell Fillies’ Stakes in Lingfield saw her finish fifth, five lengths behind, due to her eagerness during the race.
However, connections remain optimistic, expecting a significant improvement in her upcoming start as they aim for a spot in the Duke of Cambridge Stakes at the prestigious Royal meeting. Remarquee, owned by Wathnan Racing, hopes to emulate the success of former stablemate Prosperous Voyage, who triumphed in the same Group Three race on Derby day last year.
Richard Brown, racing adviser for Wathnan, expressed confidence in Remarquee's potential, anticipating significant progress following her recent performance. The plan remains unchanged, with a focus on working towards the Duke of Cambridge Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Trained by Aidan O'Brien, Fairy Godmother showcased her potential as a leading contender for the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot with an impressive performance in the Gr.3 Coolmore Stud Irish EBF Fillies Sprint Stakes. Despite coming from last to first, the daughter of Night Of Thunder demonstrated remarkable improvement from her previous outing, where she was beaten by Sparkling Sea. Under the guidance of jockey Ryan Moore, Fairy Godmother quickened up well on the climb to the finish, securing victory by a neck.
O'Brien said, "We were surprised she was beaten first time, but she was very green. Even though they went slowly today, we made the decision that we were going to drop her in and teach her, and decide from there how we were going to ride her at Ascot. She got the trip well and did well to get through from where she was.
"She looks an Albany filly who will get seven [furlongs]. Ryan said she's a filly that can continue towards the Moyglare, and that's what you like to hear."
Sparkling Sea's trainer Ger Lyons ruled out a trip to Ascot, but said: "She was 70 per cent cooked today and when she matures she's going to be a lovely filly.
"Colin [Keane] thought he maybe went after the leader too quickly, but she came back a bit quicker than he thought and it allowed Ryan to pick his pocket. That was a proper race and they're both Group 1 fillies."
Meanwhile, Sparkling Sea's trainer Ger Lyons ruled out a trip to Ascot for his filly, despite acknowledging her potential for future success. The race concluded a successful treble for O'Brien and Moore, with Treasure Isle and Aesop's Fables securing victories earlier in the day. Aesop's Fables, a previous contender in prestigious races such as the Prix de l'Abbaye and the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint, marked his return to the winner's circle with a victory in the Listed Sole Power Sprint Stakes.
O'Brien said, "He usually takes a few runs to get right. Everyone had been happy with him at home. We thought he might come on again for today. He's tough, hardy and a real sprinter. This is his trip."
In another thrilling race, Phoenix Stakes winner Bucanero Fuerte claimed victory in the Goffs Lacken Stakes under jockey David Egan. Despite carrying a Group One penalty, Bucanero Fuerte displayed his resilience, fending off the challenge from Givemethebeatboys to win by a head. Trainer Adrian Murray expressed his delight at the colt's performance, confirming plans to target the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot. However, jockey Luke McAteer faced disciplinary action from the stewards after being found guilty of careless riding, receiving a 12-day ban for his fourth offense.