The highlight of the flat season is just one week away, and this year's Royal Ascot meeting could prove a huge one for trainer Hugo Palmer. The Newmarket-based handler will aim G2 scorer Aktabantay at the Jersey Stakes after working well with Kentucky Derby winner California Chrome, whilst likely to be double-handed with Home of the Brave and New Providence in the inaugural running of the G1 Commonwealth Cup; 12/1 and 16/1 respectively with BetVictor.
Palmer can enter the Royal meeting on a high with Galileo Gold (2.25) fancied to score under Martin Harley at Salisbury. The selection was second in a warm maiden last month at York and with the benefit of experience can get his head in front at the second time of asking. Should the Paco Boy colt find one too good then it will likely mean Blacklister has likewise built on his debut to score under Ryan Moore. The well-bred colt was beaten a short-head on debut last time out at Leicester and should come on for that run and have more to offer with Moore replacing Paul Hanagan in the plate.
The 2nd Division of the 7f Maiden on the card sees Moore team up with former boss Richard Hannon aboard Prefect, and the Highclere Racing colt one of four representatives for the Champion Trainer. He, and stablemates Holland Park, Shell Bay and Sirheed are all respected however Hugo Palmer can double-up with Ziggurat (2.55) from the plumb draw in stall one. The yard know how to ready one first time out and this well-bred Tagula colt can go some way to repaying connections' £48,000 purchase at the first time of asking.
Presto Boy (3.25) has disappointed on both outings since joining the James Fanshawe yard however can make it third time lucky under talented 7lb claimer Tom Marquand. The selection is tackling the minimum trip for just the second time after plying his trade over further however was far from disgraced on his sole outing over 5f when 4th in a competitive handicap last term at Kempton. The selection is now 8lb lower than that 4l defeat however with Marquand's 7lb claim, and a first-time hood, boasts solid each-way claims.
Sir Michael Stoute's Stravagante was a warm winner on Derby Day, building on his seasonal reappearance when landing Epsom's opener on Saturday and the trainer's well-bred filly Moonlight Sonata (3.55) can do likewise on her handicap debut under Ryan Moore. The selection was a beaten favourite last time out at Sandown when tiring in the closing stages, however boasts a smart middle-distance pedigree and has the potential to be much better than the handicapper's mark of 79 suggests.
There's summer jumping action from Fontwell and Southwell with Sea the Springs (5.50) a confident selection to score for the in-form Skelton team at the latter. The selection hung left when challenging on his handicap debut last month at Warwick under Bridget Andrews however should be able to make amends under Harry Skelton.
Emma Lavelle's Crackaway Jack is a fascinating contender for the feature 3m Handicap Hurdle, and is arguably well-treated after tumbling down the weights, however with the stable out of form Tim Vaughan's First Fandango (7.25) gets the nod reverting back to the smaller obstacles. The selection was backed into favouritism for a competitive handicap chase last time out at Fontwell and despite disappointing has his excuses. The 8-y-o should be stripped fitter after his first run back from an absence of five months and has the benefit of Alan Johns' excellent 7lb claim.
The David Pipe yard plundered further prize-money from France over the weekend with Un Temps Pour Tout's success in the French Champion Hurdle and Sir Frank Morgan (2.10) can continue the trainer's fine spell of form in the opener at Fontwell. The selection was rated 83 on the flat with Mark Johnston and came good at the fourth time of asking over timber, winning a match at Exeter six weeks ago. He makes his handicap debut from a mark of 115 and looks well-treated to follow-up accordingly under Tom Scudamore.
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