Good Morning and a welcome to the weekend racing fans, this week has already been quite an exceptional one with one day still remaining. This day last year saw Black Caviar race away from Australian turf for the first time in the Diamond Jubilee, of course she won, not easily but she did it. We don't have anything of that hype to look forward to this year but we do have a very open race to assess and scratch our heads over.
Yesterday was very much a day for the bookies, at least with selections on this blog made it seem that way with only two placed efforts, a placed favourite and a non runner. Bana Wu was the biggest one to collect from as she got third under Richard Hughes at 16/1, she followed in Mutashaded who was also third at 8/1 earlier on. The latter would look a very good bet for the St Leger should he take up that engagement, I have heard quotes of 33/1 which he wont be on the day.
Sky Lantern stole the day with a very wide draw in the Coronation Stakes yet still managing to forge clear from her main rival Just The Judge. The two were separated by the French raider ridden my Thierry Jarnet after Just The Judge almost kicked her in the parade ring. Sky Lantern was 4 lengths clear however and just oozed class, she even earned a few quotes for such races like the Arc which is a big dream right now.
Once again Today Martin is running an invite only Pigeon Swoop for twitter users for four Ascot races, you can track my progress on his site through my twitter tag, @lukeyboy1325. He may also be running one open to everyone on Sunday! You can find the four Ascot races included on his twitter page @Pigeon_Island or on his website where you will also find my selections as well. He may also be running a Swoop at the weekend so feel free to enter that through twitter. The site is www.pigeonswoop4.wordpress.com Enjoy!
As you will know if you have been keeping track of this blog throughout the week, I have been taking on my friend and jockey George Gorman in a tipping contest. Neither of us have dazzled but George managed one more winner than me yesterday with Sky Lantern herself to reclaim the lead. Todays selections are in for the final and deciding day.
Luke -4.58 George -1.25
2:30 - Master Carpenter Freedom Square
3:05 - Mount Athos Ektihaam
3:45 - Dandy Boy Society Rock
4:25 - Zero Money Gabriel's Lad
5:00 - Lahaag Highland Castle
5:35 - Stopped Out Shahwardi
A winner is needed badly by me to bridge the gap on George, fingers crossed it happens. Thanks to George for taking part in this competition this week.
Now onto the racing!!
Royal Ascot - Chesham Stakes - Master Carpenter
Master Carpenter is a son of the high class Mastercraftsman so the step up to 7 furlongs will suit after winning on his step up to 6 furlongs. He is two wins from three runs so far in his short but successful career, his only defeat coming here over 5 furlongs behind Anticipated. Last time out he beat a smart horse of Richard Hannon's called Malachim Mist by a length and three quarters going away. Everything about that run suggests he will get further and for now 7 furlongs might just be the way to go with stamina in the pedigree. Despite having stamina in the family he showed good early pace and was always leading before quickening up around a furlong out. Andrea Atzeni takes the ride and can land the opener on the last day of Royal Ascot. (12/1)
1st - Master Carpenter
2nd - Autumn Lily
3rd - Bunker
Royal Ascot - Hardwicke Stakes - Mount Athos
Mount Athos burst onto the scene last year with a very easy victory in a big handicap at York over a mile and 6 furlongs under top weight. High Jinx was in second that day receiving 7 pounds but Mount Athos made him look very ordinary indeed. He then went on to win easily at Newbury before coming 5th in the Melbourne Cup when not getting the best of runs. Next he disappointed in Hong Kong when he should have probably been put away for the season to rest for this campaign. He made his comeback in great style at Chester when bolting up in the Ormonde Stakes, albeit not really beating a great deal. Today he is down a furlong in trip which many people are making out to be a big problem but I disagree entirely. He looks a horse with gears for sure and clearly he is very classy, but look further into how the race will be run. Its a given that Universal will set the pace probably being challenged by Ektihaam and Paul Hanagan, it would also be no surprise to see Aiken up there. If that happens which is very likely there will be a strong pace on and stamina will really come into play benefiting Mount Athos greatly. Whatever happens the target remains the Melbourne Cup again and can use this as a stepping stone today. (11/4)
1st - Mount Athos
2nd - Ektihaam
3rd - Universal
Royal Ascot - Diamond Jubilee - Dandy Boy
Last year Dandy boy ran in the Wokingham carrying 9 stone 8 pounds and his finishing winning time was 1 minute 13.87 seconds. Half an hour earlier in this race Black Caviar carried 9 stone 1 pound and clocked a winning time of 1 minute 14.10 seconds. Although this can be argued completely different as they were two separate races it is something to take in for sure. Dandy Boy carried 7 pounds more than Black Caviar and clocked a faster time while doing so. Compared to last years race, all in all this does look a very ordinary Group 1 race, especially considering the occasion. But Dandy Boy has been absolutely laid out for this race after a run at The Curragh last time, in which his rider never asked him a thing. He will be absolutely primed to the second here today and on a track he loves so much could take some beating. Dandy Boy to emulate 2004 winner Fayr Jag who won the Wokingham 12 months prior to winning this race. (12/1)
1st - Dandy Boy
2nd - Rosdhu Queen
3rd - Gordon Lord Byron
Royal Ascot - Wokingham Stakes - Zero Money
Hugo Palmer's gelding has been slipping down the weights ever so slightly as of late, putting him on a more than workable mark. This season he has had just the one run behind the reopposing Nocturn at Newmarket on the July Course over 6 furlongs. He was beaten 2 lengths that day and despite the winner being an improving horse, he gets a turn around at the weights. That was his only run of the season and shaped well before tiring at the furlong pole to fade back into eighth, looking in need of the run. He will be much more fit today and after a good showing at Newmarket last time could well go close off the same mark. James Doyle is a positive jockey booking as he is riding out of his skin as of late and knows the horse fairly well. Zero Money to go well at a price and reward us with the opposite of his name. (40/1)
1st - Zero Money
2nd - Shropshire
3rd - Elusivity
Royal Ascot - Duke Of Edinburgh Handicap - Lahaag
At York over a mile and a quarter, Lahaag looked to be screaming out for a longer trip when sticking to his task nicely in the finish. It would appear that he ran into a good one with First Mohican winning fairly easily by a neck to tell the truth. However the third placed horse was a further 5 lengths back with a lot of daylight between them, it could just be that Lahaag is also very good. He will be coming into his own over this distance after being a little outpaced in the early parts of his York run. Back in March he ran in the Lincoln as his pipe opener, that was a disaster though over a distance far too short he trailed in 17th of 22. With Paul Hanagan riding with confidence and John Gosden finding a few winners lately, Lahaag can land this one. (11/1)
1st - Lahaag
2nd - Ustura
3rd - Hanoverian Baron
Royal Ascot - Queen Alexandra Stakes - Stopped Out
This is one of my favourite races at Royal Ascot oddly enough, but it must be said that compared to previous years it is a bit weak. The selection is stopped out who has run only once on the flat when second to the progressive Bold Sniper at Thirsk. He has however gained all his experience over hurdles and has improved since moving to Philip Kirby's yard in Middleham. He landed his biggest success to date when beating Minella Forfitness into second at Sandown in a handicap hurdle back in April. In March he was also 5th in the Martin Pipe at Cheltenham under Lucy Alexander, how many other horses will have done that double this year! Stamina shouldn't be a problem for Stopped Out it all depends on how classy he is on the level, but he is still improving and could well be capable of winning this. Stopped Out to take the last race of Royal Ascot 2013. (20/1)
1st - Stopped Out
2nd - No Heretic
3rd - Mad Moose
NAP - Mount Athos
Nb - Dandy Boy
Also over at Newmarket, Mickael Barzalona is a jockey I like to follow at the track at he handles it absolutely superbly. He has a very good book of rides today and a Lucky 15 could well be worth it for a nice profit.
2:15 - Outstrip
4:40 - Top Joker
5:15 - Trojan Rocket
5:50 - Passion Play
All of his rides look to hold good chances however, good luck!
Happy Punting today and thank you for going through Royal Ascot with me this week!
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