Ryan sweet on Grey

Kevin Ryan insists The Grey Gatsby can bounce back to his best and triumph in the Prince Of Wales’ Stakes at Royal Ascot on Wednesday.

The popular son of Mastercraftsman made the headlines last season, when winning both the Prix Du Jockey Club at Chantilly and the Irish Champions Stakes, beating dual Derby winner Australia at The Curragh in the latter.

However, the four-year-old has yet to find himself in the winner’s enclosure this campaign after being beaten in both the Dubai Turf at Meydan in March and the Tattersall Gold Cup back at the Curragh last month.

Following these losses, some have dubbed The Grey Gatsby as being overrated, comments which Ryan dismisses out of hand.

The trainer feels there were reasons for his recent defeats and says Ryan Moore wasn’t hard on him last time out, in preparation for Ascot.

“The Grey Gatsby has never had the recognition he deserves but his CV speaks for itself,” Ryan told Beforetheoff.com

“He ran a fantastic race in Dubai in a race that was a little too short in distance for him against a top class horse in Solow.

“We never hid the fact that last time in Ireland there was still plenty left in him as his main targets were coming up, firstly the Prince of Wales, and he would have to maintain his form until the end of October.

“He ran a very good race, travelling into it nicely before just getting tired when making his challenge.

“He was only beaten two lengths into fourth and Ryan (Moore) looked after him when his chance had gone.

“He has come out of the race great and looks in great shape for Ascot. If he reproduces his best form then he will go very close to winning.”

The Group 1 contest takes place over one miles and two furlongs and is the feature race of the day at the Royal meeting. This year’s renewal is a highly competitive affair which features the highly touted Free Eagle trained by Dermot Weld and last year’s Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner California Chrome.

However, Ryan feels The Grey Gatsby is the one they all have to beat and is the Yorkshire handler’s best bet of the week.

“If he reproduces his best form then he will go very close to winning.

“There is plenty of quality in the race but Free Eagle is the least exposed horse in the field and could make the step up to Group 1 level and it will be interesting to see if California Chrome can transfer his form to turf, if he does then he is a very high class horse.

“The Grey Gatsby has to be the best bet each way, he has the form and is in great shape heading to Ascot. A reproduction of his Irish Champion form would make him the horse to beat.”

Ryan sends a strong arsenal to Royal Ascot which includes last years Temple Stakes winner Hot Streak.