With the dust now settled on the 2022 Royal Ascot meeting, attention will switch to the rest of the
flat racing season.
The form from the five-day event is always worth following, particularly when it comes to finding
future winners in the juvenile ranks.
With that in mind, we take a closer look at five promising horses who are well worth monitoring
during the remainder of the campaign.
Chateau – Windsor Castle Stakes
In an interview with Betway ahead of Royal Ascot, trainer Andrew Balding stressed the importance
of the meeting in the flat racing calendar.
He was unlucky not to bag a winner in the Windsor Castle Stakes, with Chateau finishing in fourth
place after being forced to race on the unfavoured side of the track.
A step up to six furlongs could bring out significant improvement in Chateau and he is one to keep an
eye on in the big juvenile races this season.
Rocket Rodney – Windsor Castle Stakes
With Aidan O’Brien swerving the Coventry Stakes with Little Big Bear in favour of the Windsor Castle,
the betting had a rather lopsided look to it.
While Little Big bear duly obliged under jockey Ryan Moore, he was pushed all the way to the line by
14/1 shot Rocket Rodney.
George Scott’s charge possesses speed in abundance and could be a good bet to win the Group 3
Molecomb Stakes at Goodwood in July.
Love Reigns – Queen Mary Stakes
Love Reigns was well fancied to win the Queen Mary Stakes after hacking up on her debut at
Keeneland by nearly ten lengths.
Given an extremely positive ride by Irad Ortiz Jr at the royal meeting, the horse was unlucky not to
finish in the first three.
Ortiz will probably regret using up so much petrol during the early stages and Love Reigns looks a
filly to follow if given more restrained ride in the future.
The Antarctic – Norfolk Stakes
Unbeaten in two starts before Royal Ascot, The Antarctic lined up in the Norfolk Stakes with a rather
lofty reputation to live up to.
The full brother to top-class sprinter Battaash was strongly fancied to win the contest, but could only
finish seventh out of ten runners.
The Antarctic travelled in the manner of a good horse for much of the race and may well bounce
back to form on an easier track.
Alfred Munnings – Chesham Stakes
O’Brien had won four of the last six renewals of the Chesham Stakes and was strongly fancied to
enhance his record with Alfred Munnings.
The son of Dubawi failed to live up to expectations, racing prominently before weakening in the final
stages to finish sixth.
Alfred Munnings did not help his cause by misbehaving in the pre-parade ring and should be able to
demonstrate his class as he gains more experience.
