And now, the end is near;
And so I face the final curtain.
My friend, I’ll say it clear,
I’ll state my case, of which I’m certain.
I’ve lived a life that’s full.
I’ve traveled each and every highway;
And more, much more than this,
I did it my way.
So this is it, my final Paddy Power blog. It’s an emotional time, as I have been writing for Paddy Power for a few years now, and have been lucky enough to be involved with the big man Paddy Power, a great team on the Blog and on Social Media.
I hope we’ll all be good friends for the rest of my days but it would be nice if they occasionally bought a pint!
Will I go out with a bang on the final day of Royal Ascot? Well it won’t be for the lack of trying.
Chesham Stakes
It was impossible not to be taken by CUNCO when the son of Frankel won at Newbury. I suspect John Gosden’s hope will improve massively for the run. Looking out-paced a furlong out, Cunco was crying out for this extra distance and should run well.
Robert Havlin rode his first winner at Royal Ascot earlier in the week and it would be terrific if he could double up.
Hats off to PP.com for all the latest odds on Royal Ascot
Wolferton Handicap, 3:05pm
A field full of improving horses. Godolphin have had a good week and OCEANOGRAPHER has a decent draw to work from under William Buick. The selection returned over 1m 4f and it’s possible that trip just stretched his stamina. The defeat means he comes here, though, off a decent mark of 102.
Hardwicke Stakes 3.40pm
EXOSPHERE looked like a monster when landing the Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket, and has been saved for this by Sir Michael Stoute. The son of Beat Hollow thrashed Simple Verse that day, and has a big defeat of Mount Logan on his card as well. Ryan Moore has dodged two other rides in this race so he has to go down as the nap of the day and he could just be the big rival to Postponed later in the season.
Diamond Jubilee, 4.20pm
A small but select field. No guarantee of a strong pace, as all the big guns want to close from off the pace. I so want The Tin Man to win for James Fanshawe, but I really feel TWILIGHT SON is the horse best equipped to deal with a tactical mess. Henry Candy’s charge is top notch and Ryan Moore is a bonus.
Wokingham Handicap, 5pm
OMG! this is hard. I tipped INTERCEPTION to score 12 months ago and he did the business. He’s only 5lb higher today for David Lanigan, and returned with a perfectly decent effort at Haydock. George Baker is perfect on this kind of horse and while winning two Wokingham’s is tricky – certain horses are suited to this kind of event.
Queen Alexandra, 5.35pm
CLONDAW WARRIOR looks like a good thing here for Ryan Moore and Willie Mullins, the brilliant champion jumps trainer of Ireland. My hope has great Ascot form and has every chance on ratings. I can’t see him getting beat as we bring the curtain down on Royal Ascot and my time at Paddy Power.
So good luck everyone. This is Yeeehaaa over and out.