Now that sprinting is a truly international affair, Royal Ascot's G2 Norfolk S. is one of the starting points for the category's future a-list celebrities, and in Global Applause (GB) (Mayson {GB}) it spotlights a valid contender for that status on Thursday. Impressive on debut at Newmarket May 1 and in the Listed National S. at Sandown 25 days later, Dr Johnny Hon's bay lost out in between to Mehmas (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) when returning with a bad blood picture in Newbury's Olympic Glory Conditions S. over six furlongs May 14. Mehmas was behind him at Sandown as he rebounded from his reversal a few days beforehand and Tuesday's events in the G2 Coventry S. suggest that form is rock-solid. “When he won at Newmarket, he looked a very exciting horse and he's now back on track,” commented trainer Ed Dunlop, who is unaccustomed to handling precocious juveniles. “He's had three runs already–hopefully that will stand him in good stead for Ascot. After that, he will then have a bit of a holiday.”
Whereas Global Applause already has proven black-type credentials, Godolphin's untested Silver Line (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) has just a visually impressive debut performance to his name after scoring by 3 1/2 lengths over this trip at Nottingham May 22. Saeed bin Suroor is hoping he can acquit himself in this company. “He won really well first time out at Nottingham and since then we have had this as his target,” he said. “He has been working nicely and he is ready to go. I just hope the ground isn't an issue, we won't know until he runs–Dark Angel's can handle the soft.”
Wesley Ward relies on the impressive May 27 Belmont maiden special weight winner Red Lodge (Midshipman), and after the fireworks of Lady Aurelia (Scat Daddy) on Wednesday, the fears surrounding the ground conditions for the American runners have been seriously assuaged. Like the Hannon stable's 2014 winner Baitha Alga (Ire) (Fast Company {Ire}), Legendary Lunch (Ire) (Dragon Pulse {Ire}) was the winner of the Listed Woodcote S. over six furlongs over Epsom's unique contours June 3 and the way he just lasted out there suggests this drop in trip will suit. “He came back impressively to win the Woodcote and looks like the drop back to five furlongs will be no problem for him,” Hannon commented. “I could see him running another big race on a more suitable track.”
Susan Magnier's Peace Envoy (Fr) (Power {GB}) emerged from two tussles with the smart King Electric (Ire) (Elzaam {Aus}) to capture the Listed Rochestown S. over six furlongs at Naas last time May 29, and Ballydoyle's 2-year-olds have run consistently well at the meeting so far.
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