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Showing posts with label Queen. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Queen. Show all posts

Thursday, 21 June 2012

Royal Ascot Day 4

Well yesterday was an absolute shocker by anyone's standards and I suppose is best forgotten, today is a new day and lets just hope that it will be one of a different fortune.

It was nice to see Frankie get a winner yesterday in the big race aboard Colour Vision, narrowly beating the horse he shunned in the race, Opinion Poll. Fame and Glory was the disappointment of the race and there were a few suspicions of an injury, we shall have to cross our fingers he is fine.

Onto what i hope will be a more positive day results wise.

2:30 Ascot - Albany Stakes - Newfangled - The obvious choice for the opener after winning his only start by 4 lengths on soft ground, also helping coming from the bang in form John Gosden yard. On debut he beat a Richard Hannon hot pot who in turn was clear of the rest of the field. William Buick remains very sweet on this one and is riding out of his skin as of late for a range of trainers. The breeding of this horse catches the eye as well being a daughter of Derby winner New Approach, who has already had a winner this week when Dawn Approach won the Coventry.

3:05 Ascot - King Edward VII Stakes - Noble Mission - A horse that needs no introduction, being Frankel's full brother. He hasn't quite filled the shoes of his big brother, but then again can any horse fill them shoes. Without the tag he carries everyone would be singing his praises especially with the connections he represents. The most interesting form he boasts for me is from his first win when he won on ground that was very testing (much more testing that the going suggested) fairly easily. The step up to 12 furlongs should play right into his favour and is fancied to land this with freshness on his side.

3:45 Ascot - Coronation Stakes - Homecoming Queen - As i'm sure everyone remembers, she was emphatic when winning the 1000 guineas at 25/1 on fairly testing ground. The faster ground was probably her undoing when soundly beaten by Samitar in the Irish equivalent. Back on more testing ground she should take all the beating after Joseph O'Brien looked after her when beaten last time out and should be ready to take this race with open arms. Intense Pink could be worth an each way shout.

4:25 Ascot - Wolferton Handicap - Danadana - Kieren Fallon has gone on record as saying this is his best chance of the week, ideally he would have preferred firmer ground, however softer ground isn't the end of the world. Luca Cumani is renowned for bringing improvement out in a horse, this looks his typical type and one that is definitely going the right way. A strong each way chance.

Qaraaba - Possibly the biggest improver in the field as four runs ago she was rated 76 when winning, today she runs off a mark of 101 and still looks to have plenty in hand. She was a very easy winner last time out at Doncaster when beating Dragonera (who has since come second in the Warwickshire Oaks) by three lengths. The second and third in that race were placed next time out and the 5th placed horse won very easily at Sandown last week. Her only defeat in the last four runs came via the other selection today on much faster ground. Main selection today.

5:00 Ascot - Queen's Vase - Macbeth - He has shown a liking for softer conditions back in Ireland and his only win has come over the longest trip he has tried when staying all the way to the line over 1m 4f. Johnny Murtagh is a positive jockey booking for today and the step up to two miles can bring out much further improvement. hails from a stable in decent enough form and if all things go well he should take all the beating today.

5:35 Ascot - Buckingham Palace Stakes - Global Village - Brian Ellison's gelding won a big handicap over course and distance last time out and possibly more importantly on testing ground. Kieren Fallon looks to be a positive jockey booking as he isn't used that often at all by the trainer. He suffers a rise of 6 pounds today which shouldn't be enough to stop this improving horse. He could just be good enough to win the last race on the fourth day.

Atlantic Sport - One at more glamorous odds but he has been slipping down the weights for a while now and could be ready to strike today for the in form Mick Channon. He hasn't won since 2008 but has slipped down from a rating of 107 and runs off a mark of 92 today which he could make mince meat of. An American bred horse but he has shown a liking for softer ground in the past and Martin Harley will look to come down the near side rail with him. Since rejoining Mick Channon's yard (from Mike De Kock) he has been doing pretty well for himself with some good placed efforts and has a chance of another one today.

Hopefully there are some winners amongst them and some good priced places.
Happy Punting

Tuesday, 19 June 2012

Royal Ascot Day Two

Frankel was simply awesome, have you ever seen anything like that demolition job? Then for Sir Henry Cecil to say he was still improving is just a scary thought. It looked as if Excelebration's saddle slipped a little bit, however that only partly explains why he was being caught by Side Glance and in no way takes anything away from Frankel's performance.

The blog yesterday was fairly successful with Gregorian getting third at 16/1 and ending on a high with Hototo winning at 14/1 in the last. Today will be a bit different as I am seeking to win the Placepot at Ascot, but they are still individual selections.

2:30 Ascot - Jersey Stakes - Boomerang Bob - finished a length behind Caspar Netscher two runs ago over this distance before going on to finish 10th in the Guineas. Last time out he was dropped in trip to today's trip when running a stellar race against his elders behind Smarty Socks. If reproducing his best form then he will take all the beating today, even in this race full of class. A real chance.

Talwar - Possibly viewed as a bit of a dodgy one, but he is dropped back in trip today to what looks to be his optimum distance. Last time he was fancied to run a big race in the Guineas against Camelot but went off too fast and never looked the winner. That part of the race is what I'm interested in as he set some really smart sectionals early on. I'm not saying he is one to expect a win from, but could well land a place at a very jazzy price.

3:05 Ascot - Windsor Forest Stakes - Chachamaidee - She looked like a different horse last time out at Lingfield when sprouting wings to come from last to first down the home straight. She also gets weight from the top two in the market today which should see her come out on top. She finished second in the race last year but looks like a much better horse this season and has been aimed at this race once again. Probably the best bet of the day.

3:45 Ascot - Prince Of Wales Stakes - Carlton House - I have never been this one's biggest fan however last time in the Brigadier Gerard he really impressed me after a break. For that reason he gets the nod against So You Think today after the latter hasn't won here in two attempts. It would appear that 10 furlongs is his best trip, which he is also unbeaten at, his two notable defeats have come over 1 mile 4 furlongs. Still a lightly raced horse and could be more to come.

Sri Putra (not placepot) - An admirable horse that always runs his race and finally landed a big race when winning at Kempton when having Side Glance 2 lengths behind him. Last time out in Turkey things didn't go to plan and he couldn't get competitive. This race today will be much more to his liking and could just sneak third at the end of the day.

4:25 Ascot - Royal Hunt Cup - Belgian Bill - Coming back from a break but has been laid out for the race and has been dropped in the weights since last time when losing out by a nose at Wolverhampton. Market support will be notable for this one. Back in January he ran a blinder at Meydan to come second to Songcraft. Last time out he ran off a mark of 102 when running well, today he runs off of a mark of 99 which  is a huge bonus for today. Another tick in his favour is the fact that he always goes well fresh.

Arabian Star - He has really come into his own throughout the last year including winning two big Newmarket handicap. As a result is 4 pounds higher last time but that shouldn't hold him back. He is one of a select few in this race who could go a bit further and lake a small group race. David Probert does the low weight today which is also a bonus in this kind of race, he also stays further than this which is almost a necessity in the Hunt cup.

5:05 Ascot - Queen Mary Stakes - Jubilee Diamond - One horse I have been waiting to reappear for a while now since his first and only run at Sandown when I was there. A bit was expected of him that night but it was clear he wasn't fully wound up when swishing his tail throughout the race. Upward Spiral beat him that day and I fully expect the two places to be reversed. You can bet your last penny that Richard Hannon will have him ready to go tomorrow and should take all the beating.

5:35 Ascot - Sandringham Handicap - Hello Glory - Made an encouraging reappearance at York behind the improving Laugh out loud and is better off at the weights with electrelane. She will strip fitter for the experience and should go close today. Her best performance came when behind Lightening Pearl at Newmarket in a group one, a reproduction of the will surely put her on top at the end of the day.

One last thing before I wrap up today's blog I would just like to reflect on the tragedy of day one where The Nile went badly wrong turning for home and had to be destroyed.

Happy Punting