1.15 – I fear this may be Art Power's to lose here but my
morals aren't allowing me to tip him at 2/1 in a 22 runner field at Royal
Ascot. He should love the soft ground, has a high draw and everything looks to
be in his favour so although it will be no surprise to see him win I still want
a bit more value. KEEP BUSY offers
just that and she is fresh from a good run at Sandown behind the smart Lazuli.
She finished in front of some smart horses that day and showed plenty of
ability. She already has a listed victory to her name and seemingly doesn't
know how to run a bad race judging by her two year old form. She's readily
available at 10/1 as I write this and that to me is a decent bet each way.
1.50 – I loved MOTHER
EARTH's debut effort at Navan 9 days ago. The winner looks smart and set
the gallop but this filly wasn't asked too many questions and she powered home
for second. We saw yesterday just how much Aidan O'Brien's horses come on for
their opening run and I think this filly is open to any amount of improvement.
I can pick holes in the form of Setarhe and Golden Melody looks a decent filly
but will need to step up I feel to take this. The Wesley Ward filly is the
unknow but his string haven't been anywhere near yet this week. I'd give a
chance to Willabell as John Gosden wouldn't have too many runners in this race
in the past but I think they have it all to do to beat my selection.
2.25 – As soon as I got a price for THE LIR JET for this race after his debut win at Yarmouth I was
onboard. The opening price of 16's looks generous now and I think he could be a
bit of a beast. He broke the track record at Yarmouth on his debut run and
although there were a few track records broken that day, for a two year old on
debut to do it, was impressive. Snapped up by Qatar racing since he looks to
have an outstanding chance in this. Eye Of Heaven is the talking horse as his
form has been well advertised this week but he is too short and looks too
obvious for me. Outside the top 4 or 5 I'm not sure how deep this race is so my
selection looks to have a stonking each way chance.
3.00 – This is a tough race to get seriously involved in.
The drift about Anthony Van Dyck was noticeable yesterday although I don't
think he should have any problems with the ground. Elarqam is stepping up in
trip which leaves a question mark over him. I'm expecting Communique and one of
the King Power horses to go out and make it and ensure a good gallop which
might just play into the hands on SPANISH
MISSION at a huge price. David Simcock's horse was most progressive last
term and is a strong stayer. He has question marks over the ground having never
raced on soft but his sire Noble Mission absolutely loved these conditions and
his action suggests he should act on it. His sire also improved with age and if
this lad has inherited that trait off his Father then I will be in for a big
pay day.
3.35 – This is a good race, make no mistake. I really like
Pierre Lapin here and I think the stiff 6f will really suit him. His yard is in
cracking form too this week so expect a big run. However, I do also like the
claims of MUMS TIPPLE now he drops
back to 6f. He sulked in the Guineas and has ran two bad races at Newmarket now
which suggests this flat track should see him in a better light. Connections
have stated they are going to let him rip like they did at York and I think
that is the way to go. Whether something mows him down late on, I'm not sure
but I think he will have them worried a furlong out.
4.10 – A competitive race here with not a lot between the
field. You would be taking a chance backing any of them but the fact Aidan
O'Brien has such a good record in the race you would be fairly confident one of
his will give you a run for your money. I'm siding with SANTIAGO who looked a strong stayer in his two year old starts and
should benefit for this step up in trip. Ryan Moore stated in his blog this
race has been the aim for him so he will be fully primed I imagine.
4.40 – Loyal followers will know DURSTON was a good servant to me last year and although he
disappointed on his last run of the season, he made me plenty last year. Loyal
followers will also know he is one of my dark horses for the year as I think he
could develop into a group horse this year. If he can, then this mark of 100
looks very lenient. Jamie Spencer has stated he has been working very well and
he thinks he's a good bit better than his mark so if he gets the breaks up the
straight I think he has a tremendous chance. Jim Crowley is doing the steering
and that man is having a blinder of a week.
Summary
1.15 – Keep Busy – 1pt e/w
1.50 – Mother Earth – 2pt win
2.25 – The Lir Jet – 2pts e/w
3.00 – Spanish Mission – 1pt e/w
3.35 – Mums Tipple – 1pt e/w
4.10 – Santiago – 1pt win
4.40 – Durston – 2pts e/w
Sat
12.40 – A grueller of a handicap to kick things off on the
last day at Royal Ascot and I'm going to have 2 darts at the board here.
Swindler is the sexy horse who loves the track but his low draw could be
problematic so I'm aiming high with OPEN
WIDE and COUNT D'ORSAY. The
former was a tip last Sunday in this column but clearly had no intentions of
winning that day as Pat Dobbs anchored him a good 10 lengths off the pace. He
stayed on nicely though which suggests he is more than capable of getting
involved off his current mark. The latter is trained by Tim Easterby so Oisin
Murphy is a eye catching jockey booking. The selection has plenty of form on
soft ground so any give in the ground will be appreciated and he made a
pleasing comeback run at Newmarket 2 weeks ago. He has done nothing but improve
for his new trainer and who's to say he's finished there?
1.15 – This is a good race and much better than Friday's
Albany I think. Aidan O'brien's More Beautiful looked a bit of a plane on debut
and Seamie Heffernan was very complimentary afterwards so you have to be weary
of her. She's short enough now though and I'll happily back SACRED against her at 6/1. I was very
impressed with Sacred's debut run at Newmarket as she scythed through the field
like a warm knife through butter. She looked better the further she went so I
am slightly surprised connections didn't opt for the Albany for her but I'd say
this stiff 5f will be no problem to her. She's a sound each way play in a good
renewal.
1.50 – This is another grueller of a 2 year old race and as
I will probably get quite involved in the previous race, I may hold back in
this one. The favourite looked like he would appreciate this step up in trip as
he powered away on debut over 5f. He could be a good one but I will take a
chance on TALBOT running into a
place at least after his visually impressive debut at Lingfield. He took off in
the final furlong to power away from JoJo Rabbit, who has boosted the form
since, and is another who should appreciate the step up to 6f here. He's well
bred and could surprise a few here.
2.25 – Again, this
isn't an attractive betting opportunity for me so I will probably ease the
stakes down but I will take a chance on SO
WONDERFUL. She would have to be the highest rated 6 race maiden I have ever
known of and can count herself unlucky not to have won at least one race. She
ran another good race in the Irish Guineas last weekend and puts that form to
the test here. Quadrilateral looked laboured in the Guineas but Cloak Of
Spirits ran a blinder and would be the biggest danger in my eyes. Run Wild will
no doubt set a good gallop but could be susceptible to a finisher on this
ground. Sharing is the unknown of the race whilst Jessie Harrington's ‘super
crop' of three year olds have yet to fire so Alpine Star would have to be
questioned. All in all I think the selection will give us a good run for our
money at a healthy price.
3.00 – Ryan Moore is getting on the wrong side of ARIZONA and Wichita by choosing the one
who doesn't run the best of the pair. He rode Arizona in the Guineas but he
bombed out whilst Wichita finished second but back over this flat track I do
fancy Arizona to run a big race. He won the Coventry here last year and looks
more certain to stay the mile than Wichita does despite the form last time
suggesting otherwise. I can't have Pinatubo and Palace Pier is skinny enough
for what he has achieved so far. I will have another punt on Clive Cox's POSITIVE who comes here completely
under the radar. He showed good form at two, even beating Guineas winner,
Kameko, at Sandown. I suspect he would have trained on for shrewd connections
and I think he could outrun his odds.
3.35 – This looks to be one of the most open/weakest
renewals of this race for many a year. I'm banking on there being some ‘soft'
in the description still but even if there isn't I think SPEAK IN COLOURS should go well at a healthy price. He saves his
best for Ascot and has ran his best races over this 6f trip. He seems ground
versatile and had a good pipe opener seven days ago at the Curragh. If able to
back that up, I think he is a massive player at a course where he thrives.
4.10 – I try not to go into too much detail in the Wokingham
as it stinks every year and I could easily spend hours on it and still find the
one tailed off last. However, I do have a rule in these 6f handicaps and that
is ‘back SUMMERGHAND'. David
O'Meara's talented sprinter needs plenty of luck in his races but a bit of luck
is bound to fall his way sometime soon. He is super consistent in thes type of
races and I hope it's only a matter of time until one falls his way. It's
interesting Danny Tudhope jumps off him to ride Arecibo but James Doyle is an
apt replacement and is someone who is riding out of his skin at present.
4.40 – Mekong ran in the Gold Cup on Thursday so would be a
doubtful participant here one would suspect. The Grand Visir won the Ascot
Stakes last year and would be a big danger if back on song but WHO DARES WINS is one of the most
admirable horses in training and has to take all the beating here. Whether it's
over jumps or on the flat, this lad can mix it with the best of them and has
provided his connections with many a good day out. If he lines up here at
somewhere near his best, I think he wins.
Summary
12.40 – Open Wide – 0.5pt win
Count
D'Orsay – 0.5pt win
1.15 – Sacred 1pt e/w
1.50 – Talbot – 0.5pts e/w
2.25 – So Wonderful – 0.5pts e/w
3.00 – Arizona – 0.5pt win
Positive
– 0.5pt win
3.35 – Speak In Colours – 1pt e/w
4.10 – Summerghand – 1pt e/w
4.40 – Who Dares Wins – 2pt win
