Royal Ascot 2010

Earl Hafler · June 14, 2010

2.30 Goldikova won well enough on her reappearance and also looked like she needed the run so should be difficult to beat here. Rip Van Winkle will probably need a run or two this season and Paco Boy has to give her weight.

3.05 The King's Stand isn't my favourite race but Soutey seems to have improved Kingsgate Native this season and every year the horse has improved after it's first start so the fact it won this year is encouraging. The favourite is Nicconi, an Australian horse who has won every time over this distance but is apparently highly strung and they've put some blinkers on to help him with his first run outside his home country. No real interest other than the placepot.

3.50 Canford Cliffs romped home in the Irish Guineas last time and i think he has a chance to beat his Newmarket conqueror, Makfi. The English Guineas was a strange race and in a truly run mile, i think CC should be there. Siyouni is the danger horse.

4.25 The Coventry is a cracking race for 2 year olds - i've backed four out of the last eight winners - and was won last year by the aforementioned Canford Cliffs, The trainer has plotted a tried and trusted path with his top 2 year olds, choosing a Newbury race won by Major Cadeaux ( second in it's Coventry ) and CC ( first ). This year that horse is Strong Suit and having looked a little ' green ' early on, it soon realised it's job and won well. The form is rock solid as both second and third have won well since and even a horse who finished 15 lengths behind the winner that day has since won. The Jarvis trained Elzaam and the O'Brien horses will have their backers but they'll be trumped by the Hannon horse yet again.

5.00 Ghimaar has been lined up for this by Nicky Henderson and had a winning prep run over hurdles a week ago. Whilst he's not a strong fancy to win, he should at least make the frame. It's not the greatest race in the world.

5.30

That'll win this race. f***ing bullet.

Andy Mac · June 15, 2010

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