Royal Power

Royal Power travelled a little keenly through the early stages of the Investec Mile at Epsom on Friday off a fairly slow pace set by Plum Pudding, who enjoyed an easy lead. He was still keen as they started down Tattenham Corner, but travelled well around the home turn and picked up nicely as Plum Pudding increased the tempo from the front at the top of the home straight. He didn't really make any impression on the leader from there until about a half a furlong out, but Tony Culhane wasn't hard on him at all. He just gave him two cracks with his left hand a furlong and a half out to keep his mount straight as the horse started to lean down the camber towards the rail a bit. From there, it was all hands and heels, and he closed nicely in the last 150 yards to be beaten by three lengths into fourth spot.

He will be better over further, or at least with a stronger pace over this distance, given that he was just caught a little flat-footed as the pace increased. He will also be better for this run, his first for 69 days. Also, Dandy Nicholls's horses are just starting to run into better form now after a quiet spell, and this fellow could lead the charge. He finished third in the Royal Hunt Cup at Ascot last year, and it would be surprising if that race was not his target this term again. That fast-run stiff mile is ideal. He is back down to a mark of 95 now, the same mark off which he competed in the race last year, and this run in the Investec Mile should leave him spot on for Ascot. It is interesting that Nicholls used the Investec Mile as Royal Power's prep race for Ascot last year, and he didn't run as well in it then as he did this time. He is a 40/1 shot for the Hunt Cup, which is more than fair.

5th June 2009

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