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No champagne after day one - straight betting punters took the honours with well backed winners at 11/8, 7/1 (From 14/1 in the morning), 3/10f, 4/1f, 11/2 and 9/4f (From 4/1).
Trading Post in the Racing Post had a bit of a mare, Napping Plymouth Rock in the 5.00pm (15th of 18 finishers), suggesting a lay of Star Witness for a place in the 3.05pm (Second) and advising punters to swerve Frederick Engels in the last at the forecast 3/1!
Day two kicks off with the Jersey at 2.30pm;
2.30 - Jersey Stakes (Group 3) 7f
Oracle comes out top on official ratings although his figure was upped following a third in the Irish 2000 Guineas and Dubawi Gold did nothing for the form in Tuesday's St James' Palace. He has plenty of ground to make up on Fury through their Newmarket run last October (Soft). Fury ran 5th in Frankel's Guineas and was just touched off at Sandown in a Listed event around a fortnight ago. Codemaster slammed I Love Me at Newmarket on his only start this season, again that was only a Listed contest but he showed an impressive turn of foot there - Utley was a well beaten 3/1 shot that afternoon. Havane Smoker finished second in the French 2000 Guineas over a mile last time out, his three wins have come on ground with 'Soft' in the description although he has been highly tried and this probably represents a drop in class whereas most of his rivals are stepping up. Western Aristocrat is unbeaten in two starts, however he was all out to nail the 88-rated Rythm Of Light (Runs 5.30) off levels last time so the figures indicate that he has plenty to find. Strong Suit was expected to trouble Frankel first time out in the Greenham at Newbury but he struggled and ran flat, he needs to show that he has trained on after some useful runs as a 2yo. Splashpoint was last seen in the UAE Derby back in March, he only has the one run on turf to his name but his pedigree suggests that he won't mind the conditions.
Recommendation: My head is telling me that Western Aristocrat is a false price (8.2 to win, 2.6 to place). Start the day with a cheeky lay.
Windsor Forest Stakes (Group 2) Fillies 1m
Music Show, Sajjhaa, Jacqueline Quest, I'm A Dreamer and Seta are all rated within pounds of each other - in fact the 13 runners would be separated by as many pounds if this were a handicap. I cannot see how Sajjhaa justifies her position at the head of the market, her win at Bath last year was in a poor race (form looks suspect) and although she went to Italy to win a G3 afterwards that was on soft going. She finished second to Midday at York first time up this season over 10f (Music Show behind). Seta won well after showing Anna Salai a clean pair of hooves at Goodwood over 1m, she has flopped twice in the top grade to date. Music Show's win in last season's Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket (Group 1, 1m) would give her a leading chance here, but two below par efforts this season temper enthusiasm. Lolly For Dolly has been kept busy in her native Ireland this season, her fourth in last year's Sandringham Handicap under top-weight here is another good form line which should hold up. I'm A Dreamer was impressive last time out at Newmarket (Chichamaidee 3rd & winner since, the second finished runner up in the Warwickshire Oaks on Monday) but she is now in at the deep end. Dever Dream finds herself in the same position having proved useful in Fillies' Listed contests.
Recommendation: Music Show is costly to follow, so perhaps a lay the field approach can pay dividends.
3.45 Prince Of Wales' Stakes (Group 1) 1m2f
This revolves around the 'hype' horse, So You Think. Aidan O'Brien has gone on record to state that this one may be the best he has trained, as a result he heads up most Ante Post lists for the Arc, the King George & The Eclipse! He is 10 from 14 in all starts, 2 from 2 in Ireland after being transferred to Ballydoyle from his native Australia. He beat the 116-rated Godolphin runner Campanologist 'easily' last time but the boys in blue bring a different tool altogether here in Rewilding. Rewilding was fancied to run a big race in last year's Derby but only managed 3rd (Track was said not to suit). He got back on track with an effortless victory in the Great Voltigeur at York but then failed to get home when an Evs fav for the St Leger last backend. A winter in Dubai looked to have paid dividends judged by his victory in the G1 Sheema Classic at Meydan in March, he sauntered clear and won as he liked. Planteur is put in as the main danger to So You Think on the book - he was on most people's Arc shortlist last summer after running several decent races in France. When it came to the big one he disappointed and was actually disqualified (finished down the field), however he is the third runner in the field to boast a 100% (2/2) record this season - he took a G2 at Longchamp in early April and then returned to the Paris venue to take the G1 Prix Ganay some weeks later. Planteur has yet to encounter quick ground. Twice Over is second best on official ratings but he flopped in the Dubai World Cup for the second year in succession (Had excuses) and then was most disappointing in Canford Cliff's Lockinge at Newbury last month. He has a point to prove but does have conditions to suit and could turn out to give the favourite most to think about.
Recommendation: Dutch CSFs for small stakes: SYT/Rewilding (Currently 5.68/1) and SYT/Twice Over (5.12).
4.25 Royal Hunt Cup (Heritage Handicap) 1m
30 runners go to post for this hugely competitive handicap over the straight mile. The book has Start Right heading the field at 7/1 after Green Destiny's defection, Luca Cumani and Kieren Fallon are responsible for him. Point North gets in with just 8st 2lb and has Derby winning jockey Mickael Barzalona in the plate. It's 10/1 bar two and you could probably give most of these a chance on one bit of form or the other.
Recommendation: Eton Forever (16.0) and Julienas (20.0) would be my two against the field.
5.00 Queen Mary Stakes (Group 2) 5f Fillies
Fourteen fast fillies go to post. Shumoos was installed as favourite after hacking up on her only start to date, where Tuesday's Windsor Castle winner Frederick Engels finished a well beaten 4 1/2l second. She has a poor draw to overcome but is sure to prove popular given what her rival has done since and the manner in which she won. Shumoos is a general 5/4 pop here and they are betting 8/1 bar one. Her aside, Dozy and Vocational probably offer the best English form, whereas David Wachman's Fire Lily and Jim Bolger's Somasach bring useful Irish form. Just to complicate matters we have a US trained filly in Gypsy Robin - she won her maiden by 7 1/2l over 4 1/2f on fast dirt!
Recommendation: Gypsy Robin (9.0) will probably go off like a scalded cat. She should offer a quick in and out for a pre-race / in-play trade, meanwhile Martin Dwyer will be busy tacking across on the hotpot Shumoos.
5.35 Sandringham Handicap (Listed) 1m Fillies
Another fourteen runner fillies event to end day two. They bet 4/1 Dubai Queen for Cumani & Fallon (Again) and it's then 9/2 Humdrum for Hannon, Hughes and the Queen. On form Cape Dollar would be worthy of a mention, although she has top weight to contend with and has disappointed twice this season to date (Fav first time out and then flopped as a 40/1 shot in the Guineas). Rougette makes some appeal from the bottom of the weights (By Red Ransom, handicapper has taken a guess) and the three-time raced Blessed Biata looks interesting for Messrs Haggas and Murtagh. Humdrum won on Kempton's all weather surface two weeks ago, how she will figure off a 10 pound higher mark in a better race and on a fast turf surface is anyone's guess, though. Rhythm Of Light's price is likely to fluctuate depending on how her Haydock conqueror Western Aristocrat figures in the 2.30.
Recommendation: I wouldn't be surprised to see the trio Cape Dollar, Blessed Biata and Rougette run well. It's around 9/2 all three coupled at current odds and that's how I will probably play this one.
Again, the very best of luck to all
Trading Post in the Racing Post had a bit of a mare, Napping Plymouth Rock in the 5.00pm (15th of 18 finishers), suggesting a lay of Star Witness for a place in the 3.05pm (Second) and advising punters to swerve Frederick Engels in the last at the forecast 3/1!
Day two kicks off with the Jersey at 2.30pm;
2.30 - Jersey Stakes (Group 3) 7f
Oracle comes out top on official ratings although his figure was upped following a third in the Irish 2000 Guineas and Dubawi Gold did nothing for the form in Tuesday's St James' Palace. He has plenty of ground to make up on Fury through their Newmarket run last October (Soft). Fury ran 5th in Frankel's Guineas and was just touched off at Sandown in a Listed event around a fortnight ago. Codemaster slammed I Love Me at Newmarket on his only start this season, again that was only a Listed contest but he showed an impressive turn of foot there - Utley was a well beaten 3/1 shot that afternoon. Havane Smoker finished second in the French 2000 Guineas over a mile last time out, his three wins have come on ground with 'Soft' in the description although he has been highly tried and this probably represents a drop in class whereas most of his rivals are stepping up. Western Aristocrat is unbeaten in two starts, however he was all out to nail the 88-rated Rythm Of Light (Runs 5.30) off levels last time so the figures indicate that he has plenty to find. Strong Suit was expected to trouble Frankel first time out in the Greenham at Newbury but he struggled and ran flat, he needs to show that he has trained on after some useful runs as a 2yo. Splashpoint was last seen in the UAE Derby back in March, he only has the one run on turf to his name but his pedigree suggests that he won't mind the conditions.
Recommendation: My head is telling me that Western Aristocrat is a false price (8.2 to win, 2.6 to place). Start the day with a cheeky lay.
Windsor Forest Stakes (Group 2) Fillies 1m
Music Show, Sajjhaa, Jacqueline Quest, I'm A Dreamer and Seta are all rated within pounds of each other - in fact the 13 runners would be separated by as many pounds if this were a handicap. I cannot see how Sajjhaa justifies her position at the head of the market, her win at Bath last year was in a poor race (form looks suspect) and although she went to Italy to win a G3 afterwards that was on soft going. She finished second to Midday at York first time up this season over 10f (Music Show behind). Seta won well after showing Anna Salai a clean pair of hooves at Goodwood over 1m, she has flopped twice in the top grade to date. Music Show's win in last season's Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket (Group 1, 1m) would give her a leading chance here, but two below par efforts this season temper enthusiasm. Lolly For Dolly has been kept busy in her native Ireland this season, her fourth in last year's Sandringham Handicap under top-weight here is another good form line which should hold up. I'm A Dreamer was impressive last time out at Newmarket (Chichamaidee 3rd & winner since, the second finished runner up in the Warwickshire Oaks on Monday) but she is now in at the deep end. Dever Dream finds herself in the same position having proved useful in Fillies' Listed contests.
Recommendation: Music Show is costly to follow, so perhaps a lay the field approach can pay dividends.
3.45 Prince Of Wales' Stakes (Group 1) 1m2f
This revolves around the 'hype' horse, So You Think. Aidan O'Brien has gone on record to state that this one may be the best he has trained, as a result he heads up most Ante Post lists for the Arc, the King George & The Eclipse! He is 10 from 14 in all starts, 2 from 2 in Ireland after being transferred to Ballydoyle from his native Australia. He beat the 116-rated Godolphin runner Campanologist 'easily' last time but the boys in blue bring a different tool altogether here in Rewilding. Rewilding was fancied to run a big race in last year's Derby but only managed 3rd (Track was said not to suit). He got back on track with an effortless victory in the Great Voltigeur at York but then failed to get home when an Evs fav for the St Leger last backend. A winter in Dubai looked to have paid dividends judged by his victory in the G1 Sheema Classic at Meydan in March, he sauntered clear and won as he liked. Planteur is put in as the main danger to So You Think on the book - he was on most people's Arc shortlist last summer after running several decent races in France. When it came to the big one he disappointed and was actually disqualified (finished down the field), however he is the third runner in the field to boast a 100% (2/2) record this season - he took a G2 at Longchamp in early April and then returned to the Paris venue to take the G1 Prix Ganay some weeks later. Planteur has yet to encounter quick ground. Twice Over is second best on official ratings but he flopped in the Dubai World Cup for the second year in succession (Had excuses) and then was most disappointing in Canford Cliff's Lockinge at Newbury last month. He has a point to prove but does have conditions to suit and could turn out to give the favourite most to think about.
Recommendation: Dutch CSFs for small stakes: SYT/Rewilding (Currently 5.68/1) and SYT/Twice Over (5.12).
4.25 Royal Hunt Cup (Heritage Handicap) 1m
30 runners go to post for this hugely competitive handicap over the straight mile. The book has Start Right heading the field at 7/1 after Green Destiny's defection, Luca Cumani and Kieren Fallon are responsible for him. Point North gets in with just 8st 2lb and has Derby winning jockey Mickael Barzalona in the plate. It's 10/1 bar two and you could probably give most of these a chance on one bit of form or the other.
Recommendation: Eton Forever (16.0) and Julienas (20.0) would be my two against the field.
5.00 Queen Mary Stakes (Group 2) 5f Fillies
Fourteen fast fillies go to post. Shumoos was installed as favourite after hacking up on her only start to date, where Tuesday's Windsor Castle winner Frederick Engels finished a well beaten 4 1/2l second. She has a poor draw to overcome but is sure to prove popular given what her rival has done since and the manner in which she won. Shumoos is a general 5/4 pop here and they are betting 8/1 bar one. Her aside, Dozy and Vocational probably offer the best English form, whereas David Wachman's Fire Lily and Jim Bolger's Somasach bring useful Irish form. Just to complicate matters we have a US trained filly in Gypsy Robin - she won her maiden by 7 1/2l over 4 1/2f on fast dirt!
Recommendation: Gypsy Robin (9.0) will probably go off like a scalded cat. She should offer a quick in and out for a pre-race / in-play trade, meanwhile Martin Dwyer will be busy tacking across on the hotpot Shumoos.
5.35 Sandringham Handicap (Listed) 1m Fillies
Another fourteen runner fillies event to end day two. They bet 4/1 Dubai Queen for Cumani & Fallon (Again) and it's then 9/2 Humdrum for Hannon, Hughes and the Queen. On form Cape Dollar would be worthy of a mention, although she has top weight to contend with and has disappointed twice this season to date (Fav first time out and then flopped as a 40/1 shot in the Guineas). Rougette makes some appeal from the bottom of the weights (By Red Ransom, handicapper has taken a guess) and the three-time raced Blessed Biata looks interesting for Messrs Haggas and Murtagh. Humdrum won on Kempton's all weather surface two weeks ago, how she will figure off a 10 pound higher mark in a better race and on a fast turf surface is anyone's guess, though. Rhythm Of Light's price is likely to fluctuate depending on how her Haydock conqueror Western Aristocrat figures in the 2.30.
Recommendation: I wouldn't be surprised to see the trio Cape Dollar, Blessed Biata and Rougette run well. It's around 9/2 all three coupled at current odds and that's how I will probably play this one.
Again, the very best of luck to all
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