Royal Ascot 2019 - Day 5






It's been a quiet couple of days on the blog, I don't like to put selections and previews up on here for the sake of it so I left the last couple of days alone. Really all I should have posted was two words: 'BACK FRANKIE'. The man has had an incredible couple of days and it's likely all his mounts on the final day will be very popular in the betting ring, however all it takes is a brief scan of Saturday's race card to see that it may be a different jockey dominating. James Doyle has a stellar book of rides including Blue Point who bids to follow up Tuesday's King Stand victory with a win in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes over an extra furlong.


Just the one suggestion today along with a brief write up, I think it's fair to say the return of the blog has been a successful one so I will try to get content on here regularly again now.



Diamond Jubilee Stakes (Ascot 16:20)

 The shape of this race has changed rather dramatically since I first glanced at the betting at the beginning of the week. That is largely due to the presence of Blue Point, who was a fairly decisive winner of the Kings Stand over the shorter 5f trip on Tuesday. Charlie Appleby's runner now looks the class act in this field and previous exploits suggest the extra furlong shouldn't be a huge concern. All that said, as always on this blog I'm looking for a value angle on the race and at current odds of 7/4 the favourite won't be a bet for me.

Another significant change to the shape of this race is the absence of Inns Of Court who was many's strong fancy for the race. For my bet I'm looking to back one who went agonisingly close for followers of this blog last year in the shape of City Light. He was beaten a short head in this contest last year after leaving the stalls awkwardly and probably should have won. His all-weather exploits on both sides of the channel s are very strong form wise, particuarly his victory over Kachy at Lingfield last year given that rival's incredible record on sharp tracks. The rule of all-weather form translating well to Ascot was proven right by the selections strong performance last year.



Connections have clearly targeted this race again this year, he's been kept fresh with his only run of the year being a very encouraging second to the absent Inns Of Court when slowly away at Maisons-Laffitte. The race this year looks like it should be run to suit again and if there are any minor doubts over the favourite it probably is whether he really wants the stiff test six furlongs at Ascot presents, especially after a big run only a matter of days ago. The selection will be ridden quietly and it's hard to see him not at least running into the frame late on and if anyone troubles Blue Point in the closing stages I can see it being City Light, with a number of firms offering 4 places each-way 9/1 looks a very big price to me.

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