ROYAL ASCOT FEATURES

Peter Chapple-Hyam
17 Jun 2007
Throughout the 1990s, Peter Chapple Hyam was a true friend to punters. The horses he trained from Manton always ran on their merits and his two-year-olds were usually a byword for consistency.
He was adept at the highest level with three-year-olds; winning the 1992 Derby with Dr Devious and sending out Rodrigo de Triano and Turtle Island to land 2000 Guineas at Newmarket and the Curragh.
A move to Hong Kong in 2000 was far from an unqualified success but since his return he's quickly re-established himself at the top of the training ranks, saddling Authorized to land the Derby in such impression fashion.
That horse won't feature in his 2007 Royal Ascot team - the Eclipse is his next target - but this year Chapple-Hyam is fielding by far his strongest challenge since his return from HK, headed by last year's Norfolk Stakes hero Dutch Art, who out to get his revenge on his 2000 Guineas conqueror Cockney Rebel in the St James's Palace Stakes.
Here he discusses his pick of the horses he will be sending to Royal Ascot.

PETER'S ROYAL ASCOT TEAM
AL QASI
Target: Golden Jubilee Stakes — 3.45 Saturday
4yo bay colt; Elnadim — Delisha
Unraced at two and after a debut sixth last June went on to win four of his five starts, finishing second in the others and rated 107 after defeating Burning Incense two lengths in competitive six furlong handicap on good to soft ground at Ascot in September off 95. Posted a good comeback run when three lengths sixth of 17 to Amadeus Wolf in six furlong Group 2 event at York May 16.
“He went to York because there was nothing else to go for but I hadn’t trained him that hard. But he’s stepping up and I’ll have him razor sharp for the Golden Jubilee. Goes on fast ground but it’s not ideal. Six is the right trip but I could up him to seven by the end of the year. Can definitely upgrade to a Group horse but I don’t know what level.”

DUTCH ART
Target: St James’s Palace Stakes — 3.45 Tuesday
3yo chestnut colt; Medicean — Halland Park Lass
Won his first four starts last season, including the Norfolk, Prix Morny and Middle Park. Recovered from relatively disappointing second in Greenham to finish just over two lengths third to Cockney Rebel in the 2000 Guineas. Not much improvement needed to press the top three-year-olds over a mile.
“His Guineas run was his best so far and he’s never let me down. Has another go at Cockney Rebel in the St James’s Palace which will be seriously tough — having said that he has improved a helluva lot but you don’t know how much Cockney Rebel as come on. All ground comes the same to him.”

HAMOODY
Target: Golden Jubilee Stakes — 3.45 Saturday
3yo chestnut colt; Johannesburg — Northern Gulch
Won first two starts last season including the Group Two Richmond Stakes at Goodwood by a head. Disappointed on his only subsequent run and first on soft ground when well behind in Dewhurst. Last in the seven-furlong Free Handicap on his return off 107 and dropped to 105.
“He’d been on the go too long before the Dewhurst but on his home work he was the best horse I had last year — and he’s back to doing that now. Probably runs in the Golden Jubilee because there’s nowhere else to go. It’s tough for a three-year-old but he’s in serious form. Six is the trip and he must have fast ground.”

ORIENTALIST ART
Target: Coventry Stakes — 2.30 Tuesday
2yo bay colt; Green Desert — Pink Crystal
Looked to have a bright future when two and a half lengths second of 19 to well-regarded Luck Money in an above average six furlong Newmarket maiden on 26 May.
“The horse that beat us at Newmarket will be towards the head of the Coventry market but we’ll have another crack at him. I know it’s hard for a maiden but he worked really well on June 8 and he’ll have at least a realistic chance of being placed and if there’s a flaw in anything he’d have a chance of winning. He likes fast ground and it will be up to seven after this.”

POLAR CIRCLE
Target: Queen Mary Stakes — 4.55 Wednesday
2yo bay filly; Royal Academy — Polar Bird
Looked possibly above average when readily winning on her Newbury debut over five furlongs on good to soft, beating Nijoom Dubai a length and a half.
“I’d only done a couple of bits of work with her before Newbury and I rushed her a bit. She’s grown quite a bit but everything seems ok and she’ll be fine for the Queen Mary — I just hope we get a low draw because she’ll be best making the running. Definitely a stakes filly.”

RIVER BRAVO
Target: Wokingham Stakes (Handicap) — 4.25 Saturday
4yo bay colt; Indian Ridge — Sheer Spirit
Lightly-raced with only five career starts but won over six furlongs at two and won three-year-old handicap off 86 on his first run last season on heavy at Haydock. Failed to fire next start in June and not seen out again until April when last of 13 to Giganticus at Newcastle off 94. Now 92.
“He’s in the Wokingham but the ground has to be soft and he got jarred up last season which is why he didn’t run for a long time. I think 92 is a winnable mark in a good handicap when the ground is right.”

STRIVING STORM
Target: Hampton Court Stakes — 4.55 Thursday
3yo bay colt; Stormin Fever — Sugars For Nanny
Plenty of ability in four two-year-old starts around a mile and rated 106 after beating Love On The Rocks on heavy at Haydock in September. Two lengths second to Regime in Sandown Classic Trial off 104 and not seen out since. Now 105.
“He got cast before the Dee Stakes, ripped off two plates and we’ve had to do some work on his feet. One of the few horses that can work with Authorized, he’s improved and is in seriously good form. I think I’ve stopped him hanging because he was wrong in his back and if he hadn’t done that he’d have probably won the Sandown race. He goes for the Hampton Court at Royal Ascot and if he were to win it he is in the Irish Derby and I might let him take his chance. Goes on any ground except very firm but is better with cut.”

TARIQ
Target: Jersey Stakes — 2.30 Wednesday
3yo chestnut colt; Kyllachy — Tatora
Third to Hellvelyn in the Coventry following winning his debut on soft at Newmarket. Rated 103 and failed to shine in two subsequent events, latest when thirteenth in French Guineas. Back to form latest start with length and a half defeat of Mr Napper Tandy  in seven furlong Listed event at Newmarket on 26 May off 101 and now officially rated 107.
“He’s going for the Jersey and on his work he is a realistic chance of being placed at least. He doesn’t get a mile and he really has improved for the last win. Could drop back to six furlongs one day. Ground makes no difference.”

WESTERN ART
Target: Windsor Castle Stakes — 5.30 Tuesday
2yo bay colt; Hennessy — Madam West
Started favourite for his debut at Leicester on 22 May and ran well to be narrowly beaten by Only In Jest.
“The form of his race has worked out but he threw a splint which is ok now and is going for the Windsor Castle. He wants six so the stiff finish will suit him and he’s worked ok on firm ground so there’s no trouble with the splint.”

WINKER WATSON
Target: Norfolk Stakes — 2.30 Thursday
2yo chestnut colt; Piccolo — Bonica.
Showed a good turn of pace from over a furlong out to easily win on his debut Newbury on 20 April by two and a half lengths from Legendary Guest - significantly the same race the trainer landed with Turtle Island.
“Goes for the Norfolk and he is my main hope, I think he is an exceptional horse. He hasn’t run since April because I often give two-year-olds a run then give them time to mature. If you see him now he’s a different horse to the one at Newbury, looks like a three-year-old and his work has been absolutely fantastic. After this he’ll step up to six and the boys who own him want to go to France for the Morny but he loves fast ground wouldn’t get it there. My banker of the week.”