The dust has well and truly settled on Royal Ascot and it’s time to try to shrug off the spell of seconditis that has plagued our recent selections! Many of them were backed each-way at reasonable odds so it hasn’t been all doom and gloom.
The racing has been understandably modest this week and my attempts to unravel the Northumberland Plate have been dealt a blow with a non-runner and a wide draw. Many punters will have fared even worse with the poor handling of the entry for Tiger Cliff.
Reports at the start of the week suggested that he would be running before a quick U-turn was announced. The official reason was the likelihood of fast ground. They must have more faith in the weather forecasts than I do.
In my part of Scotland, just across the border, it has been chucking it down all day today and Newcastle’s going is reportedly good. Some jockeys felt that much more rain would turn it on the soft side. Apparently the same owners were happy to run Lieutenant Miller because he loves fast ground. To add to the confusion he had to be drawn first reserve didn’t he!
I haven’t ruled out the possibility of Ingleby Spirit winning from stall 18 but I’m going to have a saver on Mubaraza who is well drawn and ran a solid race at Ascot. Hopefully Paul Hanagan will be fit to ride him and can enjoy a change of luck after Ektihaam.
On Friday I’m going for a cross-double on the last two races at Newmarket. In the 8.40 Paris Rose and Tajheez are two progressive types that should have the race between them. The closing 9.20 should be another win for Frankie Dettori aboard Asian Trader (the horse that gave him his comeback winner). He looked set to win comfortably at Salisbury but was run out of it. His danger is the unlucky Sandown runner-up Rocket Rob. He got into all sorts of trouble last time and flew at the finish. 4 x doubles should see a small but welcome profit.
8.40 Newmarket Paris Rose + Tajheez
9.20 Newmarket Asian Trader + Rocket Rob
4 x Doubles
Northumberland Plate
Mubaraza 7-1 Coral
