6f Wokingham Stakes (Heritage Handicap) (Class 2) (3yo+ 0-110)
BLACKROD looks a potential pattern-level performer in the making in the Wokingham. Michael Dods knows how to train a sprinter and Blackrod has been hugely progressive in his short career to date. These big handicaps require a certain constitution and Blackrod has already won two of these sorts of affairs.
His form on fast ground is excellent and I’m not convinced a 5lbs rise from a 19-runner handicap win last time out against several of these is going to be enough to stop him from being able to claim this one.
I also like the look of Ken Condon’s Irish Raider, QUARANTINE DREAMS, who has some nice back class form (two lengths third behind Romantic Proposal on his only start over the 6f trip) from just seven starts. His best performances and only win in his short career have come in a big field with plenty of cover during the race which he will be looking for from stall 2.
Quarantine Dreams has been campaigned this season at 5f having looked like he was crying out for a step up in trip. He looks better than a mark of 100 in his first start in a handicap and has the visor back on again for the first time this season.
1pt win Blackrod @10/1, 17:00 Royal Ascot, Saturday
1pt win Quarantine Dreams 10@/1, 17:00 Royal Ascot, Saturday