I’m going big in terms of the amount of selections this weekend hoping to hit the back of the net at least once. First up is LUNAR SHINE in the Princess Margaret Stakes who impressed me last time out on debut at Thirsk. Shrewdies will know not many horses come from off the pace at Thirsk but this filly did just that and quickened away in good style, clocking a good time in the final few furlongs. She would be open to any amount of improvement off the back of that and although she wouldn’t have the experience of some of these, she should really appreciate the stiff 6f and I can see her flying home late.
In the big 7f handicap, there are any amount of horses you could give a chance to and I’d probably go as far as saying this is one of the more open editions of this race. I’m plumping for the rejuvenated STAR OF ORION who has looked like a reformed character in recent runs. Having always struggled for consistency, he has returned this season in fine form and has yet to put a foot wrong. An easy success at Newmarket last weekend brings him into this race in fine form and I can see him outrunning his odds and rewarding each way backers.
In the big one itself I can’t not back PYLEDRIVER. William Muir’s charge has been a star for connections and has rewarded his supporters time and time again. He is 3 from 3 over this course and distance and at 15/2 he looks the safest bet of the race. The three year olds receive plenty of weight but we don’t know how good this generation is at the moment so both look skinny enough at this moment in time.
Rounding off my selections at Ascot is SI|GNIFICANTLY who boasts some good course form. Now under the care of Julie Camacho having moved from Karl Burke, he looks to have found his spark again in recent months and with that in mind he could be lurking off a dangerous mark. Camacho is a dab hand at training sprinters and I wouldn’t be at all surprised if she manages to squeeze a bit more out of this lad.
Up at York it is Skybet Dash day. I fancy two at decent prices here so I’m plumping for both. SUMMERGHAND is dropping to a dangerous mark so much so he is back on the mark he won the Ayr Gold Cup off last year so he has to enter calculations. I’ve no doubt he will pop up before the season is out and this looks like the sort of race that he might do just that. At a slightly bigger price, I think LUCKY MAN is overpriced considering his impressive course form. Second in this race last year he looks to be primed to go one better and with Andrea Atzeni in the saddle he will not lack assistance from the saddle.
Later on the card at York, providing the ground dries out a tad like it should, I think CORMIER could be a smart bet. Brian Ellison’s charge is a classy dual performer as he has proven but I do think he has a bit more to offer on the flat than his current mark suggests. He hasn’t had the best of luck with ground conditions when he has ventured on the flat but when it has gone his way, he has looked very smart. I’m hoping everything drops right for him tomorrow and he can continue on an upward curve.
Ascot 1.50 – Lunar Shine
Ascot 3.00 – Star Of Orion
Ascot 3.40 – Pyledriver
Ascot 5.25 – Significantly
York 2.40 – Summerghand / Lucky Man
York 5.10 – Cormier
