Racing Chat - Friday June 23rd (Ascot Day 4)

[BillyHills]

Ascot Day 3 - Friday

Decent card on Friday at Ascot, we have two Group 1 races, two 3yo Group 2's a Fillies 2yo race and a 20 runner handicap to finish off with.

The opening contest is the Albany and while I have little time for the 2yo form this season I do think Alpha Centauri is a very smart filly in the making. She clocked a fast time apparently at Naas last time and that backed up what we saw visually. I have her 20pts clear on ratings and that will do for starters.

I backed Permian in the Derby and he ran better than his finishing position might suggest, he goes in the King Edward VII Stakes and meets Best Solution again. Crystal Ocean will be popular for the Stoute yard but nothing stands out.

Race 3 is the eagerly awaited Commonwealth Cup and the meeting between Caravaggio, Harry Angel and Blue Point. Each will have their supporters but Blue Point just comes out on top of the figures. Caravaggio's win here last year was impressive so is obviously a big danger along with the Clive Cox youngster who is improving.

The Coronation Stakes looks a formality for the Aidan O'Brien team with Winter, she will be long odds on so a little each way on Roly Poly wouldn't be the worst bet you ever had although its a watcher for me.

The Queens Vase is always a tough race to win, you often need something that is both improving and has plenty of courage. It's wide open this year and my rating suggest Fierce Impact is value at around 16/1. He tackles this trip for the first time and has improved with each run so far.

The finale is the days raffle, any one of a dozen could win this and I wouldn't be surprised. The Queen has a runner and that will be most popular especially with Ryan Moore in the saddle, I wouldn't put you off Mainstream although he has trouble actually winning races. The ratings horse is Cape Cova for in form Gosden yard and is worth an each way nibble.

 

2.30: Alpha Centauri 5/2 Bet365
3.40: Blue Point EW 11/2 Betway

[BillyHills]

445 Recar:

Cabal NAP 11/4 Bet365
Been running quite well of late and on more than one occasion suggested there was another victory in the 10yo mare. Over 7f at Wetherby last time she finished with a right rattle when it was all over and not surprisingly she goes back up to a mile here. It's not a great race and she has gone well here at Redcar a few times.