The Norfolk Stakes was the perfect illustration of why two year old races at this meeting should just be watched: virtually no collateral form to go on, a cavalry charge across the track with the field splitting into groups and the pace impacted by the draw. The two favourites lost the race at the gate. Very disappointed with Al Asifah, another bubble burst; but that is racing. The drying ground has made the April/May easy ground form totally worthless and punters are getting fleeced.
Friday Ascot analysis:
None of my cliff horses in the handicaps and a juvenile race to avoid.
That narrows it down quickly plus another odds-on shot to leave to mugs chasing their losses in the Coronation (although I hope Tahiyra wins).
No point in bothering with King Of Steel in the King Edward VII trying to frank the suspicious looking Derby form; it could end up odds on in a weak renewal but this is a graveyard for horses seeking Epsom consolation – and this horse flopped on a quick turnaround as a two year old.
Will Little Big Bear prove to be 10lb better than anything else in the Commonwealth Cup? I will not be betting on it – he had an advantageous draw last time. If one of the fillies, such as Lezoo, beats him I will not be surprised.
This meeting already looks a betting write off so I could be stopping at four losers from four and switching to the other meetings. The problem is that Friday’s other meetings all appear to be Class 5 and 6 rubbish and even the HQ card on Saturday is so poor that I cannot believe there will be anyone there but the owners and jockeys. With stupidity of planning like that this sport is doomed to extinction, egged on by Animal Rights nutters. When are they getting in Dave from Nuneaton to promote it?
