Trainer James Tate is over the moon with how his stable star Invincible Army has flourished so far this season and he has explained that the four year old has been in superb form ahead of his Royal Ascot date in the Group 1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes.
The colt will be looking to land his first black type victory of his career and will never have a better chance to do it with the form he brings into the race from his two previous starts this season.
The Saeed Manana owned unbeaten prodigy this season started his campaign off by landing the Listed Unibet Cammidge Stakes, which then set him up perfectly for the Group 2 Duke Of York Clipper Logistics Stakes where he gave the best performance of his racing career.
Since that success he was smashed in the market by the bookmakers for the Group 1 contest over six furlongs at Royal Ascot and is now a best price of 3/1 which still looks generous considering how smart he has looked all season.
Invincible Amy is a course and distance winner at the Berkshire track after winning at the course last month. At last year's Royal Ascot he finished a tailed off ninth in the Commonwealth Cup but his trainer now feels that is a much better rounded horse.
(Credit Racing Post) James Tate said: “It would be fantastic and a career highlight were Invincible Army to win. Royal Ascot is the pinnacle but being the pinnacle it’s a very tough place to win.
“To go into the meeting with two favourites is fantastic but I’m trying not to think about it too much and we’re focused on getting them there in the best possible shape.
“Invincible Army is really fresh and well and in savage form – he keeps injuring people by biting their thumbs and giving them thick lips. We’re really looking forward to running him.
“He’s definitely come of age this year and knows what the job is now. He enjoys his routine, plays with us at home then goes to the races and is relaxed.
“He’s matured physically and mentally from three to four, as perhaps he was always bred to do, and we’re really enjoying it.”
James Tate has one big worry ahead of his stars run and that is if the ground is very firm and if the conditions do not play to his strengths he will be slightly concerned of his chances but still believes he is the one to beat.
Tate added: “He has an excellent chance providing the ground isn’t like Tarmac. He has winning form at the course and the straight track with the slight uphill finish really plays to his strengths.
“He’s a big character at home. Sometimes you can catch him in the field but other times it will take you ten minutes and he does it in a playful way.
“He does it with his ears pricked but when he’s playing at 540 kilos with his front feet coming at you and teeth showing it’s not quite as much fun for us as it is him.”