Don’t oppose Mullins and Moore in the lucky last
The creation of new superlatives are needed for the skills of Ryan Moore as the tried and tested ones are beginning to get worn out.
The world’s best rider broke the modern day record of victories (eight) within the four days and now bids to kick on past his astonishing nine wins on this final day.
What a week, still one day to go though and it’s one which leaves us in quite a quandary, especially the much loved yet feared Wokingham Stakes.
It’s the luck of the draw as we’ve seen many times over the week. At 9am the rain still hadn’t arrived, but all of the four weather apps I tap into state that it is coming after 2pm.
Aidan O’Brien has also had a mighty week with five wins and he and Moore could have more success with Ballydoyle and Due Diligence.
I’m a huge, huge cricket fan, to the extent that part of my hard earned and winnings goes towards buying as many tickets for me and the family to go and watch games live.
So part of me will be interested in what’s going on in Durham today, and of course the Aussies arrival is imminent for the Ashes.
The Aussies have some very talented horses also, one of which is favourite for the Diamond Jubilee Stakes.
2.30 Chesham Stakes
Frankie Dettori has ridden the winner four times and I’m hoping he can do it again.
I’m minded that Ballydoyle has shortened in price and the form the stable is in, but there have only been two winning favourites in the last ten years.
Eight of the last nine winners were drawn no higher than seven and Ballydoyle was fourth, beaten at odds-on on her debut and by a fair way.
She is beautifully bred and to be given such a name she must be highly thought of, but I’m looking for the value.
Instead I’m going for Simon Crisford’s Red Artist who won nicely without being impressive at Newcastle. Best described as a neat and tidy performance he knew his job and ran on late.
Such a compact individual will be well suited to a race of this nature and could provide the trainer with a very special first winner at Royal Ascot.
14/1 – Red Artist to win the Chesham Stakes (2.30)
4.20 Diamond Jubilee Stakes
Since 2002 only three three-year-olds have won – 29 have tried (2008 Kingsgate Native, 2009 Art Connoisseur and 2010 Starspangledbanner) and both the Aussies, Brazen Beau and Wandjina, fall into that age group.
There is no doubting their talent but the travelling logistics have played havoc with those from the Southern Hemisphere.
Add to that only three favourites since it became a Group 1 in 2002 and it’s time to look elsewhere. American challenger, Undrafted, was very unlucky in the July Cup, when he eventually did get in the clear he was able to nab fourth.
He then went on to be third in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint. He to me is much tougher than the Australians but I’m ready to be proved wrong. He is my win bet, yet I have an obscure, left field sneaky each-way as well.
12 of the last 13 winners had all raced over seven furlongs or further, seven of those had won at the extra distance. Caspar Netscher has run over a mile, and last year he clocked up the air miles winning a Grade 2 in Canada, defying all logic.
He last ran at the Royal meeting in 2011 when third in the Windsor Castle. David Simcock had his first Royal Ascot winner yesterday with Balios and Caspar Netscher ran a great race last time in the Duke Of York, so I’ve done him each-way.
5.35 Queen Alexandra Stakes
You sense this race can only go one way, and that’s to Willie Mullins.
The trainer is a bookmaker’s nightmare having emptied their satchels at the Cheltenham Festival and he has caused them more problems at Royal Ascot with Clondaw Warrior.
There is nowhere to hide if the punters come for the County Hurdle winner Wicklow Brave, the trip is intriguing as he has never raced over this far but there must be a belief that he stays.
13 favourites have won since 1977 and Ryan Moore has ridden the winner three times in the last five years. Yes, he rides Wicklow Brave.
Five of the last six winners had run at either the Cheltenham or Aintree festival, I’ve mentioned that he won at Cheltenham and all of the last ten winners came from the first five in the betting.
Hope you’ve all enjoyed the week and best of luck for the final day.
Tanya’s Tips
