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Roger Charlton could potentially have three Group 1 runners at Royal Ascot, two of them carrying the colours of Prince Khalid Abdullah.

With options open, the plans for the Juddmonte pair are still to be discussed, but the team are looking forward to the Royal meeting, with a handful of chances in Berkshire.

Harry Charlton, assistant to his father Roger, spoke to Tote exclusively to run through the potential Beckhampton team.

Headman

Possible Race(s): Queen Anne Stakes or Prince of Wales’s Stakes

“We will discuss it with the Prince and his team as to which race he goes for. We’ve entered him in both to give him the options. He’s a horse with a lot of speed, but realistically we’ve trained him to be a 10 furlong horse and that’s what we’ve been gearing him towards. Generally, regardless of the opposition, you’re always better off running your horse in the race that suits them the most.

He’s a massive horse, so every year that we’ve had him anything that he’s done up until now has been a bit of a bonus. Naturally, he’s the sort of horse that would improve for another winter on his back. He’s done very well, he’s in great physical shape and we’re very happy with him.”

Quadrilateral

Possible Race: Coronation Stakes

"Quadrilateral has come out of 1000 Guineas well. We will see how she is in the week and will talk to the Prince and his team before we check the entries to see if the Coronation Stakes could be a possibility.

"It's hard to see what will turn up in the Coronation that we haven't seen in the Guineas, especially with the Irish Guineas so close to Ascot.

"She will stay further , but there is a chance the Juddmonte team may want to look at Ascot if it looks like a good opportunity."

Withhold

Possible Race: Ascot Gold Cup

“He’ll probably run in the Gold Cup.There are very few stayers races in the programme, that if we don’t run in the Gold Cup, we’ll end up in the Henry II Stakes at Sandown or the Goodwood Cup, where we’ll face the same horses anyway. It’s not going to be a massive field here, and he’ll have a go.

Two miles, four will be right up his street and the ground shouldn’t be too quick which will be good for him. While we’re obviously not expecting to beat Stradivarius, there is some good prize money on offer for placing, so we’ll roll the dice.

He will have needed his run at Newcastle in the Sagaro Stakes. The blinkers will probably come off after that run. Richard Kingscote, who hadn’t ridden him before, didn’t realise how stout a stayer he was, and thought that he might not have gone quick enough on him, and they tackled him early. Richard didn’t give him too hard a time once he knew he wasn’t going to win, knowing he’d need the run.”

Extra Elusive

Possible Race: Wolferton Stakes

“He was disappointing at Lingfield in March, but got into a barging match and was never really happy, so threw in the towel somewhat. He might run in the Wolferton, but it always ends up being quite competitive, as there a lot of 100-110 rated, 10 furlong horses who won’t run in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes, but are seeking a run at Royal Ascot.”

True Destiny

Possible Race: Ascot Stakes

“He’s in the Ascot Stakes and needs a couple to come out to get in, but would be an intended runner. He stays very well, but does tend to keep a little bit back for himself. He likes to get to the front, and then go sideways.

He’s done incredibly well over the winter and has put on a lot of condition. Whether he’s fit enough to win on Tuesday, I don’t know - he may need the run, but he looks in great order and if he gets in, we’ll have a go.”

Win O’Clock

Possible Race: King George V Stakes

“He won at Haydock and has got a penalty for that, so there’s a very small chance he’ll sneak in at the bottom of the handicap. He’s an improving type, but I suspect he won’t get in.”

Smokey Bear

Possible Race(s): Palace of Holyroodhouse Stakes or Silver Wokingham

“He’s been pencilled in for the Palace of Holyroodhouse. He won over six furlongs the other day at Newmarket, and I know the five at Ascot is stiff, but he’s one that probably stays seven furlongs.

The other race we’ll have a look at is the Silver Wokingham. You don’t see many three-year-olds run in the Wokingham, even though it is open to them, as nothing ever gets in. But with there being the consolation race, there’s a chance some of the three-year-olds would get in there. He’s a horse we love.”

 


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