Hi Phil

Kieren Rowbottom just rang me to ask about my being on the panel for
next
Monday's Royal Ascot preview night. I can't make it, I'm afraid, but
I can
pass on to you my fancies if you wish to relay them to your punters.

Below is a copy of an article I have written for the Chronicle for
Thursday
June 15.

Stars can shine
on Royal stage

AFTER a year out for major reconstruction work, Royal Ascot returns
home
next week.

Last seasonıs Royal meeting was held at York ­ and a great event it
was,
too.

But a huge draw bias made some of the races unsatisfactory and it is
to be
hoped that the course changes at Ascot do not produce a similar
scenario.
What we can safely expect, however, is top-class racing.

Heading my list of ³must² bets for the Royal meeting is Race For The
Stars
in the Coronation Stakes.

This three-year-old mile contest for fillies features our 1,000
Guineas
winner Speciosa and Nightime, who was successful in the Irish
equivalent.

Aidan OıBrienıs Race For The Stars was beaten in both those races,
but they
were held on rain-soaked ground which was all against her.

Likely to get the fast ground she needs next week, Race For The
Stars can
restore her reputation as a top-quality filly and go in at
attractive odds
(currently around 8-1).

This yearıs three-year-old colts are much of a muchness, judging by
the
Epsom Derby form.

I suppose they could all be very good, but thatıs unlikely and I
have a
strong suspicion that the best colt of his generation may have
missed Epsom.

Geoff Wragg saddled the maiden, Dragon Dancer, to be second to Sir
Percy in
the Derby, but I am convinced his Ivy Creek is a superior horse and
will be
backing him to prove it in the Hampton Court Stakes.

Ivy Creek was desperately unlucky to be touched off by Art Deco at
Chester
and that one franked the form when fourth in the French Derby.

Wragg campaigned the top-class Pentire in much the same way he has
been
handling Ivy Creek and that underlines the regard in which he is
held by the
trainer.

I am hoping that Sir Michael Stoute takes the handicap route with
Stage Gift
rather than take on Ivy Creek, as this is the second most promising
three-year-old I have seen this season.

The son of Cadeaux Genereux has rattled up a quick hat-trick this
term and
looks way ahead of the handicapper.

I am convinced he is a Group horse in the making, but in the
meantime Stage
Gift can continue to make hay in the lower divisions. Watch out for
him if
he turns up next week.

Much the same comments apply to another Stoute improver, the four-
year-old
Public Forum, who has been lightly raced but is capable of much
better form
than he has shown.

The fact that he was able to win over an inadequate trip of a mile
on his
reappearance at Sandown speaks volumes for his ability and I would be
greatly interested if he were to turn out for one of the middle-
distance
handicaps.

Godolphin seem to be waking up from their early-season slumber, so
the
brilliant Proclamation must go on anyoneıs short list for the Queen
Anne
Stakes on day one of the meeting.

He could clash with Soviet Song, whom he just touched off in last
seasonıs
Sussex Stakes, and I would expect him to confirm the form granted a
clear
passage.

Godolphin have several options with Iffraaj, who has joined their
operation
from Michael Jarvisıs stable.

This colt must have fast ground to be seen to maximum effect and the
word
from Newmarket is that he is burning up the gallops.

James Fanshawe must always be respected at the Royal meeting and he
has a
strong team once again.

Perhaps the best of his runners could be the progressive Sir Gerard,
who
looked most unlucky to be beaten by Anna Pavlova in Haydockıs Tote
Silver
Bowl and may seek compensation in the Britannia Handicap.

For a saver in the same race, check out Barry Hillsı Giganticus,
whose form
behind Levera at Newmarket has been well franked by the winner.

Giganticus has been kept fresh for this race and is working the
house down
at home.

Hills also has high hopes for La Cucaracha in the Kingıs Stand
Stakes over
five furlongs.

Best when fresh, this top-class filly will be making her seasonal
reappearance and is likely to get the quick surface she needs.

Marcus Tregoning is a thoroughly decent guy whose open attitude
regarding
Sir Percyıs progress in the run-up to the Derby was a breath of
fresh air.

No cloak and dagger stuff from him, so itıs wise to sit up and take
notice
when the trainer says his filly Makederah is tailor-made for the
Sandringham
Stakes.

Backing two-year-olds at Royal Ascot is a risky business bearing in
mind so
many horses are unexposed.

My two to watch out for next week are Richard Hannonıs Major Cadeaux
and
Sonny Red, although enthusiasm for the former in the Coventry Stakes
could
be tempered should Aidan OıBrien send over recent Leopardstown
scorer Holy
Roman Emperor.
Ends

My other fancies are:
Araafa (St James's Palace)
Galient (Queen's Vase)
County Song (Chesham)
Amadeus Wolf, e.w, hot race (Jersey)
Hinterland, e.w. (Hunt Cup)
Reefscape (Gold Cup)
M Stoute's sel (Ribblesdale)
Tax Free (Wokingham)

Hope this is of some use and that there are a few winners for your
members.

Once again, sorry I can't be there.

Keith McHugh
Oldham Ev Chronicle.