De Bruyne Horse can strike at Royal Ascot

De Bruyne Horse
Trainer: Richard Hannon
Won, Epsom, June 2
The Woodcote has been an informative trial for Royal Ascot recently. The 2014 winner Baitha Alga won the Norfolk Stakes and 2015 scorer Buratino followed up in the Coventry Stakes. De Bruyne Horse could be in the same class as those two horses. The sixth furlong was when he exerted his authority, so he looks likely to take the Coventry route, and given that he has improved markedly on each of his three starts, he looks set to make his presence felt at the royal meeting.
AdviceBack on next three starts

Solomon’s Bay
Roger Varian
Won, Epsom, June 2
The penny is dropping with this three-year-old Exceed And Excel colt. He stepped up markedly from his previous five runs, coming from off the pace with a swooping run to win with more in hand than the official margin of three-quarters of a length suggests. You can understand why the Jersey Stakes has been mentioned for him as a stiffer 7f furlong should suit, and like many of his sire’s progeny he seems to relish a quick surface.
AdviceBack on next three starts

Dark Shot
Andrew Balding
2nd, Epsom, June 3
The four-year-old sprinter is proving to be expensive to follow this season, but on this evidence his followers are likely to be rewarded soon. It was a phenomenal effort to come from last to second, and this was despite losing momentum when finding trouble in running a furlong out. With a clear run he would have won. He is reportedly being aimed at the Stewards’ Cup, which his trainer and owner – Jeff Smith – won last season with Dancing Star.
AdviceFollow for remainder of season