PartialLogo
Previews

All you need to know to find the winner of the day's big betting heat

Keyser Soze (centre) finishes third in the Newbury Spring Cup
Keyser Soze (centre) finishes third in the Newbury Spring CupCredit: Alan Crowhurst

4.00 Ascot
totescoop6 Victoria Cup | 7f | ITV4/RUK

Last year's winner Fastnet Tempest finished third in the Newbury Spring Cup before justifying favouritism in this £100,000 handicap feature and Keyser Soze is out to repeat the feat 12 months on.

Named after a crime lord in the Oscar-winning film The Usual Suspects, Keyser Soze got into all sorts of trouble from his draw in stall one on his reappearance in Berkshire and did remarkably well to finish just half a length behind the winner Taqdeer.

Richard Spencer and owner Phil Cunningham have fond memories of Ascot, having enjoyed a breakthrough win in the Group 2 Coventry Stakes with Rajasinghe a year ago, and are back with another live chance.

Jamie Spencer, no relation, again gets the leg-up on the flashy chestnut who has always been held in some regard by connections who are shortly to move their team into new premises at Sefton Lodge on Newmarket's sought-after Bury Road.

Trainer Spencer said: "The drop back to seven furlongs shouldn't worry Keyser Soze as he's a strong-travelling type who likes to come from off the pace, and in that he's a perfect Jamie Spencer ride. We'll be riding him for luck again. He has a low draw but there is plenty of pace around him and we're greatly looking forward to it."

Market is a decent guide

Although there have been shocks such as 20-1 chance Flash Fire in 2016, the market has been a decent guide to this contest with four of the past seven winners been sent off favourite or second favourite and there has been plenty of support for the long-absent Louie De Palma.

You have to dust down an old form book to find a mention of Clive Cox's runner, who has been off the track for a remarkable four years with injury following a promising juvenile career highlighted by a second in the Group 2 Richmond Stakes.

Given that Louie De Palma has been backed into 7-1 from 14s in recent days, it would appear connections are trying to cover some of their vets' bills.

Godolphin go on the attack

Godolphin won this for the first time two years ago with Flash Fire and are back with the lightly raced Silent Attack, who bids to record just his second win on turf, nearly two years after his first.

Saeed Bin Suroor's five-year-old returned from his latest absence to win a handicap on the all-weather at Lingfield last month and could be well drawn in stall 19 as high numbers have dominated in the past four years.

Before Fastnet Tempest (18) last year, the previous winning stall numbers were 29, 23 and 25.

Bin Suroor said: “Silent Attack is in good form. He's been working nicely and it was a good comeback from him at Lingfield last time out. Seven furlongs is a good trip for him and we'll see how he gets on.”

Escobar heads O'Meara raid

The Victoria Cup is one of the big Saturday pots David O'Meara has yet to win but fires two bullets this year including his new recruit Escobar, who cost 100,000gns at the horses-in-training sales last October.

Formerly trained by Hugo Palmer, Escobar was considered a 2,000 Guineas prospect last year but failed to deliver and O'Meara is hoping a change of scene will help him to up his game.

More exposed than Escobar but a lover of Ascot is stablemate Firmament, who has dropped in the handicap of late.

O'Meara said: "We're still finding out about Escobar as we don't know if he wants seven furlongs or a mile and maybe to go around a bend. Firmament loves Ascot, will love the ground and has been dropped a few pounds."
Escobar (Frankie Dettori) wins at Newbury last August
Escobar (Frankie Dettori) wins at Newbury last AugustCredit: Alan Crowhurst

What they say

Amanda Perrett, trainer of Zhui Feng
He won the Royal Hunt Cup last year and that's the route we're going with him again. This looks a nice starting point. It will be a tough ask off top weight and he's sure to come on for it.

Jamie Osborne, trainer of Raising Sand
On all known evidence he keeps his best for Ascot but this is just a starting point and it could be he'll be better by June.

Charlie Fellowes, trainer of Repercussion
He's been showing plenty of speed this spring and it may be that he didn't quite get the mile in soft ground at Newbury. He has a great draw (17) and will like the ground, so we're hoping for a good run.

Michael Dods, trainer of Get Knotted
He's shown us at York in the past that he likes a fast-run seven furlongs and he deserves to take his chance, but it's ultra competitive as you'd expect.

David Barron, trainer of Kynren
He hasn't got a great draw (two) and as he's a big heavy horse he may be better with some cut in the ground.

George Scott, trainer of Gilgamesh
We're hoping to put a line through his run at Newbury, where he was too fresh and the ground was too soft for him. He's worked well since and we hope to get his season back on track.

Patrick Chamings, trainer of Charles Molson
We had hoped to have given him a prep run but we were held up with the weather. He'll run well but he's short of a gallop.

John Gosden, trainer of Pouvoir Magique
It's a good starting point for him and he's been working nicely at home. He's back in trip from his win on the all-weather but we think a stiff seven furlongs will suit him.

Hughie Morrison, trainer of Makaarim
He's been a bit inconsistent on the all-weather and we're hoping a return to turf can spark a revival.

Roger Varian, trainer of Spanish City
He snuck into the race having won at Newcastle last Friday and I think he’s a horse with a fair bit more to offer this season. He’ll love the ground and a decent pace to chase. I expect him to run well, although this is a steep rise in class.


Members can read the latest exclusive interviews, news analysis and comment available from 6pm daily on racingpost.com


Newmarket correspondent

Published on inPreviews

Last updated

iconCopy