Yesterday’s Review

0.5pt e/way Omni Man (102) – Merchant (105), the 5/2 morning favourite for the contest, was held up and ridden for luck by jockey Tom Marquand. His performance at York was that of a Group horse, and it was always going to just be about whether his jockey found a clear passage from the rear. He came home a length clear of Serious Contender (104) who was ridden from the front from his wide draw by Ryan Moore. The selection was also given a hold up ride, and although not having the clearest of runs through managed to stay on into fifth place. Result 5th 22/1 adv…11/1 SP.

 

0.75pt e/way Raafedd (95) – Unfortunately, jockey Tom Marquand was denied a clear run on many occasions on this horse, and this effort is best ignored. A high draw bias was also in play with the first five home drawn 29, 30, 28, 27, and 31…

 

0.75pt e/way Gleneagle Bay (99) – A low draw in stall nine proved to be a massive disadvantage following the result of the Britannia Handicap, and although jockey David Egan tried his best to negate that by coming over to the near side it was always going to be an impossible task. He could only manage tenth place, and this is another performance which needs to be overlooked with the first six home being drawn 28, 29, 32, 30, 25 and 31….

 

Today’s Advice

Already Advised Ante Post (0.75pt e/way GOLD DIGGER 16/1) (Albany Stakes 6f) – The selection has managed to make it to the final 17 for today’s (2.30) Ascot, and is roughly half the price she was when advised. We still don’t know how good she is, as her final time was slow for her debut win. However, her sectional times were very good and it will be interesting to see how much progress she has made since last month. She is drawn fourteen today, and will be held up for a late run, so luck will be needed in-running for jockey Jamie Spencer.

The horse I would be most worried about would be Fitzella who recorded a very high (110) speed figure when winning at Haydock nine days after our filly’s performance at Yarmouth. The favourite Signora looks a short price based on the bare numbers of her debut at Naas, however, we know her trainer’s runners can leave their debut form well behind on second start.

 

SHADOW OF LIGHT (6f Commonwealth Cup) – A drop back to sprinting looks to be an exciting call from connections of this this three-year-old colt who showed fabulous speed in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket. He travelled better than his opposition, and recorded the fastest top speed of 40.72 miles per hour before just being outstayed by Ruling Court, and Field Of Gold. The form is the best on offer for today’s (3.05) Ascot, and while the price is a bit tight, it will be a real treat watching him revert to sprinting. He has a nice draw in stall 19, and everything looks in place for a big performance.

The Juddmonte pair of Jonquil and Babouche look to provide the best of the opposition, but if the selection reproduces his Guineas form he should get the job done today.

 

ZARIGANA (7f 213y Coronation Stakes) – This three-year-old filly looks the class act of today’s (4.20) Ascot, and she has been improving nicely throughout her career, and rightfully was awarded the French 1000 Guineas having been badly impeded by She’s Imperfect wandering around at the business end of the race. She has a very nice turn of foot, and we haven’t seen the best of her yet. Conditions were faster at Longchamp last time out, and she should have no problem with today’s well watered going. It will be up to jockey Mickael Barzalona to navigate a clear passage from her draw in stall nine as she will be held up for a late run as she normally is.

It will be intersting to see how her main rivals Falakeyah and Kon Tiki cope with this big step up in class, and if they cannot find plenty of improvement the Aga Khan filly should have too much class for them.

 

MISS NIGHTFALL/SILVER GHOST (8f Sandringham Handicap) – These two fillies did us a favour last time out when filling the first two places at Goodwood, and I see no reason to desert them for today’s (5.00) Ascot. Miss Nightfall looked like she would benefit from her seasonal debut when not getting the clearest of runs before finishing well behind Silver Ghost last time out. Her two year old form has a strong look to it with She’s Perfect and Camille Pissarro tied into her final two runs last season. The handicapper has only raised her 2lbs for her latest effort, and with a high draw in stall 28 looking to be a positive, based on yesterday’s results, the only questions will be whether she can find a clear passage from the rear and whether she can see out the mile.

Silver Ghost has a lot more stamina in her pedigree, and the way she finished last time out at Goodwood indicated that she should have no problem with the step up to a mile. A decent draw in stall 20 should also help her cause. Jockey Sean Levey has won on her before at Newmarket, and she looks well worth an interest again today looking at the morning prices.

 

0.75pt e/way Gold Digger (16/1 already advised) 2.30 Ascot

2pts win Shadow Of Light (6/4 Ladbrokes, Corals, William Hill) 3.05 Ascot

2pts win Zarigana (13/8 Ladbrokes, Corals, William Hill) 4.20 Ascot

1pt win double Shadow Of Light/Zarigana

1pt win Miss Nightfall (7/2 William Hill, 3/1 General) 5.00 Ascot

1pt e/way Silver Ghost (8/1 Paddy Power, Coral, Boylesports 6 places) 5.00 Ascot