Royal Ascot day five – full of promise for final flourish

PA Sport Reporters
June 20, 2020 6:15 am

Famous meeting promises epic 2020 conclusion.

Fairytales and redemption are the themes on the final day of what has been a truly memorable Royal Ascot.

It really would set the seal on what has been a special, albeit markedly different meeting, if Sceptical could defy his bargain-basement price tag to win the Diamond Jubilee Stakes. Frankie Dettori will do the steering, so the stage is definitely set.

While Sceptical is stepping into the unknown, Pinatubo is no stranger to Group One company – and he is also now acquainted with defeat after the 2000 Guineas.

Unbeaten in six races as a juvenile, Pinatubo was no match for Kameko at Newmarket – and with that aura of invincibility diminished, he has something to prove now in the St James’s Palace Stakes.

The rejigged schedule also means the Coronation Stakes is run on the same card, with Quadrilateral another looking to get back on the winning track after Guineas defeat.

Add in ever-informative juvenile heats in the Queen Mary and Coventry Stakes, plus two Wokinghams, and we are guaranteed fireworks on the final afternoon.

Sceptical aiming to convince

Sceptical is the mount of Frankie Dettori (PA)

After failing to make the track for Godolphin, Sceptical was snapped up for just GBP 2,800 by James McAuley last August and has cut a swathe through the ranks since. He made a huge splash on his first turf start, after winning three times on the all-weather, and trainer Denis Hogan has secured the services of Dettori as he makes the leap to the top level.

Retrieval mission

Pinatubo suffered the first defeat of his career last time (Niall Carson/PA)

The highest-rated juvenile in 25 years, there is no denying it was disappointing to see Pinatubo relinquish his unbeaten record at Newmarket. He tries to prove he has trained on at three in the St James’s Palace Stakes – but it will be no easy task with Wichita, who finished ahead of him in the Guineas, once again in opposition.

Future stars?

Admiral Nelson is a leading Coventry Stakes fancy (PA)

Aidan O’Brien could hold the key to both the Queen Mary and Coventry Stakes, with More Beautiful and Admiral Nelson towards the head of the betting. Both were first-time-out winners for the Ballydoyle team, with the filly scoring at Naas, while Admiral Nelson hit the target at the Curragh just a week ago.

Staying power

Betfair Exchange Northumberland Plate Day – Newcastle Racecourse — Who Dares Wins (left) is a big player in the Queen Alexandra Stakes, which closes the Royal meeting (Clint Hughes/PA)

You need a fair bit of stamina as a punter to see out the five days of the Royal meeting, and stamina will also certainly be the watchword in the closing event, the two-mile-six-furlong Queen Alexandra Stakes. The absence of Irish-trained runners from the likes of Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott gives the race a bit more of an open look – but after Alan King’s successes already this week, his hugely adaptable servant Who Dares Wins is the clear favourite.

King Jim

Jim Crowley heads into the final day in pole position (Alan Crowhurst/PA)

The meeting’s top trainer and jockey titles will be awarded at the close of play – but even if Jim Crowley does not take the rider’s crown, he can reflect on a very profitable week. Aside from Mohaather in the Queen Anne, the chips have very firmly fallen in Crowley’s favour this week, and he heads into the final day with six winners to his credit.