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| Royal Ascot News 2013 |
Wohler Lines Up Ascot Foray
11/06/13
Trainer Andreas Wohler is heading to Royal Ascot with a couple of outside chances, fresh from breaking new ground by saddling Germany's first runner in this year's Investec Derby.
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Altano may be joined by stablemate Earl Of Tinsdal, but Wohler would like to see plenty of rain on the Ascot racecourse for the dual Group One winner and he is not a definite runner.
After the exploits of Danedream in the Arc and King George, and Energizer notching a first for the country at last year's Royal meeting, those who underestimate the German raiders do so at their peril, as emphasised by the success of Amarillo at Haydock on Saturday.
"Indomito will probably run in the Queen Anne," said Wohler.
"He ran well in the race last year (fourth to Frankel).
"Altano will definitely run in the Gold Cup and he will be ridden by my jockey, Eduardo Pedroza.
"Earl Of Tinsdal is not a definite runner, he would need it to rain. He doesn't have to have it soft but he doesn't like quick ground."
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The dual-purpose performer won twice at the meeting last year, taking the Ascot Stakes by six lengths and the Queen Alexandra by seven.
He was subsequently found slightly wanting in Group company but ran a blinder in the Chester Cup last month to be beaten just over a length from a desperate draw.
"He's obviously got the Gold Cup entry and he'll have one for the Queen Alexandra again on the last day," said Mullins.
"I'm very happy with him at the moment but we don't need to decide just yet.
"We'll wait and see who runs where and see how his final preparation goes and we'll probably leave it as late as possible."
Simon Mapletoft paid a visit to the Richard Fahey yard to preview his team for the 2013 Royal meeting:
In another Royal Ascot feature AtTheRacesUK visits Kevin Ryan's northern base. Kevin and Simon take a look at his 2013 Royal team:
Frankie Dettori has been booked to ride the Darrin Miller-trained US raider Havelock in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes.
The Italian rider, who has only just returned from a six-month drugs ban, will link up for the first time with the six-year-old, a winner of four Graded races over various distances.
Dettori's agent Ray Cochrane told the Daily Express: "He looks a solid horse. He won a decent sprint at Keeneland."
Cochrane admitted the chances of a stellar book of rides for his client at next week's Royal meeting are remote, saying: "We've got a few rides, but I'm not releasing them at the minute as I don't want to frighten anyone away."
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The high-class filly finished just two lengths behind Just The Judge on ground which was quicker than ideal in the Irish 1,000 Guineas last month.
"She started from stall 16, which is a disadvantage when the going is good to firm at the Curragh. Pat (Smullen, jockey) was trying to get her a bit of cover, but she got involved in a bit of a barging match and he was never really able to get her settled," Weld told the Independent.
"She ended up doing a bit too much early, and while she looked the winner two (furlongs) down, she tied up in the last 100 yards.
"She was only beaten a head and a neck for second, even so, and I'd hope there would be improvement in her."
