Seconds Out

When Jim Bolger brings a top-rank juvenile to Royal Ascot, they usually pack a formidable punch and on Tuesday the master of Coolcullen arrives with Round Two (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) in the G2 Coventry S. Unbeaten in two starts, Godolphin’s representative beat the smart Argentero (GB) (Zoffany {Ire}) on debut in the same six-furlong Naas conditions race won by the stable’s subsequent Coventry hero Dawn Approach (New Approach {Ire}) prior to annexing the May 23 Listed Marble Hill S. In that five-furlong Curragh contest, the bay saw off Ballydoyle’s well-regarded Washington DC (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) despite the trip being on the sharp side and subsequently earned rave reviews from his breeder and trainer. 
“I think my horse is very smart,” jockey Kevin Manning said. “He’s done everything we’ve asked of him. He was impressive at the Curragh, stepping back down to five furlongs and to do it the way he did it. He’s very straightforward and has got a great temperament. The trip doesn’t seem to be an issue to him and neither does the ground.” 
Also in the royal blue is the highly impressive Listed Woodcote S. scorer Buratino (Ire) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}), one of a trio of colts from the reinvented Mark Johnston stable. Leaving his prior form behind when scoring by six lengths in that June 6 Epsom contest, he is one of the most exposed in the line-up, but his trainer excels with these types and he boasts arguably the best form. 
“Buratino is in great form,” Johnston commented. “It was a tremendous win at Epsom, which earned him his place in this race. He has been defeated twice, but he looked to have improved for the step up to six furlongs last time out.” 
Heading up the opposition are a raft of colts who have as yet unlimited potential. One is Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith’s Air Force Blue (War Front). From the Ballydoyle stable successful on a record-equaling seven occasions, the dark bay was off the mark on debut at The Curragh May 24 and the next two home have won since to frank the form. 
“He got a little fizzy with Ryan [Moore] in the stalls first time, but traveled well and got a little tired in the last 50 yards,” Aidan O’Brien said. “We’re looking forward to running him. The six furlongs and lovely fast ground will suit.” 
Also representing Coolmore is Wesley Ward’s runner Finnegan (Ire) (Unbridled’s Song), who flashed his ability when a five-length winner of a five-furlong maiden special weight at Pimlico May 16. 
“From the first time we breezed him, I felt this was his race,” Ward commented. “He’s a different type to some of the speed horses I’ve brought over in the past. He’s a horse we think will go a mile later in the year and hopefully a mile and a quarter on the first Saturday in May next year. I know the Coventry S. is a very prestigious race with a lot of history, it is first and foremost a race I would like to win at Royal Ascot and it would be an honor to do it.” 
Another who comes here on the back of an impressive maiden win is Bill Gredley’s War Department (Ire) (Frozen Power {Ire}), who looked all class when scoring by 4 1/2 lengths over this trip at Leicester May 26, while Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum also supplies an intriguing contender in the Ed Dunlop-trained Qeyaadah (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}). While only a narrow winner on debut over this trip at Newbury May 15, the manner of his performance left a deep impression. 
“We don’t really know enough about our horse to know where he fits in,” Shadwell’s racing manager Angus Gold admitted. “He went to Newbury pretty much unfancied, having done not a great deal of work, and he surprised everybody with the way he quickened from in behind them. So we’re still a bit in the dark, there’s more experienced horses like Round Two and Mark Johnston has a few and there’s Wesley Ward’s. I think we’ll do the same again, ride him to come home and see where he fits in.”