14:25 Royal Ascot

Friday 19 June 2020

All13:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:40

Norfolk Stakes (Group 2)

Off time: 14:28 | Winning time: 1m 1.55s

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Selected odds by:

(7)

Andronicus Beau¹⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: R Kingscote| T: Tom Dascombe| BF

80/1

Fourth on his only start so far (Emirati Dirham just behind), Newcastle (5f, slow). Showed ability in what was a decent 2yo race (had some depth), proved a little one-paced at the finish, now moves up in grade/onto turf; would be a surprise winner.

Form: 4

(12)

Cooperation⁵

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: S M Levey| T: R Hannon| BF

80/1

One of a few in this that have already had two starts, makes a quick return from improved second outing at Newmarket (6f, good). Well found in the market, just beaten by an above-average speedy newcomer, one of two for the stable in this.

Form: 52

(5)

Eye Of Heaven¹⁵

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: L Dettori| T: C & M Johnston| D

7/4

Yard well up to speed with their 2yo's, well-fancied on debut at Newmarket (5f, good/firm) beat Get It/Tactical (fourth and first in the Windsor Castle). Travelled well, won with something in hand, better to come from him, ideal sort for this race.

Form: 1

(6)

Golden Pal⁶³

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: Wesley Ward| OR: 96| BF

12/1

By leading sire Uncle Mo (top-class 2yo); US import, did a little too much on debut (second) in blinkers (removed here) at Gulfstream (4½f, fast dirt) in April. Now moves on to turf, stable had success in this race before, draw not ideal, chance.

Form: 2

(2)

Imperial Force¹⁵

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: James Doyle| T: A M Balding

15/2

Knew his job first time up, Newmarket (6f, good/firm) when finishing second putting up a performance as good as his stablemate (Bright Devil) who won first division. Drops to 5f this time, yard going well overall but draw may hamper his chance.

Form: 2

(13)

Jojo Rabbit⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: Hollie Doyle| T: A Watson| D

22/1

Built on the promise shown on debut when runner-up at Lingfield (5f, standard) to win by over 4L at Wolverhampton (5.1f, standard/slow) turned out quickly (put his experience to good use). Speedy/professional 2yo, could play a part from his draw.

Form: 21

(14)

Lipizzaner¹¹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| BF

5/2

Yet to win, hard to fault his two starts (runner-up both times, second time sole runner in field on second start). Impressed with how he's moved through the race both times, worried out of things over 6f last time, ought to appreciate this stiff 5f.

Form: 22

(10)

Macho Pride¹³

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: Harrison Shaw| T: B Haslam| D

80/1

Non-runner here earlier in the week; rare 2yo debut winner for his yard at Newcastle (5f, slow). Showed good speed on that occasion (in keeping with his pedigree), showed a good attitude, will improve but this is a much more exacting task.

Form: 1

(11)

Nelson Gay¹⁶

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: S W Kelly| T: R Hughes| BF

25/1

Third on debut at Yarmouth (5.2f, firm), strong in the betting representing first-season sire Mehmas behind The Lir Jet (runs here). Showed ability but looked to have run into a couple of useful types (form now franked); ought to do better in time.

Form: 3

(4)

Papal Bee

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: Cieren Fallon| T: Miss K Brown

250/1

Newcomer, €6,000 yearling, half-brother to 3 winners, including winner up to 1m1f Arnad and 7f/1m winner Red Thunder, both in Italy. Trainer 0-8 with GB 2yo's in the last five years, 1-22 In Ireland; set a stiff task on debut and can only be watched.

Form:

(1)

The Lir Jet¹⁶

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: Oisin Murphy| T: M L W Bell| D

9/2

Sire won this race in 2016, well backed, bred to be sharp and duly knew what was required when winning in good style at Yarmouth (5.2f, firm) recently (Nelson Gay, third). Open to further progress his chance is made problematic by the stall 1 draw,

Form: 1

(8)

Ventura Tormenta

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: P J Dobbs| T: R Hannon

33/1

One of two the yard run in this making his debut at a heady height. £95,000 yearling closely related to smart 6f (including at two) winner George Bowen and half-brother to several winners. Tough assignment for a newcomer.

Form:

Non-Runners

(3)

Emirati Dirham⁶

Weight: 9-1| Age: 2

T: J & S Quinn J: S De Sousa

(9)

Get It²

Weight: 9-1| Age: 2

T: C G Cox J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Eye Of Heaven (7/4), Lipizzaner (5/2), The Lir Jet (9/2), Imperial Force (15/2), Get It (10/1), Golden Pal (12/1), Jojo Rabbit (22/1), Nelson Gay (25/1), Ventura Tormenta (33/1), Emirati Dirham (33/1), Macho Pride (80/1), Andronicus Beau (80/1), Cooperation (80/1), Papal Bee (250/1)

The second juvenile race on the card with a little more experience on display than the runners in the earlier Albany Stakes. A number of these have created good visual impressions none more so than Eye Of Heaven a debut winner at Newmarket with that form strongly endorsed by the second Get It and third Tactical finishing fourth and first respectively in the Windsor Castle. If Get It makes a quick return he could be worth noting. Trainer of US raider Golden Pal has been bullish about his chances in recent interviews. LIPPIZZANER has bumped into two useful winners so far and this stiff 5f may prove the perfect trip, with his draw in stall 14 enabling him to get a perfect stands side pitch.