Royal Ascot 2020 | Oisin Murphy: Take two for Tango

Day Two Rides

Silver Royal Hunt Cup (13.15) – Sir Busker

I’m thrilled to get on Sir Busker for William Knight. I really liked his win at Newcastle last time where he beat some good horses including Fifth Position, who franked the form with a win at Doncaster on Sunday. He’s getting a mile well now, and though he is obviously a horse that will be ridden patiently he’s one that picks up really well. He’s got a big engine and he looks one of the leading form chances in what is sure to be a really competitive race.

Hampton Court (13.50) – Berlin Tango

He won well in the Classic Trial at Kempton and we’ve been thrilled with his work at home since, he’s in really good form. On that evidence this 10-furlong trip looks absolutely ideal at the moment and he’d be one of the leading chances on form, although there are plenty that have shown a good level. I was taken with First Receiver’s win at Kempton, he’s a horse I rode on his debut. Juan Elcano ran a cracker in the 2000 Guineas, Russian Emperor is well respected for obvious reasons. Even Kenzai Warrior, everything went wrong for him in the Guineas but he still ran okay. All in all I think Berlin Tango has a good chance. He’s a tough horse, he’s got experience and he’s easy to ride. I hope he’ll go very well.

Royal Hunt Cup (15.35) – Bell Rock

Bell Rock won well at Newmarket the other day in the end. He’s still quite babyish so I was pleased we got that run into him. He wasn’t really going anywhere at one stage but he picked up really well late on and he should be given plenty of credit for managing to catch the winner from the position he was in. He’s come out of the race well, he loves decent ground, he’s moving well and is in good shape, so we’re hopeful. As for the opposition Lord Tennyson could be a future group horse, he ran incredibly well on his second start. His trainer John Gosden has Alrajaa in there, too, Raising Sand is an Ascot specialist, you could go through so many. A big field shouldn’t matter to Bell Rock, as long as I follow the right horses. He’s not going to be ridden prominently unless he finds himself there, I’ll just ride him wherever he’s comfortable and let him come through the gears. Hopefully he can hit the line hard.

Windsor Castle (16.10) – Sheriff Bianco

He’s a horse that was beaten first time out at Churchill Downs, but he didn’t jump out well and ran a super race considering. He’s a big, raw, horse and I sat on him last Monday. He felt in really good shape and he’s been trained all year for this race. He’s had a nice break from his first run and he’s one I’m really looking forward to.

Copper Horse Handicap (16.40) – Selino

This is one Sheikh Fahad purchased over the winter, he was really progressive when he won at Wolverhampton and recorded a huge RPR. Back on turf shouldn’t be a problem and with his pedigree he’s really bred to improve. Everyone knows how good a trainer James Fanshawe and this horse couldn’t be in better hands. It’s a good race with several that have chances including Fujaira Prince, while Collide has done nothing wrong in his two wins. Ranch Hand has been training incredibly well and has improved so much from three to four on his homework, so no doubt it’s a really competitive race. I don’t have a bad draw in stall nine, I’m drawn beside Ranch Hand, and I’m looking forward to it.

More from Oisin Murphy

• Royal Ascot: Day one rides
• Column Seven: Kameko all class
• Column Six: A Classic weekend
• Column Five: Racing resumption
• Column Four: Sticky situations
• Column Three: Oisin Murphy's favourite horses
• Column Two: Oisin Murphy's 2020 vision
• Column One: Getting to know Oisin Murphy

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