MICHAEL BELL has many happy memories of Royal Ascot but the one that touched him the most was witnessing Big Orange’s swashbuckling victory from Order of St George in the Ascot Gold Cup in 2017.
That win was one of the pinnacles of the Fitzroy House stables trainer’s career but he has shown in the past that with the right ammunition he has as much right on the Royal Ascot roll of honour as anyone and has taken a slice of the action with Revenue (Windsor Castle Stakes 2002), Red Evie (Sandringham Handicap 2006), Eddie Jock (Britannia Handicap 2007), Moneycantbuymelove (Sandringham Handicap 2009) and Art Connoisseur (2009 Golden Jubilee and Coventry Stakes 2007).
Bell, recently celebrated a five-timer in one day (with four winners at Leicester and one at Windsor) and the recent return of Pretty Pollyanna to finish second to Hermosa in the Irish 1000 Guineas gives him hopes of another good run in the Coronation Stakes where she is likely to face a rematch with the aforementioned filly.
The Ascot team looks likely to also include Allmankind (Britannia Handicap), Babbo’s Boy (King George V Handicap), Eagles By Day (King Edward VII or Queen’s Vase), Eightsome Reel (Hampton Court), Emirates Empire (Queen’s Vase), Lady Aria, (Jersey Stakes) and also a clutch of two-year-olds for the Coventry, Chesham, Queen Mary and Windsor Castle.
Along with his Ascot team, Bell kindly spoke to Tony Elves of attheraces.com about those who can prosper for him and his team in the coming months.
