Leicester City owner spends big in quest for a Vintage success

2.30 AscotNorfolk Stakes (Group 2) | 5f | 2yo | ITV4/RUK

Leicester City's billionaire owner and chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha spent big at the sales on the eve of Royal Ascot, and his colours will be carried by the unbeaten Vintage Brut.

Srivaddhanaprabha got a good run for his money with another new juvenile acquisition, Shine So Bright, who outran his odds when fifth in the Coventry Stakes on Tuesday, and Vintage Brut has leading form claims in the Norfolk Stakes.

A wide-margin winner on debut at Thirsk, the Tim Easterby-trained colt then followed up in Sandown's Listed National Stakes, which enticed Srivaddhanaprabha to part with £280,000 at the Goffs London sale on Monday.

Jockey David Allan will be having his first ride of this season's meeting on the son of Dick Turpin, and said: "He's unbeaten and is probably still improving. I'm not too worried about the track, Sandown is stiff and Ascot's similar, so that's not an issue for him.

"He's quite a laid-back horse and saves it for the track. I think he'll run a strong race."

Could Shang Shang Shang strike for Ward?

Wesley Ward's squad of juveniles for this season's meeting are all fillies, and he pitches in Shang Shang Shang against the boys.

Shang Shang Shang defeated stablemate Moonlight Romance – who goes for Saturday's Windsor Castle – on debut, and bids to give the trainer a second win in the race following No Nay Never's success in 2013.

Having exercised her on the back straight at Ascot on Wednesday morning, following the overnight watering at the course, Ward is keen for conditions to be on the quick side come the race.

"If the ground dries up a little bit I think she'll have a really good chance," he said.

"My fear with her coming in here was the weather and the track condition. If it's fast and firm she'll skip right over it, like she does at Keeneland."

Can Konchek reverse National Stakes form?

In the National Stakes Konchek finished an arguably unlucky third behind Vintage Brut, and has only half a length to find on that piece of form.

Drawn wide, the colt was closing all the way to the line, and trainer Clive Cox is hopeful of a good showing.

"He won very nicely at Newmarket and we were pleased with the National Stakes run from a bad draw," he said.

"He finished off the race really well and I'm very much looking forward to him running at Ascot.

What the rest say

Richard Fahey, trainer of Charming Kid
We were happy with his win at York and we'll see what happens. He's got plenty of pace, it's just whether he's good enough.

Charlie Hills, trainer of Glory Fighter
This horse has been the ultimate professional from the word go and has always stood out in the crowd. Gerald Mosse feels the stiff five furlongs of this race will suit him and we are very hopeful. His work at home is always exemplary, and continues to be so.

Jack Channon, assistant to Mick Channon, trainer of Kinks
Kinks is in great form and he was a bit unlucky in the National Stakes. We're hopeful he'll be able to reverse the form and think he has an outstanding chance.

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of Land Force
He surprised us by how well he handled testing ground when he won his maiden and he ran well when third behind two of ours in the Marble Hill last time. Dropping back in trip shouldn't be a problem. He's a hardy colt and is in good form.

Richard Spencer, trainer of Rumble Inthejungle
He's in good form and hopefully can run a nice race. He's come on since his debut at Salisbury.

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