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
Turf Talk 