Ogermeister kicks off Ward raiding party in Windsor Castle

In 2009, Wesley Ward took fortunes out of the ring when Strike The Tiger and Jealous Again justified heavy support in the Windsor Castle and Queen Mary Stakes. Bookmakers were spared a further payout when Cannonball finished second in the Golden Jubilee Stakes.

Ward also sent over Gentleman’s Cove to finish fourth in this race in 2011 and he looks to Ogermeister this year. The colt won his only previous start by six lengths at Belmont Park and will be ridden by leading American jockey Joel Rosario.

Later in the week, Ward runs Sweet Emma Rose in the Queen Mary and No Nay Never in the Norfolk Stakes. The odds for those will shorten dramatically if Ogermeister storms to success on the opening day.

Richard Hannon has a plethora of two-year-olds entered this week and has left four in the Windsor Castle headed by Anticipated, the mount of Richard Hughes. The son of Whipper got the better of Justice Day at the start of May and is expected to confirm the placings.

Frankie Dettori rides Steventon Star who disappointed in the National Stakes at Sandown last time after winning at York and Windsor. Beau Nash and Sacha Park complete the Hannon team.

Aidan O’Brien’s two-year-olds always warrant respect at this meeting and he saddles Fountain Of Youth and Wilshire Boulevard. Joseph O’Brien rides the latter with Ryan Moore booked to partner impressive Tipperary winner Fountain Of Youth. The betting market may prove a useful guide to their respective prospects.

There may be a clue to the chances of Haikbidiac earlier in the day having finished third to Thunder Strike in the Woodcote Stakes at Epsom. Ben Hall was an easy winner for John Gosden at Haydock and may have been underestimated in the early betting whilst Sleeper King is a very speedy sort who could show up well here.

My Catch is expected to improve for his debut run when just touched off at Beverley whilst Roger Varian’s Andhesontherun did not settle early on at Sandown but finished to good effect.