The King George at Ascot takes centre stage on Saturday, rightfully so. But there is a nice looking Group 2 contest taking place at York earlier in the afternoon. The race has a wide-open feel with the removal of Eclipse third Desert Encounter, and the current favourite Autocratic doesn’t appear…
Author: Paul Davidson
0.5pt each-way Kyllang Rock @14/1, 16:15 York, Saturday
There’s a good looking renewal of the Listed John Smith’s City Walls Stakes at York this afternoon, with plenty of Group One horses having a go. With Caravaggio, Lady Aurelia, The Tin Man, Limato, Tasleet and Harry Angel somewhat dominating the sprinting division right now, some good horses are forced…
1pt win Tashweeq @5/1, 0.75pt each-way Steady Pace @10/1, 15:25 Newmarket, Saturday
John Gosden enters the unexposed four-year-old TASHWEEQ in the Bunbury Cup and he has very likeable claims. He ran extremely well to finish a close third from a tough draw in the Royal Hunt Cup at Ascot last month, and is allowed to run off his same mark, officially 4lbs well-in. He picked…
1pt win Big Country @7/1, 0.75pt each-way Carntop @12/1, 15:15 Haydock, Saturday
Favourites have a poor recent record in the Old Newton Cup, and Shraaoh, could be another sort to join those ranks. He looks set to line-up as favourite after strong support in the ante-post market. His reappearance run was fairly underwhelming and he has yet prove the hype is true to…
0.75pt each-way Edward Lewis @14/1, 0.75pt each-way Eastern Impact @16/1, 17:00 Ascot, Saturday
Last year’s winner Outback Traveller sits near the top of the market at 8/1 and it would be pretty special if he could repeat his success, but that victory was on a softer surface and he looks vulnerable 4lbs higher than last year. Projection has also been supported, with his…
0.75pt each-way George William @12/1, 0.5pt each-way GM Hopkins @28/1, 17:00 Ascot, Wednesday
El Vip and Abe Lincoln have been backed in off-the-boards over the last few weeks. The former has been the subject of a jockey change with Jamie Spencer switching from Banksea due to Frankie Dettori’s injury, and although unexposed, he lacks experience in these big-field events. Abe Lincoln is similarly…
1.5pts win Qemah @3/1, 15:40 Ascot, Wednesday
The Duke Of Cambridge for fillies and mares really does appear to be a battle between three horses at the top of the market, with the rest of the field lacking any consistent pattern-company performers. Laugh Aloud has been favourite for this contest ever since she hosed-up by five lengths…
1pt win Al Qahwa @5/1, 1pt win Scorching Heat @7/1, 15:05 Newmarket, Saturday
There are a few horses coming in to this handicap on the upgrade, and several will be competing in the Wokingham at Royal Ascot in a few weeks time. The favourite is currently Godolphin’s Culturati, who has been off the track for over 600 days having not raced since he…
0.75pt each-way Kimberella @10/1, 0.5pt each-way Excessable @12/1, 15:45 Epsom Downs, Saturday
The fastest five furlong sprint in UK racing is held at Epsom on Derby Day. The ‘Dash’ always proves to be a spectacle and with twenty runners lined-up, it looks extremely competitive. The highly drawn horses have historically had an advantage, indeed last year the top four places were filled…
0.5pt each-way Sobetsu @9/1, 16:30 Epsom Downs, Friday
As final declarations were made for the Epsom Oaks on Friday, we learned that there would be a field of nine who will try to contest what looks to be a mighty challenge from Rhododendron. The O’Brien filly is yet to tackle the mile-and-a-half trip, but there seems to be…