If there was something that would jump out of our memories of Day 2 it would be Ombudsman.
The day started off with another O'Brien-Moore win when True Love their No Nay Never filly won the Queen Mary in fine style. The runner-up was a shock when Flower Head 100/1 showed up for Charlie Clover and Colin Keane and the American raider Lennilu did well to run third. Probably some were disappointed with the run of Zelaina but it was only her second start and there are many races to come in her life.
The Queen's Vase went to Carmers 9/2 Twomey-Lee in a great finish with Further 20/1 second and Rahiebb 9/1 a head away in third and the two Coolmore runners Shackleton and Scandanavia on a neck away with a neck between them. The time was good to so should go down as a race record.
Another Antipodean in the winner's circle when J Mac rode Crimson Advocate 13/2 to victory in the Duke of Cambridge for the Gosdens and Wathnan racing. Cinderella's Dream was second and Fallen Angel only a head away in third with Running Lion fourth but there were only 7 runners.
The Prince of Wales's Stakes was where we saw this stunning run from Ombudsman with William Buick in the irons for the Gosdens and Godolphin. Anmaat was second and See The Fire third but it is Omudsman whose name will be recalled in future times.
Day 3 Thursday is Gold Cup Day. The weather if anything is getting warmer so should make for a great "Ladies Day" fashion show. The Group races start off with the Norfolk Stakes G2 with Coolmore's Charles Darwin (with sire already responsible for one winner) favourite on 6/4.
Wathnan's Naval Light is on 7/2 with James Doyle riding the Burke-trained Havana Grey colt, and French raider Afjan on 8/1 for Henri Devin and Alexis Pouchin.
The Ribblesdaoe is G2 for 3yo fillies over 2400m. Life is Beautiful and Garden of Eden share 6/1 in quite an open race and we rather like Lady Vivian on 10/1 for Beckett-Doyle.
The Gold Cup is G1 over 3000m with a field of 8. Illinois is looking to fill the shoes of Kyprios for Coolmore and is on 13/8 with a race record of 2221-1 showing he's happy now winning G1s. Trawlerman is on 11/4 for the Gosdens-Buick and French raider Canderlari 7/2 for Graffard-Barzalona.
