Cracking opening day at Ascot. Ryan Moore stole the show with a treble but arguably the most impressive perofmance of the day was Buratino who we made our NAP in the Coventry. Always travelling well, he hit the front at the furlong pole and Buick needn't have carried his stick, hugely exciting horse going forward. Sole Power just had too much to do and his ageing legs couldn't make up the ground quick enough in the Kings Stand, but he ran creditably finishing a close enough 5th. Noble Silk was the IWAC and ran a very good race to finish fourth in the Ascot Stakes, landing some tidy each way profit at early price of 33/1. All in all, a very solid start. On to day two.
Ivawood is the red hot favourite in the opener and Richard Hughes has called him the banker of the week. While he obviously has a leading chance, I'm keen to take him on with a solid each way alternative. Two of the last five runnings have been won by fillies and with FADHAYILL coming back in trip to 7f, it may be another that takes the Jersey stakes this year. She was only beaten a length by Lucida on her final 2yo start and reappeared with a huge run in the Guineas to finish 5th, this despite a front bandage causing all sorts of problems in the final furlong. She drops in class and drops in trip and has always been very well regarded, she can run into a place at the very least here and may give the favourite most to think about, Grab 10/1 while you can, it won't last.
It's always nice to get a big price about a runner with the best form going into a race (like Buratino yesterday) and it's the case again tomorrow in the Prince Of Wales Stakes. Kevin Ryan has often said that THE GREY GATSBY doesn't get the credit he deserves, and judged by the fact you can get 13/2 about a multiple Group 1 winner who is rated 6lbs higher than his nearest rival in the race, suggests he may be right. Yesterday Solow boosted the form of his 2nd In Meydan two starts back and while his run in Ireland was underwhelming, he was only beaten two lengths. Jamie Spencer can be hit and miss but will hopefully get it right tomorrow, he is very possibly the each way bet of the entire meeting and I certainly wouldn't put you off a sizeable each way punt. That said I'm backing him for the win - on 2014 form he would be different gravy to these, it isn't the strongest renewal, and while Free Eagle is an unknown quantity, 11/4 makes no appeal compared to the grey, no brainer for me and my NAP on day 2.
A 30 runner handicap is the type of race I barely even look at but when you feel there is a potential Group level horse running off near bottom weight, you have to have a play. TEMPTRESS is the horse in question. She absolutely dotted up on reappearance over C/D of which she is 2/2. She was only raised 7lbs for that performace which is a huge underestimation in my eyes. Roger Charlton's filly looks to have really come on over winter and he was quoted as saying 'we will definitely be looking to get some bacak type with her,' in a recent stable tour. This is a (very competitive) handicap and she looks sure to run well before going on to bigger and brighter things later in the season. She's the least exposed runner in the field and highly progressive, the ideal profile for a race like this, she'll be coming late and fast. The progressive Speculative Bid is the main worry but going back up to 1m may be his undoing in ths stronger race and at a smidgen bigger, I'm happy to side with Temptress at 14/1.
Selections:
14.30 Jersey Stakes - Fadhayill 10/1 each way 2ND
16.20 Prince Of Wales - The Grey Gatsby 13/2 2ND
17.00 Royal Hunt Cup - Temptress 14/1 each way (5 places) 2ND
THT
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