Ascot - King's Stand Preview

Many seem to think that Takeover Target can emulate compatriot Choisir, who demonstrated that it's most unwise to overlook raiders from the Southern Hemisphere when doing the King's Stand-Golden Jubilee double at Royal Ascot three years ago. A winner of four of his last five starts, including two at the highest level, Takeover Target is probably a worthy favourite, and the general consensus is that he is much the best of the Australian-trained trio, the other two being Glamour Puss and Falkirk. However, if their is one horse among the home contingent that could still have more to offer, despite being a five-year-old, is the mare La Cucaracha, who proved her ability to mix it with the cream of the current crop of sprinters when landing last season's Nunthorpe and finishing a fine second to Goodricke in the Haydock Sprint is September. Barry Hills' charge improved rapidly last term, progressing from handicaps/Listed company to establish herself as one of the best sprinters around and, with just twelve career starts under her belt, it's perfectly reasonable to think that she's still open to further improvement. She beat a number of these when landing the Nunthorpe, including the second and third that day, The Tatling and Majestic Missile, meeting those rivals on identical terms today. The Tatling has failed to fire the last twice, but wouldn't have been suited by the good to soft going on either occasion, while Majestic Missile has become something of an enigma, in that he is capable of blitzing these rivals if putting it all in, but he's become costly to follow and it's hard to know what to expect of him. Moss Vale has improved significantly, scoring on heavy going over six furlongs at The Curragh last month before following up in a Group 2 on good ground at Chantilly at the beginning of this month. Given the record of Dandy Nicholls with sprinters, it would be most unwise to underestimate him, although it's likely that he will find one or two too good on what is a much faster surface than he has encountered the last twice. Stablemate Tax Free has made the step up to Pattern-race company from handicaps with aplomb this season, finishing an excellent third to Dandy Man in the Palace House at Newmarket's Guineas meeting and losing no caste in defeat when third to Moss Vale at Chantilly. He should be on the premises. Of the four members of the Classic generation in this twenty-eight-strong field, the one with by far the best credentials is the aforementioned Palace House victor, Dandy Man. The Irish raider belied his inexperience and odds of 25/1 when proving too strong for Pivotal Flame at Newmarket on May 6 when a large number of today's rivals where in behind. This is tougher, but the Mozart colt is open to any amount of improvement and it would be no surprise to see him in the shake-up here. Verdict - 1pt La Cucaracha @ 13/2 (William Hill)