I’m hoping that message today reaches the culturally diverse and tolerant citizens of Luxembourg!
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Moore, of course, rides classy colt LUXEMBOURG (4.20) in a cracking highlight on Day Two of Royal Ascot 2023 — namely the Group 1 Prince of Wales’s Stakes over a mile and a quarter.
Aidan O’Brien’s superb stable jockey has long stolen races from the front at top fixtures around the globe, and a classic example came at this fixture last year when Moore and Broome made all in the Hardwicke Stakes.
Pace here will be crucial. As will an easy lead up front.
I’ve a feeling Luxembourg may well try and make all as he did when denying the reopposing Bay Bridge in the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh.
It’s hard to see much of a challenge for the front-runner’s role, although Mostahdaf can go forward. Ironically he was the horse who chased home Broome 12 months ago.
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My Prospero will try and pounce late under Tom Marquand for William Haggas.
There’s no doubt he’s a classy sort and a big danger and I know Britain’s favourite tipster Steve Mullen is keen on this fella.
Then we come to former Derby hero Adayar who will also be strongly fancied by many after his easy comeback win at Newmarket.
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But it’s Luxembourg for me, a horse who had the class to finish third in the 2022 2,000 Guineas.
And, who knows, if he does take this prize some of the 650,000 Luxembourgers may get to hear about just how good that man Moore is.
Today gets under way with the Group 2 Queen Mary Stakes for two-year-old fillies over five furlongs.
I was at Yarmouth when Born Yo Rock made a winning debut and she was impressive.
But I have to take her on here. I liked RELIEF RALLY (2.30) when the daughter of Kodiac won at Salisbury last time.
Her attitude is top-notch. Whether she’s good enough only time will tell for Marquand and Haggas.
Next up is the Kensington Palace Handicap is over a mile.
I have a feeling this is a race to take a chance and the one I’ll risk is DON’T TELL CLAIRE (3.05) for Danny and Clair Kubler and the talented Jack Mitchell.
The mare has plenty of decent form at Ascot and was far from disgraced when third on May 13 at this track. An each-way chance.
It’s Group 2 company next with the Duke Of Cambridge over a mile.
PROSPEROUS VOYAGE (3.40) did me a big favour when winning nicely at Epsom and I’m happy to stick with her for Frankie Dettori and Ralph Beckett.
She’s a Group 1 winner from the past and finished second to Cachet in the 1,000 Guineas back in the day. Frankie gets on well with her.
After the Prince of Wales’s Stakes we have the mystery that is the Royal Hunt Cup Handicap over a mile.
ASTRO KING (5.00) was fourth in this in 2022 and second in 2021 for Sir Michael Stoute.
Now he’s handled by the Kublers and judged by his comeback run for them at York there’s every chance he can make it third time lucky under Richard Kingscote.
The sixth race on this afternoon’s card is the Queen’s Vase — a Group 2 for three-year-olds over a mile and three-quarters.
Very easy to stick with GREGORY (5.35) here for John & Thady Gosden and that man Frankie.
Once owned by Normandie Stud, the son of Golden Horn has won both starts and was impressive at Goodwood last time.
The step up in trip should be right up his street.
Finally we sign off with the Listed Windsor Castle Stakes over five furlongs.
A bit of a guessing game with so many unexposed types in it but I’m happy to go with MAXIMUM IMPACT (6.10) for Kevin Stott and Alice Haynes.
The son of Havana Grey is an Amo Racing inmate and really impressed me when getting his second success in a small field at Ascot last time. Yeeehaaa!
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