Friday, May 20: Wesley Ward discusses his Royal Ascot squad, more on Wednesday’s Kempton gamble plus your exclusive daily tip and brainteaser. All this and more in today’s newsletter . . .

The big story

Royal Ascot would not feel complete without the charismatic presence of top American trainer Wesley Ward, and on Thursday he revealed plans for his latest raid exclusively for Racing Post Members’ Club subscribers.

Ward, who has hit the jackpot 12 times at the royal meeting, is pinning his hopes primarily on the exciting sprinter Golden Pal, who has won his last six starts in the US but has been beaten on both appearances on British soil. 

His trainer, though, is confident he can make amends in the King’s Stand Stakes, and also ran through Ascot plans for some of his best juveniles.

Ward on Golden Pal (King’s Stand Stakes): “He couldn’t be coming over in better form. He’s very sound and that’s the key to this guy. Everyone from all over the world comes to Royal Ascot and when they come they bring their top horses to the party. I’m bringing the best I’ve had and I think in the best shape he could be in. He moves like a cat, he’ll just jump out of those gates and take command.”

Ward on Love Reigns (Queen Mary Stakes): “She was one of my, if not the, most impressive debut winners of all time so she’s certainly going to be pushed forward for the Queen Mary. She’s a very nice filly and based on what we’ve seen she’d rank up there with the best of them.”

Ward on No Nay Hudson (Norfolk or Windsor Castle Stakes): “He won with authority on the dirt but he’ll be much better on the grass. Coolmore are involved with him and so a lot will depend on them as to which direction he’ll go.”

Bring it on.

Full story: Wesley Ward: ‘She was one of my most impressive debut winners of all time’ (£)

Three must-see races on Friday

A Derby hope, one of racing’s cult heroes and the start of the Irish Guineas meeting. Here are three must-see races on Friday . . .

3.20 Goodwood
1m3f British Stallion Studs EBF Cocked Hat Stakes (Listed)

The major trials may have been run but there could be some late Derby clues on offer in the Cocked Hat Stakes, where Lysander runs for William Haggas. The three-year-old got off the mark in impressive fashion at Newcastle three weeks ago and is as short as 20-1 for the Epsom Classic, but his trainer described him as ‘a work in progress‘.

4.30 Goodwood
2m Sussex Roof Garden Bar Handicap

You never quite know what you’re going to get, but there is no doubting Goshen is a box-office talent and after two impressive wins over hurdles in February, he makes his first appearance on the Flat for almost two years this afternoon. 

5.25 Curragh
1m2f Heider Family Stables Gallinule Stakes (Group 3)

It’s day one of the Irish Guineas meeting and the headline contest is the Group 3 Gallinule Stakes, where Joseph O’Brien could unleash a smart type in Hannibal Barca. He was only two lengths off Luxembourg in last year’s Vertem Futurity Trophy and holds entries in the St James’s Palace Stakes and Irish Derby.