It’s a busy weekend and one I am looking forward to. Ascot, York and Newmarket are 3 of my favourite tracks so I have plenty of selections over the next two days so I’m going to fire them out in quick fashion.
CHANTILLY at Newmarket should appreciate the drop back 10f today after a respectable run at Ascot over further. His run in the London Gold Cup is top form and if allowed to dictate from the front again today I think he is the one to be on.
Arguably my best bet today is MIGHTY ERIU who bids to follow up her unlucky second at Ascot. Shuffled back further than ideal, she made up loads of ground on the stands side rail to finish second. That run was over 5f but her debut run in Ireland was over 6f and that form is strong too. This looks like a good opportunity to get her head in front.
KNIGHTSWOOD has been crying out for this step up in trip and given connections‘ strong record in the race I think he is the bet at 14/1. It doesn’t look that strong a renewal and the prospect of further improvement means he has to be high on the shortlist here.
Luckily I snaffled some 7/1 about WHISKEY PETE at York last night as he has now crashed in price and is the current favourite. A well regarded type, it hasn’t quite gone his way so far this year but his run at Ascot last time out was a big positive despite him suffering a luckless run. Connections will be hopeful he can get his career back on track today.
Down at Ascot, CRYSTAL FLYER should improve enormously for the step up in trip. Tom Ward’s filly looked a filly to follow earlier this season and she remains on a low mark for what she has achieved. It was a falsely run race at Sandown last time which didn’t suit her. A truer run race over further should bring about plenty of improvement and if so she looks weighted to go very close.
The 5.10 at Ascot is a competitive race but I was impressed with EXECUTIVE DECISION at Epsom last time and Jamie Osbourne looks to have his filly back on song. She has dropped below her last winning mark and of all the good horses in this race she looks the best handicapped. I’ll take a punt at 7/1.
Newmarket 1.50 – Chantilly
Newmarket 2.25 – Mighty Eriu
Newmarket 3.00 – Knightswood
York 3.50 – Whiskey Pete
Ascot 4.00 – Crystal Flyer
Ascot 5.10 – Executive Decision
Saturday
THE CAMDEN COLT is a horse that has been on my shortlist for a while now. The competitive field at Ascot last time was perhaps a little hot for him but this will be much more to his liking although he has to reverse form with Volterra. I backed Volterra last time out but he was far too free and he can’t afford to do the same again here. Richard Hannon‘s charge is a much more solid proposition and at much bigger prices. Good course form and a low weight gives him an excellent chance of hitting the frame.
The Bunbury Cup is a competitive race but I have already boarded the CARRYTHEONE train and I’m not stopping here. I was pretty savage with his luckless run at Ascot last time as he had to wait for what seemed an age until he got a run and then he finished a close 5th. I’m hoping the smaller field here should help him gain some sort of compensation.
I was quite keen on SHEER ROCKS at Haydock last week before the Old Newton Cup was abandoned and Eve Johnson-Houghton sends her charge back into battle tomorrow at Ascot. His run at the Royal meeting would have put him spot on and this race looks a lot less competitive than his engagement last weekend so he must have a super chance.
If you follow me closely, you will know how keen I was on PONIROS at Ascot but unfortunately things didn’t quite pan out for him. It was a messy race and he was far too keen early on so ultimately he didn’t finish his race off. Back in much calmer waters tomorrow, I have to back him again.
Newmarket 2.50 – The Camden Colt
Newmarket 3.00 – Carrytheone
Ascot 4.07 – Sheer Rocks
Newmarket 5.10 – Poniros
