Wednesday 20th June 2018


After failing to find any bets worth posting on the first day, I think I've found a couple who are worth a few quid on day two of the royal meeting.


15:05 - Queen's Vase

 This is a race where I think its worth keeping things simple, Nelson sets a clear form standard for the others to aim at and he's the one I'll be siding with. He beat current favourite Kew Gardens as a two year-old before just failing to catch Roaring Lion when a neck second in the Royal Lodge Stakes at Newmarket. Aidan O'Brien's Frankel colt then posted a career best when landing the Ballysax Stakes on his seasonal reappearance, a performance that puts him a good few pounds clear of his rivals today. Last time out he disappointed in the Derrinstown Derby Trial which may be why Ryan Moore has opted for Kew Gardens, but that rival had a hard race at epsom just 18 days ago and its possible those exertions may have left their mark. Donnacha O'Brien has certainly proven himself at the top level this year and I wouldn't let the jockey bookings put me off. Obviously the in form duo of Frankie Dettori and John Gosden have to be feared with the unexposed Stream Of Stars who is almost certain to improve again, but I'm siding with the horse who already has the form in the book. At a much bigger price Almoghared is an interesting contender, a half brother to Taghrooda who showed a great attitude to score at Chepstow last time, but it's possible this rise in class may come a touch too soon and he may be a better prospect for later down the line.

Nelson 5/1 - 1 Point Win


17:00 Ascot - Royal Hunt Cup

 Seniority has just crept in at the bottom of the weights here and looks a worthy favourite under his 5lb penalty. He's clearly still improving and the form of his Chelmsford victory was given a significant boost when the second scored a shade cosily at Sandown on his next start. With the fact that all-weather form generally translates well to Ascot yet another positive. However, there's one I like in here at a bigger price in the shape of Settle For Bay. David Marnane's charge progressed at a serious rate of knots last season, landing a four timer on the all-weather at Dundalk and shooting up 15lb in the process. He then returned to action at Leopardstown last month where he did well to finish fourth of sixteen runners after meeting traffic problems, while it is also probably fair to say he wasn't given the hardest of times by his rider either. The form of that contest could hardly be working out better, the winner went on to win a listed race and the fifth, sixth and ninth placed horses have all won handicaps since. The yard are in good form at present and they look to have a good chance of landing this valuable prize. With firms paying up to SEVEN places each way, he looks a good each way play in a race which obviously involves a fair amount of luck in running.

Settle For Bay 16/1 - 1 Point Each-Way


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