THE UNKINDEST cut of all prevents Hebridean from taking part in a Derby but the Aidan O'Brien-trained gelding can prove he holds no grudges with a victory in Royal Ascot's blue riband version this afternoon.
Hebridean is one of a three-strong Irish challenge on the Group Two King Edward VII Stakes whose reputation as a consolation Derby isn't exactly enhanced this time by a plethora of Epsom also-rans on show.
Neither Dermot Weld's Winchester or Kevin Prendergast's Moiqen figured at Epsom and Hebridean couldn't since O'Brien took the decision when the horse was a yearling to geld him.
It's looking an expensive operation now, even though the son of Bach runs today in new colours, since Hebridean would have been a perfectly legitimate candidate for the Irish Derby judged on a very impressive win in the Group Three Gallinule Stakes at the Curragh last month.
Immediately afterwards the champion trainer nominated today's race as an alternative and such is his rate of improvement that he can be expected to reverse Ballysax form with Moiqen earlier in the season.
Hebridean has also shown commendable versatility in terms of ground and he can continue his run of form with a defeat of City Leader and the progressive Epsom handicap winner Conduit.
It could prove a very good day for O'Brien's former mentor Jim Bolger who takes the beaten Oaks favourite Lush Lashes back to a mile for the Group One Coronation Stakes where she will be joined by three other Irish fillies.
However, Bolger's best hope may come in the opening Group Three Albany Stakes where his juvenile, Cuis Ghaire, will attempt to make it three out of three.
There have been mixed fortunes for Irish juveniles so far this week at Royal Ascot but Cuis Ghaire looked extremely progressive when scoring for the second time at Naas and she has a good low draw on her side as well.
As well as Lush Lashes, the Irish presence in the day's feature race includes Dermot Weld's Carribean Sunset, the Ballydoyle hope Psalm and the west Cork-trained filly Tuscan Evening who got slung back to fourth from second in the Irish Guineas for causing interference.
It's a powerful squad but there could be some value in forgiving Muthabara a lacklustre run in the Newmarket Guineas.
She had looked exceptional before that at Newbury and crucially John Dunlop's horses are in form having already scored here this week.
Muthabara was only a couple of places behind Lush Lashes at Newmarket and the Bolger filly faces a searching test dropping back from the mile and a half at Epsom having scored in York's Musidora Stakes in between the Guineas and the Oaks.
Mick Channon gives Championship Point another crack at the Wolferton Handicap but last year's winner doesn't look as attractive an each-way option as his stable companion Halicarnassus.
Ebadiyan is the John Oxx hope for the Queens Vase where the filly Tiffany Diamond represents O'Brien but they may both have to console themselves with a back view of Patkai.
Opportunity knocks for rehearsal
LIMERICK HOSTS black-type action this evening and the Martin Molony Stakes looks to provide Dress Rehearsal with a good opportunity for a valuable Listed grade win, writes Brian O'Connor.
The Galileo filly broke her maiden to the tune of five lengths at Naas on her last start and she gets a massive 19lb from the highest-rated horse in the race, Red Moloney. David Wachman's string are in flying form and her maiden victory proved that ground conditions will be no trouble.
Down Royal hosts the first of three days' racing this evening with tomorrow's Specsavers Ulster Derby the highlight. A total of 19 horses remain entered in tomorrow's feature including Aidan O'Brien's The Bogberry.
The accent is on jumping tonight but flat form can provide the key to the first two races with Dani's Girl's flat rating making her something of a standout in the mares hurdle.
Charminamix faced a tough task at the Curragh when runner-up to Teacht An Earraig but the company doesn't look anything as hot in the handicap hurdle which is over a course and distance on which Tony Martin's horse has already won.
Brian O'Connor's Royal Ascot tips
2.30 Cuis Ghaire
3.05 Hebridean
3.45 Muthabara
4.20 Halicarnassus
4.55 Patkai
5.30 Docofthebay
