The Ballydoyle newcomers generally need the run and should be avoided with preference being for the duo of MISTER AVIATION and DIBAYANI. Mister Aviation ran well despite greenness and will have come on tremendously for the last run for a respected stable. Similarly The Aga Khan’s colt has a very striking pedigree and is related to several winners.
HI EMPEROR is a well bred son of Choisir and won his maiden well last time out at Fairyhouse, and has a very lenient mark compared to his potential. Whereas STRONGER THAN ME looks to be a handicap job with two duck eggs in maiden company but already well backed and Jonny Murtagh booked.
True Verdict will be short and is obviously potentially very good, but preference goes for SCENT OF ROSES for Dermot Weld and Pat Smullen who have done particularly well with their fillies this year, winning the Irish 1000 Guineas trial, and most recently The Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot. Green on debut and awkward leaving the stalls, she made up ground to only lose by a neck, and given her pedigree and cost as a yearling, she will be entitled to have come on a fair bit for that.
Famous Name has an outstanding record in Group 2 and 3 races, in particularly at Leopardstown, but a dire record at The Curragh, and as such preference goes to Native Khan, who has transferred to the John Oxx stable. After winning The Craven Stakes, he didn’t seem to stay The Derby trip, and is instead raced over 10 furlongs, a trip that looks ideal, and his fifth at Epsom looks good form on paper.
The manner of IZZI TOP’s two wins this season have been very impressive, and although a good looking field for The Pretty Polly Stakes, there are holes in most of her rivals. Was pinched the Oaks from the front, with the form being replicated in The Ribblesdale, but Maybe was in behind, and will be further hampered by soft conditions. Izzi Top being a daughter of Pivotal should love the cut, with the only serious threat looking to be Dermot Weld’s Sapphire.
EMPIRICO has been knocking on the door in recent runs and has not had much luck in running as of late. With a clearer run he should run well for a red hot in form stable.
HARTANI looked a smart promise when making all in a novice race last time out, and further boosted by the form of his maiden win he has strong claims providing he handles conditions. A proven handler of soft ground is FATHER OF SCIENCE who won well at Chester in bottomless ground. A well bred two year old, he has missed some striking entries, and is clearly well thought of at home.
SKY PILOT has been in great form for Miss Joanna Morgan this season and has a great chance to defy a 6lb penalty under Pat Smullen. Form figures of 1-2-1 so far, the gelding is up 15lb from his initial winning mark, but has looked like winning with plenty in hand, with his recent Limerick win working out well, the fourth winning last week.
2.10 Curragh – Mister Aviation & Dibayani
2.40 Curragh – Hi Emperor & Stronger Than Me
3.10 Curragh – Scent of Roses
3.40 Curragh – Native Khan
4.20 Curragh – Izzi Top
4.50 Curragh – Empirico
5.25 Curragh – Father of Science & Hartani
5.55 Curragh – Sky Pilot
The Yorkshireman – Jack Milner
@JJMSports
Saturday, 30 June 2012
Saturday afternoon racing at Windsor, Chester and Newmarket
I generally look for little Lucky 15’s when in between painstaking form study towards a big festival, whether on the flat towards Ascot, Newmarket, Goodwood, York and onwards, or be it the Holy Grail that is Cheltenham. I have three for the loyal followers at all of the big meetings for this afternoon.
FAITHFILLY will be a good price against an odds on favourite for Richard Hannon, and it could side with laying the jolly. The filly has gradually progressed and won a nice maiden at Sandown, in similar conditions, and although officially 8lb inferior, she is the more progressive of the two. ZENAAT is a Galileo filly who showed promise last year in a Kempton maiden before being well held in two starts this season at Newmarket and Lingfield. As such has got a very lenient mark of 76, and given how expensive of a yearling she was, there should be plenty more to offer. Another progeny of the Galileo is SUN CENTRAL for the in form William Haggas stable, who runs in a weak looking maiden. From the family of 2000 Guineas winner George Washington, he finished behind a subsequent Andrew Balding winner last time out when finishing a decent third. The Haggas and Kelly teams fill the final spot as well with WELL PAINTED. He won a good maiden at Newbury on Lockinge day, before finishing second last time out at Doncaster. The mile trip seemed too strong last time out and drops back to 7f, all four look to have strong claims.
2.10 Chester – Faithfilly
2.40 Chester – Zenaat
3.10 Chester – Sun Central
3.40 Chester – Well Painted
Newmarket holds a fairly strong card with hotly touted Michelangelo running in the three year old trophy, and although he should win, it is more a watching brief whilst at the prices. Newmarket is one of those quirky tracks with its undulations that find many out, so course form is a positive, which swings us towards SANDREAMER for the Mick Channon yard, which is having a particularly fruitful year with juveniles. The Oasis Dream filly should appreciate the extra furlong and looks a decent price to do so. It isn’t a fashionable selection but DANDINO’s solid second behind Sea Moon at Goodwood puts him head and shoulders above listed company, and he should win easy under Hayley Turner. EDINBURGH KNIGHT looks relatively overpriced considering he has one bad run to his name, when not getting a run in The Royal Hunt Cup at Ascot. He returns to his preferred trip and he will appreciate the better ground. MEDIA HYPE looks to still be ahead of the handicapper judging on his win at York last time out, and with the Burke yard still in good order, he can defy an 8lb rise in the handicap over 10 furlongs.
2.30 Newmarket – Sandreamer
3.00 Newmarket – Dandino
3.35 Newmarket – Edinburgh Knight
4.40 Newmarket – Media Hype
Windsor has a nice card on this afternoon, which has relatively gone under the radar, but there looks to be some competitive racing, which means some tasty prices! BLESSINGTON runs for John Gosden in the first and was a 75,000 Guineas purchase as a yearling, and the son of Kheleyf goes for an in form stable, and looks the obvious pick in a weak looking maiden. SHOLAAN was luckily for me, put up in this blog two weeks ago when absolutely bolting up at York, winning by five lengths, going off a nice 10/1 winner for the loyal readers! He looked to have any amount in hand that day and can defy a rise with the headgear retained once more. In the Midsummer Stakes, the ‘horses at the head of the market are there on reputation and connections, and the value could lay with THISTLE BIRD. The Selkirk filly maker a belated seasonal appearance and returns to a more suitable trip, where she is a course and distance winner. Although she has to make up ground with Highland Knight and Coupe De Ville, she showed enough progression last season to indicate she was going in the right direction and way on the way to gaining some success in Pattern Company. Roger Charlton could make it a quick fire double with REX IMPERATOR half an hour later in an open handicap. He is a horse with bags of ability and clearly above handicap class, beaten three lengths in a group three, and a four lengths fifth of six in a listed race on his reappearance, he has since been gelding, and will have all the cobwebs blown away and should be cherry ripe for this.
2.25 Windsor – Blessington
3.30 Windsor – Sholaan
4.00 Windsor – Thistle Bird
4.30 Windsor – Rex Imperator
The Yorkshireman – Jack Milner
@JJMSports
FAITHFILLY will be a good price against an odds on favourite for Richard Hannon, and it could side with laying the jolly. The filly has gradually progressed and won a nice maiden at Sandown, in similar conditions, and although officially 8lb inferior, she is the more progressive of the two. ZENAAT is a Galileo filly who showed promise last year in a Kempton maiden before being well held in two starts this season at Newmarket and Lingfield. As such has got a very lenient mark of 76, and given how expensive of a yearling she was, there should be plenty more to offer. Another progeny of the Galileo is SUN CENTRAL for the in form William Haggas stable, who runs in a weak looking maiden. From the family of 2000 Guineas winner George Washington, he finished behind a subsequent Andrew Balding winner last time out when finishing a decent third. The Haggas and Kelly teams fill the final spot as well with WELL PAINTED. He won a good maiden at Newbury on Lockinge day, before finishing second last time out at Doncaster. The mile trip seemed too strong last time out and drops back to 7f, all four look to have strong claims.
2.10 Chester – Faithfilly
2.40 Chester – Zenaat
3.10 Chester – Sun Central
3.40 Chester – Well Painted
Newmarket holds a fairly strong card with hotly touted Michelangelo running in the three year old trophy, and although he should win, it is more a watching brief whilst at the prices. Newmarket is one of those quirky tracks with its undulations that find many out, so course form is a positive, which swings us towards SANDREAMER for the Mick Channon yard, which is having a particularly fruitful year with juveniles. The Oasis Dream filly should appreciate the extra furlong and looks a decent price to do so. It isn’t a fashionable selection but DANDINO’s solid second behind Sea Moon at Goodwood puts him head and shoulders above listed company, and he should win easy under Hayley Turner. EDINBURGH KNIGHT looks relatively overpriced considering he has one bad run to his name, when not getting a run in The Royal Hunt Cup at Ascot. He returns to his preferred trip and he will appreciate the better ground. MEDIA HYPE looks to still be ahead of the handicapper judging on his win at York last time out, and with the Burke yard still in good order, he can defy an 8lb rise in the handicap over 10 furlongs.
2.30 Newmarket – Sandreamer
3.00 Newmarket – Dandino
3.35 Newmarket – Edinburgh Knight
4.40 Newmarket – Media Hype
Windsor has a nice card on this afternoon, which has relatively gone under the radar, but there looks to be some competitive racing, which means some tasty prices! BLESSINGTON runs for John Gosden in the first and was a 75,000 Guineas purchase as a yearling, and the son of Kheleyf goes for an in form stable, and looks the obvious pick in a weak looking maiden. SHOLAAN was luckily for me, put up in this blog two weeks ago when absolutely bolting up at York, winning by five lengths, going off a nice 10/1 winner for the loyal readers! He looked to have any amount in hand that day and can defy a rise with the headgear retained once more. In the Midsummer Stakes, the ‘horses at the head of the market are there on reputation and connections, and the value could lay with THISTLE BIRD. The Selkirk filly maker a belated seasonal appearance and returns to a more suitable trip, where she is a course and distance winner. Although she has to make up ground with Highland Knight and Coupe De Ville, she showed enough progression last season to indicate she was going in the right direction and way on the way to gaining some success in Pattern Company. Roger Charlton could make it a quick fire double with REX IMPERATOR half an hour later in an open handicap. He is a horse with bags of ability and clearly above handicap class, beaten three lengths in a group three, and a four lengths fifth of six in a listed race on his reappearance, he has since been gelding, and will have all the cobwebs blown away and should be cherry ripe for this.
2.25 Windsor – Blessington
3.30 Windsor – Sholaan
4.00 Windsor – Thistle Bird
4.30 Windsor – Rex Imperator
The Yorkshireman – Jack Milner
@JJMSports
Saturday, 23 June 2012
Sunday Racing at Hereford and Pontefract
Hereford
It looks a really good card for a Sunday afternoon, and credit has to go the racecourse, with some strong connections taking advantage of the better (in comparison to usual Sunday afternoon racing) prize money.
SUD PACIFIQUE boasts a smart flat pedigree, and was a good horse formerly owned by Sir Robert Ogden, and trained by Jeremy Noseda, winning handicaps up to 10 furlongs. He got his neck in front last time out at Cartmel, just, but there may be more to come. The son of Montjeu should be a decent price due to Cape Express of Nicky Henderson and Shaloon of John Ferguson in the race.
BALLBOUGH GORTA suggested enough on his return from a break that there may be more to come than the bare result of his third in first time blinkers over course and distance in handicap company for the first time. Now with Peter Bowen, he has struck up a fruitful partnership with Jamie Moore, who continues to ride well, particularly for his father throughout the summer. Although beaten 27 lengths, he was severely eased, and is down 3lb in the handicap, and likely to appreciate the added moisture in the ground.
ROLLINROLLINROLLIN was well backed when winning a maiden hurdle at Uttoxeter last month and has been given a more than reasonable opening mark of 107. The well bred son of Oscar will appreciate being stepped up in trip, and it would be no surprise to see him being able to go on a little sequence of wins from here.
KAYFTON PETE has Tom Scudamore riding for the family and he looks to have decent enough claims in the two mile handicap hurdle. The Kayf Tara gelding has been rejuvenated since joining this yard, with form figures of 3146 since moving stables, and he looks progressive. Tiring last time out on firm ground has led to a 5lb rise and a drop in trip from running over two and a half miles, and gives him a mark he could easily exploit.
Advised:
2.20 Sud Pacificque
3.20 Ballybough Gorta
3.50 Rollinrollinrollin (Nap)
4.50 Kayfton Pete
Pontefract
MOLLYVATOR runs for the Karl Burke stable and is well related to three winners and is a son of Derby winner Motivator. The filly ran second behind Pay Freeze last time out at York who went on to run with credit at Royal Ascot, and she sets a decent standard in an average maiden.
KATHLATINO runs for the in form duo of Micky Hammond and Kelly Harrison, an underrated partnership in the north. She had a disappointing campaign last season but returned from a long break with a good win at Redcar, a 33/1 shock on the day. Under a 6lb penalty the mare ran another strong race finishing second, and running on well towards the end. She has clearly found her appetite for racing again, and although up another 5lb is likely to give another strong account.
DESCARO is a tough campaigner for the David O’ Meara stable, who are in red hot form, another 10/1 winner in a northern handicap yesterday, this time Redcar, and his horses seemingly slip under the radar. He has slipped down to a mark of 67, a mark he won off last time this slow at Pontefract over course and distance. The handicapper seems to have given him a chance, and with his old protagonist Sylvester De Sousa back on board and back on form, he looks a big price.
Tom Dascombe and Richard Kingscote team up in the last with an unexposed three year old colt having his first run in handicap company, and fresh from a run in a Newbury maiden where he never threatened, but nor was he ever asked a question. ANTON CHIGURH will be around the 10/1 mark but since his poor run in his second maiden, he will have been put away for this level of racing and has a mark of 74, so although the handicapper hasn’t given him too much slack, he is obviously respected. He was only eight lengths off the winner in his last maiden, and although not significant, the form has worked out well and is another plus.
Advised:
2.10 Mollyvator
2.40 Kathlatino
4.10 Descaro
5.10 Anton Chigurh
The Yorkshireman – Jack Milner
@JJMSports
It looks a really good card for a Sunday afternoon, and credit has to go the racecourse, with some strong connections taking advantage of the better (in comparison to usual Sunday afternoon racing) prize money.
SUD PACIFIQUE boasts a smart flat pedigree, and was a good horse formerly owned by Sir Robert Ogden, and trained by Jeremy Noseda, winning handicaps up to 10 furlongs. He got his neck in front last time out at Cartmel, just, but there may be more to come. The son of Montjeu should be a decent price due to Cape Express of Nicky Henderson and Shaloon of John Ferguson in the race.
BALLBOUGH GORTA suggested enough on his return from a break that there may be more to come than the bare result of his third in first time blinkers over course and distance in handicap company for the first time. Now with Peter Bowen, he has struck up a fruitful partnership with Jamie Moore, who continues to ride well, particularly for his father throughout the summer. Although beaten 27 lengths, he was severely eased, and is down 3lb in the handicap, and likely to appreciate the added moisture in the ground.
ROLLINROLLINROLLIN was well backed when winning a maiden hurdle at Uttoxeter last month and has been given a more than reasonable opening mark of 107. The well bred son of Oscar will appreciate being stepped up in trip, and it would be no surprise to see him being able to go on a little sequence of wins from here.
KAYFTON PETE has Tom Scudamore riding for the family and he looks to have decent enough claims in the two mile handicap hurdle. The Kayf Tara gelding has been rejuvenated since joining this yard, with form figures of 3146 since moving stables, and he looks progressive. Tiring last time out on firm ground has led to a 5lb rise and a drop in trip from running over two and a half miles, and gives him a mark he could easily exploit.
Advised:
2.20 Sud Pacificque
3.20 Ballybough Gorta
3.50 Rollinrollinrollin (Nap)
4.50 Kayfton Pete
Pontefract
MOLLYVATOR runs for the Karl Burke stable and is well related to three winners and is a son of Derby winner Motivator. The filly ran second behind Pay Freeze last time out at York who went on to run with credit at Royal Ascot, and she sets a decent standard in an average maiden.
KATHLATINO runs for the in form duo of Micky Hammond and Kelly Harrison, an underrated partnership in the north. She had a disappointing campaign last season but returned from a long break with a good win at Redcar, a 33/1 shock on the day. Under a 6lb penalty the mare ran another strong race finishing second, and running on well towards the end. She has clearly found her appetite for racing again, and although up another 5lb is likely to give another strong account.
DESCARO is a tough campaigner for the David O’ Meara stable, who are in red hot form, another 10/1 winner in a northern handicap yesterday, this time Redcar, and his horses seemingly slip under the radar. He has slipped down to a mark of 67, a mark he won off last time this slow at Pontefract over course and distance. The handicapper seems to have given him a chance, and with his old protagonist Sylvester De Sousa back on board and back on form, he looks a big price.
Tom Dascombe and Richard Kingscote team up in the last with an unexposed three year old colt having his first run in handicap company, and fresh from a run in a Newbury maiden where he never threatened, but nor was he ever asked a question. ANTON CHIGURH will be around the 10/1 mark but since his poor run in his second maiden, he will have been put away for this level of racing and has a mark of 74, so although the handicapper hasn’t given him too much slack, he is obviously respected. He was only eight lengths off the winner in his last maiden, and although not significant, the form has worked out well and is another plus.
Advised:
2.10 Mollyvator
2.40 Kathlatino
4.10 Descaro
5.10 Anton Chigurh
The Yorkshireman – Jack Milner
@JJMSports
Friday, 22 June 2012
Saturday at Royal Ascot - Day Five
The fifth and final day of Royal Ascot, and thankfully we are in the fortunate position of not having to chase profits, so no desperate lumping, we hope anyway, unless the dreaded thought of not a bean from the first five races, but that doesn’t even bare thinking about! It has been intense so far, and the pressure has been on, hopefully if you’re reading this, you’ve made a few quid and are either playing with Billy Hills, Joe Coral, Paddy Power or Mr Ladbrokes money!
The Chesham Stakes is a listed race over the specialist seven furlongs open for two year old colts and fillies. The race has a long history of going over to the Irish Sea, and they have the favourite once more with the Jim Bolger trained Move to Strike. She hacked up in a six furlong maiden at The Curragh last time out and is respected, but she looks plenty short in a race where many others are open to further improvement. Such is my way, that I like to pick two in these open stakes races, and the first one I like is JALAA for the newly established Richard Hannon and Sheikh Hamdan partnership. He looked very promising on debut at Leicester and is bred to improve the further he goes, he is a half brother to a Dewhurst winner and carries maximum respect. Similarly CHILWORTH ICON, who I backed when winning a similar event at Epsom when going off around the 10/1 mark. Mick Channon two year olds are generally overpriced for seemingly ‘unfashionable’ connections, but she warrants respect. She looks a gutsy sort who would be fine in a battle, as seen last time out, and stable jockey Martin Harley opts for him of the stable’s five horses.
The Hardwicke Stakes is one of my favourite races at the meeting, and there is a horse I have been waiting all week to see in AIKEN for the ever successful George Strawbridge, John Gosden and William Buick team. He hacked up last time out at Chantilly, retaining his unbeaten record in a Group Two contest on soft ground. He is a course and distance winner at Ascot, going the right way; he looks open to further improvement. Four year olds have a terrific record in the race, with the last two being Harbinger and Await the Dawn, and on breeding, he should relish the test of conditions, unlike many of his rivals such as Sea Moon, Dunaden, and Quest for Peace. Memphis Tennessee could be the biggest danger after hacking up around Chester last time out, but the form doesn’t look much on paper.
I don’t want to talk about the Diamond Jubilee too much, because much like the Queen Anne Stakes, just admire and revere the sight of a superstar in full flight. BLACK CAVIAR is the best sprinter in the world, and looks for twenty two wins on the bounce bringing her immortal reputation with her. She looks different gravy to anything we have to challenge her with and she WILL hack up. Moonlight Cloud’s best form comes over seven furlongs, and the best of the rest looks to be SOCIETY ROCK trained by James Fanshawe. He won this race last year and will thrive on the soft conditions. He ran a good third at York on his reappearance, and will improve for the run, and the more testing conditions.
The Wokingham is the feature handicap on Saturday, and with £120,000 in the prize pool, it has brought out some top quality horses. Those towards the front end of the market generally have a good record, with the last three winners all being 15/2 or shorter, but I am looking elsewhere this year. Jonny Murtagh has a good record in the race, winning it the last two years, and he rides GRAMERCY for the Kevin Ryan. He looks to have a live each way chance, starting off his season over an inadequate trip at York, and that run has seen him lowered 2lb in the handicap and is now just 1lb higher than his fifth in this race last year. Winner Deacon Blues went onto win four group races in a row after that, with Hoof It, Anne of Kiev, Fathsta and other good horses in behind, the form looks strong. Similarly WAFFLE, another who ran well last year, narrowly edged out by Deacon Blues, has progressed with three runs so far this year, getting better with every one. The last was a solid second at York, and with the predicted good to soft ground, should give him his ideal conditions. The David Barron yard are in good form, and perhaps significantly, Fran Berry is booked to ride. Macs Power looks likely to give another strong account, similarly High Standing, but both looked handicapped to high evens, and although I think they should run well, not well enough.
The Duke of Edinburgh Handicap, wow; where to start? This looks beyond tricky, this is The Crystal Maze after eight pints; good luck. This is usually a bad race for those at the head of affairs; the pesky bookmakers have never had it so good. Camborne is up 10lb for a recent win, and is likely to be underpriced due to the recent stable success, especially if Aiken hacks up in The Hardwicke Stakes, similarly Harrison Cave and Anatolian will both suffer similar fates. Fiery Lad, Midsummer Sun, Cill Rialaig and Harlestone Times have little form on soft ground, and are unbackable. The two I prefer are MULAQEN and STAND TO REASON. Mulaqen ran in a really good race at HQ two weeks ago, running a good fourth, with good form in behind. It wasn’t the best ride that day, Paul Hanagan deputising for T O’ Shea and the softer conditions, he may have a better chance off an untouched mark. Similarly Ted Durcan gave Stand to Reason a lot to do last time out, and he stayed on well, but came up short. He is up in trip here, and that could bring the best out of him, he has form on soft ground which should further aid him, along with Jimmy Fortune booked to ride. At around the 33/1 mark; CLASSIC VINTAGE could run a big race at a huge price. He usually runs well after a break, and has good form in big handicaps on good to soft or soft ground. Jim Crowley is in cracking form at the minute, and has won on the six year old before.
The last race, the Queen Alexandra Stakes, is a gruelling two and three quarter mile slog, and where you would assume it would be National Hunt connections that dominant, you would be surprised to learn they have a poor record. Therefore we look to avoid Simeon and Overturn at the head of the market and instead focus on PETARA BAY for Robert Mills and Jimmy Fortune. From a seemingly unfashionable stable, most of his horses go off at decent prices, but the stable has a profit of +£5 from just eleven runners this month, and Petara Bay has good claims. The eight year old goes best fresh, and running with a 329 day break is a positive. He ran a good fourth in the Northumberland Plate last year and then went on to win at Goodwood. He looks to be a dark horse in a field full of big names and big reputations.
2.30 Ascot – Chilworth Icon & Jalaa
3.05 Ascot – Aiken (Nap)
3.45 Ascot – Society Rock (Betting without Black Caviar) (NB)
4.25 Ascot – Waffle (Ew) & Gramercy (Ew)
5.00 Ascot – Mulaqen (Ew), Stand to Reason (Ew), Classic Vintage (Ew)
5.35 Ascot – Petara Bay
The Yorkshireman – Jack Milner
@JJMSports
The Chesham Stakes is a listed race over the specialist seven furlongs open for two year old colts and fillies. The race has a long history of going over to the Irish Sea, and they have the favourite once more with the Jim Bolger trained Move to Strike. She hacked up in a six furlong maiden at The Curragh last time out and is respected, but she looks plenty short in a race where many others are open to further improvement. Such is my way, that I like to pick two in these open stakes races, and the first one I like is JALAA for the newly established Richard Hannon and Sheikh Hamdan partnership. He looked very promising on debut at Leicester and is bred to improve the further he goes, he is a half brother to a Dewhurst winner and carries maximum respect. Similarly CHILWORTH ICON, who I backed when winning a similar event at Epsom when going off around the 10/1 mark. Mick Channon two year olds are generally overpriced for seemingly ‘unfashionable’ connections, but she warrants respect. She looks a gutsy sort who would be fine in a battle, as seen last time out, and stable jockey Martin Harley opts for him of the stable’s five horses.
The Hardwicke Stakes is one of my favourite races at the meeting, and there is a horse I have been waiting all week to see in AIKEN for the ever successful George Strawbridge, John Gosden and William Buick team. He hacked up last time out at Chantilly, retaining his unbeaten record in a Group Two contest on soft ground. He is a course and distance winner at Ascot, going the right way; he looks open to further improvement. Four year olds have a terrific record in the race, with the last two being Harbinger and Await the Dawn, and on breeding, he should relish the test of conditions, unlike many of his rivals such as Sea Moon, Dunaden, and Quest for Peace. Memphis Tennessee could be the biggest danger after hacking up around Chester last time out, but the form doesn’t look much on paper.
I don’t want to talk about the Diamond Jubilee too much, because much like the Queen Anne Stakes, just admire and revere the sight of a superstar in full flight. BLACK CAVIAR is the best sprinter in the world, and looks for twenty two wins on the bounce bringing her immortal reputation with her. She looks different gravy to anything we have to challenge her with and she WILL hack up. Moonlight Cloud’s best form comes over seven furlongs, and the best of the rest looks to be SOCIETY ROCK trained by James Fanshawe. He won this race last year and will thrive on the soft conditions. He ran a good third at York on his reappearance, and will improve for the run, and the more testing conditions.
The Wokingham is the feature handicap on Saturday, and with £120,000 in the prize pool, it has brought out some top quality horses. Those towards the front end of the market generally have a good record, with the last three winners all being 15/2 or shorter, but I am looking elsewhere this year. Jonny Murtagh has a good record in the race, winning it the last two years, and he rides GRAMERCY for the Kevin Ryan. He looks to have a live each way chance, starting off his season over an inadequate trip at York, and that run has seen him lowered 2lb in the handicap and is now just 1lb higher than his fifth in this race last year. Winner Deacon Blues went onto win four group races in a row after that, with Hoof It, Anne of Kiev, Fathsta and other good horses in behind, the form looks strong. Similarly WAFFLE, another who ran well last year, narrowly edged out by Deacon Blues, has progressed with three runs so far this year, getting better with every one. The last was a solid second at York, and with the predicted good to soft ground, should give him his ideal conditions. The David Barron yard are in good form, and perhaps significantly, Fran Berry is booked to ride. Macs Power looks likely to give another strong account, similarly High Standing, but both looked handicapped to high evens, and although I think they should run well, not well enough.
The Duke of Edinburgh Handicap, wow; where to start? This looks beyond tricky, this is The Crystal Maze after eight pints; good luck. This is usually a bad race for those at the head of affairs; the pesky bookmakers have never had it so good. Camborne is up 10lb for a recent win, and is likely to be underpriced due to the recent stable success, especially if Aiken hacks up in The Hardwicke Stakes, similarly Harrison Cave and Anatolian will both suffer similar fates. Fiery Lad, Midsummer Sun, Cill Rialaig and Harlestone Times have little form on soft ground, and are unbackable. The two I prefer are MULAQEN and STAND TO REASON. Mulaqen ran in a really good race at HQ two weeks ago, running a good fourth, with good form in behind. It wasn’t the best ride that day, Paul Hanagan deputising for T O’ Shea and the softer conditions, he may have a better chance off an untouched mark. Similarly Ted Durcan gave Stand to Reason a lot to do last time out, and he stayed on well, but came up short. He is up in trip here, and that could bring the best out of him, he has form on soft ground which should further aid him, along with Jimmy Fortune booked to ride. At around the 33/1 mark; CLASSIC VINTAGE could run a big race at a huge price. He usually runs well after a break, and has good form in big handicaps on good to soft or soft ground. Jim Crowley is in cracking form at the minute, and has won on the six year old before.
The last race, the Queen Alexandra Stakes, is a gruelling two and three quarter mile slog, and where you would assume it would be National Hunt connections that dominant, you would be surprised to learn they have a poor record. Therefore we look to avoid Simeon and Overturn at the head of the market and instead focus on PETARA BAY for Robert Mills and Jimmy Fortune. From a seemingly unfashionable stable, most of his horses go off at decent prices, but the stable has a profit of +£5 from just eleven runners this month, and Petara Bay has good claims. The eight year old goes best fresh, and running with a 329 day break is a positive. He ran a good fourth in the Northumberland Plate last year and then went on to win at Goodwood. He looks to be a dark horse in a field full of big names and big reputations.
2.30 Ascot – Chilworth Icon & Jalaa
3.05 Ascot – Aiken (Nap)
3.45 Ascot – Society Rock (Betting without Black Caviar) (NB)
4.25 Ascot – Waffle (Ew) & Gramercy (Ew)
5.00 Ascot – Mulaqen (Ew), Stand to Reason (Ew), Classic Vintage (Ew)
5.35 Ascot – Petara Bay
The Yorkshireman – Jack Milner
@JJMSports
Thursday, 21 June 2012
Friday at Royal Ascot - Day Four
Friday at Royal Ascot doesn’t quite have the fanfare of the previous day’s attention, but there is still yet another strong card on, with The Coronation Stakes pitting the 3 year old Guineas fillies together once more, and it looks a wide open contest once more.
The Albany Stakes is a Group Three for two year old fillies over the extended six furlongs, and has a bumper field of nineteen runners this year. The Hannon and Noseda teams have some good juveniles, but the favourite is Newfangled, a New Approach two year old for the John Gosden team. She was very impressive on debut, but looks considerably short in this calibre of race, and has to be opposed. AMAZONAS looks a smart filly, winning a nice debut at Yarmouth for Ed Dunlop and Sir Robert Ogden, the so far luckless Johnny Murtagh, and she won nicely enough first time out. The Cape Cross filly looks a big price at around the 18/1 mark, and could be worth a tickle. Similarly SANDREAMER for the Mick Channon yard who have been firing on all cylinders. She won a maiden on good ground, but the Oasis Dream filly won’t be hampered by the soft ground, and the form of her Newmarket maiden has worked out well, with the second and third have both come out and won since.
The King Edward VII Stakes looks a class renewal, and is usually used as a race and a stepping to stone for potential St Leger horses, as well as further Group One winners. Last year’s winner Nathaniel went on to win The King George on the back of victory here. Astrology is fancied after a good third in The Derby, and is proven on soft ground, but Epsom runners have a poor record, as seen in yesterdays Ribblesdale Stakes, and as such, I can’t have him or Thought Worthy. There would be two I would take against the field, the first being SHANTARAM. He ran in two very good Newmarket maidens, before finishing second to Main Sequence in The Derby Trial at Lingfield, on a form line with Astrology, they should be similarly priced. He won a nice maiden last time, and should run a big race at a price. As should THOMAS CHIPPENDALE, who came there full of running in her first race of the season before tiring and clearly needing the run. She then made a mockery of her 86 rating, hacking up in a Newmarket handicap three weeks ago. She has been well backed, which is a good sign, and Fennell Bay, yesterdays King George V winner was in behind, and the form has already been franked.
The Coronation Stakes looks a muddled affair, with fillies with form all intertwined with each other, and as such, there is no real out and out favourite. The one I like who and looks to be so progressive is LAUGH OUT LOUD for the Mick Channon team. Since the 1000 Guineas, she has won a listed race at York and then went to Chantilly and beat Mashoora in the Prix Sandringham Stakes (Group Two). She showed she handles soft ground that day, and for my money, is the one to beat. Frankie Dettori takes the ride and will be bouncing after his Gold Cup win.
The Wolferton Handicap is another one of those typical Ascot tight handicap affairs, with some very classy horses running arguably below their class. In particularly MIJHAAR for Neil Callan and Roger Varian, who finished third here at the meeting last year behind Nathaniel when well fancied for the King Edward VII Stakes. He has had the year off, and ran well last time out at York when third behind Fury in a good looking handicap. Prince of Johanne was second that day has come out and won The Royal Hunt Cup, Navajo Chief came out and won a good race at York on Saturday, in the ground, and she looks open to further improvement. Gatewood is respected after two wins at York and Epsom and looks a good colt in the making. I will be having a little saver on him.
The Queen’s Vase looks a weaker renewal than most years, a race that Mark Johnston usually earmarks, and he has no entries, similarly anything from the supposed bigger stables of Gosden, Cecil and Godolphin operations. On breeding alone it is hard to not get drawn to REPEATER for the in form team of Sir Mark Prescott and Luke Morris. The well bred son of Montjeu has been gelded over the winter after good form at two years, never running further than a mile and a quarter, but breeding suggests he is likely toe excel over this trip. ESTIMATE is also respected after the manner of his maiden win last week at Salisbury. The Queen’s Monsun colt won over a mile and a half on soft ground, after previously being behind future black type winners on debut at Leicester. Out of an Irish Oaks winning mare, she is bred to excel over this trip, and is very much respected.
It isn’t really the most fashionable of selections but PRIMAEVAL looks to have strong claims in The Buckingham Palace Stakes, after a good listed win last time out. Trainer James Fanshawe chose this race as opposed to more financially lucrative alternatives, and that warrants respect. The Pivotal gelding should be suited by cut in the ground and Hayley Turner takes the ride, and has a good record with him. He should give another good account.
2.30 Ascot – Amazonas (Ew) & Sandreamer (Ew)
3.05 Ascot – Shantaram & Thomas Chippendale
3.45 Ascot – Laugh Out Loud (Nap)
4.25 Ascot – Mijhaar (Nb)
5.00 Ascot – Estimate & Repeater (Ew)
5.35 Ascot – Primaeval (Ew)
The Yorkshireman – Jack Milner
@JJMSports
The Albany Stakes is a Group Three for two year old fillies over the extended six furlongs, and has a bumper field of nineteen runners this year. The Hannon and Noseda teams have some good juveniles, but the favourite is Newfangled, a New Approach two year old for the John Gosden team. She was very impressive on debut, but looks considerably short in this calibre of race, and has to be opposed. AMAZONAS looks a smart filly, winning a nice debut at Yarmouth for Ed Dunlop and Sir Robert Ogden, the so far luckless Johnny Murtagh, and she won nicely enough first time out. The Cape Cross filly looks a big price at around the 18/1 mark, and could be worth a tickle. Similarly SANDREAMER for the Mick Channon yard who have been firing on all cylinders. She won a maiden on good ground, but the Oasis Dream filly won’t be hampered by the soft ground, and the form of her Newmarket maiden has worked out well, with the second and third have both come out and won since.
The King Edward VII Stakes looks a class renewal, and is usually used as a race and a stepping to stone for potential St Leger horses, as well as further Group One winners. Last year’s winner Nathaniel went on to win The King George on the back of victory here. Astrology is fancied after a good third in The Derby, and is proven on soft ground, but Epsom runners have a poor record, as seen in yesterdays Ribblesdale Stakes, and as such, I can’t have him or Thought Worthy. There would be two I would take against the field, the first being SHANTARAM. He ran in two very good Newmarket maidens, before finishing second to Main Sequence in The Derby Trial at Lingfield, on a form line with Astrology, they should be similarly priced. He won a nice maiden last time, and should run a big race at a price. As should THOMAS CHIPPENDALE, who came there full of running in her first race of the season before tiring and clearly needing the run. She then made a mockery of her 86 rating, hacking up in a Newmarket handicap three weeks ago. She has been well backed, which is a good sign, and Fennell Bay, yesterdays King George V winner was in behind, and the form has already been franked.
The Coronation Stakes looks a muddled affair, with fillies with form all intertwined with each other, and as such, there is no real out and out favourite. The one I like who and looks to be so progressive is LAUGH OUT LOUD for the Mick Channon team. Since the 1000 Guineas, she has won a listed race at York and then went to Chantilly and beat Mashoora in the Prix Sandringham Stakes (Group Two). She showed she handles soft ground that day, and for my money, is the one to beat. Frankie Dettori takes the ride and will be bouncing after his Gold Cup win.
The Wolferton Handicap is another one of those typical Ascot tight handicap affairs, with some very classy horses running arguably below their class. In particularly MIJHAAR for Neil Callan and Roger Varian, who finished third here at the meeting last year behind Nathaniel when well fancied for the King Edward VII Stakes. He has had the year off, and ran well last time out at York when third behind Fury in a good looking handicap. Prince of Johanne was second that day has come out and won The Royal Hunt Cup, Navajo Chief came out and won a good race at York on Saturday, in the ground, and she looks open to further improvement. Gatewood is respected after two wins at York and Epsom and looks a good colt in the making. I will be having a little saver on him.
The Queen’s Vase looks a weaker renewal than most years, a race that Mark Johnston usually earmarks, and he has no entries, similarly anything from the supposed bigger stables of Gosden, Cecil and Godolphin operations. On breeding alone it is hard to not get drawn to REPEATER for the in form team of Sir Mark Prescott and Luke Morris. The well bred son of Montjeu has been gelded over the winter after good form at two years, never running further than a mile and a quarter, but breeding suggests he is likely toe excel over this trip. ESTIMATE is also respected after the manner of his maiden win last week at Salisbury. The Queen’s Monsun colt won over a mile and a half on soft ground, after previously being behind future black type winners on debut at Leicester. Out of an Irish Oaks winning mare, she is bred to excel over this trip, and is very much respected.
It isn’t really the most fashionable of selections but PRIMAEVAL looks to have strong claims in The Buckingham Palace Stakes, after a good listed win last time out. Trainer James Fanshawe chose this race as opposed to more financially lucrative alternatives, and that warrants respect. The Pivotal gelding should be suited by cut in the ground and Hayley Turner takes the ride, and has a good record with him. He should give another good account.
2.30 Ascot – Amazonas (Ew) & Sandreamer (Ew)
3.05 Ascot – Shantaram & Thomas Chippendale
3.45 Ascot – Laugh Out Loud (Nap)
4.25 Ascot – Mijhaar (Nb)
5.00 Ascot – Estimate & Repeater (Ew)
5.35 Ascot – Primaeval (Ew)
The Yorkshireman – Jack Milner
@JJMSports
Thursday at Royal Ascot - Day Three
As a famous band once said, things can only get better, and this has been horrific. Some of the big handicaps have turned into big messes, and if you are on the side with no pace, you are effectively out of the race, turning some of the spectacles into near lotteries. Anyhoo, we will have another go.
MISTER MARC won a good Goodwood maiden before being seen as the stable as good enough to go to Ireland for some black type, performing with great credit. He got close to Dawn Approach, the subsequent Coventry Stakes winner, losing by two lengths. From a smart, speedy family, and it would be no surprised to see him taking to the drop down in trip to five furlongs.
The Ribblesdale is one of the great highlights of day three, and is a race with a great history, and has gone to pave the path for filly’s to become terrific broodmares. One of such is Irresistible Jewel, who was trained by Dermot Weld. He has her daughter in training in PRINCESS HIGHWAY, who made an impression at The Curragh last time out, winning a Group 3 race by eight lengths. The further they went, the more she impressed, and on breeding, she surely must have a terrific chance of this race, and has to be respected. Similarly VOW, trained by William Haggas, bred out of his previously trained Frog, looks a smart filly in the making. She didn’t look to handle Epsom, after previously impressing at Newmarket and Lingfield, despite showing evidence of greenness. She will be better suited to Ascot than Epsom.
Aidan O’ Brien has won The Gold Cup five our of the last six years, and FAME AND GLORY looks paved to follow in the footsteps of stablemate Yeats, who won four subsequent Gold Cups in a row. He looked to relish the step up in trip last year, under a good ride from Jamie Spencer took the race up two furlongs out, kicked on and was never caught. A year on, he has had a perfect preparation, will have ideal conditions on good to soft ground. He looks bombproof.
The Britannia Handicap is one of the races I alluded to in my opening monologue, it is something of a lottery, and it will all depend on the first few races, just how lucky I am indeed feeling. That being said, I backed and was really impressed by the way FAST OF FREE won last time out at Newmarket. He was clearly fancied on debut when being backed into favouritism for a Kempton maiden, with Paul Hanagan aboard. He hacked up last week in a good looking handicap field, and the 7lb rise in the weights, may not do enough to stop him completing the hatrick. At bigger prices; BRONZE ANGEL seems to be progressing well, and showed lots of guts and determination to win under a good ride from Hayley Turner last time out at Doncaster, her attitude will stand her in good stead for this type of race.
TALES OF GRIMM is a colt held in the highest regard by Sir Michael Stoute, and the way he finished off his run in The Heron Stakes at Sandown suggests more is to come. He was supposed to run in The Greenham and the 2000 Guineas, but bad weather scuppered that bid, and instead, he is campaigned here. He still looked green last time out, it was only his second career start, and first run of the season, and the manner in how he stayed on suggest further will suit.
The finale on day three is a mile and a half handicap, and looks an extremely competitive contest. The King George V Stakes is a race where northern trainers have a terrific record, in particular Mark Johnston, and presumably, he will have earmarked this race weeks ago. He has two runners; both won last time out and have live chances. The first being PRUSSIAN, who is a very progressive son of Dubai Destination. Showing promise on debut finishing second, the step up to handicaps has led to two wins from three races. He is up to a career high mark of 88, but the manner in how he would last time out at Redcar over a mile and a quarter suggests there could be more to come, stepped up to this sort of trip. His other runner is FENNELL BAY who is a lovely Dubawi colt, who fits a similar sort of profile. Three handicap wins already this season has seen his rating go from 70 to 81, and he has run well behind potential group horses Wrotham Heath and Thomas Chippendale at Epsom and Newmarket. He won well on Saturday at Sandown, and stepped up in trip on pedigree suggests further should eek out more improvement as well.
2.30 Ascot – Mister Marc
3.05 Ascot – Princess Highway & Vow
3.45 Ascot – Fame and Glory (Nap)
4.25 Ascot – Fast or Free & Bronze Angel (Ew)
5.00 Ascot – Tales of Grimm (Nb)
5.35 Ascot – Fennell Bay & Prussian
The Yorkshireman – Jack Milner
@JJMSports
MISTER MARC won a good Goodwood maiden before being seen as the stable as good enough to go to Ireland for some black type, performing with great credit. He got close to Dawn Approach, the subsequent Coventry Stakes winner, losing by two lengths. From a smart, speedy family, and it would be no surprised to see him taking to the drop down in trip to five furlongs.
The Ribblesdale is one of the great highlights of day three, and is a race with a great history, and has gone to pave the path for filly’s to become terrific broodmares. One of such is Irresistible Jewel, who was trained by Dermot Weld. He has her daughter in training in PRINCESS HIGHWAY, who made an impression at The Curragh last time out, winning a Group 3 race by eight lengths. The further they went, the more she impressed, and on breeding, she surely must have a terrific chance of this race, and has to be respected. Similarly VOW, trained by William Haggas, bred out of his previously trained Frog, looks a smart filly in the making. She didn’t look to handle Epsom, after previously impressing at Newmarket and Lingfield, despite showing evidence of greenness. She will be better suited to Ascot than Epsom.
Aidan O’ Brien has won The Gold Cup five our of the last six years, and FAME AND GLORY looks paved to follow in the footsteps of stablemate Yeats, who won four subsequent Gold Cups in a row. He looked to relish the step up in trip last year, under a good ride from Jamie Spencer took the race up two furlongs out, kicked on and was never caught. A year on, he has had a perfect preparation, will have ideal conditions on good to soft ground. He looks bombproof.
The Britannia Handicap is one of the races I alluded to in my opening monologue, it is something of a lottery, and it will all depend on the first few races, just how lucky I am indeed feeling. That being said, I backed and was really impressed by the way FAST OF FREE won last time out at Newmarket. He was clearly fancied on debut when being backed into favouritism for a Kempton maiden, with Paul Hanagan aboard. He hacked up last week in a good looking handicap field, and the 7lb rise in the weights, may not do enough to stop him completing the hatrick. At bigger prices; BRONZE ANGEL seems to be progressing well, and showed lots of guts and determination to win under a good ride from Hayley Turner last time out at Doncaster, her attitude will stand her in good stead for this type of race.
TALES OF GRIMM is a colt held in the highest regard by Sir Michael Stoute, and the way he finished off his run in The Heron Stakes at Sandown suggests more is to come. He was supposed to run in The Greenham and the 2000 Guineas, but bad weather scuppered that bid, and instead, he is campaigned here. He still looked green last time out, it was only his second career start, and first run of the season, and the manner in how he stayed on suggest further will suit.
The finale on day three is a mile and a half handicap, and looks an extremely competitive contest. The King George V Stakes is a race where northern trainers have a terrific record, in particular Mark Johnston, and presumably, he will have earmarked this race weeks ago. He has two runners; both won last time out and have live chances. The first being PRUSSIAN, who is a very progressive son of Dubai Destination. Showing promise on debut finishing second, the step up to handicaps has led to two wins from three races. He is up to a career high mark of 88, but the manner in how he would last time out at Redcar over a mile and a quarter suggests there could be more to come, stepped up to this sort of trip. His other runner is FENNELL BAY who is a lovely Dubawi colt, who fits a similar sort of profile. Three handicap wins already this season has seen his rating go from 70 to 81, and he has run well behind potential group horses Wrotham Heath and Thomas Chippendale at Epsom and Newmarket. He won well on Saturday at Sandown, and stepped up in trip on pedigree suggests further should eek out more improvement as well.
2.30 Ascot – Mister Marc
3.05 Ascot – Princess Highway & Vow
3.45 Ascot – Fame and Glory (Nap)
4.25 Ascot – Fast or Free & Bronze Angel (Ew)
5.00 Ascot – Tales of Grimm (Nb)
5.35 Ascot – Fennell Bay & Prussian
The Yorkshireman – Jack Milner
@JJMSports
Tuesday, 19 June 2012
Wednesday at Royal Ascot - Day Two
Day two has a great spread of quality racing, with some of the best middle distance horses running in the world in The Windsor Forest Stakes and The Prince of Wales Stakes looking quality renewals.
Starting with The Jersey Stakes, which looks a strong renewal and three horses at the top of the market, all from the most respected of connections. Reply has been running in Group Company for Aidan O’ Brien, and this looks to be more on his level. The other two I am finding it difficult to split and it is probably wise to stay on the safe side and back both. ALJAMAAHEER is a promising Sheikh Hamdan colt, who beat The Nile at Sandown in soft conditions, and looks to have an improving profile. He is unexposed after only three runs and is respected. Similarly SENTARIL for William Haggas, who has been saved for this, rather been risked in the 1000 Guineas. She has been patiently brought on after winning a Newmarket maiden by seven lengths and was very professional last month at Doncaster. Both should fight home the finish.
NAHRAIN is a horse who I followed all of last season, and is a very gutsy, tough filly for Roger Varian. An offspring of renowned stallion Selkirk, she showed a tremendous attitude to win at Longchamp on Arc day, a fitting tribute, the week after former trainer Michael Jarvis’s death. She wouldn’t settle at the Breeders Cup, but still ran on well to finish second, her only career defeat. She looks the be all class, and should improve with age. Emulous and Chaichamaidee are obvious dangers, the former being a Group One winner in Ireland, but Nahrain has been reportedly burning up the Newmarket gallops, and she looks the value.
The Prince of Wales Stakes is the centrepiece around the dinner table that is day two on Wednesday, and has an absolute abundance of talent at disposal, and a field that looks a minefield is the race slips into another one of these ridiculous crawl, then sprint tactical affairs. Aidan O’ Brien has a good record in this race, and has the hot favourite, So You Think, who I did my absolute coconuts in this last year when a narrow second to Godolphin’s Rewilding, under a stellar ride from Frankie Dettori, whip bans notwithstanding. I am still financially and emotionally burnt by that, at a shade of odds on, I have to oppose him. Carlton House looks an interesting prospect, as we stumble another ante post disaster for me, after finishing third in The Derby, and fourth in The Irish Derby at The Curragh. He had a pleasing reappearance at Sandown in the Brigadier Gerard Stakes and looks to be back on track, despite the lack of form with Sir Michael Stoute. Looking back through the trends, you have to have class to win this, (go figure eh) which takes out all of the horses who have not won at Group One level. This immediately takes out Wigmore Hall, Sri Putra, Colombian and Big Blue Kitten. Trends aside as well, none look good enough in such a competitive field. CARLTON HOUSE looks back down to a more suitable trip and distance, and looks a decent price to lower the colours of the versatile globetrotter.
The Royal Hunt Cup is a glorified pin job, and you need one hell of a spoonful of luck to find the winner of this, it is a minefield. Much of it depends on the ground and the draw, and writing in advance, it is difficult to assess. That being said, there are two that I had ear marked, and both fortunate to run, both at reasonable prices. The first is ROCK CRITIC for the respected Dermot Weld and Pat Smullen connections. The gelded son of Pivotal is officially well in at the weights, and won the big handicap at the Galway festival last year. He came back in a pleasing reappearance at Tipperary, winning by 3 lengths and has obvious claims. Similarly BOOM AND BUST for Hayley Turner, who won the big prize at Goodwood last year, and goes well fresh. The Marcus Tregoning stable are in good form, and although a 5lb rise in the weights for that win last year, and the form from the Totesport Mile has worked out well. It could also be worth having a cheeky saver on DIMENSION, the hotly fancied ante post favourite for James Fanshawe, who has a tremendous record in Royal Ascot handicaps. Jonny Murtagh is booked; he has course form and had a nice tune up at Lingfield, he looks primed for this.
Wayne Lordan and David Wachman are prolific with their juveniles, and it is very interesting that they have a horses in The Queen Mary Stakes. They have a very well bred Excellent Art filly in the form of MIRONICA, and the form of her Naas maiden win has worked out alright, but she looked mightily impressive, and the drop in trip shouldn’t be a problem. UPWARD SPIRAL similarly has a likable profile, being an expensive yearling, before being snapped up by Qatar racing. The Tom Dascombe Teofilo colt won a decent looking Sandown maiden, rather comfortably on soft ground, and could and should be even better on quicker going.
The last race is a competitive filly’s handicap, and in races such as these, I like to take a couple of bullets to fire at the field, not literally, animal welfare can stay well away thank you. The first fancy is KINETICA for a stable that thrive around this time of the year, and Sir Mark Prescott has come good right on cue once again. She gradually progressed to group class last year, before flopping in desperate ground at The Curragh, and excuses can be made. She could be well treated on that basis.
Similarly DUNTLE for the Wachman stable once again, a well bred filly by Danehill Dancer, and ran a solid performance in the Irish 1000 Guineas trial. Before that she won a Dundalk maiden by a staggering eighteen lengths, jaw droppingly impressive fashion. She could be very well handicapped on that basis alone.
2.30 Ascot – Aljamaaheer & Sentaril & Reverse Forecast
3.05 Ascot – Nahrain (Nb)
3.45 Ascot – Carlton House (Nap)
4.25 Ascot – Boom and Bust, Rock Critic, Dimension (All Each Way)
5.00 Ascot – Mironica & Upward Spiral
5.35 Ascot – Duntle & Kinetica
The Yorkshireman – Jack Milner
@JJMSports
Starting with The Jersey Stakes, which looks a strong renewal and three horses at the top of the market, all from the most respected of connections. Reply has been running in Group Company for Aidan O’ Brien, and this looks to be more on his level. The other two I am finding it difficult to split and it is probably wise to stay on the safe side and back both. ALJAMAAHEER is a promising Sheikh Hamdan colt, who beat The Nile at Sandown in soft conditions, and looks to have an improving profile. He is unexposed after only three runs and is respected. Similarly SENTARIL for William Haggas, who has been saved for this, rather been risked in the 1000 Guineas. She has been patiently brought on after winning a Newmarket maiden by seven lengths and was very professional last month at Doncaster. Both should fight home the finish.
NAHRAIN is a horse who I followed all of last season, and is a very gutsy, tough filly for Roger Varian. An offspring of renowned stallion Selkirk, she showed a tremendous attitude to win at Longchamp on Arc day, a fitting tribute, the week after former trainer Michael Jarvis’s death. She wouldn’t settle at the Breeders Cup, but still ran on well to finish second, her only career defeat. She looks the be all class, and should improve with age. Emulous and Chaichamaidee are obvious dangers, the former being a Group One winner in Ireland, but Nahrain has been reportedly burning up the Newmarket gallops, and she looks the value.
The Prince of Wales Stakes is the centrepiece around the dinner table that is day two on Wednesday, and has an absolute abundance of talent at disposal, and a field that looks a minefield is the race slips into another one of these ridiculous crawl, then sprint tactical affairs. Aidan O’ Brien has a good record in this race, and has the hot favourite, So You Think, who I did my absolute coconuts in this last year when a narrow second to Godolphin’s Rewilding, under a stellar ride from Frankie Dettori, whip bans notwithstanding. I am still financially and emotionally burnt by that, at a shade of odds on, I have to oppose him. Carlton House looks an interesting prospect, as we stumble another ante post disaster for me, after finishing third in The Derby, and fourth in The Irish Derby at The Curragh. He had a pleasing reappearance at Sandown in the Brigadier Gerard Stakes and looks to be back on track, despite the lack of form with Sir Michael Stoute. Looking back through the trends, you have to have class to win this, (go figure eh) which takes out all of the horses who have not won at Group One level. This immediately takes out Wigmore Hall, Sri Putra, Colombian and Big Blue Kitten. Trends aside as well, none look good enough in such a competitive field. CARLTON HOUSE looks back down to a more suitable trip and distance, and looks a decent price to lower the colours of the versatile globetrotter.
The Royal Hunt Cup is a glorified pin job, and you need one hell of a spoonful of luck to find the winner of this, it is a minefield. Much of it depends on the ground and the draw, and writing in advance, it is difficult to assess. That being said, there are two that I had ear marked, and both fortunate to run, both at reasonable prices. The first is ROCK CRITIC for the respected Dermot Weld and Pat Smullen connections. The gelded son of Pivotal is officially well in at the weights, and won the big handicap at the Galway festival last year. He came back in a pleasing reappearance at Tipperary, winning by 3 lengths and has obvious claims. Similarly BOOM AND BUST for Hayley Turner, who won the big prize at Goodwood last year, and goes well fresh. The Marcus Tregoning stable are in good form, and although a 5lb rise in the weights for that win last year, and the form from the Totesport Mile has worked out well. It could also be worth having a cheeky saver on DIMENSION, the hotly fancied ante post favourite for James Fanshawe, who has a tremendous record in Royal Ascot handicaps. Jonny Murtagh is booked; he has course form and had a nice tune up at Lingfield, he looks primed for this.
Wayne Lordan and David Wachman are prolific with their juveniles, and it is very interesting that they have a horses in The Queen Mary Stakes. They have a very well bred Excellent Art filly in the form of MIRONICA, and the form of her Naas maiden win has worked out alright, but she looked mightily impressive, and the drop in trip shouldn’t be a problem. UPWARD SPIRAL similarly has a likable profile, being an expensive yearling, before being snapped up by Qatar racing. The Tom Dascombe Teofilo colt won a decent looking Sandown maiden, rather comfortably on soft ground, and could and should be even better on quicker going.
The last race is a competitive filly’s handicap, and in races such as these, I like to take a couple of bullets to fire at the field, not literally, animal welfare can stay well away thank you. The first fancy is KINETICA for a stable that thrive around this time of the year, and Sir Mark Prescott has come good right on cue once again. She gradually progressed to group class last year, before flopping in desperate ground at The Curragh, and excuses can be made. She could be well treated on that basis.
Similarly DUNTLE for the Wachman stable once again, a well bred filly by Danehill Dancer, and ran a solid performance in the Irish 1000 Guineas trial. Before that she won a Dundalk maiden by a staggering eighteen lengths, jaw droppingly impressive fashion. She could be very well handicapped on that basis alone.
2.30 Ascot – Aljamaaheer & Sentaril & Reverse Forecast
3.05 Ascot – Nahrain (Nb)
3.45 Ascot – Carlton House (Nap)
4.25 Ascot – Boom and Bust, Rock Critic, Dimension (All Each Way)
5.00 Ascot – Mironica & Upward Spiral
5.35 Ascot – Duntle & Kinetica
The Yorkshireman – Jack Milner
@JJMSports
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