Some shocking results yesterday, change in going usually expected to bring about these sort of results. But on the day the better horse won ! So today I am looking for upsets!
No fluke about 2000 Guineas win and bounced back from Eclipse run when strong-finishing third in Group 1 at Longchamp last month, left with plenty to do. Conditions no problem and the one to beat.
Kingsbarnes 18/1 ( 2 pts e/w) X
Winner of the Racing Post Trophy at 2 yrs, and fine third in this last term. Not at that level in a light campaign this year, however, so plenty to prove.
Remains a top-class performer despite his advancing years, winning 3 Group 1s this term before disqualified at Longchamp after a break. Won this in 2011 and second in last 2 renewals. The one to beat.
Ruler Of the World 7/1(2 pts e/w
2013 Derby winner who came back from 6 months off to take Prix Foy. Respectable effort in Arc next time, and was an excellent third in this last year despite being trapped wide throughout. Big player.
Last year's St Leger winner who has developed into a top-class stayer this term, landing Gold Cup in June. Left too far out of ground when second in Irish Leger and still very much the one to beat.
Pallasator 8/1 (2 pts e/w) 3rd
Boiled over in the preliminaries prior to finishing well held in the Irish Leger but got his career back on track when defeating Flying Officer in Newmarket listed event last month.
Progressed into a very smart performer last season, including runner-up in this race. Not quite so good this year, but shaped as if back in better form in Ayr Gold Cup and has conditions to suit now.
Eton Forever 12/1 (2 pts e/w) X
Further enhanced his excellent record fresh when winning 7f Leicester listed event on reappearance. Not disgraced in Group 3s next 2 starts and now tries sprinting for first time after break.
Placed here on a couple of occasions here last season, but he can be a sloppy jumper on occasions and it's generally paid to oppose him in handicaps. Persian Snow 15/2 (2 pts win) 2nd
Further progress when recording second chase win at Warwick in February. Not beaten far into sixth in handicap at Festival in March and probably just one run too many when well held final start.
A really difficult race,so staying away from the obvious, hoping for a change ,stables and jockeys in form!
Ericht 9/1 (2 pts win)3rd Won a Musselburgh novice last season but has come unstuck on the 3 occasions he's ventured into handicap company over fences and suspicion it might be a similar story here.
Beat Noble Mission in John Porter at Newbury on return and easy to put a line through next 2 starts. Back on track when third in Group 3 there last month and big run expected with conditions to suit. Silk Sari 11/2 ( 2 pts win) 2nd
Late-maturing filly who has won 3 of her 5 starts this year, taking her form to another level when running away with Park Hill at Doncaster last month. Well worth her place at this level after that.
Hadaatha 7/1 (2 pts win) X
Has come a long way in 4 career starts this year, winning 7f maiden at Newbury and listed race at Yarmouth before excellent close third in Prix de l’Opera at Longchamp 2 weeks ago. Bred to stay.
Completed a 4-timer in second-half of 2013. Back in the groove when not beaten far at the Festival here in March, and unlucky to lose his rider at Canal Turn at Aintree after. Player.
Dursey Sound 7/1 (2 pts win)
Not the most consistent but as good as ever 2 of last 3 starts, winning at Southwell before boucing back with good second at Maket Rasen. Contender.
Midnight Appeal 9/1 ( 2 pts win)
Made a winning return to fences at Bangor (3m) last year. Patchy form after but his record first-time out entitles him to respect.
Further progress when readily landing a 1m Haydock handicap on return last month, and fine third in a valuable 7f event here next time, Too free in Cambridgeshire since but hood back on here. Player. Chatez 9/1 (2 pts win)
Won handicaps at Epsom and Haydock in the summer. Not as good both starts since (including in the Britannia over C&D) but a return to testing conditions will suit (2 from 2) and he should go well. Russia Realm 12/1 (2 pts win)
Stormed clear to win a 7f Goodwood handicap in May and has run creditably in handicaps at this track, Sandown and York since. Unlucky not to finish good deal closer at Chester last time and respected.
Bold thady Quill 25/1 (1 pt e/w)
Smart effort when second in handicap at the Curragh in June and back to form when third in similar at Leopardstown in September. Not so good since but best efforts this year have come in big fields. Chil The Kite 28/1 (1 pt e/w) Didn't win last term, but back on track at Newbury (7f) in May and an excellent second under a big weight in the Royal Hunt Cup next time. Excuses when below form last 3 starts but this is tough.
Hawkeyethenoo 33/1 (1 pt e/w)
Not won since 2012, but very capable on his day and looked unlucky (met trouble) when sixth in a valuable handicap here (7f) on penultimate start. Stay 1m though not run over the trip for 5 years. Very difficult race!
Suited by step up to 3m when getting off mark in Ayr handicap in April. Should be more to come from this unexposed sort this season and the obvious threat to In The Rough. Tongue tied first time.
Did well to finish as close as he did in the Triumph after stirrup leather broke and confirmed himself a smart juvenile when third in Aintree Grade 1 on final start. Tongue tied first time on return.
Comments
No fluke about 2000 Guineas win and bounced back from Eclipse run when strong-finishing third in Group 1 at Longchamp last month, left with plenty to do. Conditions no problem and the one to beat.
Kingsbarnes 18/1 ( 2 pts e/w) X
Winner of the Racing Post Trophy at 2 yrs, and fine third in this last term. Not at that level in a light campaign this year, however, so plenty to prove.
Remains a top-class performer despite his advancing years, winning 3 Group 1s this term before disqualified at Longchamp after a break. Won this in 2011 and second in last 2 renewals. The one to beat.
Ruler Of the World 7/1(2 pts e/w
2013 Derby winner who came back from 6 months off to take Prix Foy. Respectable effort in Arc next time, and was an excellent third in this last year despite being trapped wide throughout. Big player.
Last year's St Leger winner who has developed into a top-class stayer this term, landing Gold Cup in June. Left too far out of ground when second in Irish Leger and still very much the one to beat.
Pallasator 8/1 (2 pts e/w) 3rd
Boiled over in the preliminaries prior to finishing well held in the Irish Leger but got his career back on track when defeating Flying Officer in Newmarket listed event last month.
Progressed into a very smart performer last season, including runner-up in this race. Not quite so good this year, but shaped as if back in better form in Ayr Gold Cup and has conditions to suit now.
Eton Forever 12/1 (2 pts e/w) X
Further enhanced his excellent record fresh when winning 7f Leicester listed event on reappearance. Not disgraced in Group 3s next 2 starts and now tries sprinting for first time after break.
Ascot
13.45 - Big Orange 16/1
14.20 - Baccarat 28/1
14.55 - Tasaday 14/1
15.30 - Toormore 28/1
16.05 - Al Kazeem 28/1
16.45 - Hawkeyethenoo 33/1
Cheltenham
14.00 - Vivaldi Collonges 6/4
14.35 - Workbench 9/1
15.10 - Ballglasheen 6/1
15.45 - Sire Collognes 14/1
16.25 - Act Alone 5/1
17.00 - Ainsi Fideles 4/5
17.30 - Celtic Agent 20/1
Placed here on a couple of occasions here last season, but he can be a sloppy jumper on occasions and it's generally paid to oppose him in handicaps.
Persian Snow 15/2 (2 pts win) 2nd
Further progress when recording second chase win at Warwick in February. Not beaten far into sixth in handicap at Festival in March and probably just one run too many when well held final start.
A really difficult race,so staying away from the obvious, hoping for a change ,stables and jockeys in form!
Ericht 9/1 (2 pts win) 3rd
Won a Musselburgh novice last season but has come unstuck on the 3 occasions he's ventured into handicap company over fences and suspicion it might be a similar story here.
Beat Noble Mission in John Porter at Newbury on return and easy to put a line through next 2 starts. Back on track when third in Group 3 there last month and big run expected with conditions to suit.
Silk Sari 11/2 ( 2 pts win) 2nd
Late-maturing filly who has won 3 of her 5 starts this year, taking her form to another level when running away with Park Hill at Doncaster last month. Well worth her place at this level after that.
Hadaatha 7/1 (2 pts win) X
Has come a long way in 4 career starts this year, winning 7f maiden at Newbury and listed race at Yarmouth before excellent close third in Prix de l’Opera at Longchamp 2 weeks ago. Bred to stay.
Completed a 4-timer in second-half of 2013. Back in the groove when not beaten far at the Festival here in March, and unlucky to lose his rider at Canal Turn at Aintree after. Player.
Dursey Sound 7/1 (2 pts win)
Not the most consistent but as good as ever 2 of last 3 starts, winning at Southwell before boucing back with good second at Maket Rasen. Contender.
Midnight Appeal 9/1 ( 2 pts win)
Made a winning return to fences at Bangor (3m) last year. Patchy form after but his record first-time out entitles him to respect.
Further progress when readily landing a 1m Haydock handicap on return last month, and fine third in a valuable 7f event here next time, Too free in Cambridgeshire since but hood back on here. Player.
Chatez 9/1 (2 pts win)
Won handicaps at Epsom and Haydock in the summer. Not as good both starts since (including in the Britannia over C&D) but a return to testing conditions will suit (2 from 2) and he should go well.
Russia Realm 12/1 (2 pts win)
Stormed clear to win a 7f Goodwood handicap in May and has run creditably in handicaps at this track, Sandown and York since. Unlucky not to finish good deal closer at Chester last time and respected.
Bold thady Quill 25/1 (1 pt e/w)
Smart effort when second in handicap at the Curragh in June and back to form when third in similar at Leopardstown in September. Not so good since but best efforts this year have come in big fields.
Chil The Kite 28/1 (1 pt e/w)
Didn't win last term, but back on track at Newbury (7f) in May and an excellent second under a big weight in the Royal Hunt Cup next time. Excuses when below form last 3 starts but this is tough.
Hawkeyethenoo 33/1 (1 pt e/w)
Not won since 2012, but very capable on his day and looked unlucky (met trouble) when sixth in a valuable handicap here (7f) on penultimate start. Stay 1m though not run over the trip for 5 years.
Very difficult race!
Suited by step up to 3m when getting off mark in Ayr handicap in April. Should be more to come from this unexposed sort this season and the obvious threat to In The Rough. Tongue tied first time.
Point winner who progressed well over hurdles last season and promises to do even better chasing with the emphasis on stamina. One to follow.
Did well to finish as close as he did in the Triumph after stirrup leather broke and confirmed himself a smart juvenile when third in Aintree Grade 1 on final start. Tongue tied first time on return.