King George Update
The serious injury to St Nicholas Abbey was sad news earlier this week and I’m sure that all racing fans are hoping that he can pull through. The O’Brien team will hopefully switch their hopes to my 150-1 ante-post selection Ernest Hemingway for the King George on Saturday. Having also taken 10-1 a place I am in a nice position to cover any losses with a lay bet. It certainly does not look the strongest King George in living memory so I’m hopeful of getting a run for my money.
International Handicap
The biggest betting race on the card is the International Handicap over seven furlongs. This seems to have attracted just about every leading player over this specialist distance. The key races for this are usually the Victoria Cup, the Hunt Cup and the Bunbury Cup and there are enough criss-crossing form lines here to give you a serious headache.
The Bunbury Cup was won by Jamie Osborne’s Field Of Dream who wore down long-time leader Es Que Love inside the final furlong. Not that far behind was Redvers whilst My Freedom weakened out of contention tamely. Field Of Dream has only incurred a 3lb penalty for that win whilst Es Que Love ran his usual game race in defeat last Saturday.
Field Of Dream was previously sixth in the Hunt Cup after an almighty gamble was scuppered by the draw. Es Que Love ran in the Buckingham Palace Handicap at the Royal meeting and finished behind Lightning Cloud and Dream Tune with Loving Spirit and Redvers just behind.
Diescentric did us a good turn when bolting up at Newcastle but has been hammered with a 10lb penalty. Julie Camacho is not keen to risk him on anything firmer than good ground so he may yet swerve this race. If you are not already confused by the older horses, there are two three-year-olds with live chances in Queensbury Rules and Ashaadd.
Queensbury Rules stayed on from the rear to take third in the Britannia Handicap at Royal Ascot. That race does not seem to have been quite as hot as in recent years but it was still a game effort. Ryan Moore has been booked so it is safe to assume that he is fancied. My concern is that he is dropping back to seven furlongs here and may find it all happening a bit quick.
Jim Goldie’s Hawkeyethenoo and the gallant Prince Of Johanne are others with a chance, especially the latter who has the assistance of the in-form Johnny Murtagh. You would expect the seven furlongs to be too sharp for a former Cambridgeshire winner but the grey seems to be getting quicker as he gets older! He also has a 3lb penalty for beating Es Que Love at Sandown and they are sure to go a good pace again here.
The draw is another factor to consider so we may need to revisit this race on Friday. At this stage, I’d side with Prince Of Johanne to continue Johnny Murtagh’s great run.
Prince Of Johanne 14-1 William Hill
