The Epsom Oaks and Derby are almost upon us, followed two weeks later by the greatest flat racing festival in the world, Royal Ascot – allow us to clear your way to the right horse and the right trainer
A competitive all-weather card at Kempton this afternoon including a cracking mile handicap for three-year-olds and upwards. Until Midnight tried to steal the race from the front at Lingfield last time but was chased down close home and has been raised 1lb for that effort.
As the ‘Value Rater’, I am a top class horse racing form analyst and tipster and have a racing slot every Saturday morning at 10.30am on Castle Down Radio 104.7Fm alongside the broadcaster Simon Davis.
Haydock stage a most informative afternoon card and in the opener Idder is of interest for Roger Varian but as a son of Authorized he might be quite at his best on the forecast good to firm ground and he is overlooked.
The state of the ground is fundamental to any turf race and with rain forecast at Sandown ahead of Saturday’s card the hope is that the ground doesn’t deteriorate too much from the good ground which Clerk Of The Course Andrew Cooper was describing the track on Friday.
Royal Ascot winner The Fugue is out to 9/4 at BetVictor for Saturday’s Coral-Eclipse after eleven were declared on Thursday for Saturday’s Group One feature at Sandown.
Saturday’s Irish Derby proved a stroll in the park for Epsom winner Australia, the Ballydoyle colt that was bred for classic success completed the double with the minimal of fuss and heads the betting as the 3/1 favourite with BetVictor for the Prix De L’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp in October.
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One winner for Godolphin at Royal Ascot in a handicap last week was not a vintage return for the operation and I do not think they have covered themselves in glory since the “resignation” of Racing Manager of 22 years Simon Crisford earlier in the year.
Ladies’ Day at Royal Ascot kicks off with the Norfolk Stakes over 5f for juveniles and Aidan O’Brien has not saddled the winner of the race since Johannesburg back in 2001 but I think he will put that right courtesy of the unbeaten The Great War (2.30).
The eagerly-awaited first day of Royal Ascot is widely regarded as the best days flat racing in the calendar with three Group 1’s on the card including the opening Queen Anne Stakes over the straight mile.