Rossa Ryan's Royal Ascot Rides — Day 5

2.30 — Norfolk Stakes (Group 2) — Orthodox

My first ride is Orthodox tomorrow. It’s a good draw, and he’s come forward from Salisbury really well. He’s been working well on the gallops, so I’d be hopeful for a big run in the Norfolk with him, and hopefully he’s a horse that’s going to progress as the year goes on.

3.05 — Hardwicke Stakes (Group 2) — Amiloc

It just didn’t go right for him first time back, but he seems to have come out of the race well. Back on track, he’s a course-and-distance winner, and it looks a very hot contest, but I’d be hopeful for a big run. He’s taken a good step forward from his first run, so he’s going there probably as a bit of an underdog, but I’d be hoping for a nice run.

3.40 — Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (Group 1) — Jasour

He’s got a good draw, drawn high next to a Japanese horse who was second in this race last year, so you can be nearly guaranteed he’s going to take him a long way. He’s slowly been on the incline as the year’s gone on, and with the hood off, his work at home has been pleasing. Hopefully there’s a good bit of speed in the race, which will really suit him, plus being back on a track that does suit him too. The way he seems to be working, you’d like to think he’s a lovely each-way chance in the race for sure.

5.00 — Wokingham Stakes (Heritage Handicap) — Flash Harry

He was very good in the Wokingham last year, ran a lovely race, and it just didn’t happen for him in the Ayr Gold Cup. He should like the ground and he has had a nice comeback run. The horse that won it is going for the Jubilee and he seems to have taken a step forward from it. He’ll enjoy it if I can get a bit of cover. He’ll enjoy a strong gallop and it’ll be interesting to see how well he does now going into the race in good form. Everyone’s very happy with him, so here’s hoping he runs a big race.

5.35 — Golden Gates Stakes (Handicap) — Spyce

This looks a very hot race on paper. He’s got an okay draw in 2 — it can be a great draw, and it can be a poor draw at times — but he ran very well last time up in the London Gold Cup at Newbury, in a very slowly run race. The front three that day were all bought by Wathnan afterwards, and two of them are showing up again. He wasn’t that far away in a slowly run race where he was held up, so that should be a good guide for tomorrow and something nice to aim at. If the splits come for him up the straight, I’d be expecting a big run from Spyce tomorrow for Alan, who’s already had a winner on the board this week. I’m looking forward to Spyce in the second-last race, the Golden Gates, and hopefully we can get a winner on the board tomorrow too.