Day 1 @ Ascot Tuesday 19th June

[Haitch]

Kings Stand Stakes (Group 2) 15:05 - Benbaun (Forecast price 10/1) Trainer: Mark Wallace<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

The racing achievements of a sprinter can usually be measured in fractions. The margins between victory and defeat are rarely very much and Mark Wallace's inmate suffered more than most with a whole host of near misses in some high profile events during the summer of 2006. He finally got his just desserts with a win at the Curragh in August before two creditable efforts in defeat abroad rounded off his campaign. He is related to horses that got better with age and that suggest he could return to action better than ever as a six year old. Fantastically tough and consistent, he is not far off the best around in the division and his time could well have finally arrived.

* Notes taken from David John's 10 to follow. Haitch :hope

[Haitch]

Re: Day 1 @ Ascot Tuesday 19th June St James's Palace Stakes (group 1) 15:45 - Duke of Marmalade (Forecast price 12/1) Trainer: Aidan O'Brien

The high-class form of Strategic Prince, the first British-trained horse home behind Teofilo and Holy Roman Emperor in the Dewhurst, ties in with Duke Of Marmalade who lost by just a neck to him in the Group 2 Vintage Stakes at Goodwood. That was the third and final start of the season for the Danehill colt who made an eye-catching debut at Leopardstown in June and beat the subsequent Moyglare third Supposition in a maiden at The Curragh later that month. A laid-back individual, he should have no trouble establishing a presence at Pattern level, now that he has reportedly recovered from a fractured pastern.

* Notes taken from Alan Sweetman's 10 to follow Haitch :hope