Ascot 1.15 – With showers expected to have
battered Ascot in the last 12 hours or
so I think this new 10f handicap could be set up perfectly for ACQUITTED. Hugo Palmer's charge likes
to get his toe in and has some rock solid form on soft ground as a two year
old. His Newbury win at the backend of last year has worked out very well and a
pipe opener at Newcastle where he chased home the highly rated Palace Pier,
showed that he has indeed trained on. He got a 4lb hike for that performance
but Palmer has already stated he should have plenty more left and although he's
favourite here I think he does offer value at 4/1.
Ascot 1.50 – Fox Tal is unexposed one in here
and you have to respect him given his connections but apart from a good run in
an end of season Group 1, I'm not too sure what he has achieved. Sir Dragonet
has disappointed on soft ground on more than one occasion so you have to worry
about him on this rain softened ground. The rest all have questions to answer
so I am going to take a punt on ALOE
VERA who impressed me in two runs last term. Injury curtailed her season
but she was in the frame for the Irisk Oaks at the time which shows what
connections think of her. Her Goodwood run was impressive and if Ralph Beckett
has her fully tuned up I fancy her to run a big race at a big price.
Ascot 2.25 – King Leonidas could be anything
but his form isn't bomb proof and at 5/2 he isn't a bet for me. I was keen on
Molatham in this but he disappointed on soft ground last year and Jim Crowley
has said soft ground isn't his cup of tea so again, I can't take a punt at 4/1.
I will however take a chance on MONARCH
OF EGYPT for the O'Brien team after a luckless run at the Curragh last week
in the 2000 Guineas. He travelled notably well before finding his path cut off
at a key stage so you can probably mark his performance up a fair bit. The drop
to 7f should suit him and if you take Siskin out of his form book, then it
would read much better than it does now. I think he could have more to offer
and looks a fair price.
Ascot 3.00 – I really am banging the Aidan
O'Brien drum today as I really fancy BATTLEGROUND
here. I was his Dam's number 1 fan and judging by his debut effort 10 days
ago he looks to have inherited her ability. War Front always knocks out high
class animals too so he really is bred for the job. You couldn't have asked for
a better Royal Ascot prep than his run at Naas as he stayed on nicely over 6f
in what looked a pretty good race. That would have teed him up perfectly for
this and he gets a strong vote to gain victory.
Ascot 3.35 – This looks Stradivarius' to lose
and although it won't be a betting race for me I will put up CROSS COUNTER each way against the fav. It's pretty clear that the favourite
has this one's measure but he is proven to get close to him which the others
aren't. Technician loves soft ground but has stamina to prove and Charlie
Appleby's other runner, Moonlight Spirit, looks held by Technician. Therefore
it seems sensible to suggest Cross Counter could well be the best of the rest
and represents value at 8/1.
Ascot 4.10 – A very competitive handicap which
won't get me too excited but I will probably take a punt on STARCAT being better than what he
showed in the Guineas. The fact Hughie Morrison threw him into the deep end on
his first start back suggests he holds this horse in some regard. It would be
hard to be confident about him but his Kempton win last year looks good form
and I expect him to be involved here.
Ascot 4.40 – This looks the hardest handicap
of the week to me and I'm not too sure how much real quality is in here.
African Dream is far too short for me to get involved with and I'd rather take
something at a price I think. HUBOOR ticks
the boxes for me being a useful two year old who threatens to be a better three
year old. Having said that, she did disappoint on her return but that was a
funny race and I wouldn't read too much into that. Mark Johnston quite likes
her and there is every reason to believe she could have more to offer off her
current mark.
Summary
1.15 – Acquitted 1pt e/w
1.50 – Aloe Vera 1pt e/w
2.25 – Monarch Of Egypt – 1pt e/w
3.00 – Battleground – 2pt win
3.35 – Cross Counter 0.5pts e/w
4.10 – Starcat 0.5pts e/w
4.40 – Huboor 0.5 pts e/w
