The prestigious Summer Mile Stakes at Ascot will see Quddwah attempt to defend his title on July 8, 2023. The five-year-old, trained by Simon and Ed Crisford, faces seven rivals in a highly competitive Group Two race. Having won this event last year, Quddwah will need to elevate his performance to secure consecutive victories.
In this year’s edition, Quddwah will contend with Haatem, who recently showcased his talent with a dominant victory in the Wolferton Stakes at Royal Ascot. Haatem drops back to a mile, a distance he appears well-suited for, enhancing his prospects of success. Another contender, Never So Brave, comes off an impressive win in the Buckingham Palace Stakes where he triumphed over a field of twenty-seven competitors. He will need to adjust to the increased distance to maintain his winning form.
Chester’s City Plate Features Strong Contenders
Meanwhile, at Chester, the Listed City Plate promises an exciting matchup between Annaf and Marvelman. Annaf, trained by Mick Appleby, narrowly missed out on victory in the Group Three Chipchase in his last outing. He will be aiming to capitalize on this near-miss under jockey Mason Paetel. Marvelman, who struggled in the Jersey Stakes, is expected to bounce back and could challenge for the top spot.
Additionally, Carrytheone returns after a solid performance in the Balmoral handicap, making him a notable contender in this competitive race. Another horse to watch is Witness Stand, part of the Richard Newland and Jamie Insole team, who could also make an impact.
Other Notable Races at Ascot
The day at Ascot features several other intriguing races. At 4:50 PM, the LK Bennett Butterfly Mark Heritage Handicap includes Holkham Bay, a five-year-old with a strong record at Ascot, having won two of his four starts there. He finished fourth in the Wokingham and will look to capitalize on the drop to five furlongs.
In addition, the 11:14 AM race at Saratoga features the Grade One Diana Stakes, where Choisya from the Crisford stable will compete against the formidable She Feels Pretty. The 1:45 PM race at Ascot marks the debut of Anashhad, who showed promise in his first outing against strong competitors.
Other races at Ascot throughout the day include a valuable handicap at 2:57 PM featuring in-form horses Tremorgio and Creatif, a competitive fillies’ handicap at 3:30 PM with last-time winners Callisto Dream, Orange Sky, and Chiringita, and a Class Two contest at 4:10 PM where Mount Atlas and Enemy will vie for a significant prize. Finally, the day concludes with a Class Four race for three-year-olds at 6:05 PM, featuring Musical Angel, a promising competitor.
With a full schedule ahead, racing enthusiasts can look forward to thrilling performances from these talented horses and their jockeys.
