Punting pointers for Britannia Stakes as Migration does battle for Menuisier

5.00 Royal Ascot
Britannia Stakes (Heritage Handicap) |1m | 3yo | ITV/Sky

David Menuisier will have Richard Hannon to thank if Migration can give him his first Royal Ascot winner in this three-year-old cavalry charge.

Migration was only first reserve but Hannon has pulled out two of his four entries, allowing Menuisier's leading fancy to take his chance.

Menuisier said: "It's a real sporting gesture by Richard Hannon to withdraw his horses early to give two others a chance in the race. Until ten days ago, Migration was rated 91, which was fine, but the handicapper dropped him 1lb which meant we had to sit and suffer not knowing if we were going to get in.

"He's had a great season so far and, crucially, I don't think he's ground dependent – he goes just as well on good to firm as he does on good to soft."

Motafaawit's form has been franked

Hannon still has two live hopes in the line-up, including Motafaawit who represents Hamdan Al Maktoun, whose Fareer won it ten years ago.

Motafaawit accounted for the reopposing Awe when scoring over 7f here last time, and the form has since been franked as the runner-up obliged at Newmarket last time.

Conditions will not be a problem for Motafaawit as he has shown he handles soft, and Angus Gold, racing manager to Hamdan Al Maktoun, said: "He's a funny horse who hangs in his races but he has plenty of talent as we've seen recently. I don't think any ease in the ground should unduly inconvenience him and it will be interesting to see how he gets on in a big competitive field."

Cheekpieces to make a difference for King Ademar?

Martyn Meade's candidate King Ademar is out to make it third time lucky this year after two near misses at Nottingham, including when running into 2,000 Guineas runner-up King Of Change on his reappearance.

The son of Scat Daddy has since narrowly failed to give 13lb to Ouzo in a handicap and sports cheekpieces for the first time.

Meade said: "He's been really unlucky on both starts to date including when having a terrible draw last time. He's come on for those runs and we've stuck the cheekpieces on him to help him concentrate. The rain is not ideal as he's by Scat Daddy but he's a big strong type who should get through it."

Can Gosden land a fifth Britannia?

John Gosden is seeking a fifth win in the Britannia – but it is 18 years since Analyser gave him his last one.

Gosden is double-handed with the Princess Haya of Jordan-owned pair Beatboxer and Turgenev. The pair carry the same colours as Tricorn, who was third in this for the Newmarket stable in 2017, and both would appear to have place chances.

Gosden said: "They are both high enough up in the handicap but the days of winning this off a mark of 82 are long gone. Both go there in good form and should handle the ground."

Doyle bullish over likely favourite

Only one favourite has won this in the past ten years but Velorum is out to boost the stats after wins at Newmarket and Yarmouth.

The Britannia is one race Godolphin have never won but Velorum has always been held in some regard at Charlie Appleby's yard – although he does sweat up in the preliminaries.

Jockey James Doyle said: "It's a cavalry charge but he's on an upward curve and Charlie felt he wasn't 100 per cent last time. He could be better than his mark and he won't mind the ground."

What they say

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of Dunkirk Harbour
It's his first run in a handicap. He won his maiden well at Dundalk in April and I was happy with his run in a Group 3 at Leopardstown. He's been in good form since.

Saeed Bin Suroor, trainer of Dubai Legacy
He's been training well at home and we are hopeful he can handle the ground. He's short on experience but is improving.

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Numerian
It is his first run back after a break and it is obviously a very competitive race but he's in good form at home.

William Haggas, trainer of Fanaar and Awe
I don't think either of them will enjoy the ground but I suspect both will run. Had the ground been different I would have been going there with hopes, more so for Awe.

Fozzy Stack, trainer of Eclipse Storm
The big field should suit him and I thought he ran really well in the Tetrarch at the Curragh last time. The ground won't bother him either.

Ralph Beckett, trainer of Biometric
This seemed the obvious race for him after his win over seven at Newbury and we only dropped him back in trip last time as he needed a third run to qualify. This mile should suit him well.

Charlie Fellowes, trainer of Tulfarris
He's a consistent sort who will love the easy ground and this stiff mile should play to his strengths.

Bruce Raymond, racing manager to Sultan Ali, owner of Sameem
He ran a nice race when second at Sandown last time but it looks a very competitive race this year.

Chris Richardson, racing manager to Cheveley Park Stud, owner of Davydenko
He only just squeezed in at the bottom but is on a mark that has been competitive in the race in the past. We are still learning about him but Sir Michael Stoute is happy with the horse.

Tom Dascombe, trainer of Barristan The Bold and Finoah
We’re delighted Barristan The Bold has got in the race as a reserve and it shows the system works well. I think a straight mile on easy ground is just what he wants, and it’s the same for Finoah. I think they’ve both got each-way chances.

Spotlight verdict

What happens with the weather will be important to many but Motafaawit can take it as it comes and he shouldn't have a problem with this trip, having looked a strong stayer over slightly shorter at Beverley before coming home well to beat Awe on soft going here last month. The latter has possibilities but he will need to be tough to cope with this fourth run in six weeks. Beatboxer is as talented as any but needs to show that the aids he wore for his impressive Haydock win on fast ground have the same stimulating effect a second time. If the ground is testing, Aweedram would come into it on his soft-ground win over C&D in May, while although Davydenko lacks experience he has been looking good in novice company and, on pedigree at least, any give in the ground wouldn't come amiss for him. Velorum, King Ademar and Hero Hero are others who are unexposed and could be quite a bit better than the bare form they have shown so far.

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