Day 2
2.30 – This looks a wide open renewal this year any number of fillies have a chance. I'm quite sweet on MIDNIGHT AFFAIR being in the shake up after her Hilary Needler success last time out at Beverley. She showed a good turn of foot that day to come from off the pace but also showed her staying capabilities by powering through the line to put some distance between her and her opponents. Her earlier second at Newmarket reads well also and I think she could represent plenty of value at 10/1.
3.05 – I'd suggest Joesph O'Brien holds all the cards to this race as he boasts a strong hand. Yerwanthere has been the subject of plenty of market support in the last 48 hours but I think I'd rather back ADELAISE at a slightly bigger price. Still unexposed with only two runs for connections under her belt, she looked as if she could make up into a nice filly when finishing close last time out in a hot race. This big field might just suit her and I can see her being in the shake up. DON'T TELL CLAIRE always seems to run a race at Ascot and could be overlooked at a big price.
3.40 – I might be missing something but I can't quite work out why RANDOM HARVEST is such a big price here. Ed Walker's mare has done nothing but improve throughout her career and proved that when just getting run out of things late on at Epsom last time out. She had to give weight to Prosperous Voyage that day and enjoys a pull at those weights with that re-opposing rival today which should help her reverse the form. She loves this straight mile at Ascot and offers serious value in my eyes.
4.20 – I'm not overly strong on anything here as the four at the top look very closely matched. I'd probably just side with the strong staying ADAYAR who looked an improved animal when seeing off next time out Group 1 winner Anmaat at Newmarket. He did that very nicely and probably wouldn't have been tuned up for that so that surely has to bode well now he encounters one of his main targets of the season.
5.00 – I'm having two darts at the board but could probably do with about 10. BLUE FOR YOU is a strong travelling sort and represents a yard that do well in these types of races. He looks on a high enough mark now but might just be primed for this today and should run a big race. For the same yard I do also quite like ORBAAN who looks to be coming to hand now. This is his time of year and there have been signs of a revival of late so he too could offer plenty of value at fancy prices.
5.35 – The favourite looks a classy individual but this will be his hardest test to date and at 6/4 he doesn't offer much value. CHESSPIECE has been nibbled at overnight and would probably be my selection in the race as stamina looks pretty much assured after his win at York last time. I think the Newbury form from earlier in the season is also very good and if he improves again for this extra distance then he will be a serious player here.
6.10 – I can see this being a proper dust up with plenty of speedy juveniles on show. I'm taking a chance on two at a price who I think are overpriced. First up is WORLD OF DARCY for the Karl Burke stable who have a incredibly good batch of two year olds this season. This colt finished his race off well in the National Stakes last time when behind stablemate Elite Status and quietly pulled nicely clear of the rest. His form of his debut win at Pontefract has worked out well as well so odds of 16/1 look a little big with all that in mind. Similar comments apply to SERGEANT WILKO who has been snapped up by King Power racing since his win at Thirsk last time. He hasn't encountered ground as good as it will be today but the rain earlier in the week will certainly aid his chance as he clearly handles the soft. He's beaten the fancied Bombay Bazaar already this season but is double the price so rates a good each way play to me.
