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No need to feel blue as Godolphin prepare big guns for final assault
The Queen caused a stir by wearing blue on consecutive days at the start of the week and the closing afternoon of Royal Ascot 2019 could be another dominated by royal blue with Godolphin set to unleash a formidable final assault.
The powerhouse owners, whose vibrant blue silks are instantly recognised across the globe, will be hoping fortune favours the bold after their brave decision to run Tuesday's rampant King's Stand Stakes winner Blue Point in the day's feature race, the Group 1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes.
And on an afternoon that promises clear blue skies, Sheikh Mohammed's formidable operation also take the wraps off last year's Derby hero Masar in the Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes.
When it comes to Ascot specialists, few can match Blue Point, who simply adores a visit to the royal racecourse. Five times he has raced at the track and only once has he failed to win, finishing third in a vintage Commonwealth Cup two years ago.
On the evidence at hand, the case for running him again four days later is certainly a compelling one, especially after he put up a performance that earned a career-best Racing Post Rating of 126 on Tuesday to beat a Group 1 field deep in quality.
While not unprecedented, the King's Stand-Diamond Jubilee is a double rarely attempted, never mind achieved. Aussie heavyweight Choisir was the last to conquer both contests in 2003 but in Blue Point's favour is the fact he has already landed a Group 1 over six furlongs this year and holds the Ascot track record over the same trip.
If ever a horse were tailor-made for the challenge, it is him.
It could be a seismic afternoon for his trainer Charlie Appleby too, who sends last year's Derby hero Masar into battle for the first time since his crowning moment at Epsom.
Masar's Classicsuccess over 12 months ago whetted the appetite for what might lie in store, only for injury to wreck the second half of his campaign.
In a bygone era, that would have spelled the end for Masar but the fact Godolphin have been willing to nurse him back to full health to return to the track, rather than take up a lucrative stallion career, suggests hopes are high that there is considerably more to come.
Masar will have to be at least close to his best on his return though, with another Group 1 Epsom winner, last month's Coronation Cup winner Defoe, heading rivals who also include Ballydoyle's Southern France, Too Darn Hot's older sister Lah Ti Dar and Mirage Dancer, who will be bidding to enhance Sir Michael Stoute's phenomenal Hardwicke record.
Appleby and Godolphin's day could get off to a perfect start in the opener in which unbeaten juvenile Pinatubo bids for a third career win in the Chesham Stakes.
There is also the intriguing prospect of a Godolphin-Ballydoyle showdown in the 7f contest, with Lope Y Fernandez heading the Chesham market for Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore.
The Jersey Stakes too could be a blue benefit, with Space Blues – again for that man Appleby – heading the market as he chases a hat-trick.
Like Blue Point, Masar and Pinatubo, he will be partnered by James Doyle, who rattled off three consecutive wins at this meeting in 2013 and is a fine rider for the big occasion.
Royal Ascot might be drawing to a close but it could be a final day when Godolphin are left feeling anything but blue at the finish.
Stoute's Hardwicke record no mirage
No trainer has saddled more winners at Royal Ascot than Sir Michael Stoute but if there is one race in particular in which the master trainer should be respected, then the Hardwicke Stakes is it.
Of the trainer's 81 Royal Ascot wins, 11 have been achieved in the 1m4f contest and it was business as usual last year when Crystal Ocean bolted in for Stoute.
Crystal Ocean provided him with more Ascot joy in Wednesday's Prince of Wales's Stakes rather than going for a repeat Hardwicke win, but the trainer has managed to unearth an able deputy in Mirage Dancer, who very much fits the mould of his past winners.
Stoute has the Midas touch when it comes to nurturing middle-distance performers to their best and Mirage Dancer could well be blooming at the age of five.
A Group 3 winner last season, he looked an improved horse on his comeback at Goodwood and, while he faces proven Group 1 performers in the Hardwicke, victory does not look beyond the realms of possibility, especially with history and Stoute in his corner.
A thrill money can buy?
Can you put a price on Royal Ascot success? In the case of Chesham Stakes contender Mohican Heights, perhaps so.
Under the bidding of trainer David Simcock, new owners Qatar Racing and Sun Bloodstock went to £520,000 for the son of Australia at the Goffs London Sale on Monday and will be looking for an instant return in the opening race on the final day.
The winner of a Leopardstown maiden on his debut for Fozzy Stack last month, Mohican Heights was the top lot at Kensington Palace Gardens and certainly has the pedigree to match his price tag.
Simcock trained his talented half-brother Curbyourenthusiasm to win four races and run second in the Yorkshire Cup, while the trainer's new recruit is a sibling to four other black-type performers, including Group 3 winners Eye Of The Storm and Satchem.
While the vibes surrounding Chesham market leader Lope Y Fernandez are particularly strong, big-money Mohican Heights could be the value alternative.
More history in the long last?
Royal Ascot likes to hold on to the longest race until right to the end, with the 2m5½f Queen Alexandra Stakes the final act of the meeting.
With stamina at a premium in the longest race of the year run under Flat rules, it is hardly surprising to see a healthy number of jumps trainers on the race's honour roll over the past decade, with Gordon Elliott (twice), Willie Mullins (twice), Nicky Henderson and dual-purpose maestro Gary Moore taking the race in the last ten years.
Elliott again relies on last year's winner Pallasator, while Mullins saddles 2017 Melbourne Cup third Max Dynamite as he looks for a first win since 2014.
Champion jumps trainer Paul Nicholls has yet to land the contest but will saddle Grade 1-winning chaser Black Corton, perhaps best known for helping to put Bryony Frost on the map over jumps.
On this occasion, Nicholls legs up daughter Megan, who could become just the third female rider to win a race at Royal Ascot after Hayley Turner on Friday became the second, 32 years on from the first. Now that would provide a fitting finish to a sensational week.
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