King's Stand Victor Blue Point Aims for Diamond Jubilee

It takes a good horse to win at Royal Ascot, and it takes a special horse to do it twice in the same week—especially at group 1 level.

Choisir was the last horse to add the six-furlong Diamond Jubilee Stakes (G1), then called the Golden Jubilee Stakes, to the King's Stand Stakes (G1) in 2003, and Blue Point will be bidding to do the same June 22.

The son of Shamardal beat Battaash by 1 1/4 lengths in the five-furlong King's Stand Tuesday, with Soldier's Call and Mabs Cross a further 1 1/2 lengths and a nose adrift. Nothing in this field is as classy as that pair, but there is strength in depth and a number of credible contenders.

"We were delighted with Blue Point's performance on Tuesday, and he seems to bring his 'A' game to Ascot," said trainer Charlie Appleby. "He came out of the race well, and from what we have seen so far, the signs have been good. His well-being will continue to be monitored ahead of Saturday’s race, but we felt he deserved the chance to win another group 1 at Ascot."

Invincible Army may not have a blockbuster official rating just yet, but he has looked capable of advancing to the next level this season.

He has raced only once at the highest level, when he was beaten four lengths in last year's Commonwealth Cup (G1), but has since strengthened and improved considerably.

A group 2 and dual group 3 winner, he is the new kid on the block over six furlongs. He has registered a couple of easy two-length wins over Major Jumbo this year and sat atop the ante-post betting right until Blue Point's participation was confirmed.

"He's had a very good preparation. Everything's gone perfectly," said trainer James Tate. "The weather couldn't be any more ideal as it looks like it'll be run on the slow side of good, and as far as we can tell, that's the best ground for him.

"He'll put up a bold show," he continued. "We expected Inns of Court. We've got Blue Point instead, and while he's more of a proven group 1 horse, there's the question of running twice in the week and whether he's better over five or six, so we can't worry about him too much. We're going to turn up and run our race, and hopefully that's good enough."

If Tate was concerned about Inns of Court, he should be similarly wary of the Stephane Wattel-trained City Light, who was just half a length behind the former on his seasonal reappearance at Maisons-Laffitte in April.

He has Ascot form to boot, having been touched off by a short head by Merchant Navy in this race last year.

Wattel, who has booked France's perennial champion jockey Christophe Soumillon, said: "He worked well on the racecourse at Deauville last week, and he seems in very good condition. It might seem surprising he has run only once this year, but we've been sticking to our plan. We wanted to keep him over 1,200 meters, and, as a sprinter, he has a lot of natural energy and doesn't need lots of prep races.

"As a Frenchman coming to Ascot in an 18-runner race, I can't say I'm confident, because it will be tough and he will need to have a bit of luck in terms of where the pace is. His draw (post 7) means we have options, and he has the services of a very talented jockey who has done well in Britain and knows the horse well."

The Tin Man comes in somewhat under the radar, but his Ascot, group 1, and Diamond Jubilee record all make him worthy of note.

He won the 2017 edition—his second group 1 win at the track after landing the 2016 QIPCO Champions Sprint Stakes (G1)—and he was fourth in this race last year before adding Haydock's 32red Sprint Cup (G1), so he clearly remains a potent force at the top level.

"He's in good form and looks really well," trainer James Fanshawe said. "We're somewhat committed with the draw, so hopefully we're on the right side. He's always run well in the race and loves the course, but he's not getting any younger. That said, he's not showing any signs of that affecting him at home."