Royal Ascot 2017 – Blue Point cut in price for the Commonwealth Cup after his scintillating Pavilion Stakes win at Ascot
Blue Point mixed it with the best last year and he looks set to play a big part in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot after his brilliant display on Wednesday
BLUE POINT was slashed in price for the Commonwealth Cup after his dominant win in the Merriebelle Stable Pavilion Stakes at Ascot.
Charlie Appleby's colt mixed it with the very best as a juvenile last season, winning the Gimcrack at York as well as finishing placed in a number of top contests.
He was the 13-8 favourite to make a winning start to his three-year-old campaign in this six-furlong Group 3 and he did it with ease, smashing the course record in the process.
Mill Reef scorer Harry Angel did his best to chase him home, but came up short by a length and a half, albeit conceding 4lb to the winner.
Mubtasim was best of the rest in third.
Blue Point is now as short as 7-2 for victory in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot.
Appleby said: "I'm not going to start changing my opinion of him - he's the quickest horse in the yard and always has been.
"The horse has wintered well. A couple of people have said he's not the biggest, but for me he's got a great chest on him and plenty of strength.
MOST READ
"A lot of credit needs to go to Willie Ryan, who taught the horse how to settle. A lot of horses travelled freely enough today, but this horse has learned how to settle and go through the gears.
"William (Buick) was delighted with him and we'll go straight for the Commonwealth Cup.
"I think he deserves to be there and I think he's a very live contender."
Clive Cox was pleased with the performance of Harry Angel.
"That was not too shabby. He was just a little bit fresh early on and that is why I wanted to come here, in spite of the penalty he had to carry," said the Lambourn-based trainer.
"I think he's got a bit to improve on, but with more racing, hopefully he'll get the chance to improve further.
"I think we'll go for the Sandy Lane as long as he comes back fine and dandy.
"I'm so excited about him and the other fella (Tis Marvellous, finished fourth) ran a super race, too."