Horse Racing: King to Rule Miss in the Jubilee

Miss Andretti, the Australian mare who showed blistering speed to win Tuesday's King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot is, not surprisingly, a hot favorite to follow up over the extra furlong of today's Golden Jubilee Stakes. She is clearly an exceptional talent and it may be folly to oppose her, even at such skimpy odds.

However, unlike Australia's Choisir, a big, strapping colt who did the double in 2003, Miss Andretti is a lightly built mare. Tough she most certainly is, but there must be the chance this race will come too quickly for her - as it did for last year's King's Stand winner, Takeover Target.

Even if she fails to fire this time, it is quite possible that Australia will still land the spoils, since both Magnus and Takeover Target, third and fourth behind Miss Andretti on Tuesday, will appreciate this extra furlong. But the sterling run by Ireland's runner-up Dandy Man from a terrible draw in the King's Stand suggests the Aussie sprinters are not unbeatable.

With a record of three wins and two seconds from eight starts up Ascot's sprint course, Baltic King (3.45) represents each-way value. A close-up sixth behind Takeover Target in last year's King's Stand, Baltic King came out four days later to win the Wokingham Handicap under 9st10lb. Trainer Hughie Morrison has specifically aimed Baltic King at the Golden Jubilee this year and, provided the ground doesn't deteriorate significantly, look out for Baltic King coming with a late rattle.

2.30 Mark Johnston's two-year-olds tend to need their first run, so it is always significant when the stable has a debut winner - and one that scores by five lengths, as Double Attack did at Hamilton. The form of that race is impossible to quantify, but the runner-up was a hot favorite from a stable that has decent juveniles and Double Attack left him standing.

3.05 Though never the type to win his races by very far, Maraahel goes well for Richard Hills and the combination can follow up their narrow victory here last year. In a muddling race for the Coronation Cup last time out, Sir Michael Stoute's six-year-old had to settle for third spot behind Scorpion, who will do well to confirm the placings on 5lb worse terms.

4.25 With middle to high numbers expected to have the biggest say, Something, drawn 20, looks sure to make a bold bid. His trainer, Terry Mills, left Something in the Group One Golden Jubilee until the final declaration stage which suggests the five-year-old could prove well handicapped here. Gelded since last season, Something certainly shaped well when third behind Assertive in Listed class at Windsor.

Ron Cox's tip of the day


Futun 5.00 Royal Ascot

It is 10 years since Luca Cumani won this handicap, but he was unlucky not to follow up 12 months ago with 4-1 favorite Glistening, who got into all sorts of trouble before storming home to be beaten a head by Young Mick. Futun appears to have been laid out for the prize this time, and he caught the eye with a staying-on fifth behind Emirates Skyline over 10 furlongs at York last time out.