Good evening folks! I understand that it is quite late so I won’t go on for too long. I’ve had a few pints myself, having arrived in the lovely village of Little Coxwell in Oxfordshire so without getting into a drunken ramble I had best get down to business.

It is with great pride that I am attending Royal Ascot tomorrow. I am the first member of my family to attend the meeting since my Great Grandfather, Richard A. Duggan, won the Cork and Orrery Stakes (now the Diamond Jubillee stakes, tomorrows’ feature) with a colt called Solonaway in 1949. Hopefully we can be back where we belong and make it into the winners’ enclosure with a selection or two!

Lets get down to it!

14:30 Chesham Stakes (Listed) – Bunker is the market leader here having won his maiden over 6f fairly handy and running on coming to the line.  Has a nice draw, but I’m not too strong on this race as a betting prospect and might have a small each way bet elsewhere. One I like with a bit of course form for an each way bet is Master Carpenter. Keep it small if your having a bet here.

15:05 Hardwicke Stakes (Gr.2) – A small field here. The one I am going for is Mount Athos who was a potential Gold Cup runner. The form is an unusual read with this fella but one win from one start this term at Chester and an impressive few runs last term shows he has the ability to take this.

15:45 Diamond Jubilee Stakes (Gr.1) – There are a number of interesting runners here. Each way bets are the name of the game for me here. Obviously Society Rock is the one to beat. I’m preferring an each way bet on Slade Power. Sea Siren makes for an interesting alternative.

16:25 Wokingham Stakes (H’cap) – 7/1 the field, a wide open affair. I like Hitchens but suspect his weight might have caught up with him and could potentially be too much for him. Going each way again here as the prices allow it! I’ve had a small each way bet on three (is that allowed??). They are Nocturn, Louis the Pious and Poole Harbour. The third lad would please me most as he runs off a feather weight and if he makes the frame the champers will flow!

17:00 Duke of Edinburgh Handicap (H’cap) – Wide open again. I’ve gone each way on Caravan Rolls On and Opinion. Favouring the first fella as he has a bit of course and distance form.

17:35 Queen Alexandra Stakes (Conditions) – Not too strong on anything here again. Cul Baire and Chiberta King catch the eye for an each way punt but keeping the money in the pocket is a shrewd option.

I think most of you can realise by now from my sentiment that tomorrow is not a punting day. Maybe have a small few quid here or there but hang on to what we’ve worked so hard for and enjoy the weekend/ pay the mortgage!! If you do have a bet then the very best of luck with your selections. Thanks again!

Slan tamaillin,

T

Riposte, Roca Tumu and Van der Neer in the each way money turns what was going to be a nice few days racing, into a whopper week. I was particularly pleased with the big priced Roca Tumu getting the job done. The handicap he won at the Curragh will produce more winners yet and is well worth a look for any of you with a bit of foresight.

Obviously a very poignant day for the Cecil family and Warren Place team with Riposte winning the Fillies’ race impressively under Tom Queally. Himself was most definitely looking down with a smile.

Tomorrow is another day, so let’s run through the card to see if we can pick something to have a tilt at. Our weekend of indulgence is in the bag at this stage! Small bets only from here on in for me to try and nab a few bonuses to throw into the wheelbarrow with the rest of it!

14:30 Albany Stakes (Fillies’ Gr.3) – The market is headed up by Sandiva from the Fahey yard who has two impressive wins to her name this term. Most recently a decent Listed race at Naas. I’m going to oppose her here, however, and side with Lady Cecil’s Joyeuse. I am not picking her on the basis that she is Frankel’s half sister, although that pedigree would help. She is my selection mostly on merit. I, along with a lot of other people, was very taken by her maiden win at Lingfield last time. It was not a hot race by any stretch, but she did it well and looks to have class. She has more to give, and is my selection. Midnite Angel is the each way alternative.

15:05 King Edward VII Stakes (Gr.2) – I’m going against the grain here and opposing Battle of Marengo. I think he’s a useful colt and his 4th placed finish in the Derby clearly shows that. However, odds on is not value for me and I could not have him at the price he is. If he wins, then well and good, but backing him is not an intelligent investment at the price. I’m siding with Sir Michael Stoute’s Hillstar who should enjoy the extra two furlongs here. Decent value also sweetens the deal!

15:45 Coronation Stakes (Fillies’ Gr.1) – This is a pretty competitive race with two classic winners in Just The Judge and Sky Lantern coming back for another tussle. Call me crazy but I think going  to oppose them both, even though I’m a big Sky Lantern fan. It is well known that Dermot Weld has said on several occasions that the cold spring had left a lot of his fillies more backward than usual for the time of year. With that in mind Big Break ran a stormer in the Irish guineas if she was not 100%. With the few weeks of nice weather helping her forward and the run under the belt, she will be cherry right for this. She is my selection. Each way selection is Rehn’s Nest who came home like a scalded cat in the Irish guineas and showed an impressive turn of foot. Her draw helps.

16:25 Wolferton Handicap (Listed) – Not too keen on anything here. Two for Two is back for more over this extended trip after a disappointing run having been hampered in the Hunt Cup. O’Meara is a shrewd operator and perhaps a small each way curiosity bet is the order of the day here. Nice draw, and potentially carrying a handy weight. That’s all I will be doing though. I’m a little clueless on this otherwise!

17:00 Queen’s Vase in Memory of Sir Henry Cecil (Gr.3) – Leading Light is the selection here. Wasn’t convinced about him up until his last run where Little White Cloud (a useful colt) came upsides him and he just changed gears and left him for dead. They haven’t gotten to the bottom of this fella yet and I would imagine Group 1 status beckons down the line. He carries a 4 pound penalty for a Gr.3 win the last day, but I still like him for this. Each way alternative would be Mister Impatience, second behind Ruler of the World at Chester being the highlight of his form.

17:35 Buckingham Palace Stakes (H’cap) – The market for this is wide open. That’s mostly because nobody has a clue! I could make a case for a few of them but I’m going each way on Jamesie who hasn’t shown too much this term but I wouldn’t be too worried about that. I saw him at the Curragh the last day and looked to be carrying a bit of condition and probably needed the run. He was second in this last year and is in with a squeak again. Another for an each way nibble is Smarty Socks who is drawn very wide and carries an extra 5 for a recent win but Tudhope and O’Meara have a ridiculous strike rate this season and should be respected. Also has course and distance form.

That’s it for Day 4. I’m in London now and heading to Ascot for Saturday! It’s my first time going so I can’t wait! Anyone from Channel 4 or AtTheRaces reading this, I’m available for interview!! (You should all tweet them and let them know that!)

Thanks a million for all of your kind words again this week, you’re a super bunch! The very best of luck with your selections tomorrow! A pleasure as always!

Slán tamaillín,

T

I realise that the title isn’t great, but you get the jist of what I’m trying to tell you! If you won money today, and by the sounds of things a lot of you did, don’t get greedy tomorrow. Make sure you have some to spend your own way come the weekend instead of giving it back to the bookies! I don’t mean to be boring but it’s happened to me plenty of times where I’ve tried to turn myself into a millionaire when things are going well and more often than not the plan goes tits up. So just giving ye the heads up!

After a fantastic day today a lot of you seem to have landed the treble – a fiver paid in the region of 480 I think….depending on what prices you got! But well done, and hopefully we can find a few tomorrow!

14:30 Norfolk Stakes (Gr.2) – Theres a couple with claims here in this race for the two year olds. I really like Coach House and think he has a nice turn of foot. He was impressive in his three starts and is more experienced as a result. If you can get 11/4 I would take it, it”l be gone soon. The yard is red hot this week and this lad has every chance. Coulsty and No Nay Never are the challengers, but I’m with Ballydoyle here. Legend Rising could run into a place at a price.

15:05 Ribblesdale Stake (Fillies’ Gr.2) – Some people may consider me boring and predictable here but I’ve been very impressed by the market leader Alive Alive Oh this season. Third behind Magician in his winning maiden as a Two year old, won her own maiden handy and blew them out of the water in a listed race at Navan last time. Form is pretty rock solid and a win tomorrow would solidify the fact that she is a top notch filly. Should get the trip. Riposte is a little overpriced at 10’s and is an each way alternative, but the Stack charge is my selection.

15:45 Ascot Gold Cup (Gr.1) – This is a middling renewal of the Gold Cup in my opinion. Previous winners Rite of Passage and Colour Vision take part possibly only as shadows of their former selves (Colour Vision was lucky in the first place). The versatile Simenon is also a well fancied runner. However, my selection is Saddler’s Rock from the Oxx yard. He comes fresh, and this trip will suit him better. Jumps off the form book page for this at 8/1. 12 of the field are given chances statistically so the numbers suggest it won’t be easy, but he’s my guy for the big one.

16:25 Britannia Stakes (H’cap) – The Coolmore and Ballydoyle crew are absolutely punting Wentworth off the boards here probably, hence the price. 4/1 is not value for this race if you are living in the real world. I don’t have the confidence to get stuck into him. I’m looking further out the market and the one I instantly spotted was Roca Tumu. Won a pretty hot handicap the last day in the Curragh on Guineas day with several nice horses running behind including Machete Mark, Won Diamond (both run in this) and Sacred Dragon (remember that name, top class). Maputo also comes into the race with a nice bit of form. These are my each way selections.

17:00 Tercentenary Stakes (Gr.2) – No strong opinions here. Might not have a bet. Market suggests a good few have chances. Van der Neer is over priced based on a poor Irish Guineas run. Thats because Trading Leather went set a furious pace that didn’t suit. He may not get the extra two furlongs, but he’s over priced and may well be getting a few quid thrown on him out of curiosity! Indian Chief is probably the one he’ll have to pass.

15:35 King George V Stakes (H’cap) – Again not strong on anything here. Each way punts on Excellent Result and Soviet Rock are probably the way I’ll go, but in a very minor way.

PAY ATTENTION TO THIS BIT: There is a decent bit of rain forecast for South West London and the Ascot area tonight and early tomorrow. If the rain comes and the ground softens, a lot of this information becomes irrelevant and brings the bigger priced outsiders into play. Just giving you the heads up. The better horses win on better ground.

How many tweets does it take to get #TurfTalk trending in Ireland?? Can we do it?!

The very best of luck with your selections tomorrow. Day 3 of Cheltenham was a disaster for me, lets hope we can reverse that form tomorrow!

Slán tamaillín,

T

With the good weather and a handful of winners at Day 1 of the Royal meeting, things are not looking too bad at all. I honestly thought today would not go as well as it did, but thats racing.

If you’ll allow me, I’m going to forgo the usual preamble tonight as we shore 276 sheep today on the farm in sweltering heat, and I am a little worse for wear as a result.

Let’s get down to business.

14:30 Jersey Stakes (Gr.3) – The obvious two head the market. It’s a case of who you want to side with. I’m going for Gale Force Ten. Why? Simply because his two most recent runs impress me more than Garswoods Guineas performance. I also think that the drop back to 7f will suit Gale Force Ten more. Even if you were to compare the highlights of both of their Two year old careers, I’d prefer Gale Force Ten. But, I’ve been wrong before! An each way alternative that stands out, with a nice high draw, is The Brothers War.

15:05 Duke of Cambridge Stakes (Fillies’ Gr.2) – I had the misfortune of being in Leopardstown the day Duntle had her win reversed via stewards enquiry having backed her. If you were there that day, I was the fella ‘effing and blinding in the betting ring after it was announced. She owes me one, and that is partly the reason why she is my selection. She also has course and distance form having won the Sandringham last year at this meeting. Here’s hoping she can right those wrongs of the stewards in Leopardstown tomorrow!

15:45 Prince of Wales’ Stakes (Gr.1) – Probably one of the bigger talking points of the day. Will Camelot bounce back? Probably not in my opinion, even though I really hope he does. However, I reckon Al Kazeem has the measure of what is the shining light of a fairly mediocre crop of 4year old colts, in Camelot. The Fugue makes an interesting altenative with her weight allowance, but the son of Dubawi should leave her in the ha’ penny place.

16:25 Royal Hunt Cup (H’cap) – I think I can join the majority of punters here when I confess to almighty God and to you, my Brothers and Sisters, that I have not got a breeze. Let’s go for the Hail Mary and try and land the big price. The two that I like for small each way punts, that have nice draws and coming into the race with a bit of form are Directorship and Elusive Time.

17:00 Queen Mary Stakes (Fillies’ Gr.2) – Oriel really sticks out here. Obviously beaten by Rizeena at Ascot last month over the same trip, but I consider her to be better than that form suggests. Ground may be too fast for her, but Bye Bye Birdie is my each way alternative.

17:35 Sandringham Handicap (H’cap) – Another hit and hope type of race. A wide open affair – 6/1 the field. Again, after my intense number crunching process (or closing my eyes and seeing what my finger lands closest to) I’ve come up with Nargys and Waterway Run for small each way tipples. If you are looking for a money making opportunity, this is not it.

If you thought today was tough to make money, it doesn’t bode well for tomorrow either I’m afraid. But we live in hope! Maybe our luck will continue for Day 2! The best of luck with your selections.

Slán tamaillín,

T

 

The Summer is passing by at a fairly strong pace and as the end of June draws ever nearer, it brings with it the pomp and circumstance that is Royal Ascot. However painful for us it might be to bear the “Fabulously British” flavour to the week on this side of the Irish Sea, the action on the track most definitely sweetens the deal.

There is more drink spilled at Cheltenham than there is drank at Royal Ascot, however, the “Equine Olympic” tagline often applied to the former can most definitely be associated with the latter, in the guise of a flat code equivalent. It’s set to be a fantastic week’s racing.

Tomorrow herald’s Day one of the Royal meeting and with the first three races being a hat-trick of group 1’s, the action will be fierce from the get go. I admit that I am a long way off being a flat racing aficionado, but for what it’s worth, the following are just a few things I’d like to point out for tomorrow.

14:30 Queen Anne Stakes (Gr.1) – The market leading colt is the American raider Animal Kingdom who is generally found around the 8/11 mark at the minute. The winner of the 2011 Kentucky Derby and this years Dubai world cup is strongly supported based on that form and the money has been kept rolling in for him thanks to the racing media romanticising the arrival of this well travelled son of Leroidesanimaux. I like to consider myself a realist, and have not allowed myself to be swept away with the forced fairytale that some people are trying to conjure out of this fella’s chances. Fair play to connections for bringing him, and to borrow the well worn cliché, it would be great for racing if he could do the job. However, the two main elements of punting are the judgment of form and performance on one hand and the ability to seek out value on the other. Animal Kingdom is not a value bet in my opinion. Having finished exams I have moved back to Kilkenny, and those whispers on the wind don’t have very far to travel across county lines from Ballydoyle and into my ear. Surely a line can be drawn through Declaration of War’s run in the Lockinge as it had to be too bad to be true. Rumour has it the team at Ballydoyle had him extensively examined by vets to ensure a medical issue had not incurred the bad run, thats how surprised they were. I’d much rather have a tenner on him than a hundred on the yank horse. Each way chance lies with Sovreign Debt. Interesting to note Paddy Power have gone money back on all losing single bets if Animal Kingdom wins…..interesting.

15:05 King’s Stand Stakes (Gr.1) – This valuable 5f dash is not one to get stuck into methinks. Not only because there are several with chances, but also because getting beaten by a short head in a flash finish is a lot more difficult to stomach than being beaten by a length or a two. James Ryan tipped up Shea Shea here on Turf Talk back in March when he won the sprint at the festival at Meydan. He is 2/1 market leader for this. I’m going off on a valiant search for value here and a small each way bet on Medicean Man here is what has tickled my fancy. I’ve also got a bit of a soft spot for Sole Power but the fact that Gask’s charge has course form makes me side with him. Hopefully he can make me a few bob.

15:45 St. James’ Palace Stakes (Gr.1) – I’ve listened to so much analysis from pub talkers about Dawn Approach’s derby performance that I think I need to see psychiatrist. I will not be having a bet in this race, as I think I might have a mental breakdown if I watch it. I think Bolger’s should win. The Hannon’s and Richard Hughes are still bullish about Toronado even after a lacklustre guineas showing. If Dawn Approach is fit and well he should see off the others handy enough at what is now his preferred 1 mile trip, but Magician could give him a run for his money…..all of this is why I am going to sit back and watch it happen without any financial involvement!!

16:25 Coventry Stakes (Gr.2) – This 6 furlong challenge for the babies is dominated by three entries each from Balydoyle and the Hannon’s. Im siding with Championship here having been really impressed by his winning racecourse debut. Thunderstrike also sticks out at a biggish price for an each way nibble but I’m going for the son of Exceed and Excel on the nose.

17:00 Ascot Stakes (H’Cap) –  I’ve always been told to steer clear of the Ascot handicaps as there have a habit of being quite toxic for punters. This field is an eclectic mix of National Hunt and Flat horses with the likes of 2012 Grand National and 2013 Pretemps final runner Junior taking part. I’m baking two; Midnight Oil who’s set to be ridden by Hughes in the Gigginstown colours, and Well Sharp ridden by Berry in the McManus colours. Slightly favouring the latter, in my opinion.

17:35 Windsor Castle Stakes (Listed) – Sweet Jesus….a 5 furlong juvenile sprint with 27 runners. It will be worse than Newlands cross on a Friday night when they kick for the line. Traffic jams galore. This is probably going to be more about luck in running than actual ability. If I do have a bet it will be small and each way. Gosden’s Ben Hall stands out with a good high draw and a nice price for an each way bet. He may be a bit overwhelmed by the big field, but so will a lot of them. To be honest with you the more I look at it the more I think I’ll stay away from it. The market leader obviously has course form and deserves respect but absolutely nothing is certain in this one tomorrow. Stick a pin in it.

So that’s it for Day 1. I reckon it will be tough enough to make a few bob tomorrow so box clever and pay attention to any deals the bookies are offering. The very best of luck with your selections.

Slán tamaillín,

T

The Derby is here. The mile and a half test for equine perfection. The winner must have the exact balance between stamina, to withstand the energy sapping undulations of the Epsom Downs track, and speed to accelerate out of Tattenham corner and turn on the afterburners in the straight to shake off the pretenders.

This is considered the most prestigious race in the flat calendar, the pièce de résistance, the classic of classics. The 12 furlong challenge is steeped in history and is a very special occasion. It could be made even more special if you can find the winner!

I would love to go through the whole field, but unfortunately I am a bit pressed for time, and also severely hungover (I got the results of my degree yesterday). So please excuse me if I overlook something, I’m keeping it brief!

There is no better place to start a look at the 233rd renewal of the Epsom Derby, than with the market leader Dawn Approach. A very impressive Guineas winner, the Bolger team are strong on this fella. The question is will he stay the extra four furlongs. The experts reckon he’ll get a mile and a quarter no bother but the fact that his dam side pedigree shows a little more speed than stamina suggests that he wont stay, however there is stamina with the grandam, as Brian Gleeson just pointed out on the morning line, being by Pleasant Colony. Look, I could spoof on forever about whether or not he gets the trip. The layers have gone 7/4 about him, which in my eyes is disrespectful, however I wouldn’t regard DA as a solid betting prospect for me. I can’t get stuck into him, but I do hope he wins.

The French horse Ocovango is unbeaten for his three starts and won a decent Greffuhle (Gr. 2) at Saint Cloud the last day. Incase you didn’t know already, Fabre happens to be a genius and is not making the trip for the craic. I’d rate this horse and is reasonable at 15/2 or so.

Ballysax and Derrinstown victor Battle of Marengo is also worth a mention as a proven “trip-getter” for want of a better phrase (the hangover is intensifying). Both those races were middling renewals but he deserves respect nonetheless.

I do realise I’ve just named three of the four market leaders and how incredibly boring thats is. However, I do think that these 3 should be in the mix coming to the post.

I’ve put my beret on and gone with Ocovango e/w.

Best of luck with your selections. A cracking day of racing awaits! (And the Lions)

Slán Tamaillín,

A very hungover T