Art has the power for Diamond Jubilee win

The North Norman Chorley

ART POWER produced a blistering performance at Royal Ascot last season and the Tim Easterby-trained four-year-old can get back to his best to win the Diamond Jubilee Stakes on Saturday at this year’s meeting.

Following his romp in the Palace Of Holyroodhouse Handicap for three-year-olds, Art Power followed up in fine style in a Group 3 at Naas, and looked a Group 1 winner waiting to happen.

He fell short at the top level on his next three starts, and likewise on his reappearance in the Group 2 Duke Of York Stakes, but that run should have brought him on nicely and the return to Royal Ascot can see him make his mark in an open renewal of the 6f Group 1.

There can be optimism that Commanche Falls will make the cut for the Wokingham on Saturday, in which case the progressive fouryear-old will be a major player under his 5lb penalty for winning at Ripon.

The Michael Dods-trained gelding responded well to pressure that day and a fast-run handicap in a big field over Ascot’s stiff 6f should be right up his street. He has now won six of his 13 races and is a half-brother to connections’ Group 3 winner Dakota Gold, so there is every chance he has more left in the tank.

Mark Johnston has a few live contenders on Saturday at Royal Ascot, starting with Love De Vega in the opening Chesham Stakes. The twoyear-old relished the step up to 6f at Nottingham recently and should have even more to offer when upped to 7f in the Listed contest.

Things did not go the way of Sir Ron Priestley in the Yorkshire Cup last month but he had previously impressed on his first two starts of the season, following a long absence, and can get back on track in the Hardwicke Stakes.

Pyledriver was not at his best when he beat the subsequent Coronation Cup winner in the Group 2 Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket, but it was still a fine performance from the 2019 St Leger runner-up.

Mildenberger looks tailormade for the Queen Alexandra Stakes over 2m5½f and the six-year-old can exploit his class edge in the final race of Royal Ascot.

Also worth noting

Cyrus Keep (Ruth Jefferson) in the 3.15 at Hexham on Sunday

Gameface (Ben Haslam) in the 3.45 at Hexham on Sunday