Punting pointers and quotes as hotpot Lope Y Fernandez bids for Chesham glory

2.30 Royal Ascot
Chesham Stakes (Listed) | 7f | 2yo | ITV/SSR

Punting pointers

Trust the market

Market trends favour hotpot Lope Y Fernandez with 18 favourites or joint-favourites landing the opening contest on the final day in the last 42 editions.

The Aidan O'Brien-trained colt was a convincing winner at the Curragh this month, a race won by subsequent National Stakes scorer Verbal Dexterity two years ago, and is the mount of Ryan Moore.

Year Of The Tiger, a debut second at the Curragh on the same card, the twice-raced Harpocrates and United Front complete the four-strong Ballydoyle team.

O'Brien, joint winningmost trainer in this race with four victories, said: "Lope Y Fernadez is a nice colt who we have always liked. He won nicely at the Curragh this month and that wasn't too long ago, so we haven't done a lot with him since. Donnacha [O'Brien] rode him that day and he liked him.

"Harpocrates has run twice over six furlongs and we always thought he would improve when stepped up to seven furlongs so hopefully he can.

"Year Of The Tiger had a nice run at the Curragh and an extra furlong should suit him, while the better the ground, the better chance United Front would have; he is also stepping up in trip."

Cole bids for fifth strike

Paul Cole is the other trainer to have landed this race four times and bids to strike again with Newbury scorer Highland Chief.

Raul da Silva's mount prevailed by a neck at the Berkshire track, with the second and third scoring since, and is one of nine runners in the 17-runner field to qualify on account of the new conditions.

The juvenile event had previously been restricted to horses by sires who won over ten furlongs or further but was this year extended to those out of dams who scored over the same distance.

Cole said: "He won on soft ground at Newbury, he's fit and well and doesn't need a lot of work, but like all races at Ascot it's extremely competitive. We're hoping for a good run.”

RPRs point to Pinatubo

Racing Post Ratings suggest dual winner Pinatubo is the one to beat with a 2lb higher rating than nearest rival Harpocrates.

The Charlie Appleby-trained two-year-old won well on his debut at Wolverhampton in May and then impressed when staying on strongly to defeat Oh Purple Reign in the Woodcote at Epsom.

Pinatubo: landed the Woodcote on Oaks day at EpsomCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Appleby said: "Pinatubo won well at Epsom and we feel the step up to seven furlongs is going to suit.

"He has some solid form and looks to be a live contender."

What they say

Richard Fahey, trainer of Ardenlee Star
He won nicely at Thirsk but he's got to step up in this company. He's a nice horse though and could run into a place.

Archie Watson, trainer of Dramatic Sands
He travelled very well and ran a nice race on debut at Yarmouth. The form was boosted in the Coventry this week and I think he can outrun his odds.

Wesley Ward, trainer of Joker On Jack
We're not sure what happened when we brought him over for a race at Newbury, I can only think he wasn't fully fit. The race has done him a lot of good and we've given him some work so hopefully he puts it behind him. I hear Aidan's [O'Brien] got a prospect they think is a bit special, but we'll take our chance.

Richard Hannon, trainer of Sun Power
He's a nice horse and has improved for each run. He should run well but it looks typically competitive.

Charlie Johnston, assistant to Mark Johnston, trainer of Rose Of Kildare
She's been running really well, including at Beverley last time when the trip was on the sharp side and she stumbled out of the stalls. The form has been franked by Liberty Beach and this step up in distance will be a big help to her. She's tough and should give a good account.

Spotlight verdict

There's an infectious confidence behind Lope Y Fernandez and it's perhaps all the more significant after his stablemate Arizona justified strong market confidence in Tuesday's Coventry. Not many of Aidan O'Brien's youngsters win first time out (even the future stars) and yet this colt did so with a swagger at the Curragh.

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