A frustrating day yesterday, with only Epsom Salts giving us a return.
Todays bets:
Ascot 2.30
All eyes will be on Gladiatorus. Whether he can replicate the blast away tactics he demonstrated around two bends at Nad El Sheba over this straight mile for a different Trainer is the imponderable, but it would take a brave man to suggest it unlikely. A strong pace over mile should find out the doubtful stayers Paco Boy and Main Aim at this level. Cesare loves this track, and has an excellent record fresh but he may appreciate a bit more ease in the ground than he is likely to get here. Alexandros was unlucky in the Lockinge and could make amends here but he was well beaten by Gladiatorus in the desert. Aqlaam can be forgiven his run in the Lockinge where he found both the ground and an interrupted preparation against him. He was highly progressive in his first campaign last season and could run into a place at least on this quicker ground. The yard are in good form and they have a very profitable 18% strike rate at the track.
Selection AQLAAM. 1 point E/W @ 11/1 (General) 3rd 10/1 ;D
Ascot 4.20
Canford Cliffs could be top draw and if you listen to his jockey he probably will be. However taking relatively short prices about unexposed Juveniles is fraught with danger. They are likely to be taken along by No Hubris (drawn low) and Flying Statesman (drawn 10) and there's a possibility they could initial split into two smaller groups. Chasing the pace set by No Hubris is likely to be possible closers Alrasm and Red Jazz with the former slightly preferred. Alrasm has physical scope for improvement and he was impressive on his second start at Doncaster. He may not have beat much but he broke the Juvenile track record in doing so. He will need to improve again to get involved here and he is possibly a horse to be on the right side of further down the line but he is a decent price and a good mover.
Selection ALRASM. 1 point E/W @ 18/1 (Victor Chandler and Coral)
Ascot 4.55
Even though this is a marathon those drawn high can sometimes endure a torrid passage. However, even though he is boxed in stall 19, Judgethemoment makes plenty of appeal. He is a horse who appears on the upgrade, has run well on both previous visits to this track, handles the ground and is relatively lightly raced over longer trips. He has a partner suited by his running style and he hasn't gone up much in the weights for winning his last two races. It's not often a horse improves when it leaves Mark Johnston but Always Bold has looked on very good terms with himself in winning his last two races over hurdles. This race often goes to a yard who house jumpers and Always Bold returns to the flat on a three pound lower mark than when he was last seen racing on it. Versatile regarding ground conditions.
Selection JUDGETHEMOMENT. 2 point win @ 9/1 (General) 1st 13/2 - 8/1 available on 365 this morning :boss:
Selection ALWAYS BOLD. 1 point E/W @ 20/1 (General)
Thirsk 5.45
Selection INGLEBY STAR. 1 point E/W @ 16/1 (Sportingbet)
Yarmouth 8.00
Selection DEAR MAURICE. 1 point E/W @ 8/1 (General)