Unfashionable trainers look to write an underdog story at Royal Ascot

Royal Ascot is known for its high fashion but an unfashionable trainer could deliver in the showpiece St James’s Palace Stakes in a real-life underdog story, writes James Toney.

Tip Two Win beat Derby winner Masar when he finished just behind Saxon Warrior as an unfancied 50-1 shot in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket.

And the first Classic of the season looks the form race, further underlined when Roaring Wild, who finished fifth, won the Dante Stakes and finished third in the Derby.

Trainer Charlie Appleby couldn’t believe Masar’s 18-1 odds at Epsom – and Tip Two Win’s handler Roger Teal is similarly surprised about his charge’s starting price this week.

This is a race normally one by the sport’s blue blood connections, with Aidan O’Brien successful seven times in the last 17 years.

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But Teal’s charge is the real deal and the fast ground should further enhance his considerable claims as his trainer seeks a first ever win at the £7 million meeting.

Indeed, if the horse was racing in Coolmore or Godolphin colours, it would certainly be a much skinnier price with the bookmakers.

David Probert, a jockey still seeking his first win in the Qipco British Champion Series, will look to claim only his second career victory at Royal Ascot.

The 29-year old looked set for a big career after sharing the apprentices’ title with William Buick a decade ago.

But while Buick graduated with a succession of big race victories, including guiding Masar to victory at the Derby, Probert is patiently waiting for his career defining moment as he approaches his 30th birthday.

“You’ve got to seize these chances when they come along and a group one would me a massive achievement for Roger, his team and me,” said Probert.

“We were beaten in the Guineas by a very good horse and perhaps the quirks of that track caught us out too. We aren’t going to have those problems at Ascot, which should perfectly suit Top Two Win.

“He’s not a very big horse but he’s got a big heart and we’re just excited about the chance.”

John Gosden’s Frankel colt Without Parole will likely be sent off favourite, despite being somewhat underwhelming winning the Heron Stakes at Sandown.

Gosden had thought his charge was a live chance for the 2000 Guineas before an early season foot injury changed his plans.

However, it could be another unheralded trainer that poses the biggest threat to Teal and Probert’s hopes, with Ken Condon’s Romanised looking to follow up on a surprise 25-1 win in the Irish 2,000 Guineas.

Like Teal, Irish-based Condon doesn’t attract much publicity. A former international eventer, he had a dream to become a racehorse trainer and spent time studying the best handlers before taking out his own licence 16 years ago, with his boutique stable boasting only 30 horses

And Romanised’s win at the Curragh – which left him ‘speechless’ – remains a career best. Until, perhaps, now.

His hope is a slow-starter so a stall six draw, which should prevent him getting boxed against the inside rail, won’t hurt his chances. Similarly Tip Two Win is well drawn, while Without Parole can’t afford to slouch out the stalls from his low number.

“There are lots of hard working trainers out there like me, who just need to get a chance with a really top horse,” said Condon.

Royal Ascot’s first day card features three group one races including Lady Aurelia’s bid to land a hat-trick at the royal meeting and defend her Kings Stand Stake title, the first sprint race in this year’s Qipco British Champions Series.

Wesley Ward’s speedy filly hasn’t won since this race 12 months ago and will face a tough rival in Charlie Hill’s tempestuous sprinter Battaash.

But if two races could be at the mercy of Ascot’s less famous connections, the Queen Anne Stakes – which opens proceedings – looks a battle between Europe’s biggest racing and bloodstock operations, with Godolphin’s Benbatl, trained by Saeed bin Suroor, taking on Aidan O’Brien and Coolmore’s Rhododendron.

And conditions are expected to be perfect with warm sunshine forecast and ground described as good to firm, good in places, by clerk of the course Chris Stickels.