Ascot 1.15 – A disgustingly competitive handicap to kick off
the Royal meeting. There are plenty of 7f specialists in here and you would
find it hard to be confident about any of these so I’m going to put up an
interesting one at a big price. SHELIR has
the profile of a horse who David O’Meara excels with being a kick out from a
high profile stable such as Dermot Weld. Despite showing early promise for Weld
his career didn’t really kick on as expected and connections decided to sell up
last year. His debut for O’Meara was full of promise as he travelled with
plenty of zest before tiring late on over a mile, a performance which suggested
this stiff 7f will be ideal.
Ascot 1.50 – I’ve done a lot of work on this race since my
ante post fancy, King Of Change, was scratched and I think I may have a found a
sound each way alternative. The last three runnings of the Queen Anne and
probably most runnings of any race over the straight mile at Ascot have come
from well off the pace. Hold up performers seem to excel in this race and is
maybe the reason why we have seen a few upsets in recent years. Circus Maximus
is almost certain to be up there with the pace but I think he might prefer a
bend in his races in order to grab a breather. I love Fox Chairman but I’m not
getting the vibe from him in this race, as it seems a case of his connections
try to fit square pegs in round holes. Having said that, he has plenty of class
so must be respected. Terebellum is likely to be forward and she is the fly in
the ointment as she is totally unexposed. She offers no value whereas my
selection, SPACE TRAVELLER, offers
plenty. A Royal winner of last year’s Jersey, he thrusted late to gain victory
over 7f that day and did likewise at Leopardstown in a Group 2 in the Autumn.
In between times, connections tried to make him a sprinter but I’m certain this
horse is a miler and can prove that here. He will be well off the pace early
and will hopefully deliver his challenge late.
Of the
others, I wouldn’t put anyone off reliable mare, Billesdon Brook nor rank
outsider Escobar but my selection gets a strong each vote.
Ascot 2.25 – Frankly Darling is very short here but did
power away at Newcastle in good style and I can see why people are backing her.
However, she offers no value to me and I will be investing in her stablemate, MISS YODA, instead. This horse was one
of my dark horses for the year and she pleased me with her win in the Lingfield
Oaks trial as everything went wrong that day but she still won cosily. That’s a
sign of a good filly and I will be interested to see how she fares here. The
third at Lingfield, West End Girl, has a sound each way chance at a big price
and could be worth an each way saver.
Ascot 3.00 – Some loyal readers will know I am already on
Mogul for the Derby and I think I still will be whatever the result here. Aidan
O’Brien has stated he is likely to need his first run which may put a few off
but we all know his horses can still do serious damage when they may only be
half fit. So it would come as no surprise if he won this but his cramped odds
mean I can’t back him here so I’m going to pile into PYLEDRIVER each way. William Muir’s horse is a dour stayer who
showed an adequate amount of pace at Kempton last time out to suggest he is up
to this class. The step up to 1m 4f will bring about plenty of improvement and
he does have race fitness so I expect a bold showing at 20/1.
Ascot 3.35 – Everyone knows about Baattash and his antics
and this is why I don’t think many people will be backing him here at cramped
odds. There will be plenty of each money flying about and thankfully mine is
already down on LIBERTY BEACH. I
backed John Quinn’s flying filly at 25/1 a couple of weeks ago and I am
delighted connections have decided to take on her elders rather than her own
age group over 6f in the Commonwealth Cup. She is a ball of speed who proved
she stays further with a win in the Cecil Frail on her comeback run two weeks
ago. That stamina will stand her in good stead over this stiff 5f and I can see
her running a massive race here. I wouldn’t put anyone off a Baattash/Liberty
Beach/Tis Marvellous reverse forecast either.
Ascot 4.10 – Similar to the Queen Anne, it pays to sit off
the pace early in this race. Magic Lily forced the pace on her comeback run and
I’d say she will be forward again here which puts me off as I do think she is
overpriced. Jubiloso will go in in emphatic style one of these days but I can’t
tell you which day unfortunately and her inconsistencies mean I can’t back her
here. Miss O’Connor is unproven on the ground but will hopefully ensure a good
pace for QUEEN POWER to run at. Sir
Michael Stoue’s filly was the apple of my eye last year but didn’t progress as
I expected her to. However, she returned this year at Newmarket with a career
best run pushing Terrebellum all the way over 1m 2f. There is no doubt she
stays that trip but given how well she travels, she could be a star over a mile
and can easily win this. I really like her here and at 7/1 she is a belting
each way bet.
Ascot 4.40 – This could be all about Verdana Blue as she is
probably the classiest horse in this race but I do have slight doubts over her
stamina after she didn’t quite last out 2 miles in the Sagaro Stakes last year.
At 3/1 she is skinny enough too so I will oppose her with LAND OF OZ. Sir Mark Prescott is known for his staying types and I
think this lad is his best one of recent years. He cruised to victory over 2m
2f in the Cesarewitch trial before bombing out in the big one. That was the end
of a long season for this progressive son of Australia and he put himself back
on track with an encouraging run at Chelmsford 7 days ago. Going back up in
trip will suit him and I think he is the value bet at 10/1.
Summary
1.15 – Shelir – 0.5 pts e/w
1.50 – Space Traveller 1pt e/w
2.25 – Miss Yoda – 1pt win
3.00 – Pyledriver – 1pt e/w
3.35 – Liberty Beach – 2pts e/w
4.10 – Queen Power – 1.5 pts e/w
4.45 – Land Of Oz – 1pt e/w
