Turf Talk: Yalta a big spot on the Royal Ascot radar

Yalta is on the radar of many people with Royal Ascot in mind and if those aspirations are to come to fruition, the EBF Stallions Youngsters Conditions Stakes at Pontefract really should be his for the taking.
John GosdenJohn Gosden
John Gosden

The Coventry Stakes was mentioned as a likely port of call for the son of Exceed And Excel after he had made a perfect start for Mark Johnston at Goodwood last week.

His claims had not gone unnoticed by punters that day and he was sent off second-favourite behind a Hugo Palmer-trained odds-on shot, but none of the others really got a look-in as he made every yard.

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Repton tried to challenge but Yalta just had to extend himself a little to win by two lengths and he looks a really smart type.

Obviously Royal Ascot would be another leap up the ladder, but this six-furlong event could prove a perfect stepping stone.

Trainnah made a decent start to her career earlier this month and she can build on that in the ApolloBet Home of Cashback Specials Fillies’ Maiden Stakes at Haydock.

The daughter of Pivotal bumped into a hot favourite from the John Gosden team at Nottingham and while she stood no chance against that one, she proved notably smarter than the remainder of the field.

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Out the back for much of the extended mile trip, she finished with a real flourish to be beaten two and a half lengths and defy her starting price of 20-1.

Trainnah looked a certain future winner and can confirm that impression.

Frankel’s first progeny to make the track, Cunco, ensured a winning start at Newbury earlier this month and Majoris can maintain that perfect record in the second division of the British Stallion Studs EBF Novice Stakes.

His dam, Drops, did not show much in four starts for Aidan O’Brien but as a daughter of Oaks winner Alexandrova, she is certainly holding her own on the pedigree side.

SOBOT’S SELECTIONS

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BATH: 2.00 Stynes, 2.30 Believe It, 3.00 Lulani, 3.30 Speed Freak, 4.00 Mawaany, 4.30 The Graduate, 5.00 Dune Dancer.

BRIGHTON: 2.20 Monks Stand, 2.50 Nag’s Wag, 3.20 Pour La Victoire, 3.50 Jarir, 4.20 Roy Rocket, 4.50 Lord Reason, 5.20 Wild Flower.

HAYDOCK: 2.10 Mokarris, 2.40 Majoris (treble), 3.10 Giddy, 3.40 Nonchalant, 4.10 Clear Evidence, 4.40 Trainnah (next best), 5.10 D’Niro, 5.45 Darrell Rivers.

MUSSELBURGH: 6.40 New Colours, 7.10 Haraz, 7.40 El Astronaute, 8.10 Wor Lass, 8.40 Courier, 9.10 Charles De Mille.

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PONTEFRACT: 6.30 Stardrifter, 7.00 Russian Royale, 7.30 YALTA (NAP), 8.00 Majestic Hero, 8.30 Sattelac, 9.00 Oyster Card.

WORCESTER: 5.50 Blazing Whale, 6.20 No No Mac, 6.50 Gone Too Far, 7.20 Miliair, 7.50 Move To The Groove, 8.20 Hills Of Dubai, 8.50 Rose Revived.

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