It's crunch time for those backing an Italian job in the Hampton Court Stakes at Royal Ascot today! The punters are abuzz with excitement as Coolmore's formidable duo of Endorsement and Italy dominate the betting market. And while Ryan Moore has opted to ride Endorsement, some savvy observers believe Italy could be the dark horse that delivers, following a trend we've seen earlier in the week where 'second strings' have pulled off impressive upsets.
Italy's form is looking particularly promising after a solid fourth-place finish behind Endorsement in the Ballysax Stakes. But here's the clincher: the winner of that race, Christmas Day, has gone on to conquer the prestigious Derby, adding serious pedigree to Italy's performance. This is more than just a nice run – it's a serious statement of intent from this talented youngster, making him a compelling choice for both win and place markets in the World Pool.
Meanwhile, Saeed bin Suroor's Mountain Cat has been generating plenty of interest among racing enthusiasts. And for good reason! This unbeaten contender has impressed in both its starts to date, romping home on debut before following up with another comfortable victory at Wolverhampton. Bin Suroor's decision to pitch him into a Group Three contest like the Hampton Court Stakes is a bold move – but one that suggests he believes Mountain Cat has what it takes to make a real impact at this level.
With a handicap mark of 90 potentially up for grabs, it's unlikely bin Suroor would risk entering Mountain Cat into such a competitive field unless he was convinced the horse had the ability to deliver. And with that confidence comes significant promise – making Mountain Cat a strong contender for both win and place bets.
Of course, no discussion of this Group Three contest would be complete without mentioning Endorsement, the other prominent Coolmore entry. He's been quietly building a reputation as a consistent performer, impressing in various Derby trials before securing a comfortable victory at Listed level in his most recent outing. With form like that on the board, it's no wonder he's being tipped by many to feature prominently – particularly in exotic bets like Quinella markets involving Italy and Mountain Cat.