DUE Diligence hit the bar in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes last year but should make no such mistake this time around on the closing day of Royal Ascot.
Admittedly Aidan O’Brien’s charge does not come into the race this time with quite as progressive a profile as last term, but he still appears to be a horse on the up.
The four-year-old started life with Todd Pletcher in America, racing twice in the States before switching to the care of O’Brien last term.
After an initial third, he won his next two starts and was reasonably well fancied coming to Ascot, where he put in a cracking performance to be beaten a length-and-a-half by Slade Power.
However, he was subsequently sidelined by injury and did not reappear until lining up in the seven-furlong Gladness Stakes at the Curragh in April.
Due Diligence finished seventh that day but it would be very surprising if he did not come on from that run, particularly dropped back to a seemingly more suitable sprint trip.
O’Brien’s runners appear to have found their stride of late after a more sedate than usual start to the season and Due Diligence can keep up the good work.
Postponed should have both his optimum trip and conditions in the Hardwicke Stakes.
Luca Cumani’s charge demonstrated his immense promise when graduating to a Group Two win in the Great Voltigeur last year and he looked in similar sort of heart when chasing home the reopposing Western Hymn on his reappearance at Sandown in April.
The ground was probably a shade too slow for him there and he showed himself to be of Group One class when a narrow third in the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh on his most recent outing.
The 10-furlong trip that day was not really ideal but switching back up to a mile-and-a half here, Postponed looks a likely type.
While Aidan O’Brien’s day could revolve around Due Diligence, he can also strike with his yard’s namesake, Ballydoyle, in the opening Chesham Stakes.
Tatlisu could be the answer to the tough task that is always the Wokingham Stakes while First Flight can star in the Wolferton Handicap.
John Gosden can round off the meeting on a winning note with Marzocco in the closing Queen Alexandra Stakes.
Fifth in last year’s St Leger, he takes a drop in class following a comprehensive defeat in the Dubai Gold Cup on his latest.
Marzocco is clearly not of that kind of calibre but should make his small touch of class tell here.
Off Art is worth a shout in the SunSport Handicap at Ayr, while Newmarket’s Diamond Dash Handicap can go the way of Maljaa.
Penny Royale can strike in the Tec4m Building The Future Handicap at Redcar, with Whitecrest primed in the Lingfield’s Download TitanBet Sports App Handicap.
JEAN-CLAUDE ROUGET achieved a lifelong ambition after Ervedya helped him tick off another box on his already impressive CV with a last-gasp triumph in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot yesterday.
After sending out Lesstalk In Paris to fill the runner-up spot behind Rizeena in the mile contest 12 months ago, the French handler was all smiles after watching the 3/1 shot get up in the dying strides to claim the Group One fillies’ prize and give him a first winner at the meeting.
Arabian Queen ensured there would be no hanging about, setting a brisk pace from the outset in a bid to repeat the tactics that saw her capture the Princess Elizabeth Stakes at Epsom last time out, with Miss Temple City, Yasmeen and 13/8 favourite Found tracking in behind.
As the early leader wilted hitting the two-pole, Irish 1000 Guineas runner-up Found, in the hands of man of the moment Ryan Moore, looked all set to claim a first victory of the season when moving to the head of the field, at a point where Ervedya, for a few strides, seemed to be hemmed in.
Getting the break she required, the French 1000 Guineas heroine quickly demonstrated her rapid turn of foot as she chased down the Aidan O’Brien-trained filly.
The line seemed to have come in time for the market leader but with one final ask Christophe Soumillon forced the daughter of Siyouni into the lead to gain a neck success from her Prix Marcel Boussac conqueror, with the fast-finishing Lucida third.
Rouget said: “I was happy because the pace was correct and I knew she would relax in behind. The good thing was that he (Soumillon, below) went in the middle before coming around the outside and I knew she could produce that turn of foot at a good moment.
“She is very good mentally and physically, and is a champion. I was not worried as I know Christophe and the plan was come late and not get there too early. He rode a fantastic race.
“It was her target after she won the Guineas. I had this race in mind instead of the Diane (French Oaks). I have always wanted to win a Group One at Ascot and now it has been done.
“This and Literato’s Champion Stakes are two races that stand out for me.
“It is hard to win a Group One in England. I love this place and to win a Group One here is important in my career.
“She could go for the Prix Rothschild now.”
For Soumillon, who won the 2005 renewal of the Queen Anne Stakes aboard Valixir when the meeting was held at York, it was clear that it ranked as high as many of his other Group One successes.
Soumillon said: “You need to come here with a champion. Sometimes you ride a champion but they are not in great shape.
“To do what she did today you need to be a great filly. She won the Guineas as well. If she had a good draw last year she would have probably won the Prix Marcel Boussac. Today everything worked well for her.
“She goes on any ground, any distance, any course – she is perfect and has a lovely temperament.”
He went on: “I won at York with Valixir. For me it is a great win, I won the King George and Champion Stakes here. Ascot is a great meeting and I am really proud but unfortunately I don’t have the horses to come here every year.”
Found is set to be given a break following her excellent effort in defeat.
O’Brien said: “We’re delighted with her, she ran a great race.
“I’d say she’ll keep improving. The plan was always to have the three runs, have a little rest and then step up in trip. I’d say that’s what we’ll do.”
Jim Bolger’s Lucida carried the Godolphin silks to third place with connections confident that a prize at the top level is within her capabilities.
Sheikh Mohammed’s bloodstock advisor John Ferguson said: “I’m sure she’ll have her day and we’ll stick to a mile with her.”
