Highs and lows at Royal Ascot

Top-quality European racing action continues in France today when the Prix de Diane (16.15 local time, 15.15 in UK) takes place at Chantilly.

Qatar Racing entered several fillies for the race, but opted not to declare any, and aims for slightly lesser fare at Gowran Park, where Brutal, a son of Pivotal, makes his racing debut in a maiden (14.15) over seven furlongs.

Pivotal was a top-class sprinter, but his stock often excel over longer trips, and trainer Ger Lyons has been waiting for seven-furlong, two-year-old races before giving Brutal his debut. Lyons describes the youngster as, ‚"a good honest colt with a great attitude, but I expect him to improve for the run‚".

Pearl Bloodstock's High Honcho also runs at Gowran Park trainer Johnny Murtagh has booked 5lb-claiming apprentice Ross Coakley to ride the filly, who was narrowly beaten at Listowel earlier this month. She lines up in an 18-runner handicap (14.45).

Qatar Racing failed by a short-head to land a winner at Royal Ascot, but there were some very pleasing performances. Bletchley's second in the Gr.3 Albany Stakes finishing fast, but a little too late on only her second start (picture below) was a performance of real promise, and trainer Ralph Beckett, who broke his Royal Ascot duck this week when Kinema landed the Duke of Edinburgh Handicap says: ‚"I was thrilled with Bletchley. There is no doubt she was slightly unlucky not to win, nor that she is high-class. She has come out of the race well and lost only nine kilograms.‚"

Races likes the Cherry Hinton Stakes at Newmarket's July meeting, and the Lowther Stakes at York's Ebor meeting, are the sort of races that could now be on Bletchley's agenda.

The Beckett-trained Simple Verse did not run as well as hoped, finishing seventh of nine runners in yesterday's Hardwicke Stakes, but La Rioja was one of several bright moments for Henry Candy's stable during the week.

La Rioja finished fourth, beaten just two and a half lengths by winner Quiet Reflection in the Gr.1 Commonwealth Cup, while Now Or Never took the same position and was beaten the same distance in the Gr.1 Coronation Stakes won by Qemah.

Lightning Spear was another bright moment for Qatar Racing he looked a Group One performer last year, and proved it in the Gr.1 Queen Anne Stakes when finishing third, beaten just one and three-quarters of a lengths by winner Tepin (who received the 5lb mares' allowance).

David Simcock, who trains Lightning Spear, says: ‚"He has come out of his race really well and was very fresh at exercise [two days after the race]. He will have an easy cantering week ahead and then resume normal routine. There is lots to look forward to for the rest of the year.‚"

Picture of Bletchley narrowly failing to catch Brave Anna in the Albany Stakes: Laurence Squire