'La Botte has the right profile and could find even more improvement at a mile' - expert analysis for straight mile cavalry charge

You would expect a few shocks in a 30-runner handicap full of unexposed three-year-old milers, but the Britannia has tended to go with the market more often than not in recent years.

Six of the last ten winners have returned 10-1 or shorter, while only two were bigger than 18-1 – and the 28-1 about Biometric in 2019 was skewed by a gamble on the five-timer-seeking Frankie Dettori.

A common trait among many of the winners is they have only come into themselves as three-year-olds. Just three of the last ten winners were successful as a juvenile, and two of those account for the outliers when considering previous runs too. Perotto had ten starts before winning in 2021 and War Envoy had 12 in 2015 – the average without those is just under four.

There are a few trials for the Britannia in the build-up, and the one best represented here is Haydock’s Silver Bowl. Teroomm came out on top that day, taking his unbeaten record as a three-year-old to three, and the form has been boosted since, with wins for the sixth and 11th-placed Thunder Wonder, who opposes again.

The eyecatcher in that race was third-placed Afentiko, who did well to finish just a length behind having been dropped in from a bad draw. That was just his second try at a mile and a 7lb swing – factoring in Warren Fentiman’s valuable 5lb claim – could lead to the tables being turned.

Teroomm’s improvement also makes Parole D’Oro of interest. He was going best when the two met in in April but shaped as if needing the run. He has a 6lb pull here and looks to have been kept back for this.

Harry Eustace took this with Tuesday’s Queen Anne winner Docklands in 2023 and his La Botte has the right profile. The form of his Listed fourth behind Cosmic Year has worked out well and he could find even more improvement at a mile.
Race analysis by Harry Wilson

‘This is his Derby’

Michael Bell is aiming to turn the clock back with Parole D’Oro, who has been laid out for this three-year-old cavalry charge since finishing second under a penalty on his seasonal return at Thirsk in April.

The dirt-bred colt is out to emulate Eddie Jock, who sprang a 33-1 surprise in the race after the Gold Cup for the Derby-winning trainer in 2007 when he was ridden by Johnny Murtagh.

Callum Shepherd, who won his first Royal Ascot race a year ago when Isle Of Jura landed the Hardwicke Stakes, takes the mount.

Bell said: “This has been the plan since he made his debut at Ascot last July. He was just touched off by Teroomm on his only start of the year at Thirsk and is 6lb better in with that rival this time around. It’s been a well-executed plan and now it’s up to the horse. The Britannia is his Derby and we're very much looking forward to it."

Dividend (Rossa Ryan): could head for Listed or Group company next for his connections

Dividend (left): will love the fast groundCredit: Edward Whitaker

What they say

Hugo Palmer, trainer of Wolf Of Badenoch, Seagolazo and Hawksbill
It's a famously difficult race to win and the three are drawn all over the place but my hunch is that Hawksbill could be the best handicapped.

Harry Eustace, trainer of La Botte
He’s draw high so Jamie [Spencer] doesn’t have a decision to make where to go and we think he will be suited by being held up and coming through horses at a track like this.

Saeed bin Suroor, trainer of Arabian Story
He won well at Chelmsford and is in good form. A mile is the right distance for him and I think he has a good chance.

Roger Varian, trainer of Teroomm
He’s been very progressive for us this season in winning all three races and this appears his best trip as he handles fast ground. He’s drawn highest of all in 33 but at least it makes the decision where you are going to race, much like My Cloud in the Hunt Cup on Wednesday.

Richard Brown, racing adviser for Wathnan Racing, owner of Consolidation and Defence Minister
Consolidation gritted it out to win at Goodwood, which was important because he’s been a bit of a slow learner. He was tough that day and it’ll help him here. Defence Minister is trying this trip for the first time and I think he’ll stay the trip; his pedigree certainly indicates that he should.

Jamie Insole, joint-trainer of Dividend
His only loss this year was in the Esher Cup and ground came up a bit soft that day. He'll love the fast ground but it's such a big field it's a bit of a lottery. Hopefully we can get a nice lead where we're drawn on the stands' side. He looks great, but you need a lot of luck in this race.

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of Serengeti
We think the stiff mile might suit him and he seems to have done well since France.

Tom Clover, trainer of God Of War
He ran well on his debut and looks to have come forward for that. The stiff mile should suit nicely. It's a tough ask but he goes there in good shape.

Ed Crisford, joint-trainer of Shout
He’s in with a good shout stepping up to a mile for the first time and we expect him to improve again for it. He’ll enjoy the ground and he has a high draw, which helps.

Jamie Osborne, trainer of The Fingal Raven
I was pleasantly surprised he came back from Dubai on a mark of 93 and that's the reason he hasn't run since – I've been looking after the mark. He'll love the ground too.

William Haggas, trainer of Raafedd
We like his chances. He won his novice over seven furlongs at Newbury and should be suited by the extra furlong he’s drawn in the middle, which give the jockey options.

Thady Gosden, joint-trainer of Fifth Column and Competizione
Fifth Column won the Esher Cup nicely at Sandown last time since when he has had this on his radar. He's gone up in the weights since then and is drawn nine. Competizione gets in as a reserve and ran well at Chelmsford last time to finish second to Arabian Story who he gets weight from this time.
Reporting by David Milnes

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