The heatwave is over and it’s pouring at Ascot on King George day, so expect some ease in the deteriorating ground. I’ve no interest in taking on Enable in the King George with Crystal Ocean, who is a top price of 4/1, as she simply wins if getting a clear run and her main market rival might be better over a shorter trip. Defoe is worth a shout at 20/1 in the each-way markets as that’s a little insulting on the back of two very good wins this season, but I hate betting each-way without any hope of actually winning the race.
In the opener there’s an awful lot to like about ante-post favourite for the 1,000 Guineas, Summer Romance, a daughter of Kingman who has struck twice this season with ease in both underfoot conditions and the manner of those successes. That said, this isn’t a one-horse race and I suspect the market’s obsession with her chance has pushed some talented rivals out to appealing prices.
I’m going to back DARK LADY for Richard Hannon, who never trains his horses to win first time out, and this filly took a nice step forward from a very promising debut to bolt up at Lingfield. She looks very fast and will be a very tough nut to crack. The other one I liked was 33/1 rag Under The Stars, but I suspect this will be too hot a race.
1pt win Dark Lady @9/1, 13:50 Ascot, Saturday