Day Three and expect “Moore” of the same. Ol’ Ryan could well continue to be the bane of the bookmakers.
Layers are haemorrhaging money thanks to yesterday’s winning favourites Free Eagle and Acapulco while Moore continues to work his magic for the punters – three of his five winners have come aboard the market leader.
Or, will it be their other friendly foe Frankie Dettori to give them a battering? The evergreen Italian got the 50 up yesterday and by 3.10 this afternoon that could be 52 with King Of Rooks and then Time Test.
Hold fire on the former as Richard Hughes was a guest on The Morning Line and he leaned towards stable companion Log Out Island.
Both, remember, have beaten Burantino by five lengths. The difference being that King Of Rooks did it on his third start while for Log Out Island it was on debut. Today we’ll find out just who has improved more.
Be warned lest we forget the likes of Waterloo Bridge and Shanghai Glory who are also set to play a major part in today’s opener.
Just 18 races left and I am yet to strike gold but, in fairness, my bet of the meeting comes tomorrow. I just hope they maintain the watering.
There’s been an overnight splashing of 5mm but the wind has picked up once more, measured at 9mph by my cameraman’s app and due to go to 11mph this afternoon. And the sun is shining in Berkshire so quick ground is likely to remain.
With the hat I’m wearing I could turn into Mary Poppins.
3.05 Tercentenary Stakes
Five of the last ten favourites have won, and I think that this 50% strike rate could increase slightly courtesy of Time Test.
This is a pretty hot race, no surprise as they all are at Royal Ascot, but quite a few can be discounted having cemented their form with a bit of cut in the ground.
Not So Sleepy won the Dee Stakes at Chester from Disegno and the tempo of today’s contest will be totally different.
I grant you Peacock finished second to Golden Horn in the Feilden Stakes at Newmarket in April so he has to be a big danger.
But until Osaila won the last on Wednesday there was a slight worry over the Hannon form, though you could say it’s their big day today looking at his runners in the Norfolk.
There are also plenty of strands for later races as Bocca Baciata finished fifth in the Irish 1000 Guineas so would give Pleascach’s form a massive boost.
However, I’m not diverting from Time Test and should he win I’ll be very worried about my selection in the 5.00 as Dissolution, who was runner-up to Time Test at Newbury, heads the market and that price will surely contract.
2/1 – Time Test to win the Tercentenary Stakes (3.05)
5.00 Britannia Stakes
There is a pattern to follow in this race with the last 10 winners drawn either six or lower, or 15 or higher.
Portage is nestled nicely in stall 29 for Michael Halford and jockey William Buick.
He was an impressive winner of his maiden at the Curragh at the back end of last season, though many were disappointed with his seasonal reappearance (11th of 19). Yet don’t despair, it isn’t as bad as it reads.
Ok, the winner of the race, Hasanour, was away and gone, but there was only 3 ½ lengths between Portage and the third Tennesse Wildcat who has since come out and won a Listed event.
He was running on late with the contest virtually over and I’m confident that he’ll be suited by this ground and the typically furious pace.
The one horse who I would be really worried about is Udododontu drawn all the way over the other side of the track. He was heavily backed and obliged at York, watch for him at a big each-way price.
Other stats to consider are 13 of the last 15 winners carried less than 9-1 and eight of the last 10 winners had run amongst a field of at least 15 runners prior to Ascot. Portage qualifies for both.
9/1 – Portage to win the Britannia Stakes (5.00)
Tanya’s Tips:
2/1 – Time Test to win the Tercentenary Stakes (3.05)
