Offline aims to punch his ticket to Royal Ascot

Andrew Slattery is hoping Offline can confirm his ticket to Royal Ascot with a big run in the Coolmore War Command Rochestown Stakes at Naas today.

The Thurles trainer has the Windsor Castle Stakes in mind for the son of Requinto, who made a pleasing debut with a smooth victory at Dundalk last month.

“He’s a nice horse and he’s working well,” said Slattery. “He’s heading for the Windsor Castle, that’s the plan.

“We’re taking it step by step, but we’re expecting a very big run out of him.”

The Ger Lyons-trained Andre Amar and Jessica Harrington’s Dandys Ocean are others in the five-strong field to have won their sole start so far, while Aidan O’Brien’s Sergei Prokofiev got off the mark in fine fashion at Navan after being touched off on his racecourse bow.

West Ilsley trainer Mick Channon sends over Izzer who is unbeaten in two starts.

Michael Halford is double-handed with Ambassadorial and Riyazan as he looks to pick up the Listed Owenstown Stud Stakes.

“Both are in good form and will be suited by the fast ground,” said the Co Kildare trainer.

“Ambassadorial will wear cheekpieces for the first time and James Doyle comes over to ride him.

“He’s a lightly-raced horse and was a Listed race winner as a two-year-old. It’s good to have his career back on track after a quiet year last year.

“We’re happy with him. He’s doing everything right.

“We took Riyazan to Dubai, but didn’t get to run him. He’s ready to start off this year. He’s in good form.

“Both horses actually won the same Listed race in Dundalk as a two-year-old.

“Riyazan is in good form and conditions will suit him.

“They are very similar horses. Obviously one is a year younger than the other. I’m looking forward to running them both.”

Channon’s Summer Icon is among the nine runners that also include Jessica Harrington’s Brother Bear, a Curragh Listed winner and fourth in last year’s Coventry Stakes, and Dermot Weld’s recent Cork scorer Jewel Maker.

Harrington has Chicas Amigas and Servalan in the seven declarations for the third Listed race on the card, the Coolmore Stud Irish EBF Fillies’ Sprint Stakes.

Patrick Prendergast is doubly-represented with Cedars Of Lebanon who was runner-up Offline on her debut, and Skitter Scatter who pipped Sergei Prokofiev at Dundalk last month.

“Skitter Scatter has had two runs up in Dundalk, so she seems to handle the faster surface very well.” said Prendergast.

“I’m not worried about the ground and she showed a great attitude the last day. Obviously, her form looks red hot so I’m expecting a good run from her as she’s a very honest filly.

“Cedars Of Lebanon was second on her only start. On the form book she has a lot of ground to make up on some of these, but she is progressing well and we’re fishing for black type with her.”