Tuesday 19 June 2018

Wednesday picks

Royal Ascot Selections.

2:30 Shades Of Blue 4/1
3:05 Stream Of Stars 7/2
3:40 Wilamina 8/1 ew
4:20 Cracksman 4/6
5:00 Saltonstall 12/1 ew
5:35 Purser 14/1 ew

Ascot Wednesday

Two winners on Tuesday, Without Parole and Monarchs Glen doing the business. Hoping to continue the good form on Wednesday.

2:30
Chelsea Cloisters is favourite and baring in mind Wesley Wards record with his sprinters she needs to be feared. At 2/1 she is too short and I’ll taker her on with second favourite Shades Of Blue, she was impressive first time out at this venue doing her best work late on. There should be any amount of improvement and the second from that race has won twice since.
Shades Of Blue e/w 9/2

3:05
Aidan O’Brien holds the aces here with Kew Gardens the choice of Ryan Moore and Nelson. Both have been running at the highest level and the drop to group 2 will help. They have had the chances though and I’ll take a possible improver with Stream Of Stars for the form duo of Gosden and Dettori. Having only raced twice  he should have plenty more to give especially over this longer trip. With John Gosden having won this race last year I’d like to think he knows what it takes to win this again. Of the O’Brien runners it could be Southern France who lays down the biggest challenge.
Stream Of Stars 7/2

3:40
Hydrangea is a worthy favourite and should go really close, but has to give weight to all her rivals as she is a group one winner. Aljazzi is another group class performer at this kind of level and will be on the premises but I prefer the chances of Wilamina. Her form is pretty solid and was impressed with her last time out a Epsom when running out a winner in a group 3. Before that she finished runner up to the smart Wuheida in the group 2 Dahlia Stakes and at around 8/1 I think she is cracking value. Hydrangea could end up being to classy for the rest but if she is not on her game I can see Wilamina going very close.
Wilamina e/w 8/1

4:20
Cracksman wins simple. For some value each way I’d chance Dubai Sheema Classic winner Hawkbill at 12/1.
Cracksman 4/6

5:00
A massive field for this handicap and six places on offer for each way bets. I like Saltonstall for Godolphin at around 12/1 and the second selection is Archetype at a price of 28/1. He has shown good progressive form and the booking of Silvestre De Sousa is a positive for the yard. Small stakes only for this race.
Saltonstall e/w 12/1 and Archetype e/w 28/1

5:35
I will be giving another chance to William Haggis’ Headway who was hugely impressive when coming from the clouds to win cosily at Lingfield. He then finished down the field in the Guineas but we have already seen how strong that form is. Society Power is much respected for the same trainer, rattling up a progressive five timer with the last two contests at class 2 level and there could be more to come. That combination of Gosden and Dettori team up again with Purser, and like Tuesdays win with Monarchs Glen also owned by Khallid Abdullah is a nice price. At 14/1 I’d be surprised if he wasn’t on the premises at the line.
Headway e/w 10/1 and Purser e/w 14/1 


Friday 1 June 2018

Derby Day

2:00
Ship Of The Fen has a low weight and should go well. Poets Prince has been running well and is a worthy favourite, but has a a couple of concerns if the ground remains on the soft side. I like Court House, he has been running in decent races last time splitting Old Persion and Department Of War in a listed contest. 6/1 seems a decent price for an each way bet.

2:35
This is a really open race where none of the runners can really be discounted. Stage Name could be anything having only run twice before, stepping up on his debut second to score next time out. Lincoln Rocks, Shenanigans and Wilamina bring Listed and Group race form with them and will all be in the mix. I’m going to go for Anna Nerium after her seventh in the 1000 Guineas. The horses that finished in front have done the form no harm. Happily and Soliloquy finished third and fourth in the Irish Guineas, fourth home Wild Illusion was second in the Oaks yesterday and Laurens has since won a group one in France. On top of that she gets 9lbs from all bar one of her rivals.

3:10
Breton Rock is a consistent performer but probably better over 7 furlongs than a mile, he is also now 8 and not going to be improving. Arod won last time out at Windsor in a Listed race. That was his first win for almost two years and isn’t one to rely upon in this Group 3 although he has been given some tough assignments. Love Dreams has been progressively nicely and will need to continue that trend stepping up in class today. I’m siding with Century Dream, he had been running very well in class 2 races before a poor showing in a Group 2 at Longchamp. He bounced back to win a Listed race at Ascot last time, the third that day has since finished sixth in the Group 1 Lockinge.

3:45
Six places available for each way betting and a real head scratcher. Chances a plenty down the card, BoomThe Groom ran well last time and having Silvestre De Sousa on board can only help his chances, he can be tricky to win with is a note of caution with him. Caspian Prince has a fantastic record in the race having won it three times before, he should grab a place at least. Duke Of Firenze won this in 2013 and has been placed the last two years and should do again. I think Dark Shot could prevail as market leader, he came from the back with an almighty run last year to just fail to get there and his comeback run this year for his new trainer would have put him spot on. Whatever you back ensure it’s each way as this is tricky.

4:30
Roaring Lion stepped up nicely from his Guineas run to land the Dante comfortably last time. John Gosden expected his charge to improve for middle distances this year and he did that well. How could a renewal of that race is open to question and he has been beaten twice by the favourite so hard to see him reverse that trend here. Young Rascal and Dee Ex Bee we’re first and second in the Chester Vase last time, Willie Haggis’ youngster looked impressive that day and having only had three runs, I expect him to hold up that form with more improvement likely against his more experienced rival. Knight To Behold looks another interesting runner having also only run three times, he stepped up to win the Lingfield Derby trial last time and should improve again. Saxon Warrior is a worthy favourite with his Guineas win the best form and best trial for this. He has looked every inch a middle distance performer and being by Deep Impact he should easily get the trip. Hazapour brings the Irish trial form winning the Derrinstown from Delano Roosevelt and The Pentagon. Delano Roosevelt has been crying out for a trip and I think he is and each way player at a decent price, Hazapour will go on the dogfish ground nicely and could figure with Frankie Dettori an interesting booking to ride as he doesn’t for Dermot Weld very often.
I think Saxon Warrior wins and Young Rascal to follow him home.

5:15
Across The Stars is very consistent but hardly wins. Golden Wolf is also very consistent and has only run nine times and could have more to offer at a nice 8/1. Pacify was behind Ajman King last time out and that one has gone in again since to frank the form. Dash Of Spice finished second in that race and it’s hard to see the form being turned around. The 4/1 on offer looks like a nice price to get on.


Wednesday picks

Royal Ascot Selections. 2:30 Shades Of Blue 4/1 3:05 Stream Of Stars 7/2 3:40 Wilamina 8/1 ew 4:20 Cracksman 4/6 5:00 Saltonstall 12/1...