3 minute read

The unique seven-furlong Group 3 Jersey Stakes for three-year-olds has attracted a decent field of fifteen with Covey heading up the market.

The improving son of Frankel made it three from four in his short career to date when making an absolute mockery of an opening mark of 90 on his handicap debut at Haydock four weeks ago. It's of absolutely no surprise to see connections step him up to group company this afternoon and the drop back to seven furlongs will pose no issues given he's a dual winner over the trip. It's been an exceptional week thus far for both Gosden and Dettori and there's every chance Covey will be capable of providing the pair with further success in their respective searches to become Royal Ascot's leading jockey and trainer.

That said, it looks like a deep renewal on paper and Covey will certainly need to take another step forward as the official ratings suggest. Aidan O'Brien has landed this contest on a trio of occasions and The Antarctic cannot be discounted lightly to give the master trainer of Ballydoyle further Royal Ascot success this week. He battled on gamely to take the spoils in the Group 3 Lacken Stakes over six furlongs at Naas in May and that form took a timely boost when the runner-up, Ocean Queen, wasn't beaten far into fourth in the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup here yesterday afternoon. The son of Dark Angel is yet to tackle the seven-furlong trip but tops the ratings with a mark of 112 and must enter calculations.

Roger Varian has already enjoyed a pair of Royal Ascot winners this week with Royal Champion and King Of Steel finding the scoresheet. The Newmarket-based trainer seemingly holds a strong hand in this season's Jersey with both Olivia Maralda and Enfjaar arriving following impressive performances. The former looked a real seven-furlong specialist when winning over this trip at Epsom last-time-out and commands every inch of respect with some high-class juvenile form also to her name. The latter arrives unbeaten following a facile Chelmsford novice victory and looks like a fascinating contender stepping up in standard.

Charlie Appleby and Godolphin are yet to find the winners' enclosure at Royal Ascot this week, but they've teamed up to land this prize over the last two years and Mysterious Night would be interesting on his juvenile form. He was very disappointing at Newmarket on his reappearance but landed the Grade 1 Pattison Summer Stakes at Woodbine last September and could bounce back in the first-time tongue-tie on his first outing since being gelded.

Course form can never be underestimated at Royal Ascot and Holloway Boy certainly has the ability to play a role in a race of this nature. Karl Burke's runner can easily be excused for finishing well held in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on his seasonal return and last year's stunning debut Chesham Stakes winner should appreciate coming back to the Berkshire venue.

WIN: Covey – General 2/1
VALUE: Mysterious Night – General 25/1