We have had our successes this week but punters have been caned and I really think Bet 365 and Skybet are playing up their winnings with some aggressive pricing so its time to make them pay. It’s showtime, so lets get ready to rumble. Tough day yesterday but after a good first two days we are ready to do battle again today and with the ground drying just a little more, its our turn. So lets get stuck in to some great racing.
2.30 The Albany Stakes Group 3 – Fillies
What a list of unexposed talent. I guess the big question here is who gets to be the Frankel’s future girlfriend for these fillies. One horse it wont be is Queen Kindly because her Dad is Frankel and she is his first Royal Ascot runner, with two more tomorrow. There is no doubting she hacked up at Catterick over 5 but what did she beat? The step up to 6 will help and she may bring her dad his first Group winner in time for Fathers Day, however it wont be easy. Aiden O’Brien’s Cuff brings the best figures, with a stamina laden pedigree she must be good to perform so well at 6f on good ground. Wesley Ward’s, Create A Dream looks top notch. She made all to beat two horses who have finished placed this week already at Ascot. Grizzel for Richard Hannon won the Hilary Needler beating a horse that was placed already this week as well and in a form line through Seafront, Mark Johnston’s Kilmah is not far behind Cuff and will improve a bundle for the one run. I have named the winner in this piece – just not sure which one it is. We need two against the field
2 units e/w Cuff @ 5/2 with Racebets
1 unit e/w Grizzel @ 8/1 with Bet 365
3.05 King Edward VII
Not a vintage renewal but one to get your teeth into. For me Humphrey Bogart didn’t act at Epsom and I think will act today for Richard Hannon
and will account for Carntop again. Beacon Road needs to improve to win this race and I am not sure he can. Lingusitic was a bit dissappointing last time out but I think the new trip will suit for the boys in blue and I am not a Houses of Parliament fan as he has been beaten twice by horses either in this race of with form lines that put them in front of him.
2 units e/w Humphrey Bogart @ 8/1 with Skybet
3.40 The Commonwealth Cup
A Great sprint race,this is my favourite of the week so far. I can make a case for all but one horse in this race. Quiet Reflection was brilliant at Haydock and is deservedly the favourite having won 5 from 6. Don Juan Triumphant looks the type to just keep improving. Buratino was beaten by Quiet Reflection recently but he is capable of better and could win. The French Raider, Cheikeljack has brilliant form over 7f, enhanced by Ribchesters win early in the week but will he be quick enough for 6f? and then there is Illuminate who looked a world beater last year and is available at huge prices. As talented as he is I’m not a Washington DC fan. I am a Kachy fan but he may not be quite good enough. This is one to savour.
2 units e/w Quiet Reflection @ 9/4 with Bet 365
1 unit e/w Buratino @ 20/1 with Skybet
4.20 Coronation Stakes
Nemoralia has done nothing wrong and has form lines that say she is going to be ultra competitive in this race and with a little more improvement she can run a number big enough to be a winner. Czabo skipped Wednesdays engagement for this race and after a strong win in France Mick Channon fancies his chances. Alice Springs is capable of better for Aiden O’Brien but it would appear Jet Setting has her measure and after a victory over Minding I think she has everyone’s measure.
4 units e/w Jet Setting @ 3/1 with Skybet – this price cant last
5.00 Duke of Edinburgh
I like 5 in this race who all have the ability to win this. Ajman Bridge who needs to come back to form but has more game than we have seen from most of these and may be able to produce today. Fabricate is unexposed and has a victory over Sir Chauvelin, which not many can say this year as he has won 4 and surely the Queen can have a winner in her big year, particularly after losing one yesterday. First Sitting looks the type capable of a big run. Elite Army is burdened with top weight but that’s because on the evidence of forr the handicapper says he is the best in the race and Cymro rarely runs a bad race but that might be to his detriment. Its not easy but my two are:-
1 unit e/w Ajman Bridge @ 16/1 with Bet 365
1 unit e/w Fabricate @ 11/1 with Bet 365
5.35 The Queens Vase
Andrew Balding will have a winner at this festival and it may be Ormito who has doing nothing wrong when finishing placed the last twice and hasn’t been overfaced in this grade. Landofhopeandglory will be popular as the stable seem to have an embarrassment of riches over this trip and the success yesterday in the Gold Cup shows just how versatile this breeding line is. Daphne looks unexposed for William Haggas but will have to improve for this step up in trip and Girling has a similar profile for Ralph Becket so no surprises there if his charge were successful. I am a big fan of Ebediyin, if not his trainer and only because I can never get him right. Dermot Weld is a genius and I’m not and if I can work him out I know in betting terms we could be good friends so I am going to side with his horse against Aidens for an Irish 1-2 in the last
1 unit e/w Landofhopeandglory @ 15/2 with Bet 365
1 unit e/w Ebediyin @ 100/30 with Skybet
