Ross Millar's Royal Ascot reflections: Ryan Moore a street ahead

And breathe. What a week of racing Royal Ascot served up. It is no secret my first love is Jumps racing, but this last week really drew me in.

It had everything: classy performances from young potential superstars, older horses retaining titles, photo finishes and demolition jobs with most crucially of all some great stories.

I would comfortably exceed my word limit if I were to list all my post Ascot thoughts (so I will save the two-year old highlights for Juvenile Watch) but here are a few standouts and a horse for the tracker. 

The obvious place to start is with Ryan Moore. He sailed through what must be the most pressurised week of his year with unflappable ease. Always in the right place at the right time, it was uncanny how he was able to often dictate how a race would be run, even when not making the running. 

Often criticised for his lack of engagement in post-race interviews, this week he even threw in the odd juicy sound bite, notably when telling Rishi Persad “The only time I worked was pulling her up” after Bedtime Story’s demolition job in the Chesham. 

In a class of top-notch riders, he is a street ahead – side note I appreciated the wit of the guys in the Racing TV social media department with their ‘different gravy post’. 

Callum Shepherd is also worthy of mention. Isle Of Jura was comfortably the best horse in Saturday’s Hardwicke Stakes but he kept things beautifully simple. 

His display of joy and emotion afterwards was moving to see. Losing the ride on Ambiente Friendly clearly hurt, yet he conducted himself with grace throughout, he deservedly got his reward on the biggest stage of all. 

Billy Loughnane also continued his rapid upward trajectory with two wins courtesy of Rashabar in the Coventry Stakes and Soprano in the Sandringham Palace, where he demonstrated nerves of steel to deliver what he termed a “Spencer special”. 

In both of his interviews - and on Luck On Sunday – Loughnane exuded humility and likeability by the bucket load and he talks with real authenticity. 

I suspect that Haatem may end his career without ever truly getting the credit he deserves. The Jersey Stakes was only a Group Three on paper (though it had the depth of a Group One) but I thought he showed a tremendous level of desire and ability to win, despite it being over, at least, a furlong shorter than his optimum trip. 

As tough, if not tougher was Kyprios, who having emerged victorious in his fight against a life-threatening injury, regained his Gold Cup crown. Aidan O’Brien has patiently built him back to somewhere near his best form, showing once again he’s without equal as a trainer. Now he’s back to this level of form it’s hard to conceive a scenario where he gets beaten in these staying races. 

Monday is back to quieter waters. I have three selections from Ballinrobe, live on Racing TV. 

This Jessica Harrington-trained son of Holy Roman Emperor starts out in handicaps in a low-level contest. He’s had four starts in maidens with his best effort coming on his second start when third over a mile at Dundalk, finishing just over a length behind the now 90-rated Soldier’s Empire. Lady Doris, now rated 81 and Chicago Fireball, now rated 87 were behind him on that occasion so it’s easy to argue he’s better than his mark of 74. 

His latest start came over a mile when beaten eight lengths at Gowran. He lacked tactical speed for a race over that trip which resulted in him failing to get a clear passage in the closing stages, but for that he would have finished closer and will be ideally suited by this extra distance. 

Starting off in a low grade from a workable mark, he should prove too good for his rivals. 

Joseph O’Brien had to be patient at Royal Ascot with his solitary win coming in the closing Queen Alexandra Stakes. I think he can land this with Mr Percy on his seasonal and stable debut.  

A son of 2006 Derby winner Sir Percy, he showed marked improvement on his second career start when finishing second on the all-weather at Lyn La Soie when trained in France by Vaclav Luka. 

That came over 11 furlongs and having made a big move mid-race to get to the lead he only gave way inside the final furlong. 

Stock of Sir Percy tend to improve with age and while he does drop in trip he does so in a very weak contest. He will stay further in time but provided he’s ready on this belated return he should prove too good for rivals who will be better suited by handicaps.  

Royal Eagle hasn’t been raced on the level since September last year. On that occasion she finished a good second at Tramore staying on well over 12 furlongs to be beaten just half a length, conceding 6lb to the winner who won off a 5lb higher mark on her next start. 

Switched to hurdles on her next start, Royal Eagle showed further improvement when winning off a mark of 128 at Tipperary.  

Now rated 131 over hurdles the disparity between that mark and her Flat rating of 77 suggests she might still be well handicapped in this field. 

She continually stays on strongly over twelve furlongs so it is entirely possible that she can find further progression for this extra distance. 

Although he has only just finished school, Keithen Kennedy (no relation to Jack) has started his career well with 18 winners, four of which have come in the past fortnight. He is value for his 7lb claim and is a name to watch out for this summer. He can land another winner here.