Tuesday's Meetings Stratford N/H 6 Races 2:05-5:10p.m. Thirsk Flat 7 Races 2:15-5:50p.m. Royal Ascot Flat 7 Races 2:30-6:10p.m. Southwell(E) A/W 7 Races 5:25-9:00p.m. Beverley(E) Flat 6 Races 6:15-8:45p.m. Racecards At The Races Sporting Life Racing Post Good Luck
Queen Anne - Sardinian Warrior 7/1 St James Palace - Ruling Court 7/2 Prince Of Wales - Map Of Stars 9/2
Ryan Moore is drawn in stall 1 in 6 of the 7 races. That must be a billion to 1 shot to happen. Am I missing something or being cynical?
What an admirable servant My Mate Mozzie (18:10 Copper Horse Handicap) has been for connections. He's danced every dance, never ducked a challenge and always gives of his best. Just 3 months ago he was finishing 4th in the Grand Annual and, after finishing 3rd in this last year he went to the Galway festival and finished a fine 3rd in their headline handicap hurdle - a true dual (multi?) purpose horse. He was 1lb lower in last year's race but Warren Fentiman takes off a useful 5lbs and I'd love to see the old boy prevail today.
Each way heinz for the day 2.30 Carl Spackler 3.05 Andab 3.40 Mgheera 5.00 Artistic Star 5.35 Kings Gambit 6.10 Aeronautic
There seems little point spending much time on the St James’s Palace Stakes (4.20). First Wave is clearly in the field as a pacemaker for Henri Matisse, whose Poulains win does not look as good as the races at The Curragh or Newmarket. The other Ballydoyle participant Officer has no chance on Irish 2000 Guineas form (seventh) and the same can be said for Windlord (eighth, possible pacemaker here) and the fourth on that occasion Rashabar. Ruling Court was a lucky winner of the 2000 Guineas and Irish 2000 winner Field Of Gold will win today under Colin Keane for those piling on the odds on banker. My old betting friend Haatem tries out a new trip in the Wolferton Stakes (5.35) but I will give him a miss today after two disappointing efforts so far this year. The market for the opening Queen Anne Stakes (2.30) immediately puts me off the race. The first four in the betting contested the Lockinge but somehow the bookies have decided that seasonal bow third Rosallion (won the St James’s Palace on this card last year) should be 5/2 favourite whilst his 2000 Guineas conqueror Notable Speech (seasonal bow fourth at Newbury) is twice the price along with the first two (who were race fit) Lead Artist and Dancing Gemini. It is not very often that Ryan Moore is on a 12/1 shot for O’Brien in a big race but Diego Velazquez will have to have improved considerably over the winter to feature here. Quddwah could run well at a big price. As usual, a big field for the Ascot sprints sees 21 probables in the King Charles III Stakes (3.40). It looks quite easy to draw a line through a lot of the outsiders on their lack of Group 1 level form and more of a concern is them getting in the way of potential winners. So I will start by eliminating all of the following: American Affair, Jasour, Kerdos, Manaccan, Twilight Calls, Washington Heights, Balmoral Lady, Frost At Dawn, Monteille, Prime Art, Aesterius, Estepona, Tropical Storm and West Acre. Rumstar won the Palace House at HQ (Washington Heights, Twilight Calls and Tropical Storm all well behind) but disappointed in the Temple Stakes (sixth), won by Mgheera (with Washington Heights and American Affair also ahead but Starlust behind). They look sure to go a good clip, which should suit Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint winner Starlust but he was a shock winner that day and was second last in the Hong Kong Sprint at Sha Tin over six. Mgheera has won both her starts this term but she needs to find a few pounds more to be worrying the main contenders today. Night Raider has had one start this term, finishing a good third in the Group 2 Duke Of York Stakes over six (Kerdos behind) but this is his first attempt at five, he will have competition for the lead and might be taken off his feet! Last year’s first two are back but in different circumstances. Winner Asfoora warmed up at Haydock last year but this year comes straight from Australia on the back of a disappointing run down under. Last year’s runner up, Regional, warmed up in the Greenlands Stakes but this year ran in the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint at Meydan, where he was third to the mare BELIEVING, who was fourth in this race last year. She was ultra consistent last season, finding Bradsell too good on a couple of occasions but having many of today’s rivals behind her several times. Most of her best performances were under today’s pilot Ryan Moore and ridden up near the pace, so that is what I am expecting to happen here.
My picks for Ascot today, not had a bet yet, but may throw a shilling or two on as the day goes by... 2:30 - Dancing Gemini 3:05 - Military Code, Warsaw 3:40 - Starlust, West Acre 4:20 - Henri Matisse 5:00 - Dawn Rising, Nurburgring 5:35 - Enfjaar, Torito 6:10 - Caballo De Mar, Aeronautic Good luck if you are having a play, looks a tough one to me...!!
Interesting with a capital "I" to see Triumph Hurdle winner Poniros running in the Ascot Stakes and he could be absolutely chucked in off 91 - getting 6lbs from East India Dock and the trip looks sure to be in his favour. Not tempted by 5/2 though. Others I like (small stakes e/w patent): 2.30 Carl Spackler 3.05 Bone Marra 6.10 My Mate Mozzie Good luck everyone
If Ruling Court had just come straight here after the Guineas I would have preferred his chance in the St James Palace. Having been aimed at the Derby though, I can't help but think they would have been doing something different at home to help educate him to best be effective at the new mile and a half trip he would have faced. Now they may have had to change tack again at the mile. I am leaving him today and instead backed him for the Eclipse in the belief that if he is beaten by Field Of Gold today he may still exact revenge at the longer trip and if he wins today so much the better. I expect Appleby to have a successful meeting and am backing Military Code in the Coventry,with his form looking as solid as any. I had already backed American Gulf, who I put up on his debut and despite the original Fav being pulled late the Cole colt never had an an anxious moment winning in style. Coventry Military Code 6/1 American Gulf 10/1 Eclipse Ruling Court 6/1
The world and his wife knew Ruling Court was on a fools errand with Field Of Gold in the line up at mile. I called it as soon as I heard this was his target. Amateur Hour placing from Charlie Appleby. I see no need to push Field Of Gold up in trip and he's earned a rest now. The mile division is at his mercy and the skies the limit. Surely the last time we will see Ruling Court at a mile. He never travelled and was being nudged after 2F. Plenty of praise is lavished on trainers so let's just admit that Charlie Appleby has made an arse of placing Ruling Court. Where now for the colt?
