JJ The Jet Plane for Ascot take off
International raiders have grabbed all the headlines at Royal Ascot this week and Saturday’s big prize, the Golden Jubilee (3.45pm), could well be heading overseas as well. The Americans, Australians, French and Irish have all tasted success over the last few days and tomorrow it could well be the turn of the South Africans. JJ THE JET PLANE looked mightily impressive when seeing off some useful yardsticks at Windsor last time and will be pretty difficult to catch.
He showed in Dubai on his penultimate start that he is more than capable of reproducing the level of form that saw him win three consecutive Grade 1’s in his native South Africa and at 3/1 with Boylesports he looks decent value.
He may have most to fear from another international raider Sacred Kingdom who has drawn the stall next to our selection. The Hong Kong raider has won 12 of his 18 career starts and netted a staggering £1,765,264 along the way. Yet, he has been doing all his racing in Sha Tin and Singapore and doesn’t have the international experience of JJ The Jet Plane.
Last year’s winner Kingsgate Native warrants plenty of respect on his debut for Sir Michael Stoute and has apparently been working the house down. While, King’s Apostle looks on the upgrade but has been done no favours by the draw. The years look to have caught up with 10-year-old Takeover Target and the Aussie raider may well be one to sell on the index with Sporting Index. Whatever happens, this looks sure to be a tight affair and www.star-racing.com will give you your money back in the form of a free bet on any horse beaten a short head at Ascot today or tomorrow.
Elsewhere, Sir Michael Stoute will be pinning his hopes on last year’s Derby fourth Doctor Freemantle in the Hardwicke Stakes (3.05pm) and this Khalid Abdullah-owned four-year-old must have a good chance of taking the prize. However, I wasn’t overly impressed with his win last time out at Chester and am prepared to take him on at the prices. Godolphin opened their account at the Royal meeting yesterday and last year’s King Edward VII winner CAMPANOLOGIST could be the one to do it for them. He cosily beat last year’s St Leger and Breeders’ Cup Turf winner Conduit here 12 months ago, which looks strong form to me against some relatively exposed rivals.
Andrew Balding’s HATTON FLIGHT notched up a quick-fire hat-trick at Newmarket on 1,000 Guineas day and he definitely looks like one to keep on the right side of in the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes (5.00pm). He hasn’t stopped improving all season and his shrewd trainer notably missed an alternative engagement at Epsom to keep him fresh for this. He is definitely on the upgrade and even with a penalty looks to be the most progressive in the line-up.
POINTERS…
CAMPONOLOGIST Royal Ascot 3.05pm
JJ THE JET PLANE Royal Ascot 3.45pm
HATTON FLIGHT Royal Ascot 5.00pm