Which Royal Ascot losers had valid excuses? Chris Cook runs through some high-profile beaten horses

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The many winners at Royal Ascot have been praised at length. Time now to consider the most high-profile losers. Do they have any valid excuses? Should we be with them next time, or mark them down as equine money pits?

Los Angeles

The winner of last year's Irish Derby is an important horse for Ballydoyle/Coolmore and was described recently by Aidan O'Brien as "the boss". Plans for his other horses would have to give way in favour of this one, the trainer said.

A sound stayer at 1m4f, Los Angeles was being remade as a 1m2f horse this year, which worked in the Mooresbridge and the Tattersalls Gold Cup. But it went wrong in last week's Prince of Wales's Stakes, when, like Icarus, Los Angeles flew too close to the hot early speed of his own pacemaker and found his wings melting.

The plan was evidently to make it a test of stamina, to make this 1m2f feel like 1m4f. But Ombudsman and Anmaat sat well off the pace and rolled past in the straight. The race had been set up for them.

Los Angeles (right): only fifth in the Prince of Wales'sCredit: Edward Whitaker

Los Angeles will now be aimed at the Arc, which seems much more suitable. At 1m4f, he can follow conventional tactics and will always have to be taken seriously.

It's a pity he won't be in the King George but O'Brien has a fistful of others who could take in that gig, including his three Epsom stars, Jan Brueghel, Lambourn and Minnie Hauk.

Shadow Of Light

In contrast to Los Angeles, Shadow Of Light seemed to be returning to his ideal trip after trying something difficult, i.e. stretching himself out to a mile for the Guineas, in which he'd been a fading third. But his Commonwealth Cup effort suggests six furlongs might now be on the sharp side for him. There's not going to be many races for him if he can only win at seven furlongs.

But last week's super-fast ground looks like a legitimate excuse. It was very different to anything he'd tried and he may have been protecting himself from being shaken up by it. 

The way the race evolved, it looked like an advantage to be on the far side, whereas Shadow Of Light was on the near side. But so was Rayevka, who bolted past him on her way to third place.

There's still ability there and we'll probably see it next time. But will he be backable? He was 6-4 here against 20 rivals, a major statement of faith. The ardour of punters will be cooler next time but perhaps not so cool as to make him safe to touch.

Ruling Court

Distance was again at the heart of the conversation here. The 2,000 Guineas winner was supposed to be stepping up half a mile to the Derby distance until the Epsom ground went against him. Diverting him to Ascot meant sticking to a mile - yay?

In the St James's Palace Stakes, he looked a bit like a horse in need of further, being bustled along to go the pace on the uphill run to the turn. But the only two horses who would beat him were settled behind him and things might have gone better for him if, like them, he'd been allowed to coast for the first five furlongs. 

Ruling Court: was well beaten by Guineas third Field Of Gold in the St James's PalaceCredit: Edward Whitaker

He'd also been a bit free in the early stages and then met trouble when looking for a run in the straight. Altogether, a bit of a nightmare.This went so badly for him that it makes him interesting wherever he turns up next. I'd even be prepared to consider backing him in the Sussex against Field Of Gold; he's already got a verdict against the grey and I've a feeling the available odds would be tempting. 

But 1m2f races are more likely, perhaps starting with the Juddmonte International. Again, he might be a respectable price against whoever bolsters their reputation by winning the Eclipse.

Zarigana

In the moments after the Coronation Stakes, social media was full of tough guys wanting to tell us: "I wouldn't have backed Zarigana with your money!" Having been favourite for all six of her races, it seems this three-year-old will be relatively friendless next time, her erstwhile faithful followers having been thoroughly shamed.

The narrative seems to be that she has no heart for a battle. It's been fuelled by Mickael Barzalona, said to have told connections that her attitude changed as soon as she hit the front. The evidence can be seen in the footage, as her head goes up in the air. 

Zarigana (right): was outbattled by Cercene in the CoronationCredit: Edward Whitaker

But it's interesting that she also changes her leading leg at about the same time and appears to be 'climbing', trying to keep her legs off the quick ground. I'd guess she was in some discomfort.

Even if true, that doesn't mean she's really a hearty battler in disguise. For all her talent, she can't seem to win a good race comfortably. 

Probably, she ought to be left alone. But she's taking a lot of criticism, not all of it justified, so I'll keep an open mind about supporting her again at some stage.

Alphonse Le Grande and Reaching High

Not much to argue about here. These two highly capable handicappers had no chance with the way the Ascot Stakes panned out, having to try picking a path through packed rivals in the final three furlongs. They looked like a couple of Millennium Falcons weaving among asteroids.

Put a line through it. Both these horses are capable of winning a prize like that. It was especially interesting to see the late plunge on Alphonse Le Grande. 

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The Front Runner is our unmissable email newsletter available exclusively to Racing Post+ subscribers. Chris Cook provides his take on the day's biggest stories and tips for the upcoming racing every morning from Monday to Friday. Not a Racing Post+ subscriber? Join today and also receive our Ultimate Daily emails plus our full range of fantastic website and newspaper content.