This title is potentially misleading. Below is a list of horses i feel are worth a second look for next weeks Ascot showpiece.
Shropshire 33/1 Ladbrokes – Wokingham
This horse is 1 from 1 at the course and this time last year, he finished a NECK behind Maarek, who’s since progressed on to win a group 2 & 3. Now, since winning at Ascot, Shropshire has run 9 times, placing 3 times in big field handicaps. I’m not saying he’s going to win the Wokingham, far from it. But i’m convinced he has a great shout at placing. He’s had many of the wokingham entries behind him on numerous occasions, and 33-1 each way now (top 4) is brilliant value. There could even be some firms who go each way top 5 on the day, which makes anything 25-1 or above really appealing. Two starts back he finished ahead of Hamza (won twice since), Hitchens (won next start), Yeeoow (won since), York Glory (won since), Duke Of Firenze (10th behind Shropshire, won since) and Harrison George (won since).
Those are some class animals he finished ahead of that day. If he turns up and puts his best foot forward, i think we could well get a juicy each way return. 33-1 now, i expect him to go off around 16-18-1.
Prince Of Johanne – 16-1 Ladbrokes – Royal Hunt Cup
Last years Royal Hunt Cup victor is back to have a crack at winning the race back to back. He went into that race brimming with confidence, after wins at Newmarket (in a 32 runner race) and a nose 2nd to Fury at York. This time his preparation is completely different, well down the field in 6 of his 7 races since would be a cause for concern, had he not finished 2nd to Navajo Chief last month at York. He showed the Prince Of Johanne of old to only be denied in the final furlong by the fast finishing Navajo Chief.
I think this could be as solid an each way bet can be in a big field handicap if he’s up for it.
