2.30 – This looks a really strong renewal of the Albany and I could put up a few of them if I’m honest. I’ve just about landed on JABAARA for the Roger Varian yard who boasts a solid record in the race and it should be noted this is his only two year old runner of the week. She met plenty of trouble in running on her debut at Newmarket but flew out of the dip to make up serious ground on the leaders and eventually beat them a shade cosy. Varian’s last two winners of the race both had just the one start and I think that could be a clue in itself that this filly is following the same path.
3.05 – I don’t have a strong opinion on this race in all honesty. Little Big Bear might turn out to be superstar and my Guineas fancy Sakheer might just appreciate the drop back in trip but neither are an attractive price and I’d rather have a flutter on some outsiders. SHOULDHAVEBEENARING looks a bit big considering how close he finished behind the favourite last time and given his overall profile I think he is a solid each way bet here. QUEEN ME also makes the shortlist, mainly due to her breeding catching my eye but also her potential. Kevin Ryan evidently knows how to ready one for here and I wouldn’t be surprised if he did cause another upset.
3.40 – I’m not sure how deep this race is here and I don’t think you will have to be hiding too much from the handicapper to win. AJERO is a big price considering he came second in this race last year and he looks primed for another big run here. Kim Bailey has mapped his season around this race and he definitely has the ability to win. I’m also taking a chance on NAGANO who has to overcome a long absence but looks to have been primed for this. David Egan would have had first refusal so it is interesting he has chosen this one over another who seems to be in form. He was a progressive horse before his problems and I hope he can resume that progression here.
4.20 – This is probably all about TAHIYRA here and I would probably advise taking a watching brief rather than backing her. If Meditate drifts to a decent price then she might be the each way bet of the race.
5.00 – Judging by the other big field handicaps this week, this will be a bit of a lottery also. COPPICE on breeding alone should be a better than a mark of 97 and she might just provide Frankie with a big handicap success on his penultimate day of Royal Ascot. Stablemate BRIDESTONES is an interesting runner also at 40/1 given the races she has ran in so far this year and is worth a little bit of each way money.
5.35 – I wouldn’t be convinced that King Of Steel can back up his Derby second here and he probably rates as one of the lays of the week for me. What beats him? I’m not too sure. If Arrest handles the firm ground he probably has the best chance but I wouldn’t be sure that he would so I will take a chance on ARTISTIC STAR who looked pretty handy before running in the Derby. It didn’t work out for him that day but we have seen already this week that horses can bounce back from a poor run at Epsom and win here.
6.10 – Close your eyes and pick is probably the best advice I have here. I’ll take a very speculative punt on EXECUTIVE DECISION who looks to have been saved for this race which will be his stable debut for Jamie Osbourne. Connections paid £82k to get him out of Jessie Harrington‘s yard where he performed well enough to suggest he has plenty of ability. At 50/1 he looks interesting.
