Can any of the Sagaro field break through as a Royal Ascot contender?

2.40 Newcastle
Betway Sagaro Stakes (Group 3) | 2m½f | 4yo+ | ITV/Sky

In the Sagaro's normal early May slot it is an established trial for the Gold Cup at Ascot. There is a greater urgency to the race this year, with Royal Ascot so much closer, and while the race lacks obvious stars it is competitive.

The Stradivarius proxy is Royal Line, who was a place behind his stablemate when third in the Long Distance Cup in October. He was last off the bridle that day and all his other form is around 1m4f. He might just get away with 2m and if he does under these less testing conditions he could take a lot of beating as he looks to have at least a Group 2 engine.

Ispolini technically has the class, having won the Nad Al Sheba Trophy and German St Leger last season. His best form is all in Dubai; on his Dortmund run he would have a bit to find and his sole run in Britain last year was a disappointment.

Lots of others are on the cusp of being treated as serious contenders in the staying division. Prince Of Arran was second in the Melbourne Cup after winning the Geelong equivalent, Nayef Road won the Gordon Stakes and was third in the St Leger, while Mildenberger and Rainbow Dreamer would have been on course for all-weather finals day given their exploits over the winter.

Fairly typically, reliance for the early pace may rest on Mark Johnston's runners: King's Advice and Mildenberger have the strongest track record of setting the pace, although neither they nor stablemate Nayef Road will have much interest in turning the race into a real test.
Keith Melrose, betting editor

What they say

Charlie Appleby, trainer of Ispolini
He was due to run in the Group 2 Dubai Gold Cup, but obviously had to miss the race after the meeting was cancelled. He has done well since coming back from Dubai and this looks a natural starting point for his season. He's already a dual Group 3 winner, was successful on his only previous all-weather start and goes well fresh. He looks to be a major player and we're hoping he can tee up another Cup campaign with a decent effort.

Charlie Fellowes, trainer of Prince Of Arran and Jeremiah
Prince Of Arran is in as good form as he's ever been and has worked consistently well at home just lately. He has a 3lb penalty but so have many others in the race and I expect him to be bang there. It's a good race but on his Racing Post Rating he should be thereabouts. This looks a good starting point for Jeremiah, who has had nearly two years off. It's a big ask, but hopefully he can run a nice race.

John Gosden, trainer of Royal Line
He's a good old horse who won the Group 3 September Stakes on the all-weather at Kempton last year, although this trip of two miles may well stretch his stamina. We had hoped to start him off somewhere like Newbury, but those meetings were lost and there's nowhere else to run him.

Alan King, trainer of Rainbow Dreamer
He's unbeaten in five races on the all-weather and was favourite for the Marathon at Lingfield’s Championship day on Good Friday, which sadly never took place. He seems to love the all-weather and improved a stone after beginning his winning spree on the artificial surface at Southwell on Fibresand in February last year.

Roger Charlton, trainer of Withhold
He’s in good order. He normally runs well first time out and is a course-and-distance winner. I’m hopeful of him getting among them.
Reporting by Richard Birch

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