3 minute read

Progressive galloper Royal Statue appears well placed to bring up his fifth straight win, when due to contest the fourth event at Ascot on Saturday.

Formerly trained by Team Williams, Royal Statue has returned, notching up back to back wins for the Adam Durrant stable.

An impressive winner fresh, he took a good step forward last start when too strong late, gunning down the Sean Casey trained Moet De Vega.

A key sectional star, Royal Statue is clearly a 4YO heading the right way and he is sure to appreciate the step up to 1500m.

Although a noted backmarker, expect Pike to be more prominent from the inside draw, a further push for his chances on Saturday.

When assessing Timeform weight adjusted ratings, he sits clear and while meeting Moet De Vega worse off a the weights, confident he will have his measure again.

Close to 2-1 is being offered about his chances early doors, it will be interesting to see what he SPs tomorrow.

Last start he started 9-2 with Moet De Vega starting the $2.60 favourite — do feel the track pattern on the day was the main push against Royal Statue.

Must always respect last start SPs, but have him marked 6/4 and wouldn't be surprised to see him start shorter.

Winners keep on winning and given he only rises 2.5kg at the weights, he should prove very hard to beat.

The Team Williams trained Festival Miss was very good against the pattern last start and only needs to run out the 1400m to be right in the finish on Saturday.

While yet to break through this time in, she has continued to race well and confident the form behind Dance Music is very good.

Obviously The Velvet King brings the A1 form out of the Guineas, but feel that race was winner only and the runners behind Arcadia Queen shouldn't be elevated simply because they finished behind her.

Out to 1400m down in the weights, Pike gets his chance to stalk the speed and given the sectionals she has reeled off over 1000m, she is more than capable of running them down.

Best From The West

BET OF THE DAY (1): Race 4 #4 Royal Statue @ $2.70

BET OF THE DAY (2): Race 5 #8 Festival Miss @ $4.80