Prospect Of Peace

Ending day one at Royal Ascot is the Listed Windsor Castle S., which has drawn the TDN Rising Star Declarationofpeace (War Front) from Ballydoyle. He beat the subsequent winner Treasuring (GB) (Havana Gold {Ire}) by six lengths on his second start over this trip at Dundalk May 10 and it will be interesting to see how he shapes against two Wesley Ward representatives in Nootka Sound (Lonhro {Aus}) and Elizabeth Darcy (Ire) (Camacho {GB}). The former beat C J S Suzie Byu (Artemus Sunrise) by 5 1/4 lengths in a maiden special weight over 4 1/2 furlongs at Keeneland Apr. 27, while Elizabeth Darcy beat that rival further at Indian Grand May 24. “They are both very fast and they are as fit as I can possibly get them,” Ward said. “Each of them have had just one start and one win and I'm looking for a couple of big races out of both.” Godolphin's representatives hail from the Charlie Appleby stable and the Listed National S. fourth Sound and Silence (GB) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}) sports the blue cap ahead of Roussel (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}), who took a novice contest at Leicester May 30. “Sound and Silence broke his maiden on debut at Newmarket but then was a little disappointing when fourth in the National Stakes at Sandown and post-race showed a dirty scope,” Appleby commented. “Roussel is another who came from the breeze-ups and has lots of natural pace which he showed when winning on his only start at Leicester, as well as a bit of greenness. He has done well since and I couldn't be happier with him.”