2023 Royal Ascot: Trial Day Review

Now that the Ascot Trial Day is over, we take a look at all the action on a day full of world class racing

With just 7 weeks to go until the 2023 Royal Ascot finally gets underway, anticipation is growing; another 5 days full to the brim with excitement and world class racing action. Large crowds that will converge on Ascot Racecourse each day to enjoy the enthralling action on offer each day.

A total of seven races took place over the course of Wednesday afternoon, starting with the Howden Manny Mercer Apprentice Handicap.

The inaugural race was won by Chasing Aphrodite, ridden by Pierre-Louis Jamin. Jamin managed to fend off stern competition from Yaanaas, Helm Rock and Baltimore Boy who all had to settle for the remaining three spots in the top four.

The second race of the day, the Two year old Trial EBF Conditions Stakes was won by Maximum Impact, ridden by Kevin Stott. Victory was came with Stott two and a quarter lengths ahead of his competition, which came from Action Point and The Line, who finished second and third respectively.

This was a first Ascot victory for Maximum Impact’s trainer, Alice Haynes. Further success for Haynes could come at the Royal Ascot in June with this race victory making Maximum Impact a real contender.

It was quite the debut at Ascot in the British EBF Fillies’ Novice Stakes for Queen For You. Jockey Robert Havlin was the winner ahead of more experienced horses such as Copy Artist (ridden by Oisin Murphy) and Veil Of Shadows (ridden by James Doyle).

Havlin was full of superlatives for Queen For You. He said (via Sky Sports Racing): “I think she’s going to be a miler. She’ll have learned plenty from (Wednesday).

“It’s (Royal Ascot) not too far away so we’ll have to see how she’s come out of the race mentally. I’ll leave that to the boss (John Gosden).”

Coltrane only enhanced the chances of a 2023 Gold Cup win after a highly impressive victory in the Sagaro Stakes on Wednesday. In the final furlong, Oisin Murphy rode Coltrane impressively, managing to pull away from the competition in what was a convincing win in the end.

Meanwhile, it was Wise Eagle (Ireland), El Habeeb (Ireland) and Trueshan (France) who occupied the remaining three top four spots.

After victory had been secured in the Commonwealth Cup Trial Stakes, Cold Case enhanced it’s chances of emerging at the Commonwealth Stakes at this year’s Royal Ascot in what was a performance that jockey Clifford Lee could be proud of.

Richard Hannon’s Chindit rose to the occasion in the Paradise Stakes, which was the penultimate race of the day.  Chindit finished the race with a lead, but the likes of Cash (2^nd) and Raadobarg (3^rd) did provide competition, but neither horse was able to come out on top in the end.

It was the Svend Kold Memorial Handicap that saw the final racing action of the day take place. It was Spoof, ridden by Jack Mitchell who came out victorious ahead of Fantasy Master (Great Britain) and Rum Cocktail (Great Britain).

Wednesday saw plenty of enthralling racing action and anticipation and excitement for the 5 day equine spectacular that is Royal Ascot set to get underway in 7 weeks’ time!

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