Big Ben aiming to chime for punters' pal Frankie Dettori in heritage handicap
Bet365 Trophy (Heritage Handicap) | 4yo+ | 1m6f | ITV3/RTV
Arguably the unluckiest loser at Royal Ascot was the giant Ben Vrackie, who failed by just a short-head to catch Baghdad in the Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes.
The towering son of Frankel, appropriately named after a mountain in Perthshire, did well to get as close as he did considering he was drawn very wide and then had to weave his way through beaten horses in the straight.
That was no bad seasonal comeback from the John Gosden-trained colt, with today's rivals Collide (fifth), Secret Advisor (12th) and Top Tug (14th) behind him and the extra two furlongs of this heritage handicap should play to his strengths.
Gosden said: "Ben Vrackie was a bit unfortunate at Royal Ascot as he was drawn wide and he's a big old boy, who took time to get himself organised. He shaped then as if this trip will play to his strengths and this looks the right race for him."
Secret information
Secret Advisor steps back up in trip after his return from injury at Ascot and knows all about today's venue as he recently enjoyed a racecourse gallop with last year's Derby winner Masar on the July course.
The five-year-old son of Dubawi, trained by Charlie Appleby, has shown good form at this trip, including when winning the valuable Melrose Handicap at York two years ago, and ran a respectable race on his first start for nearly 22 months at Ascot.
Appleby said: "Secret Advisor had been off the track for a long time before he ran at Royal Ascot and has definitely come forward for that effort. The step back up to a mile and six should suit and we feel that he should run a big race.”
Prolific King's Advice well drawn
A wide draw and a troubled trip scuppered King's Advice's bid for a remarkable seventh consecutive win in the Northumberland Plate last time but he should get a clear run from stall three on this occasion.
The five-year-old was trained in Germany and then France before joining Mark Johnston last winter and embarked on his winning spree back in March.
Since then his rating has climbed 30lb from an opening mark of 71 and will be reunited with Joe Fanning, on board for his last six wins and only back from injury this week.
Bruce Raymond, racing manager to owner Saeed Jaber, said: "King's Advice ran an extraordinary race in the Nothumberland Plate considering he was posted wide the whole way round and was beaten under three lengths in the end. He's better drawn here and has a good chance."
What the others say
Simon Crisford, trainer of Outbox
He's been working nicely on the watered gallop in preparation for this and the distance should play to his strengths.
Hugo Palmer, trainer of Collide
He could do with a drop of rain but there are very few options for him off his rating. He's been working nicely and the extra two furlongs should suit him.
Bruce Raymond, racing manager to Sheikh Juma Dalmook Al Maktoum, owner of Desert Wind.
He has a decent draw in stall one as he likes to be on the pace and I believe Ed Vaughan has been very pleased with his preparation.
Andrew Balding, trainer of Caliburn and Lissitzky
Caliburn won well last time. It looks a tough race but it looks like the extra two furlongs shouldn't be a problem for him and he's in great form so I’d hope he’d run very well. Lissitzky appeared not to stay at Newcastle last time so the drop back to 1m6f should suit him. He won a nice race at the Rowley Mile so a repeat of that would give him an each-way chance.
Ian Willams, trainer of Manjaam and Time To Study
Manjaam deserves his opportunity in a big handicap and it's a good prize to go for. Time To Study ran very well at Royal Ascot and nothing went right for him at Newcastle so this is a recovery mission.
Hughie Morrison, trainer of Not So Sleepy
He has a nice weight and should stay the trip. The lack of rain is a concern though and we'll take a look at the ground in the morning. Ground on the easy side of good suits him best.
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