Yesterday’s Review

0.75pt e/way Topaz (88) – The selection was reported by jockey Tom Marquand to have been denied a clear run from over a furlong out eventually coming home in 15th place beaten 9.75 lengths. Despite this excuse he never travelled during the race and was always under pressure. A massive step back from debut for me.

 

0.75pt e/way Outfielder (99) – The selection has proven to be a disappointing type outside his home shores as he weakened from a furlong out having raced prominently on the stands side. I was concerned about the application of the tongue tie beforehand and it was a shame he couldn’t reproduce his effort from Churchill Downs. The horse he beat that day by 3 lengths (Sandal’s Song) finished runner-up in the last race on the day finishing a 3.75 lengths second to the winner Bacio.

 

1pt e/way Insanity (97) – The selection never travelled throughout the race and was always at the rear. At no stage did he look like he could play a part as he weakened almost immediately after being asked. He eventually came home in13th place beaten 21.75 lengths. A bizarre effort from the Alan King trained six-year-old having been well backed the night before.

 

1pt e/way Ipanema Queen (107) – A performance slightly below her best from the selection as she hung right when asked to find another gear two furlongs from home. Luckily she managed to hang on for sixth place beaten 5.5 lengths by the wide margin winner. Result 6th 25/1, 22/1 adv…22/1 SP.

 

0.75pt e/way Sovereign Spell (96) – The selection never looked threatening throughout the contest and weakened into 21st place beaten 12 lengths having raced on the stands side. It should be mentioned how poorly trainer Kevin Philipart De Foy’s horses have been running with just one winner in the past month.

 

0.75pt e/way Bacio (115) – A huge leap forward on the clock from the selection compared to his latest win at Churchill Downs considering he was carrying over a stone more at the weights. He showed his customary gate speed when leading from the start, and when asked to find another gear he simply went further and further clear of his toiling opposition. A 3.75 length winning margin was recorded, and this was the 2nd best performance of the week on the clock behind Obudsman’s electric Prince Of Wales’ display. A remarkable training performance from trainer Wesley Ward who would have been celebrating a double with Ruiva in most normal years but bumped into two exceptional fillies in Victorious and Senorita Bonita. We can expect to see Bacio in the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes at next year’s Royal Ascot, and if he can find a couple of lengths improvement he should go close. Result 1st 11/2 adv…3/1 SP.

 

Today’s Advice

ETHICAL DIAMOND (11f 211y Gp2) – The (3.05) Royal Ascot Hardwicke Stakes looks a fascinating contest and with front-running types West Wind Blows, Lambourn and Santorini Star in the field we might just get a truly run race. If that is the case the selection could reproduce his sensational Breeder’s Cup performance of last season. On that occasion he was dropped in at the rear from the worst draw before swinging wide on the home turn and powering past some of the best middle-distance horses in the world. I am willing to allow him his last time out performance in the Dubai Sheema Classic where West Wind Blows had it all his own way out in front and was just worried out of the win by Calandagan. With a more truly run race we should see the likeable six-year-old pick up where he left off last season having won three races in a row includng the Duke Of Edinburgh handicap at last year’s meeting.

Short priced favourite Kalpana returned to the track in fine form when cosily getting the better of West Wind Blows last time out in the Group 3 Aston Park Stakes, and her second place finish to Calandagan in last year’s King George looks very solid form. However, conditions were on the slower side that day and on a faster surface I prefer the selection’s chances at the prices on offer.

 

COMANCHE BRAVE (6f Gp1) – Five-time Group 1 winning Australian sprinting champion Joliestar makes the long journey over for the (3.40) Royal Ascot Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes and as the short priced favourite she looks the one they all have to beat. At the prices I am happy to let her go and win, as we know even the great Black Caviar found the task a difficult one despite scaping home by a head back in 2012. Japanese sprinting star Satono Reve looks a solid alternative and I wouldn’t put anyone off taking the 11/4 on offer with some of the firms. However, the selection recorded a career best (116) timefigure in the Group 2 Greenlands Stakes last time out over 6f at The Curragh. He tracked the pace that day before coming clear over a furlong from home. The improving four-year-old has been drawn high enough in stall 12 to make his challenge near the favoured stands side. International star Pierre-Charles Boudot has been booked for the ride, as Ryan Moore has switched to Satono Reve, and the Donncha O’Brien trained selection represents a bit of value in the hope that he can reproduce his latest performance.

 

COLORI FOREVER/INTO THE SKY (7f Gp3) – The (4.20) Royal Ascot Jersey Stakes looks a foregone conclusion if you listen to gallops reports and take into account the weight of money on the short priced favourite Saber Strike. The William Haggas trained three-year old has been all the rage this week. While there is a lot to like about him, his win last time out is inferior form to plenty of his rivals today. The former selection was mightily impressive when taking a course and distance handicap by a very comfortable 2 lengths from next time out winner Albaydaa. He travelled well in the rear that day before coming through and once put under pressure came well clear. The performance measures up well with past Jersey winner Haatem on the clock and using sectional timing data. He looks worth an interest against the short priced favourite at the prices.

The latter selection has been quoted as the best horse trained by Jim Boyle, and he showed that his debut romp over 6.5f at Newbury was no fluke when taking fourth place behind 2000 Guineas winner Bow Echo. The drop back to 7f should be right up this colt’s street. With a kind draw in stall 17 today this lightly raced type could go close.

 

Already Advised: 0.5pt e/way Where Love Lives (25/1 Norfolk Stakes (Ante-Post 2.30 Royal Ascot) Ladbrokes, Corals, Unibet, Betfred)

0.75pt e/way Ethical Diamond (11/1 William Hill, Ladbrokes, Betfred) 3.05 Royal Ascot

0.75pt e/way Comanche Brave (14/1 Paddy Power, Unibet, Betway 4 places) 3.40 Royal Ascot

0.75pt e/way Colori Forever (8/1 Paddy Power, Betfred, Unibet 4 places) 4.20 Royal Ascot

0.75pt e/way Into The Sky (6/1 William Hill, 11/2 Paddy Power, Betfred 4 places) 4.20 Royal Ascot