Jersey Stakes: Richard Birch expects an unexposed improver to strike

Jersey Stakes (Group 3) | 7f | 3yo | ITV/SKY

There is some reasonable Group form on show in this race, but the overwhelming impression is that one of the more unexposed runners will come to the fore. Even Monarch Of Egypt, top on RPRs, is 5lb off the ten-year standard for the winning performance.

Molatham, who raced just four times as a juvenile for Roger Varian, boasts one piece of eyecatching form which ensures he will be the focus of considerable support – and justifiably so.

His victory in the Listed Flying Scotsman Stakes at Doncaster last September has been strongly advertised by the runner-up, Wichita, who finished second to Kameko in the 2,000 Guineas, and the third, Berlin Tango, conqueror of Pyledriver on his seasonal reappearance at Kempton.

Pyledriver, of course, added more substance to the form with an authoritative success in the Group 2 King Edward VII Stakes on day one of Royal Ascot.

Molatham: boasts strong form heading into AscotCredit: George Wood

The Jersey Stakes has a strong tradition of being won by a horse with a sharp turn of foot, and Molatham fits the mould.

King Leonidas, who represents the powerful combination of John Gosden and Frankie Dettori, is one of just two unbeaten three-year-olds in the 15-runner line-up.

The son of Kingman looked ready for a test such as the Jersey when slamming Eastern World by two and a quarter lengths over a mile at Newmarket this month.

He showed enough speed that day to suggest the drop back to 7f would prove no inconvenience, and rates another exciting prospect for a yard jam-packed with high-quality performers.

Kevin Ryan has aimed Repartee at the race for some considerable time, and the son of Invincible Spirit is another who could prove ideally suited by this trip.

He looked potentially smart when making a five-length winning debut over 6f at York's Dante meeting last May and, while perhaps he didn’t quite scale the heights some would have expected, he ran a good third to Threat in the Group 2 Gimcrack Stakes.

One place in front of Repartee on the Knavesmire was Lord Of The Lodge, who started at three times his odds but made the boldest bid to keep Threat at bay.

Lord Of The Lodge was by no means spectacular when making a winning reappearance at Newcastle this month, but that victory did confirm that he has trained on well from two to three.

Lord Of The Lodge: returned to winning ways at Newcastle this seasonCredit: Grossick Racing

There is also the definite possibility of him showing further progress for the step up to 7f – all six runs so far have been over 6f. Most Jersey winners are stepping back from a mile, seven of the last ten, in fact, but Space Traveller was going up in trip when winning last year.

Mystery Power twice experienced a rear view of champion two-year-old Pinatubo during his first campaign.

Although never competitive in those two races – the Group 2 Vintage Stakes at Goodwood and Group 1 Dewhurst at Newmarket – he did finish an excellent second to Pierre Lapin in Newbury’s Group 2 Mill Reef Stakes.

Connections believe he has improved over the winter, which would make him a definite contender.
Richard Birch

Don't ignore maiden 'Chubby'

What chance can you give a horse who has been beaten on all ten appearances and takes on a field of classy three-year-olds in one of the best 7f races of the season?

Better than the odds might suggest is the answer – Ropey Guest is a maiden whose record shows he should never be underestimated whatever the company.

He was a 200-1 shot in the Coventry Stakes here last year yet was beaten only around two and a half lengths into sixth of 17 behind Arizona.

That was no flash in the pan as the colt went on to be placed in four further Group races, culminating in a narrow defeat by Kenzai Warrior in the Horris Hill Stakes at Newmarket which took his earnings past £40,000.

And George Margarson reckons the colt nicknamed 'Chubby' at home is a bigger, better horse this season.

George Margarson: 'he should have won a Listed race at Ascot last year'Credit: Edward Whitaker

"He's in really good nick," the trainer said. "In an ideal world we'd have liked a prep run but he's fit and ready to do his best and lockdown has helped him.

"I was getting him ready for the Free Handicap then I backed off him and he's thrived since then, he's strengthened up and improved a lot in his work – Tom Queally came and sat on him the other morning and his work was electric.

"It's a shame he hasn't won a race as that would be a monkey off your back but he should have won a Listed race at Ascot last year when he got boxed in a bit and he's never run a bad race there."

What they say

John Gosden, trainer of King Leonidas
He's a progressive horse who has only won a maiden and a novice but should handle some cut in the ground. He's like a lot of our horses, lacking experience, but he has plenty of promise.

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of King Of Athens & Monarch Of Egypt
Monarch Of Egypt didn’t get any luck at all in the Guineas last Friday night. He seems to have come out of the race very well and we think that seven furlongs might suit him better than the mile. King Of Athens had a very nice run first time out at Leopardstown when he was only just denied. He's a very straightforward colt who should run well.

Karl Burke, trainer of Lord Of The Lodge
We're excited about him and he was only 80 per cent fit when he won at Newcastle. He's working like a good horse. We thought about the 2,000 Guineas but not many Dandy Mans get a mile and it was asking a lot to step up that far in a Classic so we're taking it in stages.

Roger Varian, trainer of Molatham
He's in great form at home although we don't want too much rain for him. It's a great race to start him back in and he should be competitive.

Richard Hughes, trainer of Mister Snowdon
On ratings, I look a bit mad running him but I think he's a pretty good horse. If we didn't take a chance then we wouldn't have taken John Gosden's horse the last day at Yarmouth. The race is made for him but he's a raw, immature and slow-learning horse – if it was the real Royal Ascot then I don't think he'd cope with the razzmatazz but on this occasion I think he'd get away with it.

Kevin Ryan, trainer of Repartee
He's done plenty of work and he's in good form. He's done well physically over the winter and he's working nicely. He had a lot of running to do in the six-and-a-half-furlong sales race at Doncaster last year after missing the break badly and he did all his best work at the finish – he did well to finish second and that run would give you huge confidence he's going to stay seven furlongs. He's also an uncomplicated horse as you can ride him whichever way you want, go forward or drop him in.

Richard Fahey, trainer of Ventura Lightning
He could certainly get a place and he'll be suited by stepping up to seven furlongs. He'll be better for his first run of the season at Newcastle where he ran a respectable race.

Saeed bin Suroor, trainer of Final Song
She ran a great race to be fourth in the 1,000 Guineas and should be better suited to this seven furlongs. She goes well with some ease in the ground and we are hopeful.
Reporting by David Carr

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