In the big sprint at Ascot I am going for a rank outsider each-way. SPY CHIEF has only won once in modest company but has run well on occasions in decent company. His win was an upset because he turned over 4/9 favourite Almeraq from the Haggas stable. There was little fluke about it as he beat that useful sort by more than five lengths. Almeraq went on to win at Ayr and then fell next time when fancied. Spy Chief himself ran placed in the Jersey Stakes over 7F at Royal Ascot and although a bit disappointing a couple of times it is hoped that he is better at 6F than the 7F he has tackled the last twice. Not disgraced in the July Cup when 7th he was not beaten far by Big Mojo, who was 4th that day and later went on to win the Betfred Sprint Cup at Haydock. Sexier and more familiar names for sure in the Ascot race on Saturday but Spy Chief is 66/1 in places. Sky Bet and Paddy Power go five places each-way. Champion Sprint Ascot SPY CHIEF EW 66/1 five places Big Boo-Hiss to 888 for being 3 places only each way and only 33/1. Get real ffs people can shop around for better value than those miserly terms.
In the Balmoral Handicap I felt Cerulean Bay had a squeak. He has found his form of late and is only 1lb higher than when winning at Goodwood on Sunday. The stable have a pretty good record in the race and the horse has pulled off a hat trick in the past. His record at a mile is pretty strong for a Handicapper and 16/1 EW six places is appealing to me. Balmoral Handicap CERULEAN BAY 16/1 EW six places.
