It’s King George day at Ascot, and while there isn’t the biggest field in the world for the feature Group 1, there’s plenty to enjoy on ITV with nine races broadcast between Ascot and York.
Let’s get straight to it and try and dig out a decent winner or two, as this column did last Saturday with Reshoun at 14/1!
I’ll begin at Ascot and here’s what I fancy.
Ascot 13:50 – Saeiqa
The action gets under way with a Listed event over 7 furlongs named in honour of the late, great Pat Eddery.
This is wide open, and Twaasol could easily go in again. I just have a feeling there is more to come from SAEIQA, who has yet to win for John Gosden but is pretty talented.
The son of Shalaa has only run over 6 furlongs so far, but in both races seemed to be crying out for this distance. His third behind Nando Parrado in the Coventry is sound form.
Ascot 14:25 – Mutamaasik
Next a handicap over 7 furlongs. It’s hard to know what to expect from MUTAMAASIK, who was punted hard last time but ran an absolute shocker at Newmarket. Prior to that, the Roger Varian-trained gelding had run really well at this track during the Royal meeting.
I will give him another chance as he can’t have had anything too badly wrong with him to be out so soon.
Ascot 15:00 – Dance Fever
Another handicap here, this time over 1m. There is much more to come from lots of these, and all at the top of the market could be fast improvers. DANCE FEVER was going to run at Royal Ascot, but missed that meeting and returned when I was at Windsor the other day.
He didn’t get a clear run then and could have been much closer than his finishing position. He’s got a good each-way shout here for Clive Cox and Adam Kirby.
Ascot 15:35 – Enable
Now the big one, the King George and Queen Elizabeth Stakes over 1m 4f. Not much to say here other than I expect ENABLE to prove far too good for her rivals and a land a third King George for John Gosden and Frankie Dettori.
She’s much the best for me and should be shorter in the betting than she is. It would not surprise me if Anthony Van Dyck followed her home.
Our top tips for Saturday’s racing action
- Jason Weaver’s 9 fine picks for ITV Racing’s Saturday card
- Mick Fitzgerald’s lucky 15 for York and Ascot
- Five to follow at Gowran Park and Tramore
Ascot 16:10 – Mascat
Lastly at Ascot a handicap over 1m 4f. I’ll have a few quid each-way here on MASCAT for Ralph Beckett and Harry Bentley.
They have been going well together this season and this colt looked as though he would be much better for the spin when fourth last time having never been placed to challenge. He might be well handicapped off 90.
York 14:05 – Golden Hind
The coverage at York starts with a handicap over an extended 1m 2f. GOLDEN HIND is bred to absolutely love this trip and might well be much better than she showed when second at Ripon last time over a mile.
She’s only rated 74 for David O’Meara and Shane Gray and could be chucked in if the trip is what she needs.
York 14.40 – Elarqam
Next a Group 2 over an extended 1m 2f. ELARQAM is a disappointing horse for me, but this is his perfect chance to show us what he can do.
Back in trip from 1m 4f at Ascot, we know this track and distance are ideal from his effort in the Juddmonte International behind Japan. If he is going to bag something decent for Mark Johnston, this is a big chance.
York 15:15 – Elwazir
In handicap company here over 1m. Dropped back in trip here, ELWAZIR might go close having also been dropped a couple of pounds in the handicap.
He has had stiff tasks of late for the in-form Owen Burrows, but Jim Crowley could well get this gelding into the frame at good odds from off the pace. He stays 1m very well.
York 15:50 – Victory Angel
And finally at York, a handicap over 6 furlongs and it’s a wide open event. VICTORY ANGEL is down the weights now for Rebecca Bastiman and might go well after a couple of decent fourths at Ripon and Beverley.
Once rated in the 90s, he can go off 77 in this event and must have place claims at the very least.
So best of luck and pray for Yeeehaaas. You hear me Paddy?
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Matt Chapman’s tips summary:
Ascot 13:50 – Saeiqa
Ascot 14:25 – Mutamaasik
Ascot 15:00 – Dance Fever
Ascot 15:35 – Enable
Ascot 16:10 – Mascat
York 14:05 – Golden Hind
York 14.40 – Elarqam
York 15:15 – Elwazir
York 15:50 – Victory Angel
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