Tomorrow’s race at Newbury over a mile is often a prelude to the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot. The last horse to go from Newbury success to following up at Royal Ascot was Frankel in 2012.

The Loin In Winter

Unfortunately, nothing like Frankel in it this year. Most of the field have holes in their form.

The market is led by Damysus, second in the Dante last year, last in the Derby, he was rebuilt by John and Thady Gosden in the second half of the season, winning at Listed level over 1m2f and a G3 winner over 1m1f. His seasonal comeback saw him win the G3 Earl Of Sefton Stakes in impressive style, again over 1m1f.

Karl Burke’s Zeus Olympios was unbeaten last year in his four runs, the latter of which was a G2 success in the Joel Stakes, beating Opera Bello; however, that form was reversed in the Sandown Mile in April, where Field Of Gold was the sandwich between the pair.

Notable Speech has plenty of high-class G1 form, a Guineas and Sussex Stakes at three and last year, a Woodbine Mile and Breeders’ Cup Mile. On his comeback this year in the Maker’s Mark Mile, he finished fourth, albeit unluckily, he didn’t get the splits when needed.

More Thunder from the Willie Haggas stable, ex Sir Michael Stoute improved greatly for the move. Two good handicap wins at 6f were followed by another at 7f and then a G2 Hungerford Stakes win here, also at 7f. He didn’t handle the soft conditions at Longchamp when first introduced to G1 company in the Prix de la Foret.

French raider Sahlan from the all-conquering Francis-Henri Graffard yard is an interesting contender. He held on to take the G1 Prix du Moulin from Rosallion and The Loin In Winter, Aidan O’Brien’s representative here, in Paris in September.

When they met again at Del Mar, The Loin In Winter finished third in front of Sahlan, who finished fifth, both behind Notable Speech in the Breeders’ Cup Mile. The Loin In Winter won over 1m in good style at Leopardstown on his return this year.

Andrew Balding’s Jonquil was only beaten a head in last year’s French 2000 Guineas. He did take the G2 Celebration Mile at Goodwood and made an encouraging return this year, winning a G3 at Ascot over 1m.

The six-year-old Cicero’s Gift from the Charlie Hill’s stable was a shock 100/1 winner of the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot last backend. On comeback this year, he was a never dangerous fourth in the G2 Sandown Mile,

Roger Teal’s five-year-old Dancing Gemini highlight last year was his win in the same race. On the back of that he went off favourite for this last year, where he finished second, beaten a neck by Lead Artist. He couldn’t reproduce the same level of form in four subsequent G1 attempts, the best of which was third in the Prix Jacques le Marois, going down a 1L to Diego Valazquez with Notable Speech ¾L in front of him.

It’s a mixed bag, no standout, certainly no Frankel.

Conclusion

Damysus is definitely on the up; he was impressive at Newmarket. The same can be said about Zeus Olympios; however, neither have yet met genuine G1 performers. Notable Speech can be forgiven for fluffing his lines in Keeneland and looks the best on paper; however, the form of the Appleby yard is of serious concern.

The same cannot be said about the Gaffard stable; they are in flying form. Take note of Daryz in the Ganay. It’s also true of the O’Brien stable. Take note of True Love in the 1000 Guineas and Diamond Necklace in the French version. Ballydoyle have supplemented Mississippi River to ensure a good pace for the Loin In Winter. Placed four times at G1 level last year, he can crack the nut here.

Recommendation

The Loin In Winter 7/1 ew