As the Royal Meeting comes to end- I can see the jump horses coming ahead! 17.00 Ascot- Sir Graham Wade- 28/1 e/w NAP Had an absolute stormer of a season last year- winning handicaps + listed races. Was obviously thought of as a group horse and I still think he is, he holds a lot of talent. just need to get him back to the same form and tomorrow is the start. He seems to do well at this track but always seems to find one too good, the last of that coming a very good third to the Queens Royal winner Estimate in the sagaro stakes, also infront of him that day was a very good horse in Caucus who has beaten the likes of Calvaryman . Before that he came 2nd to Biographer. My guess was at the beginning of the season his target was the Gold Cup but obviously not quite good enough so this is plan b. He was won on ground faster than good so I have no worries about, and as mentioned this is a step down in class from what he has been racing in and I cant believe his current price I cant see him out of the first 4. For dedicated thread on the Wokingham
Can't see Sir John Hawkwood losing tomorrow, 7/1 is a huge price. Been given an e/w tip tomorrow as well lads, not expected to win though, the guy is alright about 75% of the time he's spot on so fingers crossed as don't normally like sharing just incase they don't live up to expectations but just incase - SIRIUS PROSPECT 50/1 3 45 Ascot
Proceedings start on the final day with another easy two year old race, this time with the added conundrum of seven furlongs. Berkshire would be an ironic winner but his third behind Championship does not look so hot now. The Hannon factory has been misfiring this week, so will Richard Hughes be in a Bunker? Friendship has a middle distance pedigree and comes here a maiden for Ballydoyle, so presumably is well regarded. Freedom Square got off the mark over six last time at The Curragh and his trainer knows how to win here with a novice. The two Godolphin runners, Autumn Lily (good odds on debut win) and Ihtimal (twice second when front running), are both contenders. Clive Brittain’s Street Force should not be ignored. Only the market will indicate whether any of the debutants should be considered. Somewhat is the most interesting contender as he bolted up over this trip in his only race, but the bookies saw that so the odds may be cramped. A manageable size field for the Hardwicke so a good chance for punters, although on the ratings there are virtually no outsiders. Songcraft’s listed win over fourteen furlongs looks the least likely route to victory. Universal beat Dandino last time in a Group 2 but there were only four in the field (Noble Mission well beaten); and Ektihaam beat Thomas Chippendale in a five runner Listed race over course and distance. Progressive Aiken has not seen a racecourse this year so his followers need to see him before betting. Sir John Hawkwood poses a question upped from handicap company - but Hillstar managed it on Friday. Noble Mission is starting to become a bit of an enigma: he won a Listed race last time, so maybe his family connections are the reason that we think he should be winning at this level. Mount Athos made all over slightly further in a Group 3 at Chester so he should be up to this class but the concern is the going. How can a nine runner race be this hard to solve? The day’s feature could easily be mistaken for one of the sprint handicaps, but the Diamond Jubilee is not really a race where they meet all the time and take turns to win. A reasonable way to narrow down the analysis here is the official ratings: Lethal Force and Gordon Lord Byron have a little to find with Society Rock on Duke Of York running and will be hoping he has an off day. Krypton Factor probably reserves his best for Meydan these days and has gone five without a win. Soul has not been seen since following home Mince on Champions’ Day and the biggest danger to the favourite may be the Aussie raider Sea Siren; not because of her form but because they do not tend to travel half way around the planet just for fun. Neither of the three year olds appear to be good enough on the book. Society Rock is a Group 1 performer and I think his trainer will have him spot on so he is the bet of the day. If you are hell bent on helping your bookie out with his expenses, you will be sticking a pin in the Wokingham card. Nocturn owes me money - I missed it last time - but I will not be looking to get it back here. No bet. So you still have some money left after the sprint? Well, the bookies now get another chance in the Duke Of Edinburgh, although it is numerically easier for the punters as less than twenty go to the mile-and-a-half start. Good luck. The Royal Ascot getting out stakes is the longest race in the calendar. Half the field are NH plodders so perhaps the Cheltenham formbook might be the best guide, but the top-rated contender is looking to take the money back across the Channel for Alain de Royer-Dupre. The only relevant piece of form is last year's second in this race for Shahwardi. As the winner ran in the Gold Cup and most of this year's field have ten pounds or more to find, expect the raider to be a short price.
14:30 - Somewhat 9/2 - 1 point win 15:05 - Ektihaam 3/1 - 1 point win 15:45 - Society Rock 9/2 - 20 points ew 16:25 - Rex Imperator 10/1 - 1 point ew 17:00 - Sir Graham Wade 25/1 - 1 point ew 17:35 - No Heretic - 1 point ew
Stopped now but we had a couple of hours of rain between 5am and 7am ROTO. On top of the watering that has been done it could well have helped your cause!
15:15 Redcar - King Of Jazz (Only win was over two years ago but, nevertheless, has a decent chance in this race. Possible favourite so have taken the 3/1 generally available) GL today everyone!
Going has been maintained at good to firm. Chance of a shower or two in the day but for Maarek to have any chance in this they need to be heavy showers. !!
Ascot 3.45pm Rosdhu Queen 16/1 E.W 4 places with Skybet. Richard Hughes must have been putting in the work to get down to that weight. Big run expected and she had some very good 2 year old form. Ascot 4.25pm Louis the Pious 18/1 E.W 5 places. Rebellious Guest 50/1 E.W 5 places I can never resist a bet in the Wokingham even if it is a lottery. Louis the Pious has had a wind op and I see some improvement coming and Margarson has always rated Rebellious Guest in the highest regard. Rosdhu Queen and Louis the Pious in an each way double too.
3:00 Ayr - Riskit for a Biskit 5/1 3:05 Ascot - Dandino 10/1 3:45 Ascot - Mince 12/1 4:25 Ascot - Our Jonathan 33/1 5:00 Ascot - Rye House 13/2 5:35 Ascot - Junior 16/1 Scoop 6 and EW Lucky 63
I really like Ihtimal in the first, her maiden form is very strong and I think she is the sort who will relish the extra furlong and comes into the race with the solid form in the book. She is my EW nap today. Taking a chance with Sir John Hawkwood, Krypton Factor (NB) and Bapak Chinta to finish the week with a rare old rattle. Sir John Hawkwood looks a really good prospect over this trip, I was taken by his win in a handicap last time, and in many ways he is like the yards Hillstar from earlier in the meeting. Krypton Factor has form in the book to go close in this weak renewal, the ground being faster than last year is a major bonus for him. Bapak Chinta was a classy horse but got injured and never really recovered his form, but I thought last time he showed a bit more, and I think they have been taking it easy with him to get him ready for a race like this. He will need to improve his form, but I still believe he has some of the ability that he showed a couple of seasons ago, and he is very well handicapped if the spark returns. Massive price too.
