Thursday's Meetings Royal Ascot Flat 6 Races 2:30-5:35p.m. Chelmsford A/W 7 Races 1:50-5:20p.m. Ripon Flat 8 Races 2:10-6:20p.m. Leopardstown(E) Flat 7 Races 5:40-8:50p.m. Lingfield(E) A/W 7 Races 5:50-9:00p.m. Ffos Las(E) N/H 7 Races 6:00-9:10p.m. Racecards At The Races Racing Post Sporting Life Good Luck
I like Fox Chairman in the Hampton Court too, but I'll also have a small e/w bet on Cap Francais too, he looks overpriced at 14/1 especially if you consider Cape of Good Hope is only 5/1 and Cap Francais in theory only has half a length to make up on him on the Epsom form.
Defy anyone to pick anything with confidence today... It should be really easy to find ones to leave alone. Let us start with the Gold Cup – Stradivarius. No question he is the best horse in the race but the Long Distance Cup was his only win on soft, with Thomas Hobson, Flag Of Honour and Cypress Creek behind. Cross Counter won the Melbourne Cup on bad ground so the extra half mile is the question. Dee Ex Bee has looked like a natural stayer in two lesser races this term, has won on heavy ground and Silvestre de Sousa will certainly earn his fee as the horse is very workmanlike. Is he the new Double Trigger? The Ribblesdale is normally where the Oaks also-rans meet the unexposed types that skipped Epsom. So which of these fillies has feet like dinner plates? Fleeting comes here after running into third at Epsom with Frankellina behind, neither of them having encountered real soft ground. Fleeting has plenty of miles on the clock, so some of the unexposed ones may well improve past her. Interesting difference in the prices for Queen Power and Star Catcher, separated by half a length at York; but the latter the choice of Frankie from Gosden’s (although Sparkle Roll’s owner retains a jockey). With the strong hand that Gosden has here, how he instructs the jockeys to play it could be critical. Usually in the Hampton Court there is something with a reputation but that does not seem to be the case this year. Fox Chairman comes in off just two starts, most recently third to Circus Maximus in the Dee Stakes on easy ground; but he does not want to be staying on from the rear today. King Ottokar perhaps did not get home behind Sir Dragonet in the Chester Vase (Arthur Kitt behind), drops down in trip here and likes soft ground, so he must make the shortlist. I can only think that Sangarius is a shorter price than Roseman – ahead of him last time out – because of his home address and Frankie being aboard, with both stepping up from a mile. Highland Reel’s brother Cape Of Good Hope ran a respectable race in the Prix Du Jockey Club (Kick On behind) and that is the best form on offer. I expect Moore to make plenty of use of him, as he did in the Blue Riband Trial when Cap Francais and Arthur Kitt (stumbled) were behind. The ground seems to be against many of the others, including Kick On. Great Scot was a close third in Germany last time after finishing behind Kick On in the Guineas and is a proven performer on heavy ground.
One bet today and that is ROSEMAN [9/1], which I have doubled up with GALADRIEL [16/1], but more of her tomorrow. On the face of it ROSEMAN is not a certain stayer over 10 furlongs, being by specialist miler Kingsman and out of a mare who ran 4 times in France winning once – a 7 ½ furlong race on the all-weather at Deauville , following a debut run over a mile on soft at the same venue, finishing second of sixteen runners, The Varian stable got it wrong by upping Zabeel Prince in distance, and it is possible that they may have made the same mistake with Roseman however, judged on his running in the Heron stakes at Sandown[headed over one furlong out, kept on at same pace] suggests that 10 furlongs may suit. In the same race was Sangarius – rated 106 who finished third 1 1/4 lengths behind, who was re-assessed and given a rating of 105, the same as Roseman,however the run of King of Comedy in the St James’s palace, in my view a race he should have won, but for a poorly judged ride by Kirby puts Roseman’s chance in perspective.
Sunday Sovereign is short now at 7/4 and the only one really being backed against him is Mount Fuji. The O'Brien colt could be anything but it was not a good looking race he won last time. Sunday Sovereign looked speedy last time, is proven on the ground and he beat Coventry winner Arizona 3 lengths when they met. It was clear that long term the O'Brien colt has much more physical scope but we are only in June and early enough to press home precociousness as an advantage. They can't seem to give Maven away and I'll be disappointed not to land the 11/2 ante-post on Sunday Sovereign but something will no doubt save the bookies. Sangarius, Star Catcher and Cross Counter were my other picks today. It made no sense to me that Queen Power was 7/4 and Star Catcher 12/1 when the Gosden filly seemed to be staying the stronger after being outpaced and only went down two necks.
Stradivarius is drifting towards a backable price. No reason to believe he won't go on soft, having done so before - the question is do you take short odds about any horse in these conditions? At 6/4 I'm tempted. No Flag of Honour to worry about either
9 posts on a massive day of flat racing. Says it all doesn’t it? Fleeting and Stradivarius both look short enough but hope both win today.
Soft ground turning to good often throws up sticky and unprdictable going, better off plain soft. If I have a bet today it will be on KING ADEMAR in the Britannia.
Just one if I was going to bet today. 2-30 Maven. Always have to have a punt on Wesley's horses! Good luck everyone
People come and go all the time, some stay longer than the mother-in-law, others just very occasionally. It's telling that we often have far more "guests" reading than members though. We could open a whole thread on members who haven't been seen for ages. Personally I miss Roto Today I really like Air Force Jet. Not that it counts for much!
Proper tipster ROTO, put up winners!!!! No bumpers to get stuck into! There is one tomorrow though..............!
hi fellas! ascot,2 30: i think,AIR FORCE JET has a more than decent shout here,as he beat the horse,that won yesterdays windsor castle last time out,and there were 14 lengths back to the third,which gives the form a very solid look.so,if he copes with the ground tday,should be right in the firing line today..
Day 3 selections 2:30 - Mount Fuji @ 8/1 3:05 - Fox Chairman @ 7/2 3:40 - Star Catcher @ 7/1 4:20 - Cross Counter @ 7/2 5:00 - Aweedram @ 14/1 5:35 - Questionaire @ 8/1 Hardly one to follow this week, but then again no one has set the world alight this week either... Good luck if you playing today...
Very confident about Sunday Sovereign & Stradivarius - might do them as a double Frankie looks to be flying at the moment - I'm going for Sangarius in the 2nd, but expect King Ottokar to also run into a place. Fleeting v Frankellina in the Ribblesdale for me. Fleeting's impressive finish in the Oaks giving her the edge. I am also going for Ryan Moore's Constantinople in the last but less confident about this race. My longshot of the day is in the 5pm race DARK VISION 28/1. A classy horse last year. Maybe this will be the day when he recaptures some form.