Richard Hannon: “He retains plenty of ability and a test like this should really suit”

ROYAL ASCOT -WEDNESDAY

2:30 G2 Queen Mary Stakes Miami Girl (Rossa Ryan) She’s a good filly, mark my words, and I’d ignore her run in the Marygate at York because she got bumped leaving the stalls and was never able to get into a rhythm, but she’s much, much better than that as her easy win at Newmarket on 1000 Guineas day will testify. She’s drawn in stall 11, right down the middle of the track, which might not be ideal but we’ll try and sit very close to the pace, if not make it, and hopefully she’ll stay on well. We’ve always liked her and I think she is definitely worth a few quid with Unibet – she’s much better than a 33/1 shot.

5:00 Royal Hunt Cup Etonian (Pat Dobbs) He would have badly needed his first run of the season (at Newbury) then obviously found Baaeed a little too hot in the Lockinge so I’m hoping the switch back to Handicap company, and the fact he’s now absolutely fit as a flea, might see him in a much better light because I still believe that he retains plenty of ability, and a test like this should really suit. At the moment we don’t know where the draw bias is but Stall 27 looks a good position to be in and the ground should be perfect. It’s the Royal Hunt Cup so you can never be confident but he’s in great shape at home, gets the trip well and if he can get some luck in running he could easily finish in the money.

5:35 Listed Windsor Castle Stakes Silencer (Cieren Fallon) He’s been a bit of a tricky customer because we thought he’d win first time out but he got loose before the start and then hung left in the last furlong; we then took him to Epsom for the Woodcote where he looked to be running a big race, and I thought he was in with a shout two furlongs out, but he faded quite quickly, so we’re putting a tongue tie on which will hopefully help because he’s a smart colt and he’s better than he’s shown so far.