2023 Royal Ascot: Slipofthepen looking to seal a place at Royal Ascot at Sandown

Slipofthepen, ridden by James Doyle, is looking for success in Tuesday’s Heron Stakes at Sandown

Slipofthepen, owned by the King and Queen, is set to take part in the Heron Stakes at Sandown on Tuesday. Success in this race will seal a place at Royal Ascot with Slipofthepen looking likely to be taking part in the St. James’s Palace Stakes on Tuesday 20^th June 2023.

To succeed, jockey James Doyle will have to beat competition from Finn’s Charm (Great Britain), Grey’s Monument (Great Britain) and Captain Winters (Great Britain).

Momentum is most certainly on the side of Slipofthepen, with two wins in the last two races. The first was in his inaugural race, which was the EBF Novice Stakes at Kempton back on 30^th November 2023. It was a first place finish ahead of Yasmina (Great Britain), Eyetrap (Great Britain) and Adwan (Great Britain) who had to settle for the remaining three spots in the top four.

This victory was followed up on 10^th April 2023, when Doyle made it two successive race wins. This particular win came in the Conditions Stakes, also at Kempton Racecourse. Ensued and Legend Of Leros ended up settling for second and third place respectively.

It comes as no surprise then, that given this recent impressive form that Slipofthepen is the favourite to take home the victory.

John Warren, the racing manager for The King, said (via Sky Sports): “We were disappointed not to get Slipofthepen to the French 2000 Guineas, but the ground was too heavy for such a good-moving colt.

“We are hoping for a good showing so that we can find out where he sits to be aimed at Royal Ascot.”

Finn’s Charm, another horse who is looking for victory at Sandown will be looking to continue momentum after winning the Royal Mile Handicap at Musselburgh last time out on 8^th April 2023 Captain Winters also featured in this race, finishing 4th. It was a comfortable victory in the end ahead of Gincident (Ireland) and Lion of War (Great Britain) in second and third place.

This result followed a 5^th place finish in the EBF Silver Tankard Stakes at Pontefract for Captain Winters, who will be looking to build on these results with a place at the prestigious Royal Ascot at stake.

Meanwhile, whilst it was an 8^th place finish last time out, Grey’s Monument finished 1^st in the Free Nursery Handicap in October 2022 before coming home in 2^nd place in the Hill Stakes at Newbury.

Whilst there is plenty of competition, Slipofthepen is the clear favourite to come out on top in the Heron Stakes on Tuesday evening before looking ahead to Royal Ascot in June.

There is also a chance that Slipofthepen could well take part in the Betfred Derby at Epsom Downs Racecourse on Saturday, 3^rd June 2023.

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