Ritual has won his last 3 races and will be hard to beat in the Sandown 2.20.
Forte Dei Marmi has been below par this season but I am hoping that he returns to form in the 4.00 at Sandown where he is a course and distance winner.
In the 4.35 I am hoping that Oceanway can follow up her recent win at Chester.
In the 5.05 the increased distance and the fitting of a first time visor might do the trick for Nibani.
The unexposed Voodoo Prince is a tentative selection at Haydock in the 8.15.
Having just returned from a holiday in Italy I will start with a quick look back at some notable equine performances of the last week or so.
I left you with a few tips and one of them actually won, Distant Memories getting home by a nose at Pontefract. A good effort especially as conditions were not ideal for him. He is a consistent sort and should continue to pay to follow.
Whiplash Willie, a horse I have been following this season absolutely romped home in a handicap at Salisbury wearing a first time visor. The handicapper may put him up a fair bit form this but he is quite lightly raced and may have further improvement to come. On the same card Leviathan showed a good attitude to win the 1 mile handicap.
Oceanway won at 16/1 at Chester and there should be more to come from her. Tahaamah was another impressive Chester winner that should pay to follow.
We have had to wait but it was worthwhile as Dominant proved just that in the Tattersalls Millions 3YO Trophy at Newmarket. Roger Varian’s colt appreciated the rain softened ground as he powered clear in the latter stages to annihilate some useful rivals. He had found the surface too lively at Newbury last time but was given an excellent ride by Neil Callan tracking the pace before readily pulling away. On this evidence, Dominant looks a Pattern race performer in the making and may be even better over twelve furlongs in time. Cut in the ground appears to be the key though.
Looking at today’s results King Ferdinand won at Pontefract and seems to like a tight track as he is also a winner at Chester.
Tomorrow I like the look of Hot Spice in the 5.30 at Haydock and Levitate in the Yarmouth 4.40.
There is an evening meeting at Epsom where the consistent Tasfeya has an each way chance in the 9.00. Junket is my best bet at Newbury. He goes in the 8.10. State Opera looks over priced in the 9.10.
Just a few horses to look out for. At Pontefract tomorrow Our Joe Mac (3.40) and Distant Memories (4.10) would be worth a look if we get some rain. Shallow Bay (3.40) is another interesting runner.
The site will be updated next on 27th June.
I will start tonight’s preview with a look at the two big field handicaps at Ascot tomorrow. My original fancy for the 4.25 was Hoof It who may be better than his current rating. The ground may be a slight concern as his winning form is on a sound surface but he was only beaten a short head on soft ground at Haydock last year. Deacon Blues should handle the ground, is a progressive sort and Johnny Murtagh rides him for the first time. Mac’s Power was only beaten a head at Newbury last month and he should handle the ground. Victoire de Lyphar was runner up in the Ayr Gold Cup last season and should go well. Of those at bigger prices Cheverton and Anne of Kiev are worth considering. In a very open race I will go with the James Fanshawe pair of Mac’s Power and Deacon Blues. I very much fear Hoof It but have deserted him because of the ground and his draw.
In the 5.00 Modun, Fox Hunt and Taqleed are all interesting. Modun will be hard to beat if he handles the ground. Taqleed looks the main danger.
Other Ascot selections; 3.05 Harris Tweed: 3.45 Bated Breath.
Mariachi Man appeared not to get the trip at York last week over 10 furlongs. Back to a mile he should go close in the 2.50 at Ayr.
Maqaraat should outclass his rivals in the 7.15 at Haydock, while Chill showed enough promise at Sandown last time to be given a chance in the 7.45.
Newmarket 1.35 Kirthill: 4.15 Mehdi; 4.50 Danehill Dante.
We nearly had a god day at Ascot – nearly but not quite. Field of Miracles was beaten a short head at 16/1, Alkimos was also runner up and my 3 against the field in the 5.35 finished 2nd, 3rd and 4th. At least Sagramor won for us at 8/1.
The 3.05 tomorrow looks ultra competitive. Glen’s Diamond and Mijhaar both come into the race on the back of a win. Glen’s Diamond has won 4 in a row, handles any ground and will be suited by this trip. He looks sure to be in the shake up. The lightly raced Mijhaar is another suited by ground and trip. Fulgur beat Mijhaar in a maiden last season and was far from disgraced when 3rd at Newbury on his last start. World Domination won a Newbury maiden and was then 4th in the Dante at York. My selection though has to be Nathaniel. Only beaten a head by Treasure Beach at Chester and the winner has of course gone on to finish 2nd in the Derby. The third horse in that race was Slumber who finished 3rd at Royal Ascot today. Given that Nathaniel was second to Frankel on his racecourse debut and his overall form looks solid.
Joviality won the Musidora Stakes at York and is dropped back in trip to a mile for the 3.45. She is speedy enough and the shorter trip should suit her. She should go well at a decent price.
Forte Dei Marmi has not lived up to expectations so far this season but his latest run was slightly more encouraging and he is worth another chance in the 4.25.
I will try a couple of big outsiders in the 5.35, Striking Spirit and Courageous.
Selections elsewhere; Goodwood 6.50 Marie Rose and Korngold; 8.30 Zing Wing;
Newmarket 6.30 Medaille D’Or; 7.35 Wom: 8.40 Raahin;
Today’s picture is courtesy of the artist Jane Dunn.
I am on a retrieval mission tomorrow after drawing a blank at Ascot today.
Favourites have a poor record in the 3.05 so it makes sense to look at an outsider or two. Arizona Jewel and Field of Miracles would be my suggestions.
There are question marks against many of the fancied runners in the Gold Cup (3.45). Motrice looks a solid stayer and at double figured odds is worth a small interest.
The 30 runner 4.25 is obviously a difficult puzzle. Both Belgian Bill and Sagramor look progressive sorts and they will do for me.
Alkimos, Midsummer Sun and Hunters Light all come into the 5.00 on the back of a recent win. Of the trio Alkimos probably has the best credentials.
I have taken a similar line with the 5.35 where my short list of recent winners consists of Census, Well Sharp and Communicator. Newbury winner Census is perhaps the pick.
My best bet at Beverley is in the 9.10 with Farlow while at Ripon the 3.20 sees an interesting clash between a couple of improving types in Defence of Duress and Samarkand. Defence of Duress who holds Group 1 entries is my selection but Samarkand is certainly a big danger.
Today’s picture is courtesy of the artist Katy Sodeau.
Day 1 at Royal Ascot went well enough with a couple of winners at decent odds.
The opener tomorrow at 2.30 is the Group 3 Jersey Stakes over 7 furlongs and there are quite a few with claims. Fury was 5th in the Guineas and is possibly th horse with the ebst form. Strong Suit was quite a star last season but disappointed on his reappearance in the Greenham. A return to his best would put him very much in contention. Western Aristocrat has won both his starts. He is upped in class here and comes into the could be anything bracket. This trio are respected but for my selection I am going with Codemaster, a horse I have followed since his first run as a 2 year old. He is yet to finish out of the first 2, he should handle the ground and won over this distance in a listed contest on his most recent start.
Music Show won the Falmouth Stakes last season and was generally most consistent. She has been below her nest this term so far but I will continue to follow her. She runs in the 3.05 where she has each way claims.
So You Think has been impressive in winning both his starts this season and is preferred in the 3.45 to Rewilding.
In the 4.25 my each way selections are Brick Red who is slowly finding his form and Eton Forever, winner of the Doncaster Spring Mile at the start of the season.
The 5.35 looks a very open race. Cape Dollar and Dubai Queen would be my suggestions.
Lion Court looks a typical Sir Mark Prescott improver in the Hamilton 3.35.
Jack Smudge is a bit better than his form figures indicate and is over priced in the Ripon 8.20, while The Caped Crusader is another that looks value an hour later.
Today’s picture is courtesy of the artist Karen Davies.
Royal Ascot looks like being even better than usual this year and the meeting starts with one of the highlights of the week, the clash between Goldikova and Canford Cliffs. It may be that the finishing speed of Canford Cliffs will prove decisive but I just favour the French challenger. She has won over 9 furlongs and with a fast pace assured and some ease in the ground she may be able to run the finish out of her rival. If the ground is riding soft then Cityscape would have serious place prospects.
I don’t have a strong view on the 3.05. Astrophysical Jet is one that I thought about but the ground may be just against this one. Prohibit runs well at Ascot and would be my each way selection.
You would think that Frankel would win the 3.45 judged on his runaway success in the 2,000 Guineas. That was a strange race though and it may even have taken quite a lot out of the horse. Wootton Bassett and Dream Ahead are possible alternatives but this is not a race that I would have a bet in.
I successfully tipped the winner of the 5.05 last season but Junior has more weight to carry this time and that may stop him from repeating his triumph. The lightly raced Ashbrittle and Nicky Henderson’s runner Veiled are my two main fancies this time.
Carlisle winner Worthington looks value at 12/1 in the 5.35.
The oldest horse running on the flat tomorrow is The Tatling (pictured below), still going strong at the ripe old age of 14. He has won on both his previous visits to Brighton and looks interesting in the 6.00 at the seaside track.
Picture courtesy of the artist Lisa Miller.
At Carlisle tomorrow the consistent Jade looks to have a decent chance while Spinatrix is the each value at a bigger price.
Sea of Heartbreak is my selection in the 7.40 at Warwick
My main hopes at Windsor are Red Eyes in the 8.00 and Sim Sala Bim in the 8.30.
At Doncaster tomorrow Deny has scope to improve in the 5.05.
Jockey Ryan Moore is in top form and he can take the 2.00 at Salisbury with Nibani.
Lastly Avon Pearl has an each way chance in the 4.15 for another in form trainer in Henry Candy.
ahorse 