The heavy downpours overnight have made the ground unseasonably soft at Newbury. Old favourite Withhold runs in the 2m Marsh Cup, and on his day he would certainly smash this field. The 2017 Cesarewitch winner can go well fresh, but having burst a blood vessel prior to competing in the…
July Festival day three selections: Wild Thunder (12/1), Pretty Pollyanna (14/1)
7f (July) bet365 Superlative Stakes (Group 2) (Class 1) (2yo) There are plenty of live chances in this race but it’s WILD THUNDER who I’m siding with at the prices. He’s only raced once and trainer Richard Hannon is always keen to stress any horse of his that wins on debut is pretty smart.…
July Festival day one selections: King Neptune (14/1)
Newmarket’s July meeting kicks off on Thursday, building up to the Group One July Cup on Saturday. Here are Thursday’s best bets. 6f (July) Tattersalls July Stakes (Group 2) (Colts & Geldings) (Class 1) (2yo) This looks a good each-way market as there’s eight runners and a once-raced favourite that’s easy enough to take…
Irish Derby day selections: Georgeville (5/1), Romero (12/1)
1m2f Dubai Duty Free Full Of Surprises International Stakes (Group 3) (3yo+) Royal Ascot winner Addeybb is out again but will not get his favoured soft ground, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he gets withdrawn if it gets too quick. Blenheim Palace should relish these conditions if he’s anything like his…
Royal Ascot day five selections
Diamond Jubilee Stakes (Group One) 6f Blue Point won the King’s Stand on Tuesday and is back again to complete a famous sprint double at Royal Ascot. He’s excellent over this 6f trip and is clearly the best horse in the race, but he simply has to be taken on…
1pt each-way Cape Byron @15/2, 1pt each-way Gunmetal @12/1, 17:00 Royal Ascot, Saturday
Another competitive looking renewal of the Wokingham and Frankie Dettori’s mount dominates the top of the market. But, I can’t have Danzeno at 7/1 with him carrying a penalty for his recent run and him generally being a little less reliable as he gets older. Also towards the top of…
1pt each-way Advertise @8/1, 15:40 Ascot, Friday
Ten Sovereigns is a worthy favourite for the Commonwealth Cup on day 4 of Royal Ascot. With Frankie Dettori stealing the show on Thursday, there is every chance Ryan Moore will do something similar on Friday with three short-priced chances. The jolly clear didn’t see out the mile in the…
Royal Ascot day four selections
Albany Stakes (Group 3) 6f Far too many (25) runners for a deep look into this race but I like everything about the chances of LIL GREY in the opener. The stand side horses have bossed the straight track this week and she’s in stall 25 on the rail, while…
Royal Ascot day three selections
Hampton Court Stakes (Group 3) 10f Highland Reel never liked soft ground, nor did his little brother Idaho, and chances are the youngest sibling Cape Of Good Hope wants good ground too, so he’s fairly easy to dismiss – he hasn’t done too much to suggest he’s as good as…
Royal Ascot day two selections
Queen Mary Stakes (Group Two) 5f I can’t have the American raider at the prices given her dirt pedigree and the fact she’s never raced on soft ground, on a straight course or indeed on grass. I’m not sure why Aidan O’Brien’s chief hope TANGO is such a big price…