Yesterday’s Review
0.5pt e/way Snellen (105) – A fine return to the track from the selection who found the winner Miss Information (106) a length too good having to concede 7lbs to her. She raced in touch with the leaders, and took up the running over a furlong from home before being headed inside the final furlong. She stays further and was unlucky the winner was given such a good ride by Oisin Murphy as she barely stays a mile. Result 2nd 16/1 adv…25/1 SP.
Today’s Advice
OMNI MAN (11f 211y Hcap) – The (3.05) Ascot King George V Stakes looks as competitive as ever and the favourite Merchant looks to have an excellent chance judging by the manner of his latest win at York which was boosted by the runner-up in yesterday’s Queen’s Vase. The price and the draw in stall twenty are not much to my liking though, and the selection may represent a bit of value judging by his latest win over an extended ten furlongs at Roscommon.
On that occasion he travelled sweetly behind the leader before taking up the running over a furlong from home and winning by 7.5 lengths. It was only a maiden, but the time of the race was very strong and compares well with the best of today’s field. The step up in trip will have to be taken on trust, but the dam Pretty Face has bred plenty of stayers including National Hunt stalwart Fixed Rate who was a 14 furlong winner on the flat. Dylan Browne McMonagle takes the ride and the draw in stall 16 is slightly better than that of the favourite who has drawn stall 20.
RAAFEDD (8f Britannia Hcap) – This three-year-old son of Teofilio looked a different horse last time-out at Newbury when wearing a first-time tongue tie. He raced prominently on that occasion before taking up the running over two furlongs from home. The manner in which he quickened clear was very taking, and the sectional times he recorded on the day read very favourably for a horse making his handcap debut off a mark of 92. It will simply be a case of whether he can reproduce that Novice form in today’s much more competitive (5.00) Ascot. There is just enough in his price for me to warrant an interest in what looks a race full of improving types such as Teroom, Arabian Story and Consolidation to mention just a few.
GLENEAGLE BAY (7f Hcap) – Course form has been rewarded frequently this week and the selection’s third place when beaten just a head in last month’s Victoria Cup looks a solid effort for today’s (6.10) Ascot Buckingham Palace Stakes Handicap. He was held up on that occasion and after making good headway a furlong from home looked a little unlucky not to get the gold medal as the two that finished ahead of him raced more towards the far side. He should get a nice tow into today’s race from prominent racers Run Boy Run and Inside Matters and with David Egan taking the ride should be given every assistance from the saddle.
0.5pt e/way Omni Man (22/1 William Hill, Ladbrokes, Coral 5 places) 3.05 Ascot
0.75pt e/way Raafedd (5/1 Ladbrokes, Coral, Betvictor 4 places) 5.00 Ascot
0.75pt e/way Gleneagle Bay (13/2 Paddy Power, Unibet, 6/1 Coral 6 places) 6.10 Ascot