Our columnist returns with five horses on his Royal Ascot radar for next week.
COPPER HORSE STAKES
VALIANCY has been trained for this all season with his trainer William Haggas commenting on page 97 of Ahead On The Flat: “We are going to aim him at the Copper Horse Handicap at Royal Ascot (16th June). We will give him one run beforehand. Provided he races properly, hence he wore headgear at Haydock, he should continue to progress.” Owned by Wathnan Racing, the Cracksman gelding won twice at Hamilton (1m 3f : Good) and Haydock (1m 6f : Good) last term. With the cheekpieces discarded on his seasonal return at Hamilton (1m 5f : Good), he produced a smart performance when overcoming traffic problems before quickening to lead.
Having been switched to the outside, James Doyle’s mount showed good acceleration to hit the front inside the final furlong and pulling away to win by a length and a quarter. According to Race Iq, the four year old covered the last two furlongs in 12.09 and 12.45 seconds. Despite an eight pounds rise, he remains fairly treated off 98 and his record over the trip is 321. The only minor concern is very fast ground – all seven of his races have been on good ground. Otherwise, he must have excellent claims.
QUEEN’S VASE
LIMESTONE holds entries in the Irish Derby and Irish St Leger and is a lightly raced and progressive three year old. Placed in his first two races as a juvenile behind Benvenuto Cellini and Endorsement at Killarney (1m) and Tipperary (1m 1f) respectively, he then won narrowly at Listowel (1m : Heavy). A half-brother to Irish Derby runner-up Long Eagle, he is bred to appreciate longer trips and is unbeaten in two starts this season. Following a half length win at Cork (1m 2f : Good/Yielding), Joseph O’Brien’s colt looked a smart type when staying on powerfully to win the Listed Yeats Stakes race at Navan (1m 5f : Yielding) last month – Carmers won the same event en route to success here in 2025.
Pulled to the outside, Dylan Browne McMonagle’s mount led inside the final furlong before pulling a length and a quarter clear of Asakir. Yet to run on ground faster than good to yielding, most of the family preferred some ease underfoot – it was good ground when Lone Eagle was second at the Curragh in 2021. Otherwise, the New Bay colt must have outstanding claims.
