Friday, 21st June 2019
If you’ve got a quality 6f sprinter on a workable mark then the race you probably dream of winning is the Stewards Cup at Goodwood....
That’s the race where a 6f handicapper can win most cash for connections....
The next best option would be tomorrow’s Wokingham Stakes at Royal Ascot (5.00)....
GIFTED MASTER won the first-named race last August off a mark of 111 and he is sweetly-priced at the general 25s to take tomorrow’s race off his current mark of 107....
He’s a quality horse – a real speedster – who does most of his work in Group races. At last year’s Royal meeting he ran in the G1 King’s Stand Stakes.....
There’s no harm in shooting for the stars but that was too high a level for him. At handicap level, this horse is a dangerous proposition....
He’s only appeared three times in handicap company and he won two of those. The other handicap run came last-time-out and the horse got well beaten – which will put some punters off....
But I wouldn’t read too much into that performance. Sprinters can be in and out. And tomorrow’s contest will have been the race Hugo Palmer has been working him towards....
He likes a sound surface and I’m taking a chance that the Met Office have got the forecast right for once. Ascot dries out quickly and 24-hours rain-free can really change underfoot conditions....
Everything else is set-up for a big run. He’s in stall 30, he’s on a workable mark, James Doyle takes the ride and the price is there....
The drying ground will also help my second selection for the race – Clive Cox’s TIS MARVELLOUS who can also be backed at 25s generally this morning....
This one was 4th in last year’s renewal of the race off a mark of 99. He runs off 101 this time around having been dropping down the scale from 105 over his last few runs....
I’d suggest Cox has got the horse into the race on a mark he’ll be happy with. The 5yo won a 5f handicap at the track last term off 100. He seems to like the place and that’s a crucial box ticked....
This one can give a very good account of himself tomorrow afternoon under Adam Kirby at a decent price....
A little earlier on the card, in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at 4.20, Richard Fahey’s SANDS OF MALI is a decent price at 14s in a first-time tongue-tie....
The 4yo appears to appreciate the track at Ascot. He’s put in a couple of decent performances at the place – getting touched-off on good to firm in last season’s Commonwealth Cup before returning in the autumn and winning the G1 Champions Sprint Stakes on soft....
He seems versatile in terms of underfoot conditions and good to soft or good ground and better would not put me off....
I think he’s been a frustrating horse for connections – either hitting the heights or running like a drain....
So, the tongue-tie is an interesting move from Fahey. They were doing blood tests and scopes and all the rest of it ahead of the G1 win last term and found nothing. Maybe it turns out the horse has been struggling a little with his breathing....
Whatever, on his day he is a quality operator and if he’s on his game then he can outrun his price. He had a big blow after his seasonal reappearance at Hamilton earlier this month and you can expect him to be spot-on for this....
The Contrarian Bet Box….To recap on where my contrarian money will be going tomorrow afternoon…. In the Wokingham Stakes (5.00 @ Ascot).
In the Diamond Jubilee Stakes (4.20 @ Ascot).
That is my take on where the value lies – but you will no doubt have your own ideas and that’s exactly as it should be. |
That’s all from me for now.
No ATC Extra today. I’ll be back in your inbox next week....
Win lose or draw – enjoy the racing this weekend....
Until next time. Stay tuned.
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