Very disappointing from Solsticia there. Looking at them before the race I felt she was outclassed in terms of looks. Other fillies were more imposing, in particular Tawakeel who is a real stamp of a filly. The Rouget filly had scrambled home by a head last time but was a totally different proposition here, scoring in grand style after taking it up going well. Solsticia had plenty of ground to make up but did start to close before petering out quickly. I thought she showed signs of unwillingness today and having looked to be sure to come through for second place she seemed to duck the issue and was held in third. The winner looked like she would take the beating in the Prix Diane if turning up there. The race considered to be the French Oaks was originally due to be run today but will now take place on the 5th of July, so no reason why Tawakeel could not return in three weeks for that one. It looks an uninspiring renewal this season. I saw Bonne Idee win earlier but she was less impressive today than when last seen and Tawakeel has just landed a, albeit medicore looking, Group 1. Tawakeel will do for me in the Diane. Pity I wasn't on at the 20/1 before today's race but 5/1 will do given the opposition and what they have achieved in comparison. Prix Diane Tawakeel 5/1
Afternoon all Two for me today one decent price one shortie. 4.10 Leopardstown CERRO BAYO 16/1. I thought she shaped well in a Group 3 at Naas on only her second start. Should appreciate the step up 1m4f and worth a little play. 4.15 Doncaster WOODHOUSE 11/8 If she can’t win off 73 here I will be very disappointed. Her Newbury run was full of promise and I am willing to forgive her latest effort at Leicester.
Are you worried about the Ward runners? I watched the favourite for the Windsor Castle, Sunshine City winning on debut and you would not have given him a prayer of winning after two furlongs. He was a bit slowly away and bustled to get involved but was well back in the field seemingly going nowhere. Turning for home he seemed in an impossible position and was having seven bells knocked out of him but the ones in front stopped and he came through to win decisively in the end. https://www.attheraces.com/atrplayer-popup/VOD/1140493?showResult=yes I couldn't back him based on the atypical nature of a Wesley Ward "Point and Shoot" speedster, even with Frankie on board this time. Ward also has the unraced Sheriff Bianco with Oisin Murphy booked. Get It was ahead of Tactical last time but is drawn way across in stall 1 here. An interesting runner is Mighty Gurkha, who landed a weak looking 6F affair at Lingfield. That was probably an awful race, certainly when thinking about Royal Ascot but the colt had reared over before the race and was loaded in the stalls without the jockey. He led pretty much all the way and you would not think it a problem stepping down in trip. May not have beaten much but the son of Aussie sprinter Sepoy did hit the line with seven and a half lengths in hand that day and trainer Archie Watson is 10/34 and 29% at the moment. Drawn in stall 11 Mighty Gurkha should be able to go wherever the jockey deems best. Mighty Gurkha is likely to be my pick at 11/1.
The selection was purely on price and his run at Newmarket, which I think is probably the standout piece of form for UK juveniles. He was well touted before that race and I thought he was very unlucky in the run. However what impressed me most about his debut was that he was slowest of the front four away and got stuck in behind runners. He ran green, and yet was finishing (arguably) strongest of all when impeded first by Get In moving right and then badly by Vedute who trapped him in when he was delivering his run. Given how well the pace held up at Newmarket I am marking up horses finishing from in behind, and with that form I think he has the top chance of the UK horses. I was very impressed by Mighty Gurkha on debut, but that didn't have any depth, as was seen when the second ran at Wolverhampton next time out. He was given an easy time that day from the front, and whilst he did a 11 seconds furlong and then 11.10 seconds for the next, that was off a false pace and it is unlikely to be as uneven a pace at Royal Ascot. As for Wesley Ward horses, you have to respect them, but they make the market for all the others, in my opinion they shouldn't be 5/1 and 7/1 against a field like this. It is a massive positive for me that both of those and also Mighty Gurkha are drawn medium to high, which should ensure a good pace for those chasing that pace, and if Tactical gets a clear run, I think he will win.
I am delighted for anyone that backed Tulip Fields but I did not as it failed on two of my criteria: it was first time in a handicap and it had never won a race. I mentioned it because of the trainer. I did back Mrs Bouquet and she completely blew it.
Great early shout. Must have been the Queen's money that came for him. She'll be lying back in the Palace shouting "Recession, what f**king recession. Knighthood for Mr Balding in the New Year"
Thanks. It might just be coincidence but its reported that the RAF plane is getting a Union Flag makeover at the cost of 900k. Got to pay for it somehow. She obviously gave Mssr Sunak the nod and the budget for free school meals for the summer went on.
