Night In Vegas out to hit the jackpot in Coventry Stakes

Eve Johnson Houghton regularly finds a smart two-year-old and in Night In Vegas appears to have another to take her to the biggest days, starting in the Coventry Stakes on Tuesday.

He cost a not insignificant 60,000 guineas at the sales — but compared to the Aidan O’Brien-trained Confucius who cost 1.7million guineas at Tattersalls Book 1, he looks very much a bargain buy.

Night In Vegas won well at Ascot on his debut before defying a penalty at Goodwood, and Sam Hoskins, of owners Kennet Valley Syndicates, is happy in the role of underdog.

He said: “It’s really exciting. It’s been well publicised he lost two shoes at Goodwood the last day.

“He doesn’t qualify for the Windsor Castle because his sire (Lucky Vega) didn’t win over seven at two or a mile at three, so we’ve taken the option of the Coventry.

“He’s a very straightforward horse, he’s won at Ascot, there’s not many reasons not to go so we ought to go.

“It will be very exciting because we’re up against Aidan O’Brien’s Confucius who cost 1.7m, we cost 60 grand so it’s nice that hopefully the pressure’s off and it’s David v Goliath and we’re very happy being David.

“He travels well and a fast-paced race at Ascot would suit him. So we’re really excited about it and we’ve 16 members in the syndicate so it’s a real dream to be in this position.”

Powerhouse Owners Set to Unleash Juvenile Arsenal

The old gold and blue colours of Wathnan Racing will be well represented all week, especially in the juvenile races.

James Doyle is on Hamad Al Jehani’s Royal Heritage who only won at Hamilton last week but Ruler’s Pride had looked their main chance when impressing at Ayr.

Racing adviser Richard Brown said of the latter: “It was lovely to see what he did up at Ayr and the second has come out since and won the Hilary Needler. The second is very well regarded and to do what he did to her (Crystal Queen) first time out I think makes him a very good colt.”

Others to note include Archie Watson’s Siouxperb George Scott’s Mrair and James Ferguson’s God Given Talent in the Constitution Hill colours.

Last year’s one-two of Haatem and Galen renew rivalry in the Listed Wolferton Stakes.

Familiar Foes Ready for Highly Anticipated Rematch

Richard Hannon ’s Haatem was adding to his Jersey Stakes success at three and Brown said of the Wathnan-owned five-year-old: “He’s a total legend and we love him. James rode him a piece of work recently and thought he felt great, but the only worry is he hasn’t fully come in his coat.

“That would slightly concern me, but he still ran a great race in his seasonal debut at Goodwood and he will definitely come forward for that.

“He’s a warrior and if he’s there in the last half-furlong you wouldn’t want to be betting against him battling and winning. He’s a real fighter and as tough as they come.”

Joseph O’Brien, fresh from Oaks success with Thundering On, is keen to have another go with Galen while Adelaide River is back after a spell in Australia.

“He ran very well in the race last year and he’s not penalised this year,” said O’Brien of Galen.

“He comes in here fresh and there’s a case to be made for him being better right-handed. He’s had a good preparation.”

International Champion Out to Prove Middle-Distance Class

Nashville Derby winner Wimbledon Hawkeye is another who should not be ruled out.

Trainer James Owen said: “He ran well at Sandown in the Brigadier Gerard and wasn’t beaten too far.

“He’s entitled to come on a good bit for that run and we left a bit to work on, but he’s trained well since.

“I think the race will really suit him and I’m looking forward to running him.”

The Ascot Stakes looks to revolve around Willie Mullins’ Reaching High for the King and Queen.

He suffered a luckless passage when fancied for last year’s race and has been saved for this ever since, with Ryan Moore booked.

The closing Copper Horse Stakes sees Henry de Bromhead’s Ascending drop in trip having won the Ascot Stakes 12 months ago with William Haggas’ Valiancy set to go off a short price.