The pick of the prices on Day 1 at Royal Ascot....

Monday, 19th June 2023

The pick of the prices on Day 1 at Royal Ascot….

Tomorrow is Day 1 at Royal Ascot….

…. which for handicap punters like us means two distance handicaps….

…. the Ascot Stakes over the 2m4f trip….

…. and the Copper Horse Handicap over 1m6f….

As you know, I like to go out 24-hours early with my opinion on the big field handicaps….

…. with the objective of bagging the best price possible about my selections….

Sometimes it comes off. Other times it doesn’t….

… but because I go out early with my selections, we’re always a little ahead of the game here at ATC….

Right now, the going at the track is described as good to firm on the straight course and good (good to firm) on the round course….

The weather is the unknown factor. Thundery showers are forecast to hit the track tomorrow – and some of the predicted rain fronts look big and very wet….

Let’s crack on….

• In the Ascot Stakes (5.00)….

There’s no point starting off on the back foot….

I’m backing FLEURMAN at the 25s in tomorrow’s Ascot Stakes….

He’s third in the weight list on his mark of 99….

….  and he looks high up in the pecking order for a horse that’s done all his best work to date on a sand surface….

…. but he’s been a massive improver on the AW this year for trainer Olly Murphy….

…. and he showed last time – going down a length in a valuable race at Newcastle – that he’s capable of taking a big handicap pot….

He will need to improve again. That’s for certain. But given how much Murphy’s improved the horse on sand since inheriting him from Ralph Beckett….

…. I wonder how much more improvement might still be found back on a turf surface….

Fleurman’s only had six goes on turf – despite being a 5yo – and could still have more to give….

…. especially at tomorrow’s longer trip….

If the 2m4f trip suits….

…. and Fleurman’s always doing his best work at the end of stamina sapping races over 2m….

…. the extra yardage will see him to best effect yet….

• Copper Horse Handicap (6.10)….

CHILLINGHAM is the bet for the Copper Horse Handicap – up this morning at the general 22s….

He’s down the pecking order for this – as far as the market’s concerned….

…. but he’s done nothing wrong in his career to date and the truth is we simply don’t know how good he is yet….

He comes into the race 7lb higher in the rankings than when he won at Thirsk in April off 90….

I don’t know how far ahead of a mark of 97 he is….

…. but I doubt it puts the stopper in him….

He’s only had four races….

…. he’s won three of them….

…. and the manner of his victory at Thirsk says there’s more to come yet….

The bottom line is the price – which has a fair bit of heft to it when you consider this horse is wide open to more improvement….

The ground shouldn’t be an issue tomorrow afternoon – he’s produced on quick ground and softer….

… and his yard is going well – in the winners over the last fortnight….

Callum Rodriguez rode for the first time at Thirsk. The horse hasn’t raced since – and Rodriguez retains the ride….

Perhaps this race has been something of a plan since then….

• The last word….

That’s all for today….

I’ll be back tomorrow with my selections for Day 2 of the Royal Ascot meeting….

Look out for me in your email box….

Meantime – contact me direct at nick.pullen@oxonpress.co.uk  

And remember – win, lose, or draw – enjoy the racing….

Stay tuned.

Against the Crowd