It’s the final day of the flat season tomorrow at Ascot and I’m hoping to go out with a bang or maybe even a splash which might be more relevant given recent weather conditions. I will be interested to see just how testing it is given we are due a couple of good drying days so I will probably take a watching brief in the Long Distance Cup and take notes.
I will no doubt have a punt in the Champions Sprint and have two on my shortlist. KIND OF BLUE was put up by myself in the Racing Ahead magazine this month and I am surprised to see him drift as we edge closer to the race. Hailing from a family with a rich heritage in this race, he should act on the ground as both Deacon Blues and The Tin Man excelled in soft conditions so I am not too worried about the ground for him but clearly others are. His form this year has been top notch and he has improved throughout the year and with just a slither of further improvement I can see him going close here.
Another unexposed horse at this level is JAMES’S DELIGHT who has attracted support after the booking of Ryan Moore. He will love any dig in the ground and like Kind Of Blue, has been improving in his three year old season. If connections‘ confidence is not misplaced then he has must have a squeak at tasty prices.
I couldn’t believe the price of QUEEN OF THE PRIDE earlier in the week as a few bookies had her marked up at 14/1. This was almost double the price of Tiffany who she slammed at Haydock earlier in the season. A disappointing run at York followed but I think the ground was just too quick for her that day and that run is easily forgiven. By Roaring Lion out of Simple Verse I think she will relish conditions and get back on that upward curve she found herself on earlier this summer.
Loyal readers of this column will know how much I rate CALANDAGAN and I’m glad I got on at 2’s here as he is now favourite. I think he is world class on quick ground as his turn of foot is simply phenomenal so this softer ground does blunt that somewhat. However he has shown he is capable on this ground and a performance just shy of his best might be good enough to win this depending on how Economics copes with conditions.
I couldn’t not back ROYAL RHYME at 50/1 either. Karl Burke‘s charge has only had his ground once this year but has performed admirably on quick ground which suggests he should have a good each way chance here back on his preferred surface. I hoped he would progress this year into a real top notch, Group 1 horse but he is just not the same animal on quick ground so it has been hard for him to really progress. If he can get on the front end here I think he could make a few sweat late on.
The Balmoral is wide open currently with antepost favourite, Qirat, not guaranteed a run. I think it could pay to stick with the tried and tested approach of CARRYTHEONE who has the benefit of Christophe Soumillon in the saddle. A hold up performer, he often makes me shout at the television but there is no doubting his ability and he is due another day where everything drops right for him. Soumillion, who I hope won’t exaggerate tactics like Spencer and Dobbs have this year, rides Ascot well and I think he will get a good tune out of the selection who looks a good price at 12/1.
Ascot 1.55 – Kind Of Blue / James’s Delight
Ascot 2.35 – Queen Of The Pride
Ascot 3.55 – Royal Rhyme / Calandagan
Ascot 4.35 – Carrytheone
