3.05 – This is a much deeper race but I’ve had ISRAR on my radar for this race since his win in the London Gold Cup, a race which always works out well. John Gosden‘s charge is bred to be a Group 1 performer and he might just develop into one if he can take this today. He did well to come from off the pace in the race at Newbury and is probably worth more than the winning distance suggests. The step up in trip should suit him today and I can see him running a big race.
3.40 – I’m hoping it’s a successful 45 minutes for jockey Jim Crowley as I quite like his ride in the Ribblesdale too. MUKADDAMAH has a similar profile to a few of Roger Varian’s fillies which have run in this race before and she is set to improve a fair chunk for the step up in trip. She plodded on nicely behind Nashwa last time out at Newbury and it looks as if connections have kept her back for this race. I think she could be a good deal better than these and she offers real value at 7/1.
4.20 – The house will come down if STRADIVARIUS can capture his 4th Gold Cup and it isn’t beyond the realms of possibility that he does now back on his favoured ground. I think it’s clear that he is a completely different horse on this sounder surface and I expect him to be running a big race despite his advancing years. I can’t believe he’s not favourite.
5.00 – An incredibly hard race and I haven’t spent too much time looking at it. I like the claims of KOY KOY who has been on my radar for a few weeks now. His form at Chester has been franked and he gives off the impression that he is better than 93 rated handicapper. Whether he shows it today is another matter but he has as good a chance as any in a wide open race.
5.35 – This looks a penalty kick for REACH FOR THE MOON who should provide the Queen with a welcome winner. At 2/5 he is virtually unbackable in the win market so it is probably worth going to put the tea on when this race kicks off. If you fancy a punt then Kingmax may reward each way punters.
6.10 – I’m punting 2 Ascot specialists in this race. First one is CHIEFOFCHIEFS who seems to love the straight track here at Ascot and saves his best for the course. He endured a luckless passage in the Victoria Cup here last time out so is due a change of luck. Jamie Spencer rides this track very well so you would have to like his chance. My second play is DOCUMENTING who again saves his best for the track. He is a big enough price today and probably has a pound or two too much on his back but he is certainly worth a pound or two each way given his preference for Ascot.
