O’Brien’s King George runners Cannes trouble the judge
AS AIDAN O’Brien strides towards a century of Royal Ascot wins, son Joseph is doing a good job of establishing himself as a force to be reckoned with on the big days.
Still just 33, Joseph saddled a second British Classic winner in the Oaks at Epsom two weeks ago and had winners at Ascot on Tuesday and yesterday to take his tally at the Royal meeting to six.
On Thursday, he takes aim at another valuable handicap, the King George V Stakes (3.05pm), with some nice, unexposed types, two of which make plenty of appeal at around 10/1.
CANNES finished behind Derby third James J Braddock on debut, which came over an unsuitable mile on heavy ground.
He finished second again when stepped up to 10 furlongs, getting close to a nice horse called Asakir, and then opened his account in good style over a mile-and-a-half.
While connections didn’t get carried away and fulfil their entry in the Derby at Epsom, this contest over the Derby trip, looks a clever piece of race planning.
He’s a well-bred son of Sea The Stars who handles quicker ground and is likely to be a Group horse masquerading in a handicap.
Stablemate ENCELADUS, with Ryan Moore booked to ride, is the second dart to have at this race.
Also a nice son of Sea The Stars, out of a multiple Graded winning mare, he showed a good attitude to shed his maiden tag at Cork and will have been primed for this.
Like Cannes, he’s seemingly held in high regard, holding several Classic entries, so connections will be disappointed if he can’t show up well in this.
POINTERS THURSDAY
Cannes e/w 3.05pm Ascot
Enceladus e/w 3.05pm Ascot