Royal Ascot 2019 Thursday 20th June

Least said about day two the better so lets get straight on to day three, Gold Cup day.

Another tricky 2yo race starts the day in the shape of the Norfolk Stakes. Big field, unknown quantities and question marks about the weather and going all add to the mystery. Air Force Jet will be a popular choice after Southern Hills, who he beat last time out, won on day 2 but I just prefer SUNDAY SOVERIEGN who had Tuesday’s winner Arizona among others behind earlier in the season. Support for Air Force Jet could see the price of the selection lengthen a little too.

The Hampton Court Stakes is full of unexposed improving types and should be an interesting race to watch as many of these may go on to better things. I like the look of SANGARIOUS who has had just the one run so far this season after a decent 2yo campaign. He has the look of a classic Michael Stoute improving 3yo.

In the Ribblesdale Stakes the Dettori/Gosden team look to be the ones to be on with STAR CATCHER having the look of a filly that has been aimed specifically at this race. She has the potential to become one of the seasons top fillies.

The Gold Cup should be a simple task for STRADIVARIIUS especially as the ground should have dried out considerably by the off time. One or two could give him something to think about but he isn’t really opposable for me.

32 runners could go to post in the Britannia Handicap and this is a race in which I usually like to look for something that has been running decently in group races that has the class to give weight away. Nothing really fits that criteria this year though so I will take the other option of looking for an unexposed horse that is likely to make up into a group horse in time. Motafaawit and DAVYDENKO both fit the bill and preference is just for the latter given the weights.

I apply a similar theory to the King George V Handicap too but this time I believe CONSTANTINOPLE has the class to defy top weight especially if the rain stays away.

The good lady apprentice tipster came back down to earth with a bump today but is sticking with horses proven on ground on the softer side of good. All seem to have reasonable chances at decent odds … and remember she is still the only one of us to have picked a winner so far.

2.30 EXPRESSIONIST

3.05 SANGARIOUS

3.40 SHAMBOLIC

4.20 THOMAS HOBSON

5.00 BARRISTAN THE BOLD

5.35 GOOD BIRTHDAY

Royal Ascot 2019 Tuesday 18th June

Back again then after another year off, so lets see if we can reproduce that magical first day of 2017 where we had 5 winners and a close second. Two opinions to chose from this year though as the lady of the house is chipping in with her opinions too.

The opening Queen Anne Stakes doesn’t look to me to be a vintage renewal but there are still some classy types in there. The first one that took my eye was Barney Roy as he was part of the famous five of two years ago. Sentiment never makes for good betting though so I will be giving him a miss as failures at stud rarely come back as good as they were. Le Brevido hasn’t won for two years and at the likely odds is easy to oppose and was beaten by the selection in this years Lockinge. That is obviously the race to focus on form wise as many of these ran there. Some will suggest that MUSTASHRY had the run of the race and all the luck but he still comes out as a superior horse in my opinion and I expect him to reconfirm his superiority over those that re-oppose as well as the rest of the field.  That opinion though is not shared by my partner who is making her tipping debut and she believes that LAURENS who was second in that Lockinge is capable of turning things around. She rarely runs a bad race and has a live chance in an open event.

The Coventry Stakes has the usual large field of horses that have only run once or twice and is as difficult to solve as ever. Aiden O’Brien runs four and the lady of the house slightly prefers ARIZONA to stablemate King of Athens. I always like to focus on unbeaten horses in this type of race and as usual there are a few to choose from here. Threat looks to be an interesting contender but GUILDSMAN won in impressive style at Goodwood in his only run to date and posted an excellent time. He is a reasonably confident selection.

Sprinters to the fore in the King Stand Stakes and last years first three all re-oppose. With no standout contender from America this year they could well fight out the finish amongst themselves again. Last years winner Blue Point has done nothing wrong in three wins this season but I fancy BATTAASH to turn the tables as he returned with a fine performance in the Temple Stakes and looks a stronger horse at 5.  A slightly longer priced alternative is suggested by my partner in crime and she likes the chances of EQUILATERAL. He has a lot to find on form but is going in the right direction and gave Mabs Cross a scare in the Palace House.

The St James Palace Stakes is next up and like the Queen Anne earlier does not look to be the classiest of renewals. PHOENIX OF SPAIN won the Irish 2000 Guineas well and that is clearly the best 3yo form on offer. I can’t see any of the horses beaten there turning the tables but the other half of the team disagrees and believes last years champion 2yo TOO DARN HOT will prevail this time.

The days handicap is the marathon Ascot Stakes and as ever the field is full of horses from jumping yards as well as flat ones. Willie Mullins normally does well in these types of races but this year puts all his eggs in one basket running only Buildmeupbuttercup. That is surely a tip in itself but the likely odds are not enticing. I prefer a bit of a punt on the veteran  FUN MAC who always runs well and came 2nd in this four years ago off a 7lb higher mark. He also gets weight from most of the field and stays well. ARCTIC FIRE is even more of a veteran at 10yo but is a classy hurdler and is the selection of my fellow pundit.

The Wolferton Stakes wraps things up on day one and I believe it could give Hamdam Al Maktoum his third winner of the day in the shape of ELARQAM. Well drawn and clearly best at 10 furlongs he has the look of a typical Maktoum horse that improves with age. Stable companion Addeybb looks interesting too and I fancy him to follow the selection home.  The debutante tipster however doesn’t share my opinion and believes that DOLPHIN VISTA has the class to run a big race despite carrying a penalty and could provide a good reward at generous odds.

That’s the day one selections then. As ever we go in more in hope than judgement and please don’t think we have any great insider information. Bet responsibly and have fun … where is the Pimms tent !

 

 

 

 

Royal Ascot Friday 23rd June 2017

After day three it is beginning to seriously look as though all the good luck was used up on Tuesday as returns were very meagre on Thursday. No actual winners from the first choice selections but one came second and a couple of others were on the wrong side of the track. Two of the second choices came in as well so we weren’t a million miles away.

Lets take a look at an interesting day four.

The opening Albany Stakes at 2:30 is another one of those tricky two year old races where we have a few unbeaten and a few from the powerhouse stables as well. I am going to go against one of my rules here and not select one of the unbeaten ones. Wesley Ward has two unbeaten fillies in this and Fairyland looks to be the one people fancy the most. The other Princess Peggy was in a collision with a cyclist yesterday but was unharmed and will run. Of the other unbeaten horses I was particularly impressed with Alpha Centauri in her last start and she very nearly ended up top of my list. Instead I am going to go for the once raced Aiden O’Brien filly CLEMMIE. The sister of Churchill  was only third on her racecourse debut but plenty of O’Brien horses get beaten first time out but learn a lot from the experience. I expect that to be the case here. The Jessica Harrington filly should follow her home.

The King Edward VII Stakes at 3:05 is known as the Ascot Derby and as usual has a couple of the horses who finished down the field in that race in its line up. The form of the Derby was boosted yesterday by Benbatl but I don’t expect any of the Epsom horses to prevail here. The Queen looks to have a very good chance of a winner with the lightly raced CALL TO MIND. After winning his maiden well he was unlucky to  find trouble in running in his second race. Unraced at two he still has plenty of improvement in him and at the likely odds of around 16/1 he is a sporting alternative to the likely favourite Crystal Ocean. His half brother Hillstar won this race a few years ago and he bypassed the Derby in favour of this. Once again it was a close call between the two.

The first of the days feature races The Commonwealth Cup is next up at 3:40 and for me it is impossible to oppose CARVAGGIO. The unbeaten Scat Daddy speedball won the Coventry here last year and I fully expect him to take this in breath taking style. For me he is the banker of the week.

The second of the Group 1 races on day four The Coronation Stakes at 4:20 should provide the O’Brien/Moore combo with a treble as once again WINTER is simply unopposable although she is not likely to go off at very rewarding odds. Most punters will probably double up on Carvaggio and Winter so if Carvaggio wins the price of Winter will shorten further so if you fancy them both taking an early price might be wise.

The Queens Vase at 5:00 has been shortened in distance this year to a mile and three quarters instead of two miles in a bid to attract a classier field. If the experiment works the race should become a serious trial for the St Leger. Once again the field is full of improving horses although most have seen the race course plenty of times. I am going to side with one of the lesser fancied runners in this and select ALQAMAR. A well bred Godolphin charge he was slightly disappointing at two, failing to win in three attempts. However he absolutely annihilated a handicap field at York on his only start this season and may have arrived here under the radar somewhat. Charlie Appleby, James Doyle and Godolphin have all hit form this week and he is simply too big a price to overlook at 33/1. Haripour, Time To Study and Stradivarius all have live chances and the latter is my choice to follow the selection home.

The closing Duke of Edinburgh Stakes at 5:35 is possibly the hardest race of the week so far to solve. The majority of these are seasoned handicappers with many miles under their belts and it could come down to luck in running or who is just best treated on the day. Sixties Groove will have plenty of supporters given the run last time out but is liable to be much too short a price if the big guns have come in earlier in the day. He will be a popular choice of newspaper tipsters and will subsequently  feature in many betting shop multiples so the high street chains will be keen to get the price down to reduce liabilities. I think the key to this race is Roger Varian and he runs two that I fancy. Preference is just for the unbeaten WADIGOR. Unraced at two and not seen at all on a racecourse until last September he has only had three runs winning them all well. In truth he is the only horse in the race who could be considered unexposed and potentially a group horse. Varian’s second runner Appeared is slightly lower in both the handicap and the betting and boasts some solid form. I can see them giving the trainer a 1-2. Baydar is also of interest dropping back to handicap company and having a decent five pound claimer on board. He would be my tricast selection.

Just one more day to go then after this. Once again lets hope for a repeat of Tuesday and good luck to anyone having a go. Back for one last tilt tomorrow.

Royal Ascot Thursday 22nd June 2017

The magic touch of day one failed to carry over to day two but it wasn’t a complete washout. One winner at 5/2 and three placed including a 20/1 and a 5/1 from the main selections means level stakes each way punters would have made a slight profit and win only players would have had almost 60% of their stake back. The others weren’t too far off the mark and if you’d have told me at the start of the week that after 12 races I’d have had 6 winners, 2 seconds a third and a fourth I’d have happily settled for that.

Day three looks quite difficult and there are no real stand out dead-certs for me. At the likely odds most of todays selections are backable each way. Add to that the possibility of storms overnight and potential non runners after this is published and the advice is to tread cautiously.

The two year olds get things under way with the Norfolk Stakes at 2:30 and once again Wesley Ward has the tissue favourite with McErin. There are two trains of thought here. One, that his ‘best’ two year old got turned over yesterday. and two, he has had one hack up on both days. Personally I am joining the first camp as I am wondering if the straight 5 furlongs will stretch the horses stamina, that added to the fact that it has already been beaten is enough for me to side step it. My selection is SANTRY who has already won twice, is unbeaten and has already beaten a few of these. He looks the type to stick with for a while. True Blue Moon looks the better of Aiden O’Brien’s pair despite Ryan Moore choosing Sioux Nation and he could chase the selection home.

The Hampton Court Stakes at 3:05 has a strong field of three year olds and features a mix of horses who just came up short in classics and classic trials and unexposed potential improvers. Mirage Dancer and Tamleek could both be top class but I am going to go for one with some solid form in the book. BAY OF POETS was placed in two Derby trials and finished mid division in the French Derby. Add to that the fact that he has been gelded since and that the stable and Godolphin have hit form and it makes him of enough interest to be a sporting selection. The other Godolphin horse Benbatl could chase him home.

The Ribblesdale Stakes at 3:40 is a race I always like and the superbly bred MORI looks to be the one here. Sir Michael Stoute overtaking Sir Henry Cecil as leading all time Royal Ascot trainer with a Frankel filly would also be a nice touch. Alluringly looks set to chase her home.

Technically the centrepiece of the whole meeting the Gold Cup is at 4:20 and as seems to be usual these days it is likely there will be a very short priced favourite. Order Of St George won the race well last year and has obviously had his whole season geared around a repeat. However, the difference in the ground, the fact that the Ballydoyle horses have mostly come up a little short so far this week and the slight doubts I have about the horses appetite for a battle mean selecting him at the current odds is a non starter. A far better gamble in my opinion could be taken on SIMPLE VERSE having the necessary stamina to see out the trip. She certainly has the class and the speed to put all these to the sword. At the likely odds it is worth taking a chance on her stamina. Trainer, Ralph Beckett is convinced by all accounts that the trip holds no fear for the 2015 St Leger winner. It wouldn’t surprise me to see Torcedor follow her home.

Two very tricky three year old handicaps end the day. Firstly at 5:00 the Britannia Stakes. As is the way with these Ascot handicaps there are a lot of unexposed horses who will probably go on to win in pattern company later in the season. A case could be made for several and once again most of the big yards and connections are represented. The one that interests me the most is the Charlie Hills trained AFAAK, it has the classic profile of a Hamdan Al Maktoum big handicap winner and won its last two races nicely. With just 8 stone 11 it is receiving weight from most of the fancied runners and looks a good bet to finish in the money. Gilgamesh who is on a five timer is also fairly treated and is my second selection. The well bred Senator, by Frankel out of Red Bloom is surely better than he has shown so far and is my tricast selection in the hope that the step up in trip will suit.

The final race on day three is the King George V Stakes at 5:35 and this one is no easier to solve than the Britannia. In this one I like the look of MASTER SINGER. He won his maiden at Newcastle on the dirt by an incredible sixteen lengths and if he can transfer that ability to turf he could be something special. John Gosden does not enter horses unless he thinks they can win and it is likely he sees this horse as a potential group performer later in the season. There are plenty of other improving and unexposed horses in the race though so it will be no sixteen length cakewalk today. Atty Persse also looks to be one to keep on side and he could give the selection most to do. Top weight Homesman has some good solid form and despite concerns about the weight he is my tricast selection.

Lets hope day three is more day one than day two and good luck to anyone having a punt. Back for more on day four.

 

 

Royal Ascot Wednesday 21st June 2017

Well what a day the first day turned out to be. Almost tempted to quit whilst I am ahead but where would be the fun in that. The five winners provided a 3000/1 five-timer and if the last one, beaten a neck, had gone in it would have been well over 40,000.

Even the placed suggestions ran well with at least three of them finishing in the money and there was even a forecast in there as well.

Hope some of you followed the advice and have separated some bookies from their cash.

Can lightning strike twice, only one way to find out. Here are my thoughts on day two.

There is probably no Ribchester, winner of this last year and the first yesterday, in the opening Jersey Stakes at 2:30 but there are still some interesting looking horses. The one I like the look of most is DABAN. I thought she would win the 1000 Guineas after her top notch performance in the Nell Gwyn and she lost nothing in defeat in that race. The form has been well and truly franked and she has plenty of improvement in her. Add to that John Gosden’s brilliant placement of his horses and she ticks enough boxes to get the vote. Even the missing through injury Frankie Dettori is no negative as Andrea Atzeni is a fine substitute. Tamool is another sure improver and would be the suggestion to chase her home.

Big fields are the order of the day on day two and 24 will line up for the Queen Mary at 3:05. Despite there being some well bred and interesting fillies from this side of the ocean my contacts Stateside are more confident about HAPPY LIKE A FOOL then any other horse they have sent over. Wesley Ward has openly admitted it is his best chance of a win and considering he has already had one with Lady Aurelia that is a huge tip in itself. If anything can spoil the party it is most likely to be the Willie Jarvis trained Mrs Gallagher, unbeaten in one start over course and distance this well bred filly should finish in the money.

The Duke of Cambridge at 3:40 has a top quality field and should be a race to savour. Mix and Mingle is unlikely to get the tactical advantage she did at Lingfield today and I expect the race to go the way of the French. Last years Coronation Stakes and dual Group One winner QEMAH carries no penalty in this Group 2 and is narrowly preferred to last years winner Usherette.

The Prince of Wales’s Stakes at 4:20 looks like a fascinating event and should be one of the most interesting races of the week. Highland Reel looks to be better over a mile and a half and I would have serious concerns about Jack Hobbs on the ground which is liable to be even firmer than today. ULYSSES however seems to have everything in his favour. I think he will have too much speed for Highland Reel and Jack Hobbs and too much class for the others. He is a confident selection. Mekhtaal could run into second.

The Royal Hunt Cup at 5:00 is as much of a quandary as ever with the mixture of unexposed potential group performers mixed in with some seasoned handicappers. Horses like GM Hopkins, Banksea, Belgian Bill, Yuften and George William are sure to go well but I like the chances of BALLET CONCERTO providing a win for the Moore/Stoute combo. Desperately unlucky at Epsom he has the look of a typical Michael Stoute improver at 4. Fastnet Tempest looks like a classic Hunt Cup horse and would be my suggestion to chase the selection home. GK Chesterton is also of interest for tricast purposes as he still appears to be on the upgrade and the Appleby stable has hit form.

The Sandringham is another tricky handicap with a huge field and ends day two at 5:35. With 24 largely unexposed fillies going to post it is no easy get out stakes. The top weight Rain Goddess is just the type of horse Aiden O’Brien is likely to win a race like this with but after the disappointing runs of his horses yesterday it is difficult to enthuse about her given the weight. John Gosden has two in the race and my preference is for PRESENT TENSE the horse which Frankie Dettori had chosen to ride ahead of Gymnaste before being side lined through injury. She has had only three runs, the last of which can be dismissed due to the lack of a proper racing pace, something she won’t encounter here, she looks a sure improver. On Her Toes has only been seen once this season, running well in second with a number of todays rivals behind and is the one who could give her most to do. A three time winner last season she has more experience than the selection and was only narrowly over looked. Queen of Time has already won twice this season and looks sure to win again before the season is out. She would be my tricast selection.

That is my opinion on day two then. Probably too much to hope for another day like yesterday but windmill tilting is a popular pastime in these parts.

Royal Ascot Tuesday 20th June 2017

So after being unable to write free to air in 2016 I am back with a daily look at this years Royal meeting. Hopefully I can point you in the direction of one or two longer priced each way fancies this year that will provide a different option to taking short price favourites. Having said that though there are of course always going to be one or two that are  unopposable even at a short price.

As ever, day one kicks off with the Queen Anne Stakes at 2:30, a straight mile for the older horses and one that has been quite kind to me over the years. Despite my comments in the opening paragraph RIBCHESTER has the look of one of those unopposable favourites and appears to be in the mould of a classic Queen Anne winner. Still on the upgrade it is difficult to see past him. For those looking for a long price each way alternative or  a forecast you could do worse than Ennaadd at about the 20/1 mark. Impressive in one run as a two year old he was actually being touted as a Guineas horse that winter and despite not quite making that grade remained unbeaten in three races at three. Despite failing to win in two starts so far this season he has the look of a horse that will make up into a good four year old and looks good value for a place.

The first two year old race of the meeting is the Coventry Stakes at 3:05 and as ever the field is both strong and competitive. Regular followers of mine will know that I like to keep unbeaten horses on side and there are a number of those on offer here. Despite that De Bruyne Horse is liable to go off a worthy favourite even though he has tasted defeat once already before wining the Woodcote at Epsom. This is a much tougher assignment than the Woodcote though and I expect a few to improve past him. Jessica Harrington’s Brother Bear had plenty of these behind when winning at the Curragh and heads many early price boards. The preference for me though is the unbeaten RAJASINGHE. Bred to be a two year old he destroyed the field in his only run so far at Newcastle and if coping with the step up in class he could well worth an each way punt at around the 12/1 mark. The unbeaten Denaar is my suggestion for the forecast.

Sprinters come to the fore at 3:40 for the Kings Stand Stakes and this should be lightning fast in the quick conditions. I have been a keen follower of Muthmir throughout his career but he seems to come up short in the top races and I expect more of the same today. He could though be good value for a place at around 16/1. In truth the race looks to be between Marsha and LADY AURELIA. It is a close call but I just prefer the later mainly due to the memory of her performance here last year and the fact that she receives weight from the whole field.

The main race of day one is the St James Palace Stakes at 4:20 and this one definitely has the look of a match between the Guineas 1-2. Churchill has been very impressive so far this season but at the likely odds BARNEY ROY makes much more sense as a bet. He is far more lightly raced so you would expect there to be plenty of improvement still to come and he comes to the race fresh having bypassed the Irish Guineas. He only needs to improve a length or so and was very unlucky in running at Newmarket. The remainder appear to be running for third but Churchill’s pacemaker Lancaster Bomber is a tough horse and could hold on for third. If all eight go to post the 25/1 each way could be a steal.

The first handicap of the meeting is the long distance Ascot Stakes at 5:00 and what a tight handicap it is. Twenty runners separated by only nine pounds a case can be made for almost all of the runners. My tendency here is to look for one at decent odds but I can’t seem to get away from THOMAS HOBSON despite him not having run on the level for 1333 days. This race usually goes to a National Hunt trainer and Willie Mullins looks to have laid this one out for the race. The likely odds of 3/1 are not that appealing but he is still hard to get away from. This is a good race for selecting more than one runner and for those interested in longer price each way alternatives or a tricast or forecast bet my suggestions would be Cartwright from the Sir Mark Prescott yard who never enters a horse just for the sake of it at this meeting and Magic Circle who ran well in the Chester Cup from a hopeless draw.

Day one ends with another two year old race the Windsor Castle Stakes at 5:35. With twenty four runners they will be spread right across the track and there looks to be pace on both sides of the draw. Wesley Ward has a strong hand with two unbeaten fillies Nootka Sound and Elizabeth Darcy, they are both likely to be up with the pace but may just go too quickly on a straight course and set the race up for something from behind. With that in mind I am going to go with ROUSSEL who won well at Leicester recently despite not looking as though he was totally aware of his job that day. I expect the £360,000 purchase to have improved considerably since that day and that Charlie Appleby will have him spot on for this race. The fast pace is likely to get him interested and see him knuckle down and stick to his task better here. That pace could also set up Declarationofpeace to run into a place as he is bred for a longer trip than most of these.

Those are my thoughts on day one then. BOLD CAPITALS is my likely idea of the winner, bold itallics each way alternatives and/or forecast/tricast suggestions.

Good luck to everyone having a punt and I’ll be back tomorrow with some more hopefully useful insights.

 

Royal Ascot Friday 20th June 2014

Not quite such a successful day yesterday but still managed one winner and two (profitably) placed from the main selections as well as two more places and a winner from the suggested forecast and other selection bets. So a level stakes profit if all were backed meaning we are up on all three days so far. Today doesn’t look to have the class of the last three days but there is still some competitive racing and a few difficult races to try and solve.

The opening Albany Stakes at 2.30 features another high quality bunch of progressive and unexposed two year old fillies with nine of them still unbeaten. The clear form choice though is PATIENCE ALEXANDER who has looked a cut above in her two previous starts and beat Tiggy Wiggy, who ran so well here the other day, in her last start. She is a confident selection and Bitter Lake would be the suggestion to follow her home.

The Wolferton Handicap at 3.05 is tight handicap with more than half a dozen that could have cases made for them. If First Mohican springs back to his best he has a good chance at the weights as does Sennockian Star although they are both more exposed than some of the others so don’t appeal today. Saxo Jack is progressing nicely and Rebellious Guest has been in good form of late and need considering but my fancy is the reliable and well weighted DICK DOUGHTYWYLIE. John Gosden’s hoeses are in fine form and Dick Doughtywylie looks to be a perfect fit for the contest. The improving Cafe Society is taken to chase him home and is by far the runner with the most scope for improvement.

The King Edward VII Stakes at 3.45 is often contested by horses that ran in the Derby but todays field is made up entirely of horses who bypassed the Epsom classic after Western Hymn’s defection. One time Derby fancy Snow Sky would be of obvious interest if the ground was a little softer as he loks best suited by a little cut. Scotland has dissapointed this season but is held in high regard at home and could bounce back to form. Italian Derby winner Dylan Mouth has to burden a three pound penalty but is difficult to assess and could be a surprise winner. The suggestion though is ADELAIDE from the same stable as Derby winner Australia and they must surely have a pretty clear idea how he stacks up against top three year old form this season. He looks to have been aimed specifically at this race. Dante fifth Bunker could improve past the others to follow him home.

The days feature race The Coronation Stakes at 4.25 doesn’t appear to have the class feild it usually attracts but shoukd still be a fascinating affair. Lightning Thunder second in two Guineas will be a popular selection but two tough races may have taken their toll. TAPESTRY was amongst the best fillies last year and may prove to be a cut above the rest of the field. Her race in the 1000 Guineas is best ignored as she was eased when something appeared amiss. She is obviously in fine fettle now or her connections would not be running her, tney also have plenty of alternatives they coukd have run instead. Similarly Lesstalk In Paris could bounce back from her dissapointing run in the French Guineas to chase her home.

The two mile Queen’s Vase at 5.0 is always a fascinating race and this year looks to be no exception. Century and Hartnell both look class acts but preference is for the more progressive MARZOCCO who has look of a proper stayer.

The closing handicap at 5.35 is another tricky affair in which I was expecting to tip the beautifully bred Russian Realm as he is one of my horses to follow for the season. However close scrutiny of the race has veered me away from him as there are potentially better treated and less exposed horses on offer. Notably WATCHABLE who looks well treated by the weights and has plenty of scope for improvement. Blessington also looks nailed on for a good run and may chase him home with Hillbilly Boy the suggestion for third.

2.30 PATIENCE ALEXANDER(NB)
3.O5 DICK DOUGHTYWYLIE
3.45 ADELAIDE
4.25 TAPESTRY (NAP)
5.00 MARZOCCO
5.35 WATCHABLE

Royal Ascot Thursday 19th June 2014

Yesterday proved quite successful with three winners including the nap Muteela (taken at 8/1 in the morning) and two forecasts which folowing on from the three winners on Tuesday has made for a good start to the week. Today thouh looks a little trickier and has been made more so by the late defection of my intended nap Wrangler in the last. Hopefuly though we will still find a couple of winners but it is looking like a low stakes day to me.

The warm order for the first race at 2.0 The Norfolk Stakes is The Great War. Touted as the latest Aiden O’Brien superstar and the top rated two year old seen so far for many he will certainly figure in many multiple bets across the country. However, I am slightly concerned by the fact that he didn’t run in the more prestigious Coventry Stakes on Tuesday especially as he would appear on breeding to be suited by the extra furlong. MUKHMAL looked a top sprinter in the making given weight and overcoming a bad daw to win a decent event at Chester in May and at the likely odds he makes more appeal.

The Tercentenary Stakes at 3.05 looks realy tight with six runners all coming within a pound or two on my ratings. Somewhat has posted the best time figure but looks more exposed than the others whilst Cannock Chase could be the one with most improvement in him. Barley Mow and MUTAKAYYEF are closely matched on recent form but I expect the later who has taken a little longer to come to hand to improve past him. Having said thst it is almost certainly a minimum stakes race as some sort of case can be made for all eight runers.

The Ribblesdale at 3.45 features a host of talented three year old fillies and Oaks fourth Inchilla reappears lessthan two weeks after Epsom. She may have some of the best form but she had a tough race in the classic and may not be at her best today. French raider VAZIRA looks a better proposition today although she is no guaranteed stayer.

Today’s feature race is The Gold Cup at 3.45 and has an interesting look to it. Last years winner Estimate doesn’t look as strong as last year, Tac de Boistron would prefer more give in the ground and I am not sure Brown Panther hasthe class to win. LEADING LIGHT however has the look of a hores who could dominate in this categaory after winning last years Queens Vase and the St Leger. An easy winner on his reappearance he has to be the selection despite the ungenerous odds on offer. An outsider of interest is Shwaiman generaly available around the 66/1 mark. I had earmarked him as a potentially good handicapper over long distances earlier in the seasonand it is something of a surprise that connections are risking his handicap mark. He could run well and sneak into the frame.

The 5.0 is a 30 runner straight mile handicap and cases can be made for a good dozen of the runners. BILIMBI just shades it for me despite a disappointing run at Haydock last time. The ground will suit him better today and he is slightly prefered to Hors de Combat and Pupil who I expect to chase him home.

The final race is just as difficult to assess as it is packed with unexposed potential improvers. Initial selection Wrangler has come out overnight to make things even more difficult. Godolphin second string PERSONAL OPINION just gets the vote here from the interesting outider Fire Fighter who could run well at a big price. The other Godolphin runner Elite Army looks the one for Tricast purposes.

2.30 Mukhmal (nb)
3.05 Mutakayyef
3.45 Vazira
4.25 Leading Light (Nap)
5.00 Bilimbi
5.35 Personal Opinion

Royal Ascot Wednesday 18th June 2014

No better time than Royal Ascot to resurrect the racing blog. Time sadly beat me yesterday and technical problems have resulted in todays copy disappearing with a weak internet connection but at least I got the selections up before the first race as I had a one two !!

Things get under way at 2.30 with the Jersey Stakes over the specialist distance of seven furlongs. Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum has a strong hand here with horses placed in both the French and Irish 2000 Guineas. The Irish renewal looks stronger to me especialy after Kingman romped in again yesterday. Given that MUSTAJEEB also beat older horses earlier in the season he is a confident choice for the opener. Muwaary should follow him home.

The Queen Mary at 3.05 is as tricky as ever and the American raider Spanish Pipedream could follow in the footsteps of yesterdays winner for connections. However you are taking a lot on trust and I prefer ANTHEM ALEXANDER who romped home by a wide margin at Tipperary and looks the type to go on improving. The consistent Tiggy Wiggy looks the one for the forecast.

French wonder filly TREVE looks nailed on for the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at 3.45. A classy winner of the Arc she lost nothing in her only defeat in the Ganay to Cirrus Des Aigles and is a good six pounds better than all on my ratings. The tough Mukhadram is the safest forecast bet and could be each way value.

The Duke of Cambridge Stakes at 4.25 sees the return of last years champion filly miler SKY LANTERN and despite seeming to be unfancied by the bookies and having to give five pounds to the improving Integral the memory of her performance in last years Coronation is difficult to get away from and she may well have the class to concede the weight.

I am loathe to select such a short priced horse as ABSEIL in the cavalry charge that is the Royal Hunt Cup at 5.00 but he does have the look of a group performer in a handicap and is the clear pick at the weights. His recent win at Epsom has the look of solid form and he should still have plenty of improvement in him. The other unexposed horse of interest in the race is Hugo Palmer’s Short Squeeze. The more exposed Burano is also worth an each way interest at a big price.

We have to wait until the Sandringham Handicap at 5.35 for my best bet of the day though. The unbeaten MUTEELA like Mustajeeb in the first race is owned by Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum and she can top and tail the day with winners for him. On my ratings she is well clear of all the other runners and should have something in hand. She has also posted a very good timefigure and looks a group horse in the making. Midnite Angel was a decent two year old and could be the one for the forecast. Alutiq could also run well if coping with the trip.

2.30 Mustajeeb
3.05 Anthem Alexander
3.45 Treve
4.25 Sky Lantern (nb)
5.00 Abseil
5.35 Muteela (Nap)