Great run by Henry Longfellow in the St James’s Palace Stakes to finish a gallant runner-up – what a fantastic race that was. Beaten, as close as it was, by a better horse on the day.

Rosallion couldn’t have been more impressive, though. He travelled, he quickened – that was impressive! A rematch would be intriguing: Rosallion had the better draw, Henry had to be used up a bit more in the early stages to get to a prominent position and was a bit keen as well.

However, I feel Henry Longfellow may have more scope for improvement if he moves up to 10 furlongs. You’d think the Eclipse could be an ideal race for him. But we know his stable has a prime candidate for that specific race already.

Possibly the Irish Champion Stakes? It’s going to be interesting to see where Ballydoyle routes Henry next. He should win a Group 1 this season.

No good fortune last night for my other two selections: Port And Starburd was incredibly well-backed, went off 2/1 fav… just to miss the break badly. Barnsnape Boy looks a lost hope, I’m afraid.

……..

4.25 Ascot: Group 1 – Prince Of Wales’s Stakes, 1m 2f

Perhaps backing anything else than Auguste Rodin is hoping in vain. Because if he puts his best foot forward he’ll be too good for this field.

On the better ground he likes most, over this trip, he looks bound for a return to his best form. Certainly if he’s anywhere near the form he showed in the Irish Champion Stakes, the clear standout piece here, he’ll be tough to beat.

I reckon with a stable mate not drawn too far away, they’ll try to give him a nice lead to chase, somewhat similar to Leopardstown. He should strip fitter for his seasonal reappearance, a fine 2nd behind White Birch.

Nonetheless, given he’s shown be not the most trustworthy, he can be taken on. I’m not yet fully sold on Inspiral over 10 furlongs, despite her Santa Anita success. She acts on fast ground, though, that’s as much as we know. She could find herself too far back in this race, possibly, though.

The value in the race in my book is clearly the French filly Blue Rose Cen. From the #4 draw she’ll be nicely positioned, as she usually starts well, and she can lead or track the pace closely.

Her seasonal reappearance caught my eye. She found herself in a pocket from 2 furlongs out, and couldn’t get out until it was too late. She ran home well enough. One would think she wasn’t fully tuned up for that race.

Over the 1 mile 2(ish) furlongs trip her record is strong.: two Group 1 wins against her own sex last year, and an arguably unfortunate 4th in the Nassau Stakes.

Her Diane form, where she achieved a super 104 speed rating, gives her a cracking chance, if she could reproduce it. Obvious question mark is the ground. She never raced on anything this fast.

However, I don’t think her action is too pronounced, and certainly on pedigree she should love it. Her dam won a Grade 1 on proper firm ground in the US and Churchill is a Group 1 winner on good to firm. She’ll be fine, more likely than not.

Whether Blue Rose Cen is good enough against the boys at the top level remains to be seen. She has to be at her very best to have a chance. This field doesn’t look all that deep, though, if you take Auguste Rodin out, given my reservations about Inspiral.

She’ll be in a prime spot, most likely, as the field turns for home and then will be given every chance to run her race. At the prices, I’m prepared to run the risk.

10pts win – Blue Rose Cen @ 10/1

…….

6.50 Nottingham: Class 5 Handicap, 5f

Strong Johnson seems to hit some form again and may have found an ideal race to score today. He had three solid runs since January, especially the last two since returning to turf off a small break.

At York in a hot Handicap he was still somewhat outclassed, although he showed lovely early speed. Last time at Ripon he showed good pace once again, and ran well for a long time over a trip that’s probably a stretch in that grade, especially if the pace is hot.

He dropped to a mark of 77 now, and is back over the minimum trip, down in class as well. The last time he ran in class 5 he won nicely at Redcar, and followed up a few weeks later off a 79 mark.

Those performances aren’t that long ago. He hit decent speed ratings regularly in 2023 and his last three performances suggest he’s ready to hit the same hights again.

Any juice in the ground won’t be an issue given his ground versatile record. The #1 draw is the only small negative. But I hope, given Little Melody is drawn in #3, that the pace will develop on his side, so he can follow her for a lead closely and Ryan Sexton can press the button 2f out.

10pts win – Strong Johnson @ 4/1

…….

7.50 Nottingham: Class 6 Handicap, 1m 2f

I loved the recent run from Standbackandlook at Leicester. A significant improvement to his to prior Handicap runs. A change in tactics made all the difference.

He bumped into a well-handicapped winner, but also wasn’t helped by his wide draw, that saw him travelled wide for the first two furlongs and spending plenty of energy to get to the front.

He travelled well and gradually winded up the tempo, eventually finishing a clear second best on the day. He was possibly somewhat flattered given the sedate nature of the pace in the middle part of the race, one could argue, though.

But he showed a nice attitude running hard under pressure and looks better than his current 55 rating, now only in his 4th handicap start, with positive tactics.

His family produced plenty of winners, mostly over middle-distances, and the dam should offset the speedy sire, who also has got winners over 10 furlongs already.

The pace scenario looks potentially muddling today, and that will play into Standbackandlook’ hands. He can simply move forward, lead or sit second, nicely placed, and could have too much in hand off his current 55 rating.

10pts win – Standbackandlook  @ 7/1