Aiding O'Brien!

14 April 2012

Powerscourt can put the smile back on Aidan O'Brien's face in the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Ascot tomorrow. The master of Ballydoyle has ridden a magic carpet to the top of his profession since Harbour Master gave him his first success at the royal meeting in 1997, but recent events have provided a reminder that success can never be taken for granted where delicate thoroughbreds are concerned.

O'Brien absorbed one of the heaviest blows of his career when the heavily backed One Cool Cat flopped in the 2,000 Guineas last month and has since seen a string of his stable stars fail to deliver in top races right across Europe.

A late injury, which deprived the unbeaten Yeats of his place in the Derby field, capped one of the most turbulent spells in the career of the likeable Irishman, but Powerscourt looks capable of righting the Ballydoyle ship in what could be the best race of the entire week.

Having spent much of last year in the shadow of some of his stablemates, this Sadler's Wells colt has emerged as a real force for the top middle-distance contests.

A narrow defeat of the subsequent St Leger winner Brian Boru in York's Great Voltigeur Stakes brought him to the attention of British racegoers last August, while a battling third in Vinnie Roe's Irish St Leger suggested he had the makings of a high-class stayer for 2004.

However, some horses develop more speed as they reach maturity and Powerscourt falls into that category after bolting up over 10 furlongs in last month's Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh.

Admittedly, that race wasn't up to its usual standard once Sulamani was withdrawn, but Powerscourt galloped his five rivals senseless in most impressive style to prove beyond doubt that he deserves his chance against Rakti and Sulamani tomorrow.

Rakti thrived on racing after finishing second at 50-1 in this race last year and is clearly a danger to all under his ideal conditions, while Sulamani finds 10 furlongs his minimum but has to be respected given the positive vibrations coming from Godolphin.

The lightly raced Phoenix Reach, the back-to-form Bandari and Ikhtyar will also have their followers, but Powerscourt looks to be progressing fast and can prove the point in what has all the makings of a tremendous finish.

The subject of Ascot bankers has cropped up on a regular basis in the last couple of weeks. In truth, the phrase is something of a contradiction in terms at a meeting where competition is so fierce, but from my viewpoint Crimson Palace (nap) represents one of the best bets of the entire meeting in tomorrow's Windsor Forest Stakes.

Money has never been an issue when Godolphin search for new recruits, and this mare caught their attention while winning five times from seven attempts for South African trainer Mike de Kock. She made her debut for new connections in the Group One Dubai Duty Free at Nad Al Sheba in March and ran a blinder under Frankie Dettori to finish a close fourth behind Paolini. That form gave her an exceptional chance in the Group Three Middleton Stakes at York last month, and Crimson Palace seized the opening by running on too strongly for Beneventa as the pair drew well clear.

Beneventa reopposes on 3lb better terms, while Actrice and Marbye have shown very useful form in France and Italy respectively this year.

Gonfilia gives Godolphin another valuable string to their bow but Crimson Palace brings stronger form to the party and should find this stiff mile absolutely ideal.

Tomorrow's tips at Royal Ascot: 3.05, Crimson Palace (nap); 3.45,

Powerscourt.

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