Blazing sunshine at Ascot so looks like fast ground horses will be in their element this week

June 16

Bookmakers clearly do not think that a 5lb pull is sufficient for Loughville, our only runner on day one of Royal Ascot, to make up the close on seven lengths deficit with assured favourite French Master from Goodwood last time in tomorrow’s concluding Copper Horse Handicap.

French Master, who squeezed up the far rail on the Sussex, is a worthy overnight favourite, but Loughville was still in with a shout of being in the money 300 yards from home and was not knocked about when her chance had gone. Our mare could be over-priced at 40-1 and should not be ignored as a place investment.

Alan has pulled out HMS President from this race, but he was only beaten a neck by the smart Okita Soushi in the Duke of Edinburgh Handicap at this meeting two years ago, and the eight-year-old is entered in Friday’s renewal, which gives the evergreen Ponsonby sundicated horse a second option.

And it might be a case of third time lucky for HMS President as three years earlier he ran a very creditable fourth in the Golden Gates Handicap.