Hannon form points to Billesdon Brook putting up strong challenge in Coronation

Richard Hannon made it two placings at the meeting when Magnificent finished third at 33-1 in the Britannia on Thursday after Euginio’s 33-1 second in the Wolferton on the opening day.

That may not sound like an notable achievement but the former champion trainer has not had a runner priced shorter than 20-1 this week, with most twice or more that price.

One of his four runners this afternoon is a single-figure price as his 1,000 Guineas winner Billesdon Brook tries to prove her 66-1 Classic success was no fluke in the Coronation Stakes.

Sioux Nation and Ryan Moore winning the Norfolk Stakes last yearCredit: Edward Whitaker

Draw smoke signal point to Sioux Nation

The Commonwealth Cup is going to be very interesting with the principals drawn so far apart with Equilateral in two and Sioux Nation in 15 in a 22-runner field. The big field races, admittedly over further, have suggested a high draw is no bad thing and Sioux Nation has both Sands Of Mali and Invincible Army on his wing but Equilateral only has Eqtidaar of any note near him.

Ryan has more to come than Frankie

Ryan Moore’s honest reaction to riding his 50th Royal Ascot winner told it all about his psyche as all he was interested in was where number 51 was coming from. It came 35 minutes later but he still trails Frankie Dettori 4-3 with 12 races to go in the top jockeys’ race. Moore has a full book both days, with four of them either favourite or second in on Friday and Crystal Ocean and Thomas Hobson on Saturday.

Dettori, who hit 60 royal winners yesterday, matches him today for rides without any favourites and only has three rides on Saturday yet one bookmaker still makes Dettori favourite to hang on.

Ward to add his romance with Windsor Castle

Wesley Ward moved into Royal Ascot double figures on Thursday with Shang Shang Shang giving him another Norfolk. That filly’s win is a pointer to another possible strike as Moonlight Romance, who runs in Saturday’s Windsor Castle, was second to Shang Shang Shang on debut at Keeneland before winning her maiden.

Hootenanny and Victor Espinoza win the Windsor Castle Stakes of 2014Credit: Alan Crowhurst

Added to that the American trainer is looking for his third win in the two-year-old Listed sprint after Hootenanny (2014) and Strike The Tiger (2009).

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