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St Leger Festival 2018 – Gentleman’s Day – Preview and Tips

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John Gosden’s incredible campaign has encompassed all types of races and he could have another chance of taking a major handicap in the shape of Ben Vrackie in the Mallard Handicap, who was beaten by St Leger contender Maid Up last time at Goodwood. There is no shame in that defeat given that Maid Up had previously won the Lille Langtry, which produced the first and third in the Park Hill Stakes at Doncaster Yesterday

He had previous beaten a previous winner by 11 lengths in a novice stakes at Lingfield and this big handicap, which is likely to be well run, ought to suit him more than a three-horse sprint. Nakeeta has proven disappointing for this column, but it is worth remembering that it’s less than a year ago when he was finishing fifth in the Melbourne Cup. Before that he’d won the Ebor at York and he’s had excuses since. On his return in the Chester Cup he was drawn to the outside and afterwards he was a staying on fifth in the JLT Handicap – his Ebor seventh was a disappointing effort in that light but the quality of that race is so rarefied is that this has to be considered to be a lesser contest and he’s worth chancing once again.

The Japan Racing Association Sceptre Stakes (1.50) sees the ladies go first and whilst one can expect Laugh Aloud to shape a lot better for her return, Anna Nerium’s defeat of older horses at Goodwood is amongst the standout form and took her record over this trip to 3-4 here. Dan’s Dream will like the ground whilst Dancing Star was unlucky in the Oak Tree Stakes but Ellthea is of interest. She has been highly tried since taking the Park Stakes in Ireland but there was no shame in finishing seventh in the Pouliches or fifth in the Sandringham and the form of the latter has worked out quite well with second Crown Walk, winning the Group Three Prix Chloe since, and the third Efaadh winning the Group Three Prix de la Porte Maillot. She likes to cut but handles good ground and looks a rock solid each/way contender here.

The Flying Childers is a well contested race but the same applied to the Molecomb Stakes at Goodwood and Rumbleinthejungle won that and won it well and his Norfolk fourth is shaping up well too. He looks a worthy favourite and has had just three starts, so hopefully would not have peaked just yet.

Legends Of War, a fine second in the Gimcrack, and a Indigo Balance, a gutsy winner of the Curragh Stakes over Gossamer Wings last time, could be chief threats although Solider’s Call ought to go well too.

The Doncaster Cup (3.35) looks far too trappy to contemplate and it is hard to take on Sangarius in the Weatherbys Global Stallions App Flying Scotsman Stakes (4.05), so it could be best to leave things there.

Advice

1.50 Doncaster – 1 pt win Anna Nerium (5/1 Paddy Power, 9/2 general)
1.50 Doncaster – 1 pt each/way Ellthea (10/1 Betfair, 9/1 general)
2.25 Doncaster – 2 pts win Rumbleinthejungle (2/1 Betfair, Paddy Power)
3.00 Doncaster – 2 pts each/way Ben Vrackie (Bet365, Hills)
3.00 Doncaster – 1 pt each/way Nakeeta (14/1 general)

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St Leger Festival 2018 – Legends Day – Preview and Tips

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If you are a racing fan, this is the beginning of a wonderful period. The William Hill St Leger Festival at Doncaster starts today with Legends Day and progresses through the week, the Listowel Races are in full flow, and we are only two days away from Irish Champions Weekend, and three days from the Arc Trials.

It’s a feast of top class racing and even if today’s action might pale in comparison there’s still a competitive card worthy of attention.

The pattern race of the day is the Listed DC Training And Development Scarborough Stakes at (3.00), where Global Applause makes the most appeal although what is a terribly trappy race is passed over. The same is true of the Legends Stakes at 3.35, and one of four selections comes in the opening Conditions Stakes (1.50).

Khaadem was third behind Calyx and the dual winner Octave at Newmarket on his debut and has since won impressive at Newmarket, taking a novice stakes by three and a half lengths. That was an easier opportunity than this but he had plenty in hand when recording a good time and can get the better of what looks a useful field, with Converter likely to improve after winning on debut at odds of 16/1 in taking style.

Alfie Solomons, second in a valuable sales race at York last time, arguably sets the form standard but is much more exposed.

The Owlerton Greyhound Stadium Nursery (2.25) is a race in which anyone of seven has a realistic chance but Hesslewood could be worth supporting again. Not much has gone right since a taking win at York on debut but James Bethell won this in 2013 and if he was considered good enough to go for York’s valuable nursery off 89 then he can prove well handicapped off 86. 7 furlongs and ground with cut are both risks, but at 16/1 they could be worth taking,

The EBF Breeders’ Series Fillies’ Handicap (4.05) might be the most informative and competitive race of the day, but if Crystal Hope can return to her early season form then she has every chance of proving to be the best handicapped horse here. On her seasonal debut she was a Sandown Novice Stakes, and the second and third home from that race were first and fourth in the Musidora Stakes.

On face value, she was well beaten when fancied for the Haras De Bouquetot Fillies’ Trial Stakes in May, but the impressive winner that day was Sea Of Class, and second was Athena. Both are Group 1 winners now and Crystal Hope was not suited by the stop start gallop there either. Her recent run at Salisbury was disappointing, but a mark of 91 is surely within her reach and the step upto 12 furlongs could be a big help too.

In the William Hill Leading Racecourse Bookmaker Conditions Stakes (4.40) Afaak makes the most appeal on the basis that he handles easy ground, stays 10 furlongs, and has the best form with three big efforts in top handicaps at the summer’s big meetings.

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Advice

1.50 Doncaster – 2 pts win Khaadem (11/10 general)

2.25 Doncaster – 1 pt each/way Hesslewood (16/1 general)

4.05 Doncaster – 3 pts win Crystal Hope (7/2 general)

4.40 Doncaster – 2 pts win Afaak (13/8 general)

Day 3 of the York Ebor Festival – Preview and Tips

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Here’s Will Kedjanyi’s in-depth race by race preview of Day 3 of the York Ebor Festival. JP

1.55 – Sky Bet Handicap (Class 2) (3YO plus): Always competitive but First National makes easily the most appeal here. Charlie Appleby’s four-year-old danced every dance at the top handicapping table before taking the Old Rowley Cup and he should improve plenty from his reappearance behind Kelly’s Dino at Ascot. Kelly’s Dino has a solid each/way chance along with the favourite Melting Dew.

Advice: 1 pt each/way First National (8/1 Paddy Power)

2.25 – Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup Stakes (Group 2) (British Champions Series): This ought to be a stroll for Stradivarius, who can take a £1,0000,000 for the stayers’ triple crown. There is a lively betting heat for the places, including the runner up spot, in which Desert Skyline would make most appeal if he was to come back to the form he’d shown when second to Stradivarius in the Yorkshire Cup earlier in the season. Red Verdon’s form at 1m4f would entitle him to be a player here and it’s no surprise he’s second favourite whilst Max Dynamite’s very best flat form would give him a shot.

Advice: No bet.

3.00 – Al Basti Equiworld Gimcrack Stakes (Group 2) (Colts & Geldings): Plenty of contenders here but the Coventry still looks to be the best juvenile contest of the season and Shine So Bright’s fifth there was backed up by a good third in the Richmond Stakes, when ahead of Cosmic Law on both occasions. That form is the best in the field so far and he can take the beating. The Irish Rover disappointed in the Coventry but was a good third to Advertise in the Phoenix Stakes and if he’s not suffered from the bug at Ballydoyle then he ought to be seriously involved.

Space Traveller is currently favourite off the back of two wins so impressive he could have won with any amount of weight, but no horses have won from his novice and he also won a comparatively weak maiden. There’s no huge amount of enthusiasm to get involved with him at the current prices, however.

Legends Of War was seriously impressive on debut at Yarmouth, but the form of that race has worked out poorly and he was well beaten in the July Stakes. He showed a good attitude to take a Newbury novice stakes, but he was all out to take victory then and he will need to improve for a bigger field and stronger gallop.

Chuck Willis got the better of Emaraaty Ana when both were beaten in the Rose Bowl Stakes. The latter named horse was very green then and looks as if she should surely improve for a more well-run race and cover, and it would be no surprise if that form was reversed.

Advice: 2 pts win Shine So Bright (4/1 general)

3.35 – Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions Series) (Class 1) (2yo+): Battash is arguably the fastest 5-furlong horse on the planet and only the Ascot hill – along with the presence of Lady Aurelia – saw Blue Point get the better of him in the King’s Stand. He made a Group 2 field look frankly average in the King George sprint at Goodwood since and, one year older, he should be calmer in the preliminaries, thus saving his energies for the race.

Blue Point ought to be right on his tail, albeit on a track that plays less to his strengths than that of Ascot. However, he does not lack pace and he towers over the field with Battash, with the promise of a big prize should the favourite go too fast or get too worked up.

The rest can be thrown in an absolute heap, with Mabs Cross the third favourite. She was behind Havana Grey and Caspian Prince in the Sapphire Stakes at the Curragh when only seven ran, but the time before she had picked up the pieces to finish third in the King’s Stand when relishing the pace burnup to nearly take second, and this ought to suit her a whole lot more.

Caspian Prince, Take Cover and Alpha Delphini ought to set up a string gallop for her to aim at and it’s not hard to imagine her finishing fast once again to grab a place. Michael Dods charge has kept improving all season and appears to be one of the most likely to run her race.

Havana Grey’s Sapphire Stakes win is excellent form on paper, although it was the only time in which he’s turned up in four starts this season and it’s entirely possible that he could be too close to the pace, as he and Heartache were at Goodwood.

Sioux Nation went off a short price for the Commonwealth Cup but hasn’t run well since winning the Lacken Stakes and probably wants a stiffer test of stamina. The same can probably be said of Declarationofpeace, fourth in the Sapphire, whilst Washington DC can run well. Muthmir is now eight but that’s no barrier to a big run at this level and he has picked up several big results this season from picking up the pieces. There will be lots of pace to aim at once again and he catches the eye at a big price.

Advice: 1 pt each/way Mabs Cross (18/1 Bet365, Betbright, 12/1 Sky Bet), 1 pt each/way Muthmir (40/1, 33/1 Bet365, Hills)

4.15 – British Stallion Studs EBF Convivial Maiden Stakes (Plus 10 Race) (Class 2) (2yo): A surprisingly winnable race given the money on offer. Beat Le Bon made a big impression on debut, but the form is weak despite the fact there was six lengths back to the third and Sky Defender was beaten by a listed runner up on debut at Goodwood. That form’s the best in the race with the potential for improvement and he get the vote on that basis despite promising showings from Indomitable, Barys and Commanding Officer.

Advice: 1 pt win Sky Defender (7/2 general)

4.50 – Crack On Crack On continues to improve restlessly and has much the strongest form here courtesy of his wins in the Silver Bowl and also a strong handicap at Ascot last time when he beat Ulshaw Bridge. Going up 5lbs for that was fair and he sets a high standard for the more unexposed contenders to aim at. Corrosive was fourth that day and should be highly respected with new headgear and also appeals as an each/way choice but there could be value in the shape of Zap, a winner here all the way back on his debut who won the Silver Bunbury Cup, was then first on the wrong side in the International Handicap before getting no run and finishing off well at Goodwood. He’s dropped 1lb for that run, leaving him just 2lbs higher than for his Newmarket win, and looks big at 20/1.

Advice: 1 pt each/way Crack On Crack On (11/2 Bet365, Coral, Ladbrokes), 1 pt each/way Zap (20/1 general)

 

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Day 2 of the York Ebor Festival – Preview and Tips

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Thanks to Will Kedjanyi for this fabulous in-depth preview of Day 2 of the York Ebor Festival. JP

1.55 – Sky Bet Lowther Stakes (Fillies’ Group 2): Fairyland was a hugely creditable third in the Albany Stakes when racing alone on the far side, but the lamentable form of her stablemate makes her impossible to recommend at the time of writing. Angel’s Hideaway was not far behind her at Royal Ascot and has since finished runner up to the Prix Morny winner Pretty Pollyanna and before she won the Princess Margaret Stakes in impressive style herself at Ascot. She ought to take the beating.

Wide margin Novice Stakes winner Flawless Jewel will be waiting in the wings and Little Kim, a disappointment in the Super Sprint, will be on the premises if back to the winning form she showed in the Prix du Bois at Deauville two starts back.

Of the others, two-time winner Firelight makes most appeal.

Advice: 3 pts win Angel’s Hideaway (2/1 general)

2.25 – Goffs UK Premier Yearling Stakes (Class 2) (2YO only): Kodyanna’s only poor run has come in the Queen Anne and there’s no shame in that considering how we’ll the form has worked out. She has since won a nursery here off 83 and finished second in a Deauville Group 3 afterwards.

This race has been dominated by Richard Hannon (three winners in last 10 years) and William Haggas (three winners in a row from 2013-2015) so it’s no surprise that He’zanarab, Masaru and Fanaar are all well liked in the betting.

He’zanarab is the choice of Ryan Moore but Masaru looked a useful prospect when easily landing a minor event at Windsor, which has seen the four length second and third subsequently win their next time. There were two and a half lengths between the second and the third and Masaru had more in hand at the line than the four-length winning margin suggested. Secret Venture, Concierge, Red Balloons, Celebrity Dancer and Big Baby Bull are all contenders.

Advice: 2 pts win Masaru (5/1 general), 1 pt each/way Kodyanna (15/2 Ladbrokes, Hills, Bet Victor)

3.00 – Clipper Logistics Handicap (Class 2): Firmament got no run when it counted in the Betfred Mile at Goodwood, but he finished like a well handicapped horse and at this much more conventional track he should hopefully be able to get a fair crack, and if he can show his best then he’s got every chance of going much closer. He was far more disadvantaged than Poet’s Society (second), Original Choice (third), Mythical Madness (fifth) and Hors De Combat (sixth).

Senority won the Betfred Mile for The Queen and can go well again up just 6lbs, whilst Afaak, second in the Hunt Cup, is worthy of his place towards the head of the market.

Kyrnen has had just one poor effort since the start of the season, and he can be forgiven that in the Hunt Cup. It is a strong sign that he was able to bounce back and finish third in the John Smith’s Cup here over 10 furlongs, form what has been boosted out of the park by Thundering Blue since winning the SkyBet York Stakes and then finishing third in the Juddmonte whilst Borocco has finished second in two group races. This drop in trip might help and he should go very well if in the same form.

Advice: 1 pt each/way Firmanment (8/1 general), 1 pt each/way Kyrnen (8/1 general)  

3.35 – Darley Yorkshire Oaks (Fillies’ and Mares’ Group 1): Another top-class renewal where Sea Of Class is taken to continue her meteoric rise. Her wicked turn of foot to take the Irish Oaks, having wisely missed Epsom on account of the ground, was one of the most impressive things seen this summer and now she ought to get a fearsome pace to aim at thanks to the presence of Bye Bye Baby and Flattering, one which only enhances her chances of coming late and passing the field.

Laurens will prove to be an incredibly tough rival for her to handle, however. The Fillies Mile winner has since won the Prix-Saint Alary, beating the subsequent Group 1 winner With You, and then grabbed victory in the Prix Diane when finding most of about six horses in with a chance two furlongs out. She appears slightly big in comparison to the favourite and a price on her to finish in the first two or three would be of interest, based on the price.

They will need to be on their mettle to beat Coronet, who was just beaten in the Grand Prix De Saint-Cloud and then a creditable, if albeit well beaten third in the King George. John Gosden’s charge looks to have a strong each/way shout here.

Magic Wand got stuck in the mud at Epsom when fancied for the Oaks and then was deeply impressive in the Ribblesdale at Royal Ascot. Off the back of that, she was sent off favourite for a fast ground Irish Oaks but she scoped badly after a limp performance and it appears that she was suffering from the bug that has ruined the stable’s summer to a great extent.

Dermot Weld’s Eziyra was third to last year’s winner Enable before winning twice since at Cork and Leopardstown in strong races for the Grade (Group 3) and her return, a good beating of the solid yardstick Stellar Mass, suggests she can run well here.

Horseplay was second to Coronet earlier in the year here and improved to take the Lancashire Oaks, although a couple of defeats for the runner up God Given since tells us that it’s not Group 1 form and she might struggle here.

Advice: 2 pts Laurens Top 2 finish (6/5 Betfair)

4.15 – British EBF & Sir Henry Cecil Galtres Stakes (Listed Race) (Fillies & Mares) (Class 1) (3yo+): Sun Maiden was heavily in season when a dismal fourth in the Gordon Stakes’ but before she’d made a very sound debut in group company when third in the Ribblesdale and if she’s back to that form she could take a great deal of beating.

This will be a hotly anticipated race for the return of the blueblood Lah Ti Dar, who made such a deep impression when winning her maiden and then the Pretty Polly. She looked as if the sky would be the limit then, but she was then forced to miss the Oaks and then the Ribblesdale thanks to two setbacks and she is likely to improve for this a great deal too.

Alwaysandforever was a good second in the Chalice Stakes and should be on the premises, whilst What A Home should enjoy this return to faster ground after finishing third at Chantilly last time. Watch out for the progressive Snow Wind, a taking Chester winner last time for William Haggas.

Advice: 1 pt win Sun Maiden (9/2 general)

4.50 – British Stallion Studs EBF Fillies’ Handicap (Class 2) (3yo+ 0-105): Desperately tough to sort out but Preening’s third in Listed company the last twice read well here and she can go well here off a revised handicap mark, She looked like she had more to give when she was a game winner at Sandown in June and whilst 14lbs higher now, she has fully earned that rise. Move Swiftly and Victory Wave are worthy favourites.

Starlight Romance and Betty F have fair each/way chances whilst Homeopathic would be interesting if bouncing back to the form she’d showed when winning a Fillies’ Handicap at Chelmsford.

Advice: 1 pt each/way Preening (8/1 general)

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Cheltenham Festival 2019 plus Grand National 2019 – ante-post tips

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The third week of August. Football is back, England are playing test cricket, people are in the midst of their summer holidays, and the York Ebor Meeting is less than 24 hours away.

So of course, now is the right time to think about the best ante-posts for Cheltenham Festival 2019!

Many readers here will have been struggling to cope without their proper jump racing fix – outside of the Galway Festival – especially during a flat season beset with injury, but let’s looks ahead to March as there can be big benefits to playing so early.

With targets somewhat undecided, fences and hurdles not jumped, and attention away from the prime performances of last season, there can be many decent prices to be had and several very strong positions to be made, so let’s look at the best bets for next season.

1 pt each/way Kalashnikov, Arkle (14/1 Betfair, Paddy Power), 1 pt each/way Kalashnikov, JLT (25/1 Coral)
One of the most progressive improvers of last season, Amy Murphy’s star turn went from 139 to 154 in a whirlwind campaign that saw him finish second only to the Supreme winner Summerville Boy in the Tolworth before taking apart a strong Betfair Hurdle and then finishing a fine runner up in the Supreme Novices at the Festival itself. That he has already beaten elders bodes very well for his first season chasing and it’s already the plan as confirmed by Amy Murphy: “He is a chaser in the making and he will have a school over fences towards the end of the week before we wind him down and turn him out.

“He will definitely be a better chaser, without a shadow of a doubt. When you look at him, he is a big frame of a horse and he has still got plenty of filling out to do.

“We will start him of over two miles. Whether that is where we stick, I don’t know as I thought he wanted further this season. He will tell us where to go.”

Courtesy of his impressive Doncaster win, we know he’ll go on better ground should we have a drier Spring than last year, and should he take to fences like his shape suggests he should, then he should take very high rank again with Summervile Boy staying over hurdles.

He is also worth backing for the JLT at 25/1, in case connections want to run him over further.

1 pt each/way Summerville Boy, Champion Hurdle (16/1 Hills, Betfred, Boylesports, Totesport)
The Supreme Novices’ Hurdle reads like a good race in hindsight and the more one watches the race the more impressive it is he managed to be seriously involved after the shuddering mistake he made at the second last which put him back on his heels. He went from a strong travelling second to sixth in a stride but managed to recover himself to edge a tight battle with Kalashikov and grind out the win.

He is value for more than that winning margin and the form reads even better when one looks at the timing, given that he ran marginally faster than Champion Hurdle winner Buveur D’Air. There was a stronger pace in the Supreme early, but the closing sections are still taking in their own right. He’s a stout stayer who does like to get his toe in, but that has never been an issue in a Champion Hurdler and the step up does not seem beyond any of the previous year’s novices.

Buveur D’Air is obviously a fine horse, but Melon’s Supreme had not worked out and there was a neck between them at the line last season with the division crying out for new talent.

1 pt each/way Santini, RSA Chase (12/1 general)
There are some different targets for many of the horses in the possibles, but it would be a surprise to see Santini go for anything but the RSA and Nicky Henderson’s giant looks to be one of the ready made contenders. A very taking winner on his Newbury debut, he was given a 50-day break and then pitched into Graded company on Trials Day, a move that proved inspired as he found his second win up the hill to beat Black Op.

He was third when sent off as favourite for Albert Bartlett, a particularly brutal renewal this year, and that run would have played an important part in his progression. Burnout would have been a worry after such a hard race, but the gutsy attitude he showed when winning the Sefton Novices’ Hurdle suggested he’d taken that effort in his stride and after a break he should be able to improve once again after just four runs.

The form of his Grade 2 win is rock solid, given that Black Op was second to Samcro in the Ballymore and then won the Mersey Novices’ Hurdle, and 3 miles and more over fences already looks tailor made for a trainer who has used this route in the past.

1 pt each/way Monalee, Ryanair (16/1 Betfair, Paddy Power)

This comes with a health warning. Henry De Bromhead’s Monalee has fallen in two of his chases, won two of them, and on the other occasion he was a seven length second to Presenting Percy in the RSA Chase. That was a strong performance given that the winner is the favourite for the Gold Cup, and it’s worth remembering that Monalee was seven lengths ahead of the previous Graded winner Elegant Escape. On a line through fourth Ballyoptic (beaten a nose in the Scottish Grand National) the RSA was well upto standard and Monalee’s win in the Flogas Novice Chase has also worked out very well.

He was going very well until falling in the Nevile Hotels Novice Chase last Christmas and he was still pitching in with every chance until taking a tumble at the Punchestown Festival, so the raw ability is clearly there if he can stay up.

The worry is whether the Ryanair is the target, but with Presenting Percy headed towards the Gold Cup the idea of a more winnable race could tempt connections and the JLT was mooted last yea by De Bromhead.

“The RSA is a possible but the JLT might be an option as well, we’ll have to see how he comes out of this now but he’s got the pace for the JLT, too, I think.”

The John Durkan could be a starting position for him and he could also drop back later in the season, in which case he could be shorter than 16/1 with a number of quoted horses unlikely to go for the Ryanair.

1 pt each/way The Dutchman, Grand National, (50/1 general)
After four recommended for the Cheltenham Festival 2019, let’s have one bash at the National! Yes. The Grand National. In August.

It’s one of three non-festival races that are offered and with 20/1 and above the field, you can always get a decent price. Horses that didn’t complete the year before will not jump out as contenders for next year’s race but The Dutchman was going so sweetly when he came down at Foinavon that 50/1 is worth taking even in the summer.

He had looked an ideal contender for a soft ground National when smashing the field by 13 lengths in the Tommy Whittle Chase after two warm up runs over hurdles, and he broke a blood vessel in the Grand National trial after that, but when returned back to health, he was travelling as sweetly as anything at Aintree before unseating at Foinavon of all fences second time round.

Harry Cobden confirmed as much, and this will surely be the target next year, with runs over hurdles likely to preserve his mark – a reasonable one still even at 148.

Cheltenham Festival 2019 ticket update

Champion Day – 12th March 2019
Ladies Day – 13th March 2019
St Patrick’s Thursday – 14th March 2019
Cheltenham Gold Cup Day – 15th March 2019
Save up to £14 on tickets to The Festival™
Offer Expires 30th November 2018 at 10:59am

The current ticket prices for The Cheltenham Festival™ 2019 can be found below:

Champion Day, Ladies Day & St Patricks Day
Club Tickets:                       £76.00
Tattersalls Tickets:              £46.00
Best Mate Tickets:              £31.00

Gold Cup Day
Club Tickets:                       £96.00
Tattersalls Tickets:              £66.00
Best Mate Tickets:              £51.00

BOOK OFFICIAL CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL 2019 NOW

Royal Ascot 2018 – Saturday preview and tips

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It’s Saturday and the final day of Royal Ascot 2018 and Will has a preview plus tips. Great tipping this week including 16/1 winner on Wednesday plus 16/1 and 6/1 and 5/1 winners on Thursday and 7/1 winner yesterday.

2.30 – Chesham Stakes (Listed Race) (Class 1) (2yo): At face value it will take an awful lot to get Natalie’s Joy, who pasted a great time when winning very impressively on her Goodwood debut, beaten here. Her time was the fastest juvenile performance on the clock since Bachir set the course record the Richmond Stakes, and it broke into the top 20 of time performances over the last decade on the clock. The form is not worth much but so impressive was she she’s still the one to beat.

However, she makes the market with two other places if she wins and it’s worth searching for something else to hit the frame. Beyond Reason ought to go close following a taking win at Kempton on her second start but she was beaten fair and square by New Winds, whose only defeat in three starts has come on a soft surface at Doncaster. She proved that wasn’t her running when carrying a sizeable penalty to victory at Haydock when back on good to firm ground and she looks overpriced to take a big hand in the finish here with 7 furlongs perhaps the only unknown.

Cardini has to be respected for the connections he represents but nothing he has done suggests he will be good enough today and he is swerved. San Donato ran into Legends Of War (7/2 for the Coventry but now goes to the July Stakes) last time, a strong debut effort given the regard in which the winner was held, and it’s an encouraging sign that he went off 7/4 for a novice stakes. He was three and a half lengths clear of the next best home and ought to improve plenty for Ascot’s stiff seven here.

Arthur Kitty was a taking winner of a Haydock maiden, but the form has been let down too many times for comfort since.

Matthieu Palussiere made his name at this meeting last season when taking the Albany with Different League and has had 20 juvenile winners this season along with a decent run from Forever In Dreams in the Queen Mary. On A Session impressed with his turn of foot at Lyon Parilly when backed like a good thing on debut and he showed an impressive attitude in the latter stages of the Prix De Puycharic at Angers. Those are the same two races that Different League won before taking the Albany and his presence here, along with the booking of Wayne Lordan, is a big sign and he is well worth watching.

Nate The Great was an impressive winner of his Novice Auction Stakes at Carlisle whilst Assie View’s Doncaster victory sowed him as a horse who will get every yard of what is a testing trip at this stage of the juvenile season.

Advice: 1 pt each/way New Winds (16/1 general), 1 pt each/way San Donato (10/1 general)

3.05 – Hardwicke Stakes (Group 2) (Class 1) (4yo+): Sir Michael Stoute has had a deservedly great week and there’s little reason to oppose his Crystal Ocean. Second only to Capri in the Leger last year, his two wins this season in the Gordon Richards and Aston Park Stakes suggests he’s ready to get even better and he towers over the field. Barsanti, second in this last year, scored a nice listed win on his return but that form has been let down since and he needs more still.

Idaho won this last year and has been very busy since. His chance relies on whether he has recovered from his fourth in the Coronation Cup when the ground went well against him, but even at his best he faces a task to overturn Crystal Ocean. Cliffs Of Moher hasn’t progressed as hoped and this is a quick return after the Prince Of Wales’ on Wednesday. Red Verdon, a versatile five year old, looks overmatched.

Advice: No bet.

3.40 – 5f Windsor Castle Stakes (Listed Race) (Class 1) (2yo): Really competitive fare as expected to spice up the Saturday card. Wesley Ward had his 10th winner at the meeting when Shang Shang Shang took the Norfolk and it’s no surprise he has the favourite in the Windsor Castle, a race that started his love affair with the meeting. Ward has won this race twice before and Moonlight Romance followed home Thursday’s Norfolk Stakes winner at Keeneland in April before winning by over five lengths at Belmont Park last month so ought to be tough to catch.

It’s not impossible to catch a Ward horse though, and if one horse in this field is capable it could pay to look at the obvious in Queen Of Bermuda. William Haggas’ daughter of Exceed and Excel was beaten only by Shades Of Blue here in an extremely strong maiden and that impression was backed up when Shades Of Blue and Come On Leicester were third and fifth respectively in the Queen Mary on Wednesday.

Her wins at Thirsk and Windsor were both impressive displays and if she runs to form she must have a strong chance.

Aidan O’Brien has had three winners despite a mixed week – what many trainers would give for his results – but his juveniles have run very well, and Van Beethoven is worth giving a chance to. He was considered good enough to head to Newmarket as early as April for the Novice stakes at the Craven meeting and he impressed despite is greenness at the start. He made amends for that in good style at Naas next time out and was a hot favourite to beat Fairyland in the Marble Hill. He lost no face in finishing second given that Fairyland was third in the Albany today whilst Land Force, behind him there, was a close third in the Norfolk. This trip is a potential question mark but as a sharper horse now the start hopefully won’t be a problem and he will have bags of pace to run into here.

Mutawaffer’s Goodwood form has been franked after a promising debut here and he rates a big threat, as does Dom Carlos, who made all in fine style at the Curragh just 15 days ago. He’s open to much further progress now he’s got the hang of things. There are lots of other contenders but Mathieu Plaussiere’s juveniles this season have been deeply impressive in France and both Junius Brutus and Rolling King need serious respect.

Rolling King ought to be suited by dropping back to five furlongs on quick ground, having been outstayed at Chantilly over 6 furlongs on soft ground, and he was an impressive winner on debut from two other stablemates. Junius Brutus, purchased by King Power Racing for £300,000 at Goffs on Monday, has won his first two runs easily and beat La Feve easier than stablemate Rolling King managed to do.

Kessaar might well have won on her debut at York had he not been hampered and it’s significant that John Gosden sees fit to run him here with Frankie Dettori on board. He is one of many eyecatchers along with Chapelli and Solider’s Call.

Advice: 1 pt each/way Queen Of Bermuda (7/1 general), 1 pt each/way Van Beethoven (9/1 general)

4.20 – 6f Diamond Jubilee Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions Series) (Class 1) (4yo+): Another fantastic race and a great way to end the week. It has been a long time since an Australian win in this race, but Redkirk Warrior has proven himself a sprinter out of the top drawer in Australia and can strike a blow for those down under. He has been transformed by the Hayes into a top-class sprinter and took his place at he Australian top table with a pair of Group 1 wins earlier in the year. The first came in the Lighting Stakes, when he came from last to first to nail the brilliant Redzel – the country’s then top sprinter and a winner of the richest sprint in the world, The Everest – on the line, and he then stretched out an extra furlong to take the Newmarket Handicap, having made all on the standside. He carried top weight that day, so produced an arguable career best to hold off a top-class field. He gave 13lbs to Merchant Navy that day, form which puts him right in the mix even through a domestic viewpoint. The worry for him is this stiff finish but otherwise all looks set fair.

Merchant Navy, winner of five of his eight races in Australia for Aaron Purcell, took the Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington despite an awful passage and was coming with a wet sail in the Newmarket handicap to do the same. He is 13lbs worse off with Redkirk Warrior, but his move to Ballydoyle is highly likely to bring out improvement and his win in the Greenlands Stakes when giving a penalty to the extremely solid yardsticks of Spirit Of Valor and Brando.

Harry Angel, a brilliant winner of the July and Sprint Cups, is 0-4 here but there has been no shame in those defeats and his best effort on this track came at this meeting he pushed Caravaggio to the very limit last year. He was set alight by Intelelgnece Cross on the front end that day that day and will need to be calmer here but sets a high standard and won the Duke Of York doing a hack canter to show his wellbeing. The key for him will be the pace on the front end.

The Tin Man won this last year and was a good third in the Sprint Cup but this will take a lot more winning here although his latest win against D’Bai was a promising reappearance. Librisa Breeze beat a number of these contenders when taking the Champions Day sprint and was badly hampered when fourth in this last year. He goes on all ground but the softer the better for him and a pace burnup would be ideal.

Bound For Nowhere came into this last year with just two runs to his name but he ran a huge race to be fourth at the line after being cut up in his run and he has since won twice, taking the Shakertown Stakes in fine style as a warmup. He appeals as the biggest threat to the front three in the market here.

City Light has massively improved from three to four and is unbeaten this year, winning over six furlongs at Chantilly and Lingfield before taking the Saint-Georges at Longchamp, and a return to six might help him.

Projection was a good third to the Tin Man but will struggle to reverse that form today and Sir Dancelot has a tough task based on his York form with Harry Angel.

Advice: 1 pt win Redkirk Warrior (4/1 general)

 5.00 – Wokingham Stakes (Heritage Handicap) (Class 2) (3yo+ 0-110) :The bookmakers will be in fear of Dreamfield, the four-year-old who has won his three starts in two years, looking like a star in two of those successes. Injury robbed him of a chance to tackle group sprinters but when he romped home in a handicap on his return he left a very positive impression and the second Silent Echo (who also runs here) has since won twice and done so in good style.

However, he is 4/1, and not an attractive betting promotion with just two races to go and there’s lots of each/way potential. Tupi has had a low-key campaign in Dubai this season but he ran with a good deal of credit when fourth in two valuable 6 furlong handicaps in February and can be forgiven a disappointing effort when upped in trip to seven furlongs there. He was rated 109 after finishing third in the Prix Maurice De Gheest last August an is now rated 100, a full 9lbs lower, with his liking for 6 furlongs over this course already established after a sixth in the 2017 Diamond Jubilee. He’s also won well off a break before; the last time he returned from Dubai was when he won the Cammidge Trophy by four lengths at Doncaster.

Al Qahwa has proven to be very difficult to catch right but this season he’s put two efforts together and he’s arguably been unlucky not to win both of those, being checked in his run at Ripon and then finding his route blocked two furlongs out at Epsom in a competitive handicap that closed out Derby day. He was beginning to his full stride when having to move down to the rail two furlongs out and then was set for third and maybe more when stopped in the final furlong. This much more conventional course will help a great deal and 98 looks fair on that basis.

Victory Angel didn’t kick off from a very impressive win last April, but he began this campaign with a super eye-catching effort at Newmarket once again when thriving for the rising ground and taking fourth on the line. He ought to strip much fitter from that and this is his more realistic Ascot assessment for a good while.

Advice: 1 pt each/way Tupi (14/1 general), 1 pt each/way Tupi (16/1 general), 1 pt each/way Al Qahwa (50/1 Paddy Power, 33/1 general)

5.35 – 2m5½f (2m5f143y) Queen Alexandra Stakes (Conditions Race) (Class 2) (4yo+): At the mercy of Thomas Hobson with no Oriental Fox but he is just 6/4 so look elsewhere for the places.

Fun Mac’s second in the Chester Cup on his reappearance looks much better after Magic Circle bolted up in the Henry II Stakes and fourth Dubawi Fifty was second in the Ascot Stakes this week. A previous second in the 2015 Ascot Stakes, he could improve from that reappearance and if staying the extra trip, will take all the beating on form.

Count Octave will have a big form chance if his stamina lasts but he’s stepping up a mile in trip and is just 6/1 and Pallasator makes more appeal as a very strong stayer, although whether he’ll be so good on fast ground, or consent to putting in a full effort, remains to be seen.

Nearly Caught isn’t as good as he used to be but he has form at 2m4f, was first past the post in the Oleander-Rennen at Hoppergarten after a good fourth in the Further Flight, and has an each/way chance.

Advice: 1 pt each/way Fun Mac (14/1 general), 1 pt each/way Nearly Caught (12/1 general)

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Royal Ascot 2018 – Friday preview and tips

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It’s Friday at Royal Ascot 2018 and Will has a preview plus tips. Great tipping this week including 16/1 winner on Wednesday plus 16/1 and 6/1 and 5/1 winners yesterday.

2.30 – Albany Stakes (Fillies’ Group 3) (Class 1) (2YO only): Aidan O’Brien has been knocking on the door with his juveniles all week and he holds an extremely strong hand here. Just Wonderful did well to bely her inexperience and win by a neck on her debut at the Curragh, and the daughter of Wading promises to improve a huge deal for that experience. Behind her were next time out winners Lethal Impact and Gossamer Wings, who was third in the Queen Mary.

It’ll take a good one to stop her but stablemate Fairyland has looked like just that in her two starts, quickening up smartly to beat a next time out winner on her debut at Naas and then taking a predictably big step forward when seeing off a talented set of rivals to take the Marble Hill Stakes at the Curragh. Her straightforward attitude impressed and she had a convincing two and a half lengths in hand over highly rated stablemate Van Beethoven.

The third, Land Force, was beaten just half a length in the Norfolk yesterday, and fourth Gee Rex was eighth in the Coventry on Tuesday, so the form stacks up well and she can get the better of her stablemate.

Given the number of splits we’ve had this week, and the regular presence of big priced placed horses in the shakeup of juvenile races, it makes sense to have two strings to your bow. Octave needed all of Silvestre de Sousa’s strength to justify favouritism on debut but next time out she found only the startlingly impressive Calyx too good at the July course. She was beaten by an easy five lengths, but he has since won what looked a very strong Coventry and she was six lengths clear of the third. How flattered she is by her relative proximity remains to be seen but 20/1 looks too big to find out.

Main Edition has won two novice races in the style of a pattern horse and ought to be involved in the reckoning whilst Angel’s Hideaway, running for the week’s star team in the shape of Gosden and Dettori, moved clear in good style at Haydock last time on her second start. Godolphin’s La Pelosa was well backed on debut and won her maiden at Kempton smoothly from a next time out winner. She makes immediate appeal on form and potential.

Jessica Harrington’s Chicas Amigas impressed with victory at Dundalk and didn’t lose much face when second in a listed event to stablemate Servalan, who was sixth in the Queen Mary, whilst So Perfect was fourth in both aces. She can go well.

Different League made virtually all for Matthieu Palussiere in this race last season and the French handler saddles No More Regrets this time around, although she must improve from her second in the Premio Vitorio Crespi last time out. Yan Durepaire’s Bryon Bay, an impressive winner on her debut at Chantilly, makes more appeal from the raiding challenge.

Stillwater Cove wouldn’t have held on over five furlongs at Keenland when taking her Maiden Special Weight and Wesley Ward has had his juvenile winners at 5 furlongs here, so over this trip she makes little appeal.

Advice: 2 pts win Fairyland (7/2 general), 1 pt each/way Octave (20/1 Bet365, Paddy Power, Betway)

3.05 – 1m4f (1m3f211y) King Edward VII Stakes (Group 2) (Colts & Geldings) (3yo): Not much separates the field here. Wells Farhh Go looked a top prospect when he stole the Acomb Stakes on the line at York last season and his return in the Dante there gave encourage encouragement that he retains enough of his ability to move forward. This is the fastest ground he’ll have raced on and there might be stamina issues for some, but his overall promise makes him worth chancing.

Aidan O’Brien has had three horses beaten in Group 1’s bounce back to win at this meeting so far and it’s no surprise that Delano Roosevelt is favourite after his Epsom sixth. He deserves serious respect but perhaps Rostropovich can follow in the footsteps of Hunting Horn and improve greatly for fast ground following his French Derby effort. He was a disappointing ninth there, but today he reverts to the fast ground that he’s had just once this season, when he won the Dee Stakes in fine style. He looked as if he’d get further comfortably then although his stamina isn’t guaranteed, and on fast ground we could see plenty of improvement.

Giuseppe Garibaldi is a quickly maturing contender for Ballydoyle who has won his last two starts when getting good ground, including the King George V Cup.

Old Persian is well worth a try at this new trip and Raa Atoll has already improved a great deal for it since his taking debut so those two ought to be involved.  Elector was a staying on second to Raa Atoll at Leicester for The Queen and should improve over this trip. He makes an interesting contender for Sir Michael Stoute here.

Advice: 1 pt each/way Wells Farhh Go (9/1 general) 1 pt each/way Rostropovich (7/1 Coral, Ladbrokes, Paddy Power)

3.40 – 6f Commonwealth Cup (Group 1) (British Champions Series) (Class 1) (3yo): A race with sensational potential and an almost limitless list of contenders. The two against the field are Sands Of Mali and Invincible Spirit, who were separated by just noise at the end of the Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock last time. Sands Of Mali, a deeply impressive winner of the Gimcrack when he beat Invincible Army at York last year, didn’t fire in the Middle Park and the Breeders’ Cup, but was game as ever in the Prix Sigy when carrying a 6lbs penalty, and he made all once again in the Sandy Lane, manging to pull out a half a length on the runner up before then holding on at the line.

Invincible Army wont he Sirenia Strakes after his Gimcrack second last year and was beaten by the subsequent Greenham winner Expert Eye at the end of the season. His return in the Pavillion Skates, when he put a length and a half between him and Eqtidaar, set him up nicely for a bold bid in the Sandy Lane and he ought to enjoy returning to this track

The market has been dominated by Equilateral, the startlingly impressive 12 length winner at Doncaster. The bare form of that race might have taken a knock but the fact is that he beat a 97 rated filly last time by 8 lengths conceding 12lbs – a Group 1 performance in anyone’s book. He might be a bit short now after sustained support for the last two weeks.

Sioux Nation took the Norfolk here last year and then followed up with the Phoenix Stakes shortly afterwards. He was a Middle Park disappointment but his latest win ahead of stablemate Fleet Reveal in the Lacken Stakes (Speak In Colour and Now You’re Talking behind) when carrying a penalty showed a smart turn of foot and he will love returning back to this course and distance. Indeed, Fleet Review himself has each/way potential; This test ought to suit a great deal and so will having a pace to run at.

Emblazoned was a fine third in the Sandy Lane and behind him was Heartache and Unfortunately. If both are back to the form they showed last summer, with Heartache a fine winner of the Queen Mark and Unfortunately a game winner of the Prix Morny, they can prove to be well overpriced.

Advice: 1 pt each/way Sands Of Mali (9/1 Paddy Power, 15/2 Coral, Betway) Invincible Spirit (9/1 Paddy Power, 8/1 general)

4.20 – 1m (Rnd) Coronation Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions Series) (Fillies) (Class 1) (3yo): A fine clash between the winners of the English, French, and Irish 1,000 Guineas. There appears to be little reason not to take Billesdon Brook’s Newmarket win at face value and that form appears to be the strongest in the race with Laurens having won the Prix Saint-Alary and Prix de Diane since whilst Wild Illusion has finished second in the Oaks and Ribblesdale since. She put the race to bed with a very convincing turn of foot that day and whilst she will have to show that speed again against milers, she appears overpriced in relation to the Irish pair at the head of the market.

Alpha Centuari relished a return to fast ground when taking the Irish 1,000 Guineas with a sustained late charge. Just beaten in the Albany last year, she ought to be seriously involved once again. Clemmie was one of the top juveniles of last season, taking the Middle Park with a fine turn of foot from Albany winner Different League to end her campaign.

She was expected to take high rank in the Guineas but a hold up in March came at just the wrong time, meaning she had to miss the 1,000 Guineas. Her comeback in the Irish version wasn’t spectacular, but she had only just made that assignment according to her trainer and a huge improvement can be expected here which should have her on the premises.

Teppal gave David Simcock a first classic winner when quickening up best in what was a bunch finish to take the Poule D’Essai Des Pouliches. She’s only had three runs and could improve a great deal from her Pouliches win, her first of the season, although she will need to based on the bare form there. She had Coeur De Beaute just a short neck behind and she must be respected too based on that form here although had the previous advantage of a run, unlike fourth that day Capla Temptress.

Threading looked as if she’d returned to her best when beating a solid yardstick absolutely pointless at York and if that’s the case she’ll take some catching although that was a soft four runner event which didn’t test her stamina. The way Veracious won her maiden at Newmarket suggest she’s a group horse but this is some ask on her comeback.

Anna Nerium has already been beaten in the Guineas, for all she ran creditably, and all of Adorable, Aim Of Artemis, Whitefountainfairy and Nkosikazi must improve rapidly.

Advice: 2 pts each/way Billesdon Brook (13/2 Paddy Power)

5.00 – Sandringham Stakes (Fillies’ Handicap) (Str) (Class 2) (3YO only): As per usual, friendly competitive so we’ll cut straight to the chase. Ed Walker’s Argotera is an obvious favourite but she’s probably earned it after beating the easy Goodwood winner Four White Socks by over a length last time out. That was only her third start but crucially her first one on fast ground and previously she had been beaten just a length by Dathanna here. 7lbs better off with her from that run, she ought to take the beating.

It’s even more obvious to have the second favourited in the profile but the way that Qazyuna travelled through the early stages of the Pretty Polly suggested that a drop back to this trip wouldn’t suit and she was an impressive maiden winner before that when looking as if a big field handicap would be her thing in the future. Two horses have placed in the Pretty Polly as a route to Sandringham glory and the pace profile and track should see a career best.

Last but not least, Aidan O’Brien’s Broadway. She’s had just four runs and the only poor one took place on heavy ground when connections ran her over 12 furlongs. She was third in the Athasi Stakes afterwards when menacingly closing on the line – over a mile she might well have won – but she made amends with an easy win at Naas when the seconds and third both won subsequently. A frenetically run mile ought to suit.

Advice: 1 pt each/way Argotera (7/1 general), 1 pt each/way Qazyna (8/1 general), 1 pt each/wau Broadway (16/1 Bet365, 14/1 general)

5.35 – 1m4f Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes (Handicap) (Class 2) (3yo+ 0-105): Charlie Appleby won this race with Rare Rhythm last year, a horse that had been off the track 371 days, so Eynhallow’s absence of 120 days isn’t a worry at all and he makes a lot of appeal. Twice a winner for Roger Charlton last year, he’s impressed in Dubai with two solid efforts at Meydan and could still more to give on his third run for the yard. On both those occasions he came from well back to take second behind Walton Street so the stiffer finish and stronger gallop her should be right up his street and a wide draw has not been an impediment in the past to success either.

Take a gamble on the Dubai form and back Walton Street too. The form of his last UK run has worked out brilliantly with Call To Mind now a group winner along with runner-up Count Octave.

Advice: 1 pt each/way Eyenhallow (12/1 general), 1 pt each/way Walton Street (9/1 Coral, Bet Victor)

 

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Royal Ascot 2018 – Ladies Day preview and tips

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It’s Ladies Day at Royal Ascot 2018 and Will has a preview plus tips.

2.30 – Norfolk Stakes (Group 2) (Class 1) (2YO only): This doesn’t look appealing as a betting medium and if Shang Shang Shang can reach the level of most Wesley Ward raiders then she’ll take a lot of beating here. It hasn’t been the best week for her stable but if she can reproduce her comfortable win in a 12-runner maiden at Keeneland she should take some catching. The National Stakes is a key form line here and Clive Cox’s Koncheck might come out best, although Kinks didn’t get a run there and could be better running from the front. Aidan O’Brien’s juveniles by and large have all run very well so it’s interesting he sends Land Force here after his third at the Curragh in a listed event. Last time out winners The Paddocks, Rumble Inthejungle, Charming Kid, and Glory Fighter all would not be surprise winners.

Advice: 1 pt win Shang Shang Shang (9/2 Paddy Power)

3.05 – 1m2f Hampton Court Stakes (Group 3) (Class 1) (3yo): Hunting Horn has had plenty of racing so far but his Prix du Jockey Club sixth is the best form here and if he is ahead of Key Victory (eighth that day) at the end here he ought to have a fighting chance of taking a seriously competitive race. Charlie Appleby’s Key Victory might improve a lot for a better surface and along with Dante fifth Nordic Lights and the deeply impressive maiden winner National Army.

Wadilsafa, who won decisively in a useful minor event at Newmarket over 1 mile, must improve but promises to enjoy this extra distance and he is also on the longlist along with Heron Stakes third Vintager.

Advice: 1 pt each/way Hunting Horn (6/1 general)

3.40 – 1m4f Ribblesdale Stakes (Group 2) (Fillies) (Class 1) (3yo): This is difficult to measure. Wild Illusion and Magic Wand’s Oaks form towers over the field and the latter particularly ought to enjoy being on a faster surface, but they have had 20 days to recover from a slog at Epsom and as Cracksman showed, that is no easy task. six winners since 1997 were being turned out again quickly after running the Investec Oaks but this year’s renewal was a particularly arduous grind. That could also count against Perfect Clarity, who was an impressive winner of the Lingfield Oaks Trial but who also couldn’t move her feet through Epsom’s ground.

Sun Maiden is an obvious choice and is a terribly exciting prospect after her romp in a Salisbury maiden by 12 lengths, but the second was a beaten favourite next time out by nine lengths as evens favourite so progression is needed if she’s going to justify favouritism and in an open race she can be taken on.

Since getting fast ground Athena has finished second in Newbury’s Oaks trial and broken her maiden at the seventh time of asking, and Aidan O’Brien’s charge could keep progressing here. This step upto 1m4f – especially around Ascot – could bring out more improvement (closely-related to Bracelet who won this race back in 2014 on her first go at the trip) and on a sound surface she’s looked like a new horse. Her second at Newbury over 10 furlongs to Sea Of Class rates as very strong form, with the winner having been a short price for the Oaks before she bypassed the race to win the Abdingon convincingly. Seven lengths back in this was Crystal Hope, who had impressively beaten the Musidora winner Give and Take and the Musidora third Highgarden (runs here) at Sandown.

Lady Of Shalott should be capable of better following her 4th to Perfect Clarity in the Lingfield Oaks Trial but she will need to improve a great deal and neither of Sarrochi or Sizzling make much appeal. Dancing Brave Bear, a staying on second in the Musidora, has place potential.

Advice: 1 pt each/way Athena (9/1 general)

4.20 – 2m4f Gold Cup (Group 1) (British Champions Series) (Class 1) (4yo+): A monster renewal of the Gold Cup with three top quality stayers and Stradivarius can crown himself the staying king in a race to watch and savour. AA rapidly progressive stayer since taking the Queen’s Vase here last year, he has since won the Goodwood Cup when beating last year’s winner of this, Big Orange, and afterwards he was a fine third when dropped down in trip for the St Leger. He was beaten that day by Irish Derby winner Capri and Crystal Ocean, who has won two group contests already this season, with Melbourne Cup winner Rekindling behind him. He ended the year with a fine third on British Champions Day, behind Order Of St George when the ground was extremely testing and the race collapsed late. This faster ground will play right into his hands compared to then.

His return in the Yorkshire Cup, when he had the race won before Frankie Dettori got serious with him, was a perfect tune up and the only worry might be stamina if this is a real test over 2m4f, but he has not failed on that count so far and a small field ought to suit with only Torcedor and Mount Moriah known as front runners.

Order Of St George won this in 2016 and went down fighting in a titanic battle last year. He sets an imposing standard and has turned up quietly with a pair of easy wins in the Vintage Crop and Saval Beg Stakes. If there was to be one chink in his armour, it could be that he goes best with cut as his record shows, and today’s faster surface is a more level playing field between our selection and him.

The race is completed by the presence of Vazirabad, twice a winner of the Prix-Royal Oak and also a winner of the Prix du Cadran last year, along with a three-time winner of the Dubai Gold Cup. He comes here for the first time following a good tune up when he beat subsequent winner Marmelo in the Prix Vicomtesse Vigier with plenty in hand (as he always does) and he has a tremendous each/way appeal at 6/1. Some may query his stamina and suitably for this ground but he’s a winner of the Cadran and a lack of potential pace should enhance his chances.

Desert Skyline should enjoy this step upto 2m4f, but he was beaten fair and square behind Stradivarius last time out at York even with a penalty and has also been well beaten by Order Of St George in the past.

Torcedor was a changed horse for front running tactics when spread-eagling the field in the Sagaro last time, but he won’t get such an easy time going half a mile further on fast ground and he was well beaten with fifth in this last year.

Sheikhzayedroad, Max Dynamite, Mount Moriah, and Scotland all have various amounts to prove.

Advice: Watch and enjoy

Just as difficult as the Hunt Cup yesterday but we won that so hopefully we can repeat the trick. The first two in our portfolio are hardly original choices and drawn next to eachother but they have outstanding form claims. George Of Heart was one of two horses to come from the back and take the first two positions in a 7-furlong handicap here; the winner that day was Society Rock, who would win upped in class at Goodwood and then take second in the Jersey yesterday. He looks as if he’ll improve for this extra furlong too, and if repeating the form he’s very well treated.

Curiosity made a fine start to his three year old season when going down by a neck to Symbolisation in a Newmarket handicap and that was boosted by the winner running fifth in the Irish Guineas and then the Jersey yesterday. If he steps forward he can hopefully make a late bid that is just as strong as our top choice.

Ostillo has just snuck in to add another string to Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum’s bow and he might prove to be their best chance. Possibly best known as the horse who was beaten by Without Parole at Yarmouth, he was eight lengths clear of the third that day and has since proven himself to be useful, making short work of the field on his handicap debut at Newmarket. A mark of 84 might have been lenient then but thankfully he’s snuck in there and Simon Crisford and Silvestre De Sousa have a terrific record together – they’ve won 25 races race together out of 84 at a very healthy 30 per cent.

Those who are greedy could do worse than to look at Aidan O’Brien’s James Cook. O’Brien won this in 2015 with War Envoy and all three of his contenders make some appeal although James Cook could be the most overpriced. A full brother to the magnificent Found, he made a good debut behind a subsequent Group 3 runner up at Naas and was then a convincing winner of a Leopardstown maiden from Latrobe, who has since finished second to group placed hunting Horn and finished second in the Gallinule Stakes. Things haven’t gone so well for him this season, but he didn’t handle Epsom on his return when he needed the run and one has to forgive his Dante run. A really strongly run stiff mile ought to bring out the best in him and it’s interesting he’s been tried at a mile now.

Bond Street and Landshark also took the eye.

Advice: 1 pt each/way George Of Heart (9/1 Bet365, 8/1 general), 1 pt each/way Curiosity (12/1 general), 1 pt each/way Ostillo (16/1 general)

5.25 – 1m4f King George V Stakes (Handicap) (Class 2) (3yo 0-105): Godolphin have won three of the last four editions and had the 1-2 last year – once again they have two strong chances. Cross County gave plenty of hope that he’d improve a lot for this this trip when finishing a good second to a very smart prospect at Sandown when giving a stone to the winner. However, they might have an even stronger chance in Dubhe, who was deeply impressive on his three-year-old debut at Sandown.

It was his first time going beyond a mile and it’s no surprise that he thrived for it – he’s out of Irish Oaks winner Great Heavens – and if anything, a step upto this trip is overdue given how long it took for him to engage overdrive. Once he did get rolling, he put four lengths between himself and Communique, who reopposes here after winning the uber competitive London Gold Cup going away. That form has already been boosted by runners from that race finishing first and fourth at Epsom’s Derby meeting along with two runners up spots so the

Joseph O’Brien’s Downforce is the second to make the staking plan. The son of Camelot was making his debut going further than 1 mile at Navan when scythed through the field going downhill and eventually found enough to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. The further he goes the better and having a proper pace to crack at will help matters too.

Advice: 2 pts each/way Dubhe (12/1 Coral), 1 pt each/way Downdraft (365 Bet365)

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Royal Ascot 2018 – Wednesday preview and tips

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It’s the second day of Royal Ascot 2018 and Will has a preview plus tips.

2.30 – Queen Mary Stakes (Group 2) (Fillies) (Class 1) (2yo): Wesley Ward has won this three times, with Jealous Again, Acapulco and Lady Aurelia turning this into a procession on three occasions. The lightning quick Chelsea Cloisters is sure to go close, but Clive Cox managed to beat Happy Like A Fool (went off 10/11) with Heartache and he has a similar contender in the shape of Shape of Hearts here.

Immature and noisy in the paddock before she ran here on debut, she failed to settle through the early parts of the race and then didn’t get a run until he final furlong, where she put the race to bed with a hand ride. Second Queen Of Bermuda has since won twice, once when beating colts in a novice stakes, whilst reopposing third Come On Leicester has since won impressively at Windsor. She will surely get a real gallop to run at her which should allow her to settle and on that form it’s unlikely anything will finish better here.

Aidan O’Brien’s So Perfect was an extremely taking winner on debut when she made a slow start and then came with a withering run to win a Navan maiden in April on yielding ground, but she didn’t build on that when a disappointing favourite in the Fillies’ Sprint Stakes when a failure to get a run did not cost her victory and she was well beaten behind Servalan.

One of the leading highlights of Jessica Harrington’s strong juvenile crop, she improved hand over fist to take eventually win with a deal of comfort her stablemate Chichas Amigas had a next time out winner behind when winning on debut. Severalan was beaten on debut but only behind Andre Amar, who found only Sergei Prokofiev too good on his next start. The five furlongs around this course will hopefully be fine with a strong pace.

Matthieu Palussiere and Antoine Hamelin teamed upto take the Albany with Different League last year so Forever In Dreams, an impressive winner of the Prix Du Medoc and Prix Pirette in her two starts, needs respect. So too does Kurious, who represents last year’s winning connections after winning a Sandown maiden when the runner up was in the same ownership.

Advice: 1 pt each/way Shades Of Blue (11/2 general), 1 pt each/way Servalan (10/1 general)

1m6f Queen’s Vase (Group 2) (3yo): John Gosden managed to frustrate the Aidan O’Brien battalions yesterday and he might do the same again with Stream Of Stars. He didn’t beat a whole lot here over 1m4f but it was a big step forward from his Newmarket second and he will thrive going at this distance and further in the future.

Aidan O’Brien has a fond history with this race and all of Kew Gardens, Nelson and Southern France need respect. Nelson makes the most appeal out of these, with his defeat of Kew Gardens at Leopardstown and subsequent second to Roaring Lion the best form on offer. However, his blowout in the Derrinstown is a discouraging preparation for this.

Southern France got the better of Drapers Guild (trained by Joseph O’Brien) in taking style at Navan and whilst he must improve on that, he’s far from the finished article and surely will enjoy this extra furlong today. He can confirm that form today. King’s Proctor was third in the Chester Vase and then had to five too much weight in a handicap at Newbury last time. His trainer’s record in this is so good he has to be respected and a new trip could help an awful lot.

Last but not least, don’t forget the Taghroooda half-brother Almoghared, a game winner at Chepstow a month ago who needs this trip as well. Lynwood Gold could improve a good deal for fast ground and also needs respect.

Advice: 1 pt win Stream Of Stars (7/2 general)

1m (Str) Duke Of Cambridge Stakes (Group 2) (Fillies & Mares) (Class 1) (4yo+): Hydrangea is the clear form choice if back to her best, and her reappearance wasn’t too disappointing given that this would likely have been the target. She will be hard to beat but even if too good there are three places to aim for and Wilamina might be the obvious place chance. She was a clear best of the rest when behind Whueida on her return in the Dhalia and whilst that race might not have that much depth to it, she had the 1,000 Guineas seventh and Free Handicap winner Anna Nerium beaten there in what was another good effort. That she stays slightly further is a help to her chances here and if she’s over a hard race at Epsom then she should go well.

Tomyris was a taking winner of the Chartwell and has a low mileage whilst Urban Fox gave 7lbs and still managed to beat Tribute Act in a C&D handicap here and she could be finding a new lease of life for William Haggas who has just had her for the first time.

Promising Run has a 3lbs penalty which doesn’t help but a repeat of her Meydan form would give her a serious shot.

A really interesting contender is Arabian Hope, who was third in the Falmouth Stakes last season and then bombed out twice behind that same horse in other Group 1 races. If she’s back and ready to run to her best she could go very close, and it’s interesting that the target is the Falmouth again according to reports.

Advice: 1 pt each/way Wilhamina (8/1 general)

4.20 – 1m2f Prince Of Wales’s Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions Series) (Class 1) (4yo+): If Cracksman is recovered from his slog to win the Coronation Cup then the Arc favourite and Champion Stakes winner ought to take apart this field, but he’s had just 19 days to do so. Before that close shave he’d taken apart the Ganay field in a matter of minutes and he put seven lengths between himself and Poet’s Word in last season’s Champion Stakes.

Poet’s Word has continued to improve and whilst he was well beaten behind Hawkbill in the Sheema Classic, he improved from that to take the Brigader Gerard with something in hand at Sandown in what was a fine warmup for this. He can go well once again. Cliffs Of Moher bat Cracksman in last year’s Derby and his win in the Mooresbirdge Stakes will have done him a power of good, but a Group 1 success has eluded him so far and it’s quite possible we’ve seen the best of him.

The most interesting of these horses in a race that might not be blessed with pace is Eminent, who has some very smart form last term that included a third in the Irish Champion Stakes. He was desperately disappointed on his comeback in the Huxley Stakes, for with Martyn Meade has found no excuse, but if he’s back to his best then it’s not impossible to see Oisin Murphy getting a good tactical posse which could enhance his chances.

Hawkbill’s latest run in the Coronation was a really dire performance so it has to be taken on trust that he’s back to his best here, but should that be the case then Charlie Appleby’s charge would be very interesting and he brought Blue Point back to his best as well.

Desert Encounter has been held in races won by Cracksman, Hawkbill and Poet’s Word since his Group 3 win at Newbury last September and Royal Julius looked outclassed.

Advice: 1 pt each/way Eminent (12/1 general)

5.00 – 1m (Str) Royal Hunt Cup (Heritage Handicap) (Class 2) (3yo+): As difficult a renewal as one can remember, with every one of the 32 having a realistic chance. The draw – which rewarded the near side in the Coventry in no uncertain manner – will also play a part although there’s pace drawn across the track with front runners drawn low, middle and high. Look for the best place terms in the odds – Betway and Skybet are going one fifth the odds for seven places whilst Coral, Ladbrokes and Paddy Power are giving six. Bet365 only have five placed but they do have ¼ for place terms.

Salstonstall has given two career best efforts since being turned to handicaps by Michael Halford and so impressive was the manner of his win at the Curragh last time that a 5lbs penalty if anything, looks lenient and with fast ground perhaps bringing out more improvement he has enough promise to make the shortlist. Second in the Irish Lincolinshire on his return, the winner has since won a Listed contest at the Curragh which suggests he can handle a mark of 103. The same connections also won this with Portage two years ago.

The last time Raising Sand ran over course and distance he was an impressive winner of the Shergar Cup Mile and since then he has run two big races in valaiuble 7 furlong handicaps, the first when he gave away the race at the start here in September and the second when third in the Challenge Cup in October. That day he was beaten by Accidental Agent and Lord Glitters off a mark of 98, form which looks red hot when you rewatch the Queen Anne in which they finished first and second today. That form might be flattering but Lord Glitters then won the Balmoral and was second in the Lincoln to a group winner whilst Accidental Agent was Listed placed before his big win today.

He made some encouraging late progress in the Victoria Cup but it was a hell of an ask on his return and he will surely strip fitter with that under his belt and a draw of 9 gives Jamie Spencer tactical options to boot.

Escobar was also making his seasonal reappearance in that race and has since found winning form for David O’Meara. He came so close to making the shortlist but Settle For Bay is the second Irish bow to our challenge.

David Marnane’s charge had a four timer at Dundalk through the winner after being upped to a mile but probably gave a career best effort so far for him when making rapid late progress to take a decent fourth at Leopardstown. Only the winner got clear of him and he has since won a Listed contest whilst the sixth has won another handicap so the form looks strong and the straight mile of Ascot and lots more pace will give him a better chance of showing his best once again.

Advice: 1 pt each/way Strensall (12/1 general), 1 pt each/way Settle For Bay (14/1 general), 1 pt each/way Raising Sand (20/1 general)

5.35 – 7f Jersey Stakes (Group 3) (Class 1) (3yo): Could It Be Love was only overhauled in the final furlong of the Irish 1,000 Guineas and dropping back to 7 furlongs that should suit, she will take the beating. The money has come for her though and this looks a very deep renewal of the Jersey.

James Garfield has a penalty for his success in the Greenham Stakes but it was merely one of many impressive efforts from George Scott’s charge and his juvenile and three year old form reads very well. He didn’t get home in the Guineas but was once again ahead of Expert Eye and that form doesn’t read too badly here. He was dropped in trip for the Sandy Lane Stakes, but found the 6 furlongs at Haydock too quick, which was no shame given that the first two home were previous 6f Group winners who are now amongst the lead contenders for the Commonwealth Cup. 7 furlongs here ought to suit him down to the ground and he looks big on his best form.

Headway, second in the Coventry Stakes last year, is also worth giving another chance to. He bombed out in the Guineas but previously posted an incredible performance to come from behind and take he Spring Cup. That saw him run two final furlongs of 10.8 and 11.0 seconds, even more impressive when you consider that the early pace was not strong there, and previously he’d also finished third in the Gimcrack.

Expert Eye needs to settle better if he’s to return to the form of his Vintage Stakes win and Society Power and Emaraaty, first and second in a valuable Goodwood Handicap last time, make more appeal. Symbolizations’ Irish Guineas fifth took a beating and Pursuer, a game winner of the King Charles II Stakes, is preferred whilst it’s a huge indicator that St Patrick’s Day make his Ballydoyle debut here. Glorious Journey could also run a big race now he gets a strong pace to aim at – the Prix La Rochette winner was fourth in what was a very strong Craven before his third in the Prix du Guiche.

Advice: 1 pt each/way James Garfield (16/1 Coral, Hills), 1 pt each/way Headway (10/1 general)

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Royal Ascot 2018 – Tuesday preview and tips

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It’s the opening day of Royal Ascot 2018 and Will has a preview and tips.

2.30 – 1m (Str) Queen Anne Stakes (4yo+): A very open renewal, with Rhododendron favourite after having had several of these behind when winning the Lockinge. She ought to take the beating again, but she is more than half the price of Lightning Spear, who was beaten by a fast closing short head, and David Simcock’s charge makes strong each/way appeal. He ran badly in this last year but returned to form with his Newbury second and the form of that well-run race, with subsequent Group 1 winner Lancaster Bomber in third, looks more than trustworthy here.

Benbatl was a sensational winner of the Dubai Turf and must be considered the main threat if he runs to that level, with a three and a half-length defeat of Vivlos probably the outstanding performance in this field.

Recoletos has made a fine start to life as an older horse, with last year’s Prix du Jockey Club third winning the Prix du Muguet and the Prix d’Ispahan in fine style on his fist two starts this season. He ought to be seriously involved here and will be a popular each/way choice.

American raider Yoshida has been a notable improver in recent months and a confidence boosting success in the Hill Prince Stakes at the end of last season was backed up with a deeply impressive return in the Turf Classic at Churchill Downs. He had Beach Patrol, an Arlington Million winner who was second in the Breeders’ Cup Turf, in second there and there’s lots to like about his chances here.

A better run can be expected from Beat The Bank after his seasonal reappearance but he might now have something to prove and Suedois would be more interesting of those at bigger prices. Everything from Brexit to the Mayans has been blamed for Limato’s flops at a mile but he’s better at shorter and Zonderland will need to step up a huge amount physically from his reappearance, which is possible. Century Dream won the Diomed Stakes impressive and has previously beaten Lockinge sixth Accidental Agent so there’s lots to like about his progressive profile for all that it still has him behind the first two there.

One to note at bigger prices too is Suedois, fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Mile. He will strip fitter from his comeback in the Lockinge.

Advice: 1 pt each/way Lightning Spear (8/1 general)

3.05 – 6f Coventry Stakes (Group 2) (Class 1) (2yo): The market has this as a two-horse race between Ballydoyle’s Sergei Prokofiev and John Gosden’s Calyx, both of whom have been deeply impressive this season in their three combined wins; but this looks a deep renewal at face value and The Irish Rover makes each/way appeal.

He was just a length and a quarter behind Sergei Prokofiev on their debut at Dundalk and then lost maiden stakes here at the start when he jumped in the stalls. However, connections sent him to Newbury for his first start over this trip and he was deeply impressive at Newbury in the Olympic Glory Conditions Stakes. He quickened up well but was especially impressive when he hit the rising ground, so Ascot ought to suit and he’s probably less exposed than his three runs suggest.

Cosmic Law, a wide margin winner of the Woodcote Stakes, also appeared to be in love with 6 furlongs on his first try and has to rate a huge form player here – it is a surprise that he’s so big actually given that level of form – but these four are by no means the only contenders.

Jessica Harrington has mastered both codes for a long time and she has a fascinating contender in the shape of Indigo Balance. Harrington has a strong crop of juveniles this season and his son of Invincible Spirit was a very taking winner at the Curragh on 1,000 Guineas day, moving from the back to seal the race with one turn of foot, and it wasn’t hard to be impressed with the manner in which he won. Second Decrypt has since won again, whilst the fifth Don Carlos scored too. The same maiden has a rather illustrious history – Gustav Kilmt, Churchill, Air Force Blue, and Sir John Hawkins have made debuts in that race – and that he’s being sent here is a big endorsement.

Godolphin pairing Dubai Legacy and Burj both need respect here, although the latter was behind Advertise on debut and the way that Advertise hit the line suggests he ought to improve for that experience and take a hand here.

Aidan might have won this race eight times, but Joseph has a very interesting contender in the shape of No Needs Never. He was not expected to take a big hand in proceedings at Cork at 25/1 but he ended up being unlucky to lose, he was drawn wide and trapped wide at the rear of the field. Had he been given a kinder draw he might well have won and this stiff track ought to help him should he get caught behind early. He can go well at a big price but the two Irish charges we have will do.

Advice: 1 pt each/way The Irish Rover (14/1 Bet365, Paddy Power, Hills, Betway), 1 pt each/way Indigo Balance (16/1 Hills, 14/1 general)

3.40 – 5f King’s Stand Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions Series) (Class 1) (3yo+): One of the occasions of the week as Lady Aurelia, an incredible winner of this last year, faces the fellow rocket Battash, who was arguably even more impressive in the L’Abbaye last season. It is more a race to watch and savour than to bet on, although the opinion of yours truly is that a settled Battash can prove himself to be the quickest on this day.

Charlie Hills’ lightning charge must remain calm during the preliminaries, but as a more mature horse he hopefully will be able to keep his composure more than he did at York, when he was still fourth, beaten only four and a half lengths behind Marsha and Lady Aurelia. He put four lengths – and it could have been more – behind Marsha herself in what was a startlingly impressive romp at Chantilly and that he got the better of Kachy giving a penalty in the Temple Stakes despite his poor start shows his power.

Kachy is now 5lbs worse off and he might have been caught by Washington DC with another stride there. Washington DC loved nothing more than s tiff and well run five furlongs, so it’s interesting that Aidan O’Brien puts Donncha on him and Ryan Moore rides Different League, with Battle Of Jericho also taking his place. All three must find a new level although a pace burnout would suit.

Mabs Cross has improved hand over fist this season and was fourth in the Temple; She will run well, whilst Bucchero and Finsbury Square can give value seekers a good run for their money.

Advice: Watch and enjoy.

4.20 – St James’s Palace Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions Series) (Class 1) (3YO only): A fascinating contest which brings together leading contenders from England, Ireland and France. Without Parole didn’t run in any of the Guineas, but the manner of his novice win at Yarmouth and then a gutsy success in the Heron Stakes have seen him cut to favourite. However, on the bare form of both those success he appears to be very short and the urge is to take him on.

Indeed, Racing Post Trophy winner Gabr might make a bold bid to reverse the form, having come from well back in the Heron.

Tip To Win, however, ran the best race of any horse here when a good second in the 2,000 Guineas, a renewal which looks stronger than it’s Irish counterpart, and he deserves to be shorter than the 5/1 on offer. He ended his juvenile season with a fine second to Elarqam in the Sommervile Stakes and since then a winter in the Middle Easy has seen connections in plenty of profit.

It also clearly helped his preparation for the European season, as he was a fantastic second in the 2,000 when he split Saxon Warrior and the subsequent Derby winner Masar at 50/1. He had Gustav Kilmt, since third in the Irish Guineas, back in sixth and a reproduction of that form would give him an excellent chance.

Romanised relished the all out gallop to take the Irish Guineas, a return to the form that he’d shown as a juvenile. The shape of this race promises to suit just as much here and he’s got to be a major player with the ground having come right too, and he can once again get the better of US Navy Flag, who went too fast at the Curragh and might be better at shorter for all that this will be the quickest ground he’s had so far this season. Threeandfourpence was held in fourth there.

Wootoon’s fourth in the Pouliches was a fine effort on just his fourth run, and improvement from that is very possible if he is able to settle today, something that should be more likely with a stronger pace in the offing. His hanging down the home straight of a right handed track (something he did in the Fontainebleau as well as the Pouliches) is a worry but he possesses a fine turn of foot and could improve for a quicker surface. He is a serious each/way player if staying straight.

Kings Shields as sixth at Longchamp and didn’t handle the soft ground when backing up quickly at Epsom. He is a very useful horse and can do better in time but it’s possible that he’s making a rather quick backup.

Chilean was a very game winner of the Prix La Force before finishing fourth in the Bet365 Classic trial and he might need further than this on soft ground.

Advice: 2 pts win Tip To Win (5/1 general), 1 pt each/way Wootoon (7/1 Bet365)

Ante-Post tips on 17 May: 2 pts each/way Elarqam (8/1) – NON-RUNNER

5.00 – 2m4f (2m3f210y) Ascot Stakes (A Handicap) (Class 2) (4yo+ 0-100): Is it the Cheltenham Festival or Royal Ascot? Willie Mullins has five runners, all at the top of the market, and it is significant that Ryan Moore has partnered Chelkar, who returns from 8 months off the track since winning at Chantilly. It would be no surprise if any of them won, but Whiskey Sour has by far the best flat form out of the quintet, and improved record over jumps since, and the formidable services of Christophe Soumillion to boot.

He won the Connacht Hotel (Q.R.) Handicap and then the valuable Guinness Premier Handicap in the space of a week at the Galway Festival last year, and he has since finished third in the County Hurdle whilst he ran respectably in Grade 1 novice hurdles twice during the winter, having the good fortune to inherit a prize that looked destined for re illustrious stablemates. He’s had a rise of 10lbs since his last flat win but his jumps exploits provide hope that he can be at least as good once again. This trip might improve him on the flat, too.

Tony Bloom’s Stratum, a maiden winner for John Gosden in 2016 and landed a Galway maiden hurdle, has already been well backed and needs serious respect in the market but the second best of the Mullins charges might well be Meri Devie. She was listed placed in 2013 before moving to Closutton and looked as if she’d take the highest rank over hurdles. Whilst not quite turning out to be Grade 1 level, she’s run many solid races and on only once occasion has she managed to get onto some decent ground since her maiden hurdle win and she was third in the AES Champion Hurdle. A very taking winner of a competitive handicap at Punchestown when last seen, she could relish the fast ground and Mikael Barzalona is a very eyecatching booking.

With a few more inches Coeur De Lion could well have won two decent handicaps this season including the Chester Plate (consolation race for the Chester Cup) and it would be no surprise to see him reverse Chester form with Look My Way (Mirsaale third) with a longer track and stiffer course here.

Dannyday came from nearly last to first to take an impressive win in the Northumberland Vase last season at Newcastle. A slowly run race over 1m6f at Goodwood was never really going to suit him on his comeback and it made for a good warmup here – he’s now only 4lbs higher than for his Vase success and ought to take a great deal of beating. Dubawi Fifty had three good horses ahead of him in the Chester Cup and should be respected.

Advice: 1 pt each/way Whiskey Sour (11/1 Paddy Power, 10/1 general), 1 pt each/way Meri Devie (10/1 Coral, Ladbrokes, Paddy Power)

5.25 – 1m2f Wolferton Stakes (Listed Race) (Class 1) (4yo+): The removal of the handicap has made this into a very good race for the grade and Mirage Dancer can go close, even if carrying a penalty. He’s been very promising for a long time and his thirds here last year (behind Benbatl) and at York (in the Great Voltigeur) read very well now and after a tight defeat to Barsanti he was a wide margin and he impressed when putting three and a bit lengths between him and the useful m yardstick Eugenio off a slow pace.

Laraaib, quickly made up into a pattern horse last season and returned with an eye-catching run in the Brigader Gerard Stakes when second to Poet’s Word. He ought to improve for that return and take a high tank.

Monarchs Glen, a winner of the Darley Club Stakes last season, has a penalty but is still progressing and ought to find this much more suitable than the Dubai Turf when he may well have been undercooked. Yucatan didn’t take to the Coronation Cup last time but if he’s over it then this track and trip will suit him right down to the ground and he can take a hand following his good effort in the Mooresbridge Stakes when behind Cliffs Of Moher, who has since finished second in the Sharja Bridge, an excellent 2nd in a competitive Newmarket handicap on return, can also make his presence felt although improvement is needed if he’s to take a serious hand here.

Advice: 2 pts each/way Mirage Dancer (6/1 general)

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