18:15 Royal Ascot

Pretty much everything that could go wrong did for SHADOW ARMY on debut at York but he still managed to make a winning start. He was slowly away and was also hampered early which isn’t the best experience for a 2yo. I loved his attitude to get back in the race and then he picked up really well between horses to come through. He had to keep finding in the closing stages as the runner-up tried hard and it really was quite a taking performance. I know the second let the form down somewhat yesterday but I think he’ll improve a great deal on that so that doesn’t bother me too much. In terms of a danger Treasure Isle impressed winning at Naas and if building on that could threaten. Hawaiian blew out at Sandown but could bounce back too so don’t rule him out either.