Wednesday's Meetings Ascot Turf 7 Races 1:15-4:40p.m. Beverley Turf 9 Races 12:20-4:50p.m. Gowran Turf 8 Races 1:00-5:05p.m. Limerick(E) Turf 7 Races 4:20-7:35p.m. Chelmsford(E) A/W 8 Races 4:45-8:20p.m. Racecards At The Races Racing Post Sporting Life Good Luck
Two big straight mile handicaps, so we would probably be looking to see if we get a repeat of todays result in terms of the draw, however I am concerned that those drawn in the middle will come across and make it very difficult for horses to weave their way from the back. This is especially pertinent in the 13:15 the Silver Hunt Cup, where I don't see a massive amount of pace across the course, so perhaps we will see a messy race. As such I've taken a price on former Hunt Cup hero Zhui Feng, who is drawn well in stall 22 and races prominently. He obviously has the course form and I think he is well treated in the handicap. He might not be good enough, but at 20/1 I thought he was a fair bet. In the actual Hunt Cup, I am with Qaysar who took my eye on his return and the Newmarket to Ascot route gave good results yesterday. He is another drawn high and races prominently. Ryan Moore takes the ride and I think 16/1 is a fair enough price too. Tomorrow it is all about her majesty though, my best bet is Tactical, whose price has been steadily coming in from the 10s taken a few days ago. He could do the HRH double with First Receiver earlier on the card.
You can thank me if it wins. I always pick Coeur de Lion, except today, and he won. I usually pick Zhui Feng but I won't tomorrow. Very tempted but decided against it. That's given him a 5l start
My picks/Placepot selections for today, Red Bond Juan Elcano Convict Addeybb Alrajaa Tactical Good luck all
1:15 - Sir Busker 8/1 Win/Zhui Feng 20/1 Ew 1:50 - Kenzai Warrior 14/1 Ew 2:25 - Bright Melody 6/1 Win/Arthurian Fable 16/1 3:35 - Afaak 14/1 Ew 4:10 - Mighty Gurkha 15/2 Win/Get It 16/1 Ew 4:40 - The Maxwecan 12/1 Ew Away from Ascot, card at Beverley doesnt look half bad so done win lucky 31/acca: 12:50 - Astrozone 3/1 1:25 - The Grey Zebedee 9/2 2:35 - Bavardages 3/1 3:10 - Silver Dust 4/1 4:50 - Wadacre Galoubet 9/2
Addeybb should be a winner for someone tomorrow. He was in one of my stables (Bustino's comp) and I took him out
Morning Away from the big meeting... 2.00 Beverley-Lydiate Lady Each Way @ 8-1 [Bet 365] Tutty girls do well on this course
And finally in Ireland [4.20 Limerick] Newcomer Nawafeth is all the rage, but think this filly could run well and will play in the "Without" market on Musical Rue @ 5-2 [Skybet]
Four handicaps to draw a line through on the second day of Royal Ascot and not a great deal to look at in the other three races. I cannot really look at the Windsor Castle as it is too early in the season for backing two year olds, especially when given a choice of twenty in a cavalry charge! Everyone has had just the one run and only one of the seven with an unbeaten record can still have it after the five furlongs, if any. I hope that Sunshine City runs well for Wesley Ward as he continues to sportingly support the card but who knows what dirt form at Gulfstream Park amounts to and now they have added blinkers. If a high draw is significant, could it be hats (and facemasks) off to The Queen with Tactical? How about a Royal Ascot winner for in-form Hollie Doyle and Archie Watson with Mighty Gurkha? The Air Force Blue’s usually like quick ground, so will it dry up enough for Chief Little Hawk? The Prince Of Wales’s Stakes looks there for the taking by Japan, provided that he does not need a race to get race fit. He has the best form on offer and I have to question Addeybb's form as he ran on nothing but soft or heavy ground in 2019 and his only Group 1 performance in the Northern Hemisphere was defeat to Magical in the Champion. Cambridgeshire winner Lord North stepped up to pattern company to win the Brigadier Gerard, just holding off Elarqam but I am not convinced that five-runner affair is great form with 2019 Derby disappointment Telecaster close up on unfavourable ground. If I were looking for an upset, I would be more inclined to go with Barney Roy than Headman. The Hampton Court Stakes does at least offer a reasonable sized field and more open betting. The Queen's First Receiver won an egg and spoon race unchallenged at Kempton and might be a good horse but I will take him on. Russian Emperor was beaten by a less fancied stablemate in a five-runner Group 3 race last time where the first three were from Ballydoyle. That does not look like special form but he could improve here with a pacemaker. Two of the field ran in the 2000 Guineas, with Kenzai Warrior blowing the race at the start and finishing down the field whilst JUAN ELCANO was in the front rank and was a respectable four lengths or so behind the winner in fifth. Over the extra two furlongs it will be interesting to see what tactics Andrea Atzeni adopts, hopefully not blazing away with the choke out to set up a hold-up horse.
Finding it hard to look past the obvious one today. Addeybb is the clear threat to Japan, but the latter's third in a Derby and fourth in an Arc, bookending a season that encompassed Gp1 wins at Longchamp and York, plus that KE VII win here, confirms his class. A decent bet at 11/8 or thereabouts on the exchanges. No other race I want to bet on. Don't think I've ever backed a winner in a big handicap at this meeting. Every other major race meeting, I throw a few double figure darts at the 20+ runner handicaps, and just occasionally something lands, but RA is my absolute Nemesis. Good luck everyone
Today's tips are a win double from Mrs LG as Mr LG can't seem to pick his own nose at the moment, let alone get a winner 13.50 Russian Emperor 15.00 Japan
If I remember rightly, the last Russian Emperor (Tsar Nicholas II) went to war with Japan. So at least one of them should win, better do the singles too
Day 2 selections 1:15 - Brian Epstein, Zhui Feng 1:50 - Russian Emperor 2:25 - Bodyline, Bright Melody 3:00 - Addeybb 3:35 - Montatham, Vale of Kent 4:10 - Mighty Gurkha, Sherriff Blanco. Alrajaa 4:40 - Alright Sunshine, Selino Got most of these in small e/w combo's, well the bigger odd ones anyway, so fingers crossed... Good luck to all who are playing today...
4 40 Ascot - Eddystone Rock 25/1 Kirby 1/1 on it, rode it once in 41 starts about a year and a half ago. Booked up again today, has overall record of 3 wins and 4 places from 18 runs for Best as well.
