Yesterday, I was listening to the World Cup semi-final at work. I happened to notice online that Leave EU were running a poll on their Twitter account: Who should be the next PM? Three choices: Boris Johnson, Jeremy Hunt and Jason Roy. When I last looked, Roy was polling at 27 per cent – ahead of Hunt – but Boris was well in front. Shame he was probably robbed of a ton because Bairstow had wasted the review on a plumb lbw. Hope the umpires for the final have been to Specsavers...
Ladies’ Day at Newmarket on a Friday – a really stupid idea. Friday attendances always poor and the crowd are not likely to really be ‘ladies’... how long before they start having LGBT Day?
It will be interesting to see how Daahyeh fares in the Duchess Of Cambridge (formerly the Cherry Hinton) as she gets in un-penalised for her good victory in the Albany as that is only a Group 3. She won on debut on quick ground at HQ with Raffle Prize chasing her home. Mark Johnston’s filly is penalised for winning the Queen Mary so which has improved the most since May 18th?
Final Song – third when favourite in the Queen Mary – re-opposes over the extra furlong and with a 3lb pull on Raffle Prize, as does Lambeth Walk and Divine Spirit who both finished well down the field. Celtic Beauty comes here a maiden but was second in the Albany and deserves her place. Bredenbury was facile victor of a four runner minor event and now steps into pattern company. After yesterday’s hot-pot was turned over does anyone want to back soft ground Ascot form on fast ground here?
The Falmouth Stakes appears to be more a case of who is not here! Veracious has been disappointing on all three starts and there seems little reason she will come good today. William Haggas has two and Beshaayir steps up to the top level after beating I Can Fly in a Group 2 at The Curragh. Stablemate One Master was fourth there but subsequently ran third in the Queen Anne, leading until near the line; and is the only Group 1 winner in the field having collected the Prix de la Forêt on Arc Sunday 2018. She is the form pick after running the boys so close.
Roger Varian provides both the three year old contenders. Qabala was third in the 1000 Guineas when made favourite on the strength of her Nell Gwyn victory but was second last at The Curragh when re-opposing the winner. Mot Juste was second in the Nell Gwyn but out with the washing in the Guineas.
In the 4:45, there is a lot of course and distance form but I think this is between the two recent C&D winners. Breathtaking Look won the better race last time at a Friday night meeting with a couple of decent types behind; however, he has to give 13lb to the three year old JALEEL, victorious over Dirty Rascal (1lb better for a neck). Hopefully they will not allow I Am A Dreamer an easy lead as he comes here with a penalty for last Saturday’s win. The betting suggests that bottom weight Light And Dark is a handicap snip with a career of no wins in three HQ starts but it would be 16/1 for a smaller yard.
