Invincible Army in 'savage' form as Tate counts down to Diamond Jubilee

Savage was how James Tate described the form of Diamond Jubilee favourite Invincible Army on Wednesday as the Newmarket trainer attempts to rein in the excitement prior to a bid for a first top-level and Royal Ascot success later this month.

The Saeed Manana-owned Invincible Army has scored convincingly in two starts this season, landing the Listed Unibet Cammidge Stakes and Group 2 Duke Of York Clipper Logistics Stakes, and has been backed into 3-1 (from 4) to land the Group 1 sprint over six furlongs on June 22.

A course-and-distance winner in the Merriebelle Stable Pavilion Stakes last May, Invincible Army finished ninth in the Commonwealth Cup the following month but Tate feels the three-time Group-race scorer is the finished article this season.

Tate, who also intends to run Royal Hunt Cup market leader New Graduate, said: “It would be fantastic and a career highlight were Invincible Army to win. Royal Ascot is the pinnacle but being the pinnacle it’s a very tough place to win.

“To go into the meeting with two favourites is fantastic but I’m trying not to think about it too much and we’re focused on getting them there in the best possible shape.

“Invincible Army is really fresh and well and in savage form – he keeps injuring people by biting their thumbs and giving them thick lips. We’re really looking forward to running him.

“He’s definitely come of age this year and knows what the job is now. He enjoys his routine, plays with us at home then goes to the races and is relaxed.

“He’s matured physically and mentally from three to four, as perhaps he was always bred to do, and we’re really enjoying it.”

Firm ground is Tate’s key concern for Invincible Army, who was beaten a short head by subsequent Derby hero Masar on debut at Goodwood two years ago, but feels the four-year-old has leading claims.

Tate said: “He has an excellent chance providing the ground isn’t like Tarmac. He has winning form at the course and the straight track with the slight uphill finish really plays to his strengths.

“He’s a big character at home. Sometimes you can catch him in the field but other times it will take you ten minutes and he does it in a playful way.

“He does it with his ears pricked but when he’s playing at 540 kilos with his front feet coming at you and teeth showing it’s not quite as much fun for us as it is him.”

P J McDonald (left): enjoyed Group 3 success with Hey Gaman for James Tate (right) last week and hopes to strike at Royal Ascot with Invincible ArmyCredit: Racing Post / Scott Burton

P J McDonald has ridden Invincible Army to his two victories this campaign and harbours high hopes of landing a first winner at the royal meeting.

McDonald, whose other rides will include Laurens in the Queen Anne and Mighty Spirit in the Queen Mary, said: “Everything has gone to plan so far this season for Invincible Army and on his York run he doesn’t need to find a whole lot more to be getting competitive.

“I’m hoping the weather is kind to us and it’s not lightning fast summer ground. It’s Royal Ascot and there’s no easy races but he’ll give a good account of himself.

“It's where you want to be riding, but only if you’ve got the horses to compete. I’ve been there to ride in the handicaps on some big-priced horses and if your horse doesn’t travel it’s not a nice place to be, and when you can’t get competitive, it’s quite disheartening.

“This is the first year I’ve gone down there with a decent book of rides and I’m looking forward to it.”

New Graduate was an impressive five-length winner on his handicap debut at Ripon in April, form that has been franked, and the progressive four-year-old heads the Royal Hunt Cup market at a general 10-1.

Tate said: “I’ve kept him fresh for the Hunt Cup and preserved his handicap mark as much as I could. I’m hoping my patience will be rewarded – we’ve always thought a lot of him and he’s lightly raced going into it.

“We thought it was just a question of how far he would win by first time out this year, which it was, and the race couldn’t have worked out much better. He lacks experience but he’s got a lot of talent and is versatile regarding ground.”

MINI JURY

Does Invincible Army deserve his position at the head of the Diamond Jubilee market?

This year's edition of the Diamond Jubilee doesn't look to be the strongest and with Blue Point set to try and retain his crown in the King's Stand, the British contingent looks weak aside from Invincible Army. James Tate's sprinter looked below top class last season but has improved from three to four and deserves to head the market based on his rout of nine rivals in the Group 2 Duke Of York when last seen. He doesn't represent any value for punters, however, who should probably turn to the French-trained City Light, an unlucky second in this race last year behind Merchant Navy who should not be a double-figure price to go one better.
Tom Collins

City Light (green silks) ran well to finish runner-up last yearCredit: Mark Cranham

He needs to improve on his impressive Duke Of York success to win the Diamond Jubilee but doesn’t have a mountain to climb on ratings and has recorded back-to-back career-best efforts judged on Racing Post Ratings. He is the progressive sprinter in the race and, for that reason, is probably the right favourite. But I wouldn’t have him quite as short as his current odds given there are at least two or three with stronger form in the book and he also looks ground dependent. He certainly doesn’t want it too quick and was well beaten on fast going in the Commonwealth Cup at this fixture last season.
Graeme Rodway

Yes. He appears to have improved significantly from three to four, and looks a far more mature sprinter than when beaten four lengths in the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup last summer. It’s never easy to come from off the pace at York, yet Invincible Army made it look easy last month in the Group 2 Duke Of York Stakes. The turn of foot he unleashed that day stamped him as a potential Group 1 winner, and he was massively in command at the finish. Invincible Army won at Ascot last May, and clearly likes the course. I wouldn’t want to bet against him.
Richard Birch

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