No waffle, no stories, no arguments this week as I will be doing my best to point you in the right direction at Royal Ascot, though just like Cheltenham, making a profit is going to be a big ask!
I am actually on holiday for the next few weeks, but there is no such thing as a day off in this game, though that does mean my word count may be lower than it has been in previous years – when there is an ice-cold beer calling it is amazing how quickly it can focus my attentions. Three detailed a selections a day and the rest covered in brief seems like a fair compromise to me!
Day One – Tuesday
2.30pm
The official ratings point to the obvious chances of the Gosdens trained Inspiral who is 2lb clear at these weights thanks to the filly allowance, but she hasn’t been seen so far this season and although the stable can tune them up as well as any, this does look a big ask without a run in such a long time. She could still get involved, but race fitness may see the Godolphin blue pick up both first and second here with Modern Games and Native Trail. William Buick picks the first named who took the Lockinge last time out and warrants plenty of respect, but my selection is already the Irish 2000 Guineas winner 2022, and has his second start after wind surgery this afternoon aftenoon. He is reported to be working just like his old self in Newmarket, and if that is the case, he is very much the value call each way.
3.05pm
Anybody’s race with 17 of the declared runners a winner last time out. Asadna caught the eye on his debut when strolling home after clocking some decent fractions, and if he gets the run of the race it could go his way.
3.40pm
Coolnagatta to win – top Australian sprinter with some of the best form in the Southern hemisphere, she may get the better of Highfield Princess today.
4.20pm
Chaldean will be popular under Frankie Dettori after winning the English 2000 Guineas but I note Royal Scotsman, unlucky in running at Newmarket, was beaten a lot further by Paddington in the Irish equivalent and if that form is to be believed, then Aidan O’Brien’s colt may have the edge. Isaac Shelby owes me nothing and is clearly a decent sort after his French 2000 Guineas second, but he may need a bit more cut in the ground to be seen at is very best, while the rest look to have a good few pounds to find, improving sorts or not.
5.00pm
A super tough race to part punters from their money but I will be having a little each way on Zinc White, a very easy winner over two and a quarter miles at Chester last time out and although upped 8lb for that, the five-year-old still sneaks in here off bottom weight.
5.35pm
Add the colours of the King to the Gosdens, and add Frankie Dettori in the saddle and you get the favourite here in Saga, but any value has long gone, and I prefer the each way chances of stable companion Francesco Clemente who is better off at the weights with King of Conquest who beat him at Goodwood, will improve for his first run of the season, and tries cheekpieces to bring about that little bit of improvement.
6.10pm
It looks more than a little difficult to even consider opposing Vauban here with Willie Mullins teaming up with Ryan Moore. He is only rated 101 on the Flat with his last win at Vichy for his previous connections, but he has won three times over hurdles and wasn’t beaten far in the Punchestown Champion hurdle behind stablemate State Man. He looks ridiculously well handicapped to me (rated 160 over hurdles) and if he has the stamina for this trip, he may well be the banker of the week.
Comments