Blue Point out to emulate Choisir by landing sprint double in Diamond Jubilee

4.20 Royal Ascot
Diamond Jubilee Stakes (Group 1) | 6f | 3yo+ | ITV/SKY

Can Blue Point emulate Choisir?

It takes a good horse to win at Royal Ascot, it takes a special horse to do it twice in the same week – especially at Group 1 level.

Choisir was the last horse to add the Diamond Jubilee, then called the Golden Jubilee, to the King's Stand in 2003 and Blue Point will be bidding to do the same.

POST-WAR ROYAL ASCOT DOUBLES

1962 Trelawny – Ascot Stakes, Queen Alexandra Stakes
1963 Trelawny – Ascot Stakes, Queen Alexandra Stakes
1978 Mountain Cross – Ascot Stakes, Queen Alexandra Stakes
1983 Stanerra – Prince of Wales's Stakes, Hardwicke Stakes
2003 Choisir – King's Stand Stakes, Golden Jubilee Stakes
2006 Baddam – Ascot Stakes, Queen Alexandra Stakes
2012 Simenon – Ascot Stakes, Queen Alexandra Stakes
Diadem in 1920 was the last horse to win three Royal Ascot races at the same meeting

He beat Battaash by a length and a quarter in the King's Stand on Tuesday, with Soldier's Call and Mabs Cross a further length and a half and a nose adrift. Nothing in this field is as classy as that pair, but there is strength in depth and a number of credible contenders.

Appleby explained the ambitious call: "We were delighted with Blue Point’s performance on Tuesday and he seems to bring his A-game to Ascot.

"He came out of the race well and, from what we have seen so far, the signs have been good. His wellbeing will continue to be monitored ahead of Saturday’s race, but we felt he deserved the chance to win another Group 1 at Ascot."

RECENT ROYAL ASCOT DOUBLE ATTEMPTS

Pros - The class act and clearly in top form. He also has two course-and-distance wins to his name over Harry Angel and Projection.

Cons - Question mark over whether he will be as effective over a stiff six furlongs and has a four-day turnaround to deal with.

Tate hopeful Invincible Army can bag first Group 1

Invincible Army may not have a blockbuster official rating just yet but he has looked very capable of advancing to the next level this season.

He has raced only once at the highest level, when beaten four lengths in last year's Commonwealth Cup, but has since strengthened and improved considerably.

A Group 2 and dual Group 3 winner, he is the new kid on the block over six furlongs. He has registered a couple of easy two-length wins over Major Jumbo this year and sat atop the ante-post betting right until Blue Point's participation was confirmed.

"He's had a very good preparation, everything's gone perfectly," said trainer James Tate. "The weather couldn't be any more ideal as it looks like it'll be run on the slow side of good and as far as we can tell that's the best ground for him.

"He'll put up a bold show. We expected Inns Of Court, we've got Blue Point instead, and while he's more of a proven Group 1 horse there's the question of running twice in the week and whether he's better over five or six, so we can't worry about him too much."

He concluded: "We're going to turn up and run our race and hopefully that's good enough."

Pros - Only four and still improving. He's two from two this year and the coming sprinter in this division.
Cons - Yet to win at Group 1 level and ninth here last year over course and distance in the Commonwealth Cup on his only start at the highest level.

Can City Light go one better?

If James Tate was concerned about Inns Of Court, he should be similarly wary of the Stephane Wattel-trained City Light, who was just half a length behind the former on his seasonal reappearance at Maisons-Laffitte in April.

He has Ascot form to boot, having been touched off by a short head by Merchant Navy in this race last year.

Wattel, who has booked France's perennial champion jockey Christophe Soumillon, said: "He worked well on the racecourse at Deauville last week and he seems in very good condition.

City Light (green) found only Merchant Navy too good last yearCredit: Mark Cranham

"It might seem surprising he has run only once this year but we've been sticking to our plan. We wanted to keep him over 1,200 metres [six furlongs] and, as a sprinter, he has a lot of natural energy and doesn't need lots of prep races.

"As a Frenchman coming to Ascot in an 18-runner race I can't say I'm confident because it will be tough and he will need to have a bit of luck in terms of where the pace is.

"His draw [seven] means we have options and he has the services of a very talented jockey who has done well in Britain and knows the horse well."

Pros - The narrowest of seconds in this last year and recorded his best ever seasonal reappearance RPR last time
Cons - Not raced since April and unsuccessful in three attempts in Group 1 company

Can the The Tin Man shine at Ascot again?

The Tin Man comes in somewhat under the radar, but his Ascot, Group 1 and Diamond Jubilee record all make him worthy of note.

He won this in 2017 – his second Group 1 win at the track after landing the 2016 Champions Sprint – and he was fourth in this last year before adding Haydock's Sprint Cup, so he clearly remains a potent force at this level.

The Tin Man: was well beaten on his return to action at Windsor but has fabulous form at AscotCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

"He's in good form and looks really well," said trainer James Fanshawe. "We're somewhat committed with the draw, so hopefully we're on the right side. He's always run well in the race and loves the course, but he's not getting any younger. That said, he's not showing any signs of that affecting him at home."

Pros - Proven over the course and distance, and at this level.
Cons - The old man of the field at seven and couldn't give weight to lesser rivals last time.

What they say

Wesley Ward, trainer of Bound For Nowhere
He's my best chance of the week and the one I've been most looking forward to. It's been an anxious wait but we've no excuses, every year he's run better and hopefully it's third time lucky. He's been working fabulously and I'm looking forward to it, the sun's come and we've a real rising star on board.

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of Le Brivido
He ran well in the Queen Anne on Tuesday and wasn't beaten all that far but we feel he might be better over six or seven. He seems to have come out of the race on Tuesday in good shape and we're going to let him take his chance. We think this trip might suit a bit better and he seemed in good form on Friday morning.

Le Brivido: former Jersey Stakes winner finished fifth in the Queen Anne Stakes on TuesdayCredit: Edward Whitaker

Richard Fahey, trainer of Sands Of Mali
I was slightly disappointed with him at Hamilton but the testing conditions caught him out fitness wise and it was a stepping stone to this. We've not lost faith in him and I've been very happy with him since. I'd have preferred to have been drawn a little higher but I'm very sweet on him. He's taking on the best but I think he's one of the better ones.

Tom Dascombe, trainer of Kachy
He seems well, I think the five furlongs was just too sharp for him at Haydock against a very good horse – but this looks a good race too. He has course-and-distance form at Group 1 level and he should go well.

John Gosden, trainer of Emblazoned
He's on a bit of a comeback trail after a minor issue and we'll see how he gets on. A stiff six suits him well and the ground should be fine.

Stuart Williams, trainer of Keystroke
He's well in himself, we've had no hold ups, but obviously his task has become a lot harder with Blue Point staying in the race. I'm looking forward to seeing him run, we'll have a good day out.

Stephen Grey, trainer of Lim's Cruiser
We're not just here to wear our top hats, he travelled over well and took a week to settle in. He worked well on Monday and deserves to take his chance, we're very happy with him and we hope he can bring his best form here. If he runs well we have a few options to stay on, he's a lovely horse and I hope he does his owner proud.

Tip Two Win pictured at home with trainer Roger TealCredit: Matthew Webb

Roger Teal, trainer of Tip Two Win
We missed our intended prep at Haydock [over seven furlongs in the John of Gaunt] but we didn't want to run him on the heavy ground. Going in there without a run is a big ask, as is the step back to six, but we thought we'd give it a crack. He's quick, he just takes his time to get into top gear, but if he can hold his position early he'll be staying on at the end.

Andrew Balding, trainer of Donjuan Triumphant
Obviously we would have preferred it to stay soft for him as he's much better when it rains but if he can get a place we'll be very happy.

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Speak In Colours
He's fit and well, but I'm under no illusions and I know just how competitive the race is. I've been very happy with him at home recently.

Richard Hannon, trainer of Yafta
It's an extremely hot race but the track will suit Yafta. He runs well pretty much every time but this is a step up in company.

Spotlight verdict

Blue Point is striking while the iron's hot, having recorded a second King's Stand success here on Tuesday. He's on a roll this year and should be a tough nut to crack but Invincible Army, another sprinter at the top of his game, will be no pushover. The James Tate-trained colt impressed in the Duke Of York Stakes last month and can continue to progress this season. City Light, The Tin Man, Sands Of Mali and Bound For Nowhere (in that order of preference) are all capable of picking up prize-money that goes down to sixth place.

Ladbrokes are paying an additional place on the Diamond Jubilee Stakes, that's 4 places (1-5 odds) instead of 3. View the latest odds here