REWILDING helped put Godolphin back on the Group One map at Royal Ascot earlier this week.
And DELEGATOR can ram home the point with another success at the premier Flat meeting in the Golden Jubilee Stakes (3.45pm) on Saturday - if the ground isn’t too soft.
Sheikh Mohammed’s Boys In Blue had not won at the top level at the Royal meeting for four years prior to the Mahmood Al Zarooni-trained Rewilding lowered the colours of So You Think in the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes on Wednesday.
Now the Sheikh’s other main trainer Saeed bin Suroor can add to that in the Group One six-furlong sprint.
A Classic contender when trained by Brian Meehan, Delegator finished second to Sea The Stars in the 2,000 Guineas two years ago. The five-year-old lost his way a little after that, but the return to sprint distances has seen a change in fortunes.
He was a decent winner of the Group Two Duke Of York Stakes on the Knavesmire on his seasonal return and his trainer nominated him as his best hope of a winner at Royal Ascot last week. Delegator will be partnered by the Derby-winning jockey Mickael Barzalona - a more than able deputy - in the absence of the suspended Frankie Dettori.
The in-form Roger Charlton-trained four-year-old Bated Breath and Charles O’Brien’s Bewitched both hold good chances. And if Delegator is pulled out due to unsuitable conditions the latter is the most likely winner.
Godolphin beat old rivals Coolmore earlier in the week, but the Irish-based operation have also had their share of success once again and AWAIT THE DAWN can add to that in the Hardwicke Stakes (3.05pm).
Aidan O’Brien’s lightly-raced four-year-old was hugely impressive when landing the Huxley Stakes at Chester’s May meeting. He looks a typical improving middle distance performer who has taken this Group Two contest.
O’Brien may already have had a winner as another likely favourite MAYBE should be able to land the opener, the Chesham Stakes (2.30pm) tomorrow.
The Galileo filly was a taking winner on her debut at Naas last time and she can stay unbeaten stepped up to the seven furlongs of this Listed event.
From Aintree to Royal Ascot, Donald McCain’s reputation is burgeoning. And the superb dual-purpose performer OVERTURN can add to that in the Queen Alexandra Stakes (5.35pm).
A winner of the Scottish Champion Hurdle and Galway Hurdle, the six-year-old has already landed two big staying handicaps on the Flat for the Cheshire-based handler.
Last year Overturn led the field a merry dance to win the Northumberland Plate. Last month he did the same in the Chester Cup.
Now he steps up in distance to try and complete a wonderful hat-trick in the final race of the Royal meeting. He is another who may not like conditions too soft but if he is allowed to take his chance he will hold a big chance.
He is also not guaranteed to stay the 2m6f but if he does, and I think he will, he will be hard to pass and can bring up another big win for McCain.
The Wokingham Stakes (4.25pm) is a typically tough handicap to solve. But sometimes it pays to back two - one drawn high and one low. LUI REI, in stall 25, and course and distance winner Imperial Guest (nine) both have chances of making the frame at least.
Mark Tregoning’s HEDDWYN can land the Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes (5pm).
ROYAL ASCOT DAY FIVE PREDICTIONS: 2.30pm Maybe 3.05pm (Harwicke Stakes) Await The Dawn 3.45pm (Golden Jubilee Stakes) 1 Delegator 2 Bewitched 3 Bated Breath 4.25pm (Wokingham) Lui Rei (NAP) 5pm Heddwyn 5.35pm Overturn. SUNDAY’S NAP: Goal Hanger (2.10pm Pontefract).
