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Brilliant 'Henry' star of the show
HENRYTHENAVIGATOR, brilliant winner of the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket and the Curragh, is the star attraction on the first day of Royal Ascot.
Aidan O'Brien's brilliant colt will be a short price in the Group 1 St James's Palace Stakes but the King's Stand Stakes betting is more open with the super-fast filly Fleeting Spirit taking on speedsters from Australia, South Africa, Ireland and Spain, as well as the home contingent.
Henrythenavigator announced his passage into the big time when landing the Coventry Stakes on this card a year ago. Although twice beaten at the Curragh subsequently, he showed himself to be one of the best milers of recent years when coming with a late burst to land both colts classics.
Runner-up on both occasions was New Approach who could hardly have done more for the form than subsequently win the Derby.
'Henry' has all the attributes to become a superstar in the miling division and it will be a major shock if he is beaten today.
Bryan Smart's Captain Gerrards is likely to set a blistering pace in the Group 1 King's Stands Stakes, but whether he can hold on against some very speedy rivals is another matter.
The Australian raiders Takeover Target and Magnus, 1-2 in Singapore last time, and the Spanish challenger Equiano, runner-up to Marchand D'or at Chantilly (Captain Gerrard fourth), all have chances while Fleeting Spirit left scorch marks when landing the Temple Stakes at Haydock last time.
It is good to see last year's Nunthorpe winner Kingsgate Native back in action and he is very closely matched with Fleeting Spirit on their form in Goodwood's Molecombe Stakes and also with Benbaun on their 1-2 in the Prix de 'Abbaye'.
Takeover Target won this in 2006 from Benbaun with Dandy Man close behind. He was carrying a Group 1 penalty that day as the race was then a Group 2 and though only fourth a year ago he had been aimed at the Golden Jubilee rather than this race.
I believe he can score again though greatly fear Kingsgate Native, whose run in the 'Abbaye' as a juvenile confirmed him as potentially one of the best sprinters of recent years.
Apart from Henrythenavigator, I expect the Irish to have a great day. The meeting opens with a cracking Queen Anne Stakes in which the fillies may rule.
Darjina's narrow defeat of Finsceal Beo in last year's French 1,000 Guineas points to her clear chance, but Jim Bolger's filly is taken to reverse the form on today's faster ground. Dermot Weld's Silver Shoon, beaten three times in her native country, gets all the allowances in the closing Windsor Castle Stakes and she has been unfortunate to come up against some potentially very useful opposition.
While there are plenty with chances in this very competitive Listed contest, Pat Smullen's mount has the pace and experience to gain her first victory at the fourth attempt. Recent York winner Bukit Tinggi is strongly fancied by connections for the Queen's Vase, but faces a stiff task from a higher mark over this marathon trip.
In-form hurdlers Liberate and Mamlook, along with last year's third Som Tala, are certain to last the distance while the former Henry Cecil-trained Power Of Future made a fine comeback at Leopardstown and gets the vote from what looks a fair mark. Mick Channon's Orizaba, so impressive when making a winning debut at Newbury, is a highly-regarded colt who can continue his progress in the Coventry Stakes with Frankie Dettori in the saddle.
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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