Blue Point looks sharp as Commonwealth Cup appointment looms

Blue PointCharlie Appleby
With Royal Ascot looming large there was understandably plenty of activity on the Limekilns on Saturday morning, with Appleby coming out of the front gates of Moulton Paddocks to make use of the trial ground. The Commonwealth Cup candidate was first up when impressing under Willie Ryan, who knows plenty about the Limekilns from his days with Sir Henry Cecil.

First SelectionSimon Crisford
Crisford's day got off to a bad start when he discovered the coffee machine at the local BP garage was out of order, but he was soon cheered by the sight of the four-year-old winging up the trial ground. The son of Diktat cut little ice in three starts at Meydan in winter but is to drop back to six furlongs for the first time since his juvenile days in the Wokingham Handicap.

MoriSir Michael Stoute
It was good to see Ted Durcan back in the Stoute fold even if he was watching from ground level on a crutch as he recovers from his latest injury. The jockey looked on as fellow rider Ryan Moore swept past on this Goodwood Listed winner, who will take plenty of stopping in the Group 2 Ribblesdale Stakes on Thursday week.

Bound For NowhereWesley Ward
Ward's understudy Blake Heap was checking out the summer gallop on Racecourse Side with some of their nine recent arrivals and this son of The Factor filled the eye in an easy breeze. On this evidence the Commonwealth Cup candidate could be worth watching when the Ward team work on the racecourse on Tuesday.

Shutter SpeedJohn Gosden
Gosden has already kick-started an attempt to land an Oaks in three different countries this summer and his Musidora winner completed her prep for leg two on the round gallop on Friday morning. The daughter of Dansili should relish the tight turns of Chantilly in the Prix de Diane next Sunday.

Great Work!!! ArbaletHugo Palmer
James Doyle was on this son of Dark Angel, who bounded clear of his companions on the Long Gallop. The youngster missed an engagement at Newmarket on Saturday and is now set to make his debut at Doncaster on Thursday.