And now for Verse after cracking runs by trio of fillies
Champion filly Simple Verse lines up in the Gr.2 Hardwicke Stakes (15.40) when the fifth and final day of Royal Ascot 2016 takes place today.
Her Ralph Beckett-trained stablemate, Bletchley, produced a fabulous effort when second, beaten a short-head, in yesterday's Gr.3 Albany Stakes, while also worthy of praise for producing solid efforts are La Rioja, who finished fourth on her debut in Group One company, and Now Or Never.
Simple Verse was one of the stars of the 2015 season, during which she won the Gr.1 St Leger and the Gr.1 QIPCO British Champions Fillies' and Mares' Stakes the last-named race took place over the same course and distance that she will travel in today's race, which has attracted a field of ten colts and fillies. It will be a step down in grade for Qatar Racing's filly, who was fourth on her most recent start in the Gr.1 Coronation Cup at Epsom.
Oisin Murphy will ride Simple Verse, although he picked up a four-day suspension for over-use of the whip when riding Bletchley in the opening race yesterday. A home-bred daughter of Qatar Bloodstock stallion Makfi, Bletchley took time to warm to her task but flew inside the final furlong (pictured below, left).
It was a very promising effort by a filly who had run just once before over five furlongs on quick ground, and who was beaten by a filly, Brave Anna, who had run twice before.
Beckett said: ‚"She was slow from the gate and that is probably what got her beat but that is life. She's run a cracker.‚"
David Redvers, racing manager to Qatar Racing and Pearl Bloodstock, who also handed over the trophy to the winner, said: ‚"It was a big step up on what she did before. It looks like she needs seven furlongs as she would have won the race a stride after the line. We had a great run for our money.‚"
La Rioja's fourth place came in the Gr.1 Commonwealth Cup, in which Quiet Reflection came out on top. When La Rioja met Quiet Reflection at Haydock last month she finished nearly seven lengths behind, but today that gap was slashed to two and a half lengths.
Now Or Never would probably have appreciated quicker ground for her attempt on the Gr.1 Coronation Stakes, but she did not shirk the task and finished fourth to French raider Qemah, beaten just over two and a half lengths by the winner.
Royal Ascot runners for Qatar Racing on day four also included Lustrous Light, who finished seventh of nine in the Gr.2 King Edward VII Stakes, but was beaten little more than four lengths by winner Across The Stars.
Photograph of Bletchley: Dan Abraham