Significantly has been very kind to me of late, rattling up a two timer at Ascot so I am asking for trouble tipping one against him. But I do think TIS MARVELLOUS can reverse the form on these better terms and more importantly on this better ground. Clive Cox‘s horse loves Ascot and his best runs have come here on firm ground so I have every hope that he can put his best foot forward today. The favourite has shown his best form on softer ground so I’m banking on the conditions playing a big part in the make up of this race.
Up at York, I can’t quite believe the price of SCOTTISH SUMMIT who has been bang in form this season. He’s faced some tough opposition so far this season and this race would represent a step down in grade. He has carried big weights to victory in the past so I wouldn’t be deterred by his weight and the course should suit so I really am expecting a big showing.
Ascot 4.10 – Tis Marvellous
York 8.00 – Scottish Summit
Saturday 24th July 2021
With rain expected to batter Ascot on Saturday, I’d be keen to focus on York where the forecast looks far more settled. The Skybet Dash looks like another competitive renewal but I will be surprised if GULLIVER is out of the frame. David O’Meara’s horse loves York and boasts a fine record here, albeit mostly on softer ground. He has proven himself a consistent performer in these big handicaps, which some of these have yet to do and I think that makes him a must-punt at 10/1.
Some of you may have got on C’MON KENNY earlier in the week after I put him up on Wednesday. He needed every yard of 10f at Sandown to get up on the line then so the step up in trip at York tomorrow should bring about plenty of improvement. He escapes a penalty for his success on Wednesday so this could just be a shrewd bit of planning from a very shrewd trainer.
One horse down at Ascot who shouldn’t mind what the weather does is ALDAARY who has looked slightly underwhelming the past twice. Both times I don’t think he has benefited from the nature of the race as they both turned messy. He had earlier looked a group performer in the making and I haven’t seen anything just yet that would put me off that assumption so he gets the vote in the 3.00.
York 2.40 – Gulliver
York 5.00 – C’mon Kenny
Ascot 3.00 – Aldaary
