A very good morning to you all from a sunbathed Shalbourne, the little village where I have been spending the last number of weeks, the likes of which you might see on a postcard. Nestled in the rolling countryside of Wiltshire, there is an absolute passion for racing in this place. Whilst the racing talk may not be as concentrated as it is on The Curragh or in Newmarket, Lambourn and surrounding areas have played host, for generations, to those migrant pilgrims who have travelled to work for some of the best trainers in the world. It is an impressive place with an abundant and colourful racing history. Not too far away on the Berkhire downs , 3000 years ago, they marked the area, best for the care of horses, by creating the Uffington White Horse, on the side of the valley. Deep trenches carved into the earth, in the shape of a horse, and filled with crushed chalk. Even in the Bronze Age, they knew that this is a very special place indeed.

As I ramble, I have realised that there is the final day of Ascot to be dealt with. The final day of the meeting for 2014, another year is flying bye before our very eyes. Yesterday was definitely a day for the bookies, but not to worry, we go to war again to day hopeful of coming out on top.

As I said this time last year, my Great-Grandfather won the Cork & Orrery Stakes (now the Diamond Jubilee) in ’49 with a horse called Solonoway. The same year Solonoway won the Irish 2000 Guineas, so needless to say his photo is plastered all over our house. Our family hasn’t had anything to do with a group winner since, but we’ve been able to back a few so hopefully we can find a few winners today!

I’m going to Ascot today so I better crack on with this so I can get changed. The forecast says 24C for today, not exactly top hat and tails weather.

14:30 Chesham Stakes (Listed) – At the prices Toscanini is superb value to reverse the form with Dick Whittington. Halford trained and Foley ridden, the Shamardal colt gets my money.

15:05 Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes (Handicap) – My handicap form has been pretty poor this week. Hamelin trained by Lady Cecil should go well and an each way nibble on Squire Osbaldeston.

15:45 Hardwicke Stakes (Group 2) – 2nd to a good Noble Mission at Chester on ground he wouldn’t have really enjoyed, now on ground he likes and boosted by the fact the Ryan Moore has gone away from 2013 Royal Ascot winner Hillstar, its very hard to look past Telescope.

16:25 Diamond Jubilee Stakes (Group 1) – Slade Power to emulate Solonoway. The vibes are very strong about this lad.

17:00 Wokingham Stakes (Heritage Handicap) – Nightmare. A cavalry charge nightmare. They are definitely going better on the stands rail this week. With that and a touch of form in mind Baccarat and Alben Star are my two each way bets against the field.

17:35 Queen Alexandra Stakes (Conditions Race) – Willie Mullins loves an Ascot winner. Pique Sous won’t mind the ground and has the right man in the saddle. Definitely stays anyway!

So thats it for Day 5 folks! All the very best with your selections!

See you at Ascot!

Slán tamaillín,

T

And just as this week was beginning to look very rosy indeed I was very much brought back down to earth today.

Leading Light landed a nice ante post bet for yours truly but apart from that today was pretty bleak.

Lets not dwell on the negatives and have a quick fly through the card. I apologies in advance for the brevity of this post but Im absolutely knackered.

14:30 Albany Stakes (Fillies’ Group 3) – A Kodiac filly by the name of Patience Alexander looked good in front of Tiggy Wiggy in a listed contest last time at York. Interesting to see connections have pitched her up here over 6f and are obviously of the opinion she’ll see it out well.

15:05 Wolferton Handicap (Listed) – A tricky one. He has been close in a few valuable races on the all weather and the race placement of Dick Doughtywylie would suggest that there is a big race in this Oasis Dream gelding somewhere.

15:45 King Edward VII Stakes (Group 2)  – Hughsie, for some reason, has come in for the ride on Western Hymn who has a cracking chance in this mile and a half contest.  Stays well and unfortunate start in the Derby meant he finished 10 lengths off Austrailia, but should have gone closer, with a bit of luck. Can be tricky but should act round Ascot. WH now a non runner. Snow Sky gets the nod. Winner of a valuable Derby trial and unlucky to miss out on Epsom through injury. Looks to have been improving with every run so more to come today.

16:25 Coronation Stakes (Fillies’ Group 1) – I’ve been a huge fan of the Oxx filly and have waited all year to back her. At last she has gotten ground that is more to her liking. My Titania is the one for me, and hopefully she can go well fresh, although this is a bloody good race. Kiyoshi represents some very tasty each way value.

17:00 Queen’s Vase (Listed) – Hard to know which of these will handle a firmer surface. An each way bet on Montaly of Andrew Balding’s is tickling my fancy at present, but that could all change. Mightn’t like the ground but looks like he stays and stays and stays. If he goes close, it won’t be flashy.

17:35 Buckingham Palace Stakes (Handicap) – Two against the field for each way bets here are, the mount of Danny Tudhope, Watchable and Rene Mathis to overcome a low draw.

So thats it for day 4 folks. Here’s hoping there’s a winner or two in there somewhere!

Slán tamaillín,

T

 

Evening all! A nice days racing today with Mustajeeb and The Fugue clicking at decent prices to fill the coffers. Tiggy Wiggy a shade unlucky but will be back to fight another day, no doubt!

The times today at Ascot were very interesting indeed. As suggested last night, the ground has gone quite quick and that view was proved correct when The Fugue broke the course record for 1M2F and a number of other races were run well under the course standard.

With the ground now god to firm and the weather set fair, those quicker times look like they could become pretty routine for the rest of the week.

14:30 Norfolk Stakes (Group 2) – They say the War Front’s relish the quick stuff and for me, in a race like this, The Great War is a pretty good option. Won over the same trip on Good to Firm at The Curragh last time unextended and punted like a good thing. The best of the Ballydoyle 2YO’s, so the story goes. Even money seems fair.

15:05 Tercentenary Stakes (Group 3) – On paper this seems a fairly open race. Ive been a fan of the Ger Lyons trained Obliterator for a while. A line can be put through his Irish guineas run as he was keen and the ground conditions did him no favours. Back on a sounder surface, tried with a first time tongue tie, he makes a tasty enough each way prospect at his current price. I’d imagine each way bets won’t be an option tomorrow as the markets tighten up.

15:45 Ribblesdale Stakes (Fillies’ Group 2) – Oak’s fourth and Peter Chapple-Hyam charge, Inchila, at the price is definitely a worthy investment. The main threat comes from the French filly, but she is untested anything even close to quick ground, which isn’t ideal.

16:25 Gold Cup (Group 1) – I’ve been nibbling away at Leading Light for a while. If he gets done I’ll be rather sick. While Brown Panther has been very impressive this year and Estimate is back to defend her crown, I really do feel that last years Leger winner has a very strong chance. Odds on is a bit snug so an each way saver goes on Royal Diamond.

17:00 Britannia Stakes (Heritage Handicap) – Cases can be made for many. Two against the field here are Chatez of Alan King’s and First Flight, the mount of K Fallon Esq.

17:35 King George V Stakes (Handicap) – Thinking about avoiding this altogether if Im honest. Potentially Arab Dawn and Wrangler against the field, but really a minefield.

So thats it for Day 3! Hopefully we can stay going!

Slán tamaillín,

T

Evening all! Hope you’ve had a fantastic day! As promised, Toronado hacking up in the first has lead to a rather extensive day for yours truly, not helped by Sole Power, under a cheeky Hughes, winning his second consecutive King’s Stand.

The two main things to take away from today are; the Ballydoyle horses ran quite disappointingly, and Kingman is bloody good.

14:30 Jersey Stakes (Group 3) – I’m all over Mustajeeb here. Although the two wins are on slightly softer turf, I believe the form is strong enough to ring true and surely this horses 3rd behind Kingman in the Irish Guineas, is good enough to win this. Better than Muwaary’s 4th in the French Guineas anyway, thats fo’ sho’.

15:05 Queen Mary Stakes (Fillies’ Group 2) – Wesley Ward literally gave me a spanking today, as a very backable Hootenanny quickened up nicely to take the Windsor Castle. He is represented by the market leader Spanish Pipedream. However, I think I’m going to stray from the Yank here again. I do be a bit of a Tiggy Wiggy fan, so I do. Close in a listed contest last time. More to come from this nice daughter of the very fashionable Kodiac.

15:45 Prince Of Wales’s Stakes (Group 1) – I had dinner with a jockey this evening. I’m not going to tell you who. All you need to know is that he rode at Ascot today and he tells me the ground is on the quicker side of good and getting faster all the time. With that in mind I am slightly in a quandary. I was at Longchamp last October to see Treve quicken up in the typical Autumn French ground; described as soft, but softer than soft. She did seem pretty imperious on that ground but I wondered will she like to hear her hooves rattle at an unofficially firmish Ascot. One horse that does enjoy a quick surface is last years Yorkshire Oaks and Irish Champion stakes heroine (both 0n really really quick ground) is The Fugue. At the price, she is my each way selection against the field.

16:25 Duke Of Cambridge Stakes (Fillies’ Group 2) – Sky Lantern to win. Fiesolana each way. SIMPLES.

17:00 Royal Hunt Cup (Heritage Handicap) – I do love a mile handicap, so I do. Two each way bets against the field here for me. Burano seems to get on quite well with the jock booked for tomorrow and isn’t too far away from a big handicap win. Queensbury Rules at a price of 16/1 I simply must have. Hasn’t run since last years Cambridgeshire handicap but could go well nonetheless!

17:35 Sandringham Handicap (Fillies’ Listed) – Ah here. Your guess is asa good as mine in this. Alumina is finding it difficult to be beaten these days and, although the turf is a different story, she may go well.

So thats it f0r Day 2 folks! All the best with your own selections!

By the way, whats the story with William Buick and Godolphin these days??

Slán tamaillín,

T

 

 

With the flat season now very much in full swing, and the Derby run, the Royal meeting at Ascot comes under the microscope. The racing on offer this week is nothing short of world class, and I for one am very excited indeed!

We had a great week punting last year so hopefully we can recreate a bit of that form and replenish the coffers with some bookies cash!

I’m very lucky to be attending tomorrow and will be donning all my finery. With beauty sleep in mind I’m just going to crack on with it and forego the usual preamble.

14:30 Queen Anne Stakes (Group 1) – Always good to start a day at the races with a Group 1! It’s a reasonably boring betting heat at the moment and I feel the market reflects how the race should pan out pretty accurately. Toronado, the St. James’ Palace contender of twelve months ago, returns to run with the older horses over the straight mile having been beaten a short head by crack miler and sire Dawn Approach. Verrazano, American import and Lockinge third, wouldn’t be the first horse to make the transition from Pletcher to O’Brien and experience success at this meeting. However, this race may be beyond him, even though there definitely was more to come after his efforts at Newbury. The favourite at even money is the bet to get me off to a flying start. Here’s hoping.

15:05 Coventry Stakes (Group 2) – I’ve been staying in the Lambourn area for the last week or so and whilst discussing Ascot selections I received a bit of flack from the locals for maybe being slightly biased towards Irish form for a lot of races. That isn’t too far from the truth in several of instances, however in the case of this years renewal I really do think a very sharp Irish colt has emerged. The Ger Lyons trained, son of Showcasing, Cappella Sansevero is attempting to win the Coventry for the Irish for the 4th consecutive year. He has won all three of his starts including a cosy Listed win at Naas last time. The one negative is he has never faced a large field before, but his draw is a gift and I’d be hoping he can run a bigger race than his price suggests. Shiekh Fahad Al Thani obviously agrees with my opinion as he paid £1.3 million for him this evening at the Goffs sale at The Orangery at Kensington Palace. The favourite, War Envoy, is vulnerable and there is no real excuses for his disappointing third last time. Obviously there are several other threats but I am quite pleased with my each way bet on the Lyons charge.

15:45 King’s Stand Stakes (Group 1) – The sphere of modern Group 1 sprinting is a unique one. They all tend to beat each other at some point in time so it is a case of hitting and hoping, for the punter at large, that you’re on the right horse at the right time. Last years winner Sole Power is now rated 2 lbs lower than last year but still catches my eye. Hughesie takes the ride and, if his RP column is anything to go bye, fancies his chance. Guerre has shown himself to have plenty of speed and is in receipt of a nice weight for age allowance here. He had a nice win in a listed contest, although only beating an unfit Maarek and receiving a stone, showed a bit of pace. This is a big step up for him but with 16/1 available in places an each way tipple is very much to my liking. Those are my two against the field.

16:25 St James’s Palace Stakes (Group 1) – The Guineas form has worked out extremely well with the Irish Guineas winner in second and the Derby winner in third. The talking point leading up to this race has been the ground and how it will be come race time tomorrow. The judges reckon Kingman bends the knee a touch and requires a dig in the surface to be seen to best effect. However, I feel Night of Thunder, is superb value at the price to uphold the guineas form. His Greenham Stakes defeat to the Gosden horse is forgivable and Im putting that defeat down to a lack of race fitness. Night of Thunder improved significantly from Newbury to Newmarket and should have actually won the Guineas by farther. If the ground dries out a touch and is reported as any way quicker than good to soft I’ll be backing Night of Thunder. If its soft it could be a very different story though. Keep an eye on the ground.

17:00 Ascot Stakes (Handicap) – Two against the field here in what is a pretty open handicap. Brockwell is the first, off a feather weight, and out of the in form Dascombe yard, this son of Singspiel was a favourite for last year’s Caesarewich Handicap at Newmarket. He was fancied that day off a mark of 91. Now back to 88 has an each way squeak at a big price. The second is Ballinderry Boy who has won at the track and seems to love a good test. 20 furlongs here should bring out the best in the Balding horse.

17:35 Windsor Castle Stakes (Listed) – A bit of a minefield to finish day one, if Im honest. A stiff five furlongs for two year olds with 25 runners is never an easy one to solve. Merdon Castle is of interest and could go well tomorrow with Ryan Moore in the plate. Bwana at a very big price advertises a bit of form from the Curragh that I think could be quite good. Second to a sharp filly of Lady O’Reilly’s called Beach Belle on opening day of the season, won his maiden next time up and then second to a Ballydoyle War Front two year old called The Great War who is quite smart. Ive put a line through Bwana’s last run and will be extremely satisfied if he can run into a place at a big price. James Doyle takes the ride.

So thats it for Day one folks! All the very best with your own selections.

If Toronado comes in you’ll find me perched at the Montjeu bar for the rest of the day.

Slán tamaillín,

T