Racing Chat - Saturday 19th June

[The Brigadier]

At last we know what the ground will be tomorrow – very soft !! Its mudlarks were looking for so here we go with my thoughts on the last day.

 

Ascot 2.30

The 7F Chesham Stakes kicks off proceedings on the final day and can go to the Aidan O’Brien hot pot Point Lonsdale who looked something special when winning at The Curragh on his debut in June by 5 1/2L on yielding ground. O’Brien has won this event three times in the last five years with a smart juvenile and looks something to bet on here. Charlie Appleby supplies the chief danger in New Science who impressed when winning at Yarmouth on his debut although that was on good ground. Recent Newbury maiden winner Great Max is highly regarded although his win was gained on good to firm ground. The only other pieces of soft ground form come form Masekela who won on soft and outsider Radio Caroline who won on heavy but I’ll stick with the O’Brien hotpot to get us off to a flyer. 

POINT LONSDALE 2 points win 13/8 BetVictor

 

Ascot 3.05

19 go to post for the Jersey Stakes and my short list comprises of the Godolphin runner Creative Force who’s stepping up to 7F here for the first time and did a very good piece of work last weekend but his stamina will be tested on this ground.. Bellosa is unbeaten in two runs at 7F and this filly is very much on the upgrade but is unproven on soft whilst Tactical is another who could be competitive. The best soft ground form is brought into the race by the O’Brien runner Khartoum who is two from two on soft ground and well berthed in stall 18. He’ll do for me here. 

KHARTOUM 1 point each way 7/1 William Hill 1/5^th 12345

 

Ascot 3.40

A high quality renewal of the Hardwicke with 15 going to post including a quartet of runners from the Aidan O’Brien camp. Ryan Moore has picked Broome and looks the best of the four. Hukum should be in the mix for Owen Burrows whilst William Haggas saddles Ilaraab who’s chasing a seven timer here stepping up into group company for the first time and has won on soft. 2019 St Leger winner Logician is a lot better than he’s shown recently and is apparently been working well under Martin Harley at Newmarket but the ground may have gone against him. Wonderful Tonight is a real mudlark who makes her seasonal debut here and looks sure to run a big race although her trainer did say that she will need this run. Albaflora will love the ground and is another who could outrun her odds. 

WONDERFUL TONIGHT 2 points win 4/1 Bet365

ALBAFLORA 1 point each way 6/1 1/5^th Bet365 1234

 

Ascot 4.20

14 of the best sprinters around line up for the 6F Group 1 Golden Jubilee Stakes. The ground is the key to the Ed Walker trained Starman who ideally needs fast ground though he did get away with good to soft when winning at York on his re-appearance from Nahaarr who re-opposes here.It wouldn’t be a shock to see Ed walker pull Starman out.  Dream Of Dreams has been runner up in this event for the last two years and should be thereabouts also on ground he won’t mind. Glen Shiel won the Group 1 on Champions Day here last October on similar ground and along with Art Power will love this ground. The ground wont be an issue for Dream Of Dreams and he’s the selection ahead of Glen Shiel. 

DREAM OF DREAMS 2 points win 3/1 Bet365

GLEN SHIEL 1 point each way 15/2 1/5^th 1234

 

Ascot 5.00

A maximum field of 28 go to post for this year’s Wokingham Handicap. Kings Lynn is very well handicapped and the most likely winner as he is 7lb well in here and wasn’t disgraced on Tuesday in the Kings Stand over 5F where he didn’t get the splits at the right time. There’s plenty to like about him bar the price so I’ll be looking elsewhere for some value. Pendleton comes here in top form following his York win and loves the mud and hopefully stall 2 will be no deterrence as he can bag the far rail. He looks sure to go well. He may not have the best draw in stall 13 but I can’t let soft ground specialist Air Raid run without a wager. He’s 5 from 8 on soft/heavy ground and can run well. I must also give a mention to Punchbowl Flyer who loves the ground. 

PENDELTON 1 1/2 points each way William Hill 17/2 1/5^th 123456

AIR RAID ½ point each way 25/1 William Hill 1/5^th 123456

 

Ascot 5.35

The second running of the Golden Gates Handicap is run over 10F for three year olds. Another tough looking handicap with handicap debutants from the Varian yard - Foxes Tales and Alfaadhel both capable of a big run if handling with the conditions. Stay Well is also of interest on his handicap debut as he was touted by his trainer Hughie Morrison as a Derby hope when winning impressively at Windsor before getting stuck in the mud at Lingfield in their Derby trial. King Frankel was a shade unlucky when only getting going late at Epsom last time and despite a 3lb rise maybe the one to beat all the unexposed handicap debutants. Trained by Mark Johnstone and ridden by Frankie Dettori he looks sure to be bang there and is proven on soft ground. But the selection has to be Richard Fahey’s Seasett who is a real mudlark and has sneaked in to the race as first reseve. His owner Nick Bradley said in the Racing Post last week that this was his nap of the meeting and with conditions in his favour can take this. 

SEASETT 2 points each way  13/2 Paddy Power 1/5^th 12345

 

Ascot 6.10

The final race of the meeting is the stamina sapping Queen Alexandra Stakes run over 2m 5 1/2F. The last two winners of this race are back for more in Cleonte and Who Dares Wins. Dermot Weld saddles his Chester Cup winner Falcon Eight and he looks sure to stay and is my selection. Frankie Dettori was on board then and retains the ride. My best outsider who be the Paul Nicholls trained Scaramanga to be ridden by his daughter Megan. He arrives in good form having won two handicap hurdles in the Spring and although he’s hard to fancy on his flat form if he can translate his decent NH form where he’s rated 141 to the track it would put him right in the mix. . Stag Horn is another who will love conditions and is my saver in the race. 

FALCON EIGHT 2 points win 9/2 Bet365

STAG HORN 1 point each way 11/2 1/5^th 1234

 

 

 

[Tedthewolf]

WOKINGHAM

Having two really  decent e/w bets in this  last years winner which i had at 40/1 returned 18/1 HEY JONESY  is my first selection only 1lb higher the soft ground will be no problem and currently  around 25/1 will do for me  my second selection is last years 4th  really  decent horse  and looks big threat in this GULLIVER and  around 18/1 is fair enough.