Features
/ Geoffrey Riddle / 18 June 2011 / Leave a Comment
Johnny Murtagh has great chances in the two biggest races of the day
Will Deacon give the layers the Blues? Can we bank on Bewitched to put in a magical run? Is Olivier Peslier Definightly on course for glory? With the answers to these and other questions, is Geoffrey Riddle, live on the final day of Royal Ascot.
Feel free to comment below or get in touch by email on: theriddleratbetfair@gmail.com or follow on Twitter at: @louchepunter
4.25pm result - Wokingham Stakes:
1: Deacon Blues
2: Waffle
3: Pastoral Player
4: Anne Of Kiev
3.55pm:
The field split in the Golden Jubilee and the far side (low numbers) dominated so take that in to account next up in the Wokingham.
On the far side Anne Of Kiev and Fastha look very likely candidates. Fastha has five wins in field containing 10+ runners, loves soft and is well drawn. His 6th to Hawkeyethenooin the Victoria Cup was franked by Manassas and has proven form on this track.
3.45pm result: Golden Jubilee
1: Society Rock
2: Monsieur Chevalier
3: Star Witness
James Fanshawe told us all. He said Society Rock's breeding suggested that he would act on this going and after last season's second to the best winner of the Golden Jubilee in a decade it was easy money.
Star Witness made a huge bid for Australia inside the two furlongs, but was just run out of it. He traded at [1.11], while take a bow whoever got the £1 matched at [430.0] on the winner.
We're all in for champagne, Pimms, larger, cordial. Whatever your beverage, let's get on it.
3.35pm:
Chris Richardson, gaffer at Cheveley Park Stud, is also mob handed with interesting Hooray and 2008 Golden Jubilee winner Kingsgate Native.
"The programme for three-year-old sprinters is difficult, but we know Hooray likes a bit of cut in the ground.
"We were thrilled with the way she ran last time having to give a lot of weight away. She's in good form and we'll learn a bit more by running her against the top sprinters.
"I thought five furlongs was Kingsgate Native's best trip, but after Tuesday [in the King's Stand] I think it's probably six.
"He was just taken off his feet throughout the whole race and never got into a rhythm.
"He did this a few years ago. He ran down the field in the King's Stand and won the Jubilee.
"I'm sure he won't do it again, but we'll give it a whirl."
3.30pm:
Roger Charlton is undoubtedly the man to speak to ahead of the Golden Jubilee. The master of Beckhampton has three runners in the premier Group 1 sprint of the day.
"Definightly needs the ground to be as soft or heavy as possible and is drawn in stall 17 and as a front runner should have the advantage of being able to come up the stand rails.
"When he ran at Maisons-Laffitte he beat Dalghar no less than nine and a half lengths in heavy ground. Definightly has now won six of his 18 races and all on soft ground.
"Genki has won twice at Ascot and he was just touched off by Bewitched at Ascot in the autumn by three-quarters of a length but she meets him on 3lb better terms tomorrow.
"Genki seems to operate happily on fast ground and is very unsuited to the ground becoming loose as he seems to lose his confidence but it should be remembered that he did win the Stewards' Cup in 2009 on very soft ground at Goodwood.
"Bated Breath comes into the race after two confidence-boosting victories and he remains in excellent form having had a good preparation.
"I am a little concerned about the going as it is still unknown as to whether he will handle it.
"There were legitimate excuses for him being beaten on soft ground at Newmarket last year.
"I get the impression that some Dansili's are suited by fast ground and Delegator makes the point."
3.05pm result - Hardwicke Stakes:
1: Await The Dawn
2: Harris Tweed
3: Drunken Sailor
All those who had the patience to back Await The Dawn in-running on account of the plethora of pace were well rewarded as the favourite drifted out to as big as [4.8].
Indeed there was over 25k matched on the favourite at odds-against throughout the race.
Adam Kirby took a different route on board Poet form the rest of the jockeys, electing to ride his mount to the far side of the track in Swinley Bottom.
As the field merged coming out of the bend, Poet joined the group in about seventh, appearing to scrub Poet along, but it was not the ground to blame.
"I walked the track before racing and as far as I was concerned there was no difference between the going there.
"As I started to make my move though he just bottomed out on me. There was nothing left."
2.55pm:
There's a hell of a lot of pace in the Hardwicke Stakes. Goldolphin's Passion For Gold, Harris Tweed, Poet and King's Gambit all like to front run so things are going to be pretty frantic up front.
It makes life a lot easier for Ryan Moore on Await The Dawn, who won his maiden on soft ground and likes to race just off the pace.
If you fancy Godolphin to outdo Coolmore once again in the manner of Rewilding and So You Think, I saw Calvados Blues' run in the Dubai Sheema Classic on Dubai World Cup night and he was desperately unlucky not to beat Rewilding as he got checked at a crucial moment two furlongs from home.
He finished second to Monterosso in March, and that colt subsequently ran well in the Dubai World Cup. With the pace set up, he could go well alongside stablemate Campanologist, who also likes to be held up and won a Group 1 on soft ground in Germany last year.
2.45pm:
Roger Varian runs Laaheb in the Hardwicke Stakes, up next, and the master of Kremlin House reckons his charge has a fair chance of making the frame behind hotpot Await The Dawn.
Laaheb is [3.7] on Betfair to make the frame.
Laaheb has run twice this year, once at Meydan and then a little too quickly off that back at Newmarket, according to his trainer.
"He seems very well at home and on the pick of his form he'd have place claims," said Varian.
"I think he'll run a nice race. He won't mind if the ground is on the soft side.
"He won the Cumberland Lodge over the track and the trip last autumn on pretty soft ground.
"He seems well enough to run a very solid race.
"He came back from Meydan and seemed very well, but in hindsight his run at Newmarket might have been a bit quick after Dubai, and it was also just a bit quick for him running down the dip.
"He has won on good to firm ground, but he'll be happier with ground conditions he will face."
Varian also run Elzaam in the Golden Jubilee and pointed out that the three-year-old did have form in softish conditions:
"He ran a satisfying race last autumn on good to soft in the Horris Hill at Newbury, but I think he's a horse who would be better on faster ground.
"I think he'll take his chance whatever as we've never really tried him on it. You have to find out sometime if they handle it or not.
"He's in great nick at home. His work has been good and the concern would be if the ground got really soft.
"The track and the rigmarole of Royal Ascot won't be a problem to him. He's got a relaxed attitude."
Elzaam is [14.5] on Betfair for the Golden Jubilee.
2.30pm result - Chesham Stakes:
1: Maybe
2: Fort Bastion
3: Self Centred
Maybe never really looked in trouble there and although Fort Bastion came to challenge at the two furlong pole, there was little danger as Ryan Moore just pulled more out to win easily.
Fort Bastion was the big gamble of the race, and in-running players who had backed Richard Hughes's mount got significant room for profit as Fort Bastion was traded all the way down to [1.55].
With Await The Dawn to come for Ryan Moore we are in for a thrilling top jockey title now. I will bring you the updated standings in a moment.
2.30pm:
The money for Fort Bastion seems to have dried up as early backers or those without an interest start to get stuck in.
The second favourite was matched at [9.6] this morning and was driven down to [5.6] and is now settled at [6.6].
2.25pm:
Polydamos has lost rider Luke Morris and creating havoc in the track as he tries to borther the other horses in the way down.
He had a go at Telwaar, who almost had a peck back at him.
You've got to admire the spirit of Polydamos. We need more of that sort of thing in life. We may be some time here.
2.20pm:
Bling King was getting very agitated in the Parade Ring, and bucked and kicked on numerous occasions. The favourite, Maybe, was getting very warm and it is easy to see why she is on the drift. Aidan O'Brien's filly was matched at [2.3] when the market went up, but is now trading at [3.9].
Jonjo O'Neill was studying the horses next to me and reckoned that No. 6 and No. 11 looked best. That's Manomine at [230.0] and Yamoos [80.0] respectively.
2.05pm:
The Queen arrives with Sir Henry Cecil in the Royal Carriage. Take note then of the newly-knighted's runners: Stateos in the 4.15pm at Newmarket, Ajaan in the 5.35pm here and History Girl in the 8pm at Lingfield. Queenie will be backing them all.
1.05pm:
I was extremely keen on the chances of Society Rock in the Golden Jubilee Stakes earlier this week when I remembered that he had run second to Starspangledbanner last year. That race was rated as the best Golden Jubilee of the past decade so I backed the James Fanshawe runner at [22.0] on bright and sunny Tuesday.
I'm in an appalling position now, as the horse trades at [34.0-26.0]. Society Rock is unproven on soft going, having never raced before on anything like today's ground.
The four-year-old, who has only ten runs under his belt, has raced three times on good ground, winning twice and losing out to Bated Breath last time at Haydock.
Fanshawe, however, was keen to point out that Society Rock's breeding offered hope.
"He looked like he was really coming back to himself last time at Haydock behind Bated Breath," said Fanshawe.
"The main thing is I've never raced him on this ground. It is obviously a concern until you race on it, but his mother is by Key Of Luck and they usually like a bit of cut so we won't know until we go on it.
"He loves the track, he's got a very good record at Ascot. He was second in the Golden Jubilee and has won a Listed race there on his first start last year.
"I hope he runs as well as he did last year."
12.45pm:
Alan Dudman, the Timeform radio presenter, has not had a good week if you consider quantity over quality.
Dudman nailed Rewilding at [20.0] in the Prince's of Wales's Stakes, but so far it is his only iwnner of the week.
He neglected to tell me how many bets he has had during the week, mind you.
Anyway, he's going all out today. He's ploughed the Godolphin furrow once more and has backed Fall Of Lora in the Chesham at 2.30pm as well as Passion For Gold in the Hardwicke Stakes at 3.05pm.
Bewitched in the Golden Jubilee, but he went for Cheveton in the Wokingham, which is of considerable interest.
I mentioned this horse last night when the ground was officially changed to soft.
Cheveton beat Hoof It, the Wokingham favourite, in September by a short head receiving 2lbs on soft ground. It was the last time he has raced on such going and now the seven-year-old gets 9lbs from that rival.
Drawn 12, he'll be near front-runner Victoire Lyphar to give him a tow and will be able to eyeball Hoof It next door in stall 13. At [34.0] he looks an attractive wager, but at [8.4] a place he looks an outstanding bet.
11.50am
The scratching of Masamah and Rock Jock has definitely had an effect on the Wokingham stakes. Both were likely pace-setters, with Masamah a real threat out of stall 7, while Rock Jock I'm told was running to give connections 'a nice day out'.
Scouring the running styles, only Victoire Lyphar (stall 14), Burning Thread (10) and Nasri (29) are likely front-runners, and although this is a tough race to win from the front, both Nasri and Victoire Lyphar should be considered for place purposes.
I'm particularly keen on Nasri as it was a great run last time in the Victoria Cup, he goes in soft conditions and he seems to just stay 7f.
Dandy Nicholls bought him for this season off David Simcock and as he was once rated 105, he looks attractively weighted on his old form. What's more, two of his three career victories have been in fields with 11 or more runners.
11.30am:
Good morning all and welcome to a vastly reduced Royal Ascot. The rain has played havoc with the track, with non-runners abound. The dress code has been relaxed and there's an air here of the old heath day. I'm not sure brilliant white traineers with top hat and tails quite goes though, so I skipped trying to look like Jamie Callum.
The big news is that Delegator has been scratched from the Golden Jubilee on account of the soft conditions and will be saved for the July Cup on July 9 at Newmarket.
Betfair is the only place that has a market open on that race, although with just £937 matched in there it is fair to say it is in its infancy.
Delegator is available at [3.7], so if you want to secure better, or lay the Godolphin hotpot, put up your odds and see what happens.
The rain may be coming down but that won't deter runners, riders or punters on what should be a splendid Gold Cup day at Royal Ascot. Geoffrey Riddle is trackside with the big race build up, reaction and expert insight......
So You Think was the Wednesday banker at Ascot but was beaten into second place by Rewilding. So what does Simon Rowlands think about that? Read about the Prince of Wales's Stakes and all today's other races here...
Simon Rowlands reflects on a day of stunning action at Royal Ascot but what does he make of the big race performances of Frankel, Canford Cliffs, Prohibit and more? Read on...
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