The King George is done, but the show goes on and ITV is back Sunday with action from Ascot and York for the second day in a row.
Let’s get straight to it and kick off with what is happening at Ascot.
13:55 Ascot – Aplomb
The coverage gets under way with a handicap over 5f. This is tricky! Some of these are open to all sorts of improvement and might be much better than we have seen. APLOMB is not one of them, as he is thoroughly exposed with a BHA mark of 93. What the William Haggas inmate does have is solid handicap form, and he will be hard to keep out the frame if repeating his run at Ascot last time. He also went pretty well in the Silver Wokingham.
14:30 Ascot – Almania
Next at Ascot is a handicap over 1m4f. ALMANIA hasn’t won for two years, but he ran a cracker at Royal Ascot and this might be his day under Ryan Moore. The selection drops back in trip a couple of furlongs which should be perfect as he just faded close home last time. Every chance for David Simcock.
15:05 Ascot – Billesdon Brook
It’s the Group 3 Valiant Stakes here for fillies over 1m. BILLESDON BROOK really should be too good for this lot even though she needs everything to go right for her to score. The shock 1000 Guineas winner from 2018 has proved since then that it was no fluke and she’s very talented when everything falls into place. Should go well for Richard Hannon and the excellent Sean Levey.
15:40 Ascot – Caroline Dale
And finally at Ascot the Group 3 Princess Margaret for fillies over 6f. More Beautiful was poor at Royal Ascot and pulled out a race the other day. She can win this, but I’d rather back CAROLINE DALE at the likely prices. The Queen Mary in third was a long way in front of More Beautiful when they clashed in that event, and she bolted up at Windsor last time. Her debut run suggests 6f will not be a problem for David Loughnane.
Meanwhile, there are three races to enjoy at York.
14:10 York – So Beloved
First race to enjoy at York is a 7f handicap. Wide open event. At the age of ten it’s hard to be too strong on SO BELOVED, but there’s no doubt he is well handicapped and goes well at this track. There have been signs this season that he still has some ability, and off just 90 now he might run better than his odds for Angus Villiers and David O’Meara. Stays this trip very well.
14:45 York – Music Society
Another handicap here over 6f this time. MUSIC SOCIETY could go well here particularly if there has been a bit of rain. Trained by Tim Easterby, my hope was a fair fourth last time and is down in the handicap ratings now. Nathan Evans takes the mount and the horse has one or two bits of good York form.
15:20 York – Franconia
Up in class for this one, a Listed heat for fillies over an extended 1m2f. It’s hard to oppose FRANCONIA here, who was very impressive first time out this season at Newbury. The daughter of Frankel is very well bred and should take this for John Gosden and Frankie Dettori before heading to Group races later in the season.
So best of luck and pray for Yeeehaaas. You hear me Paddy?
Matt Chapman’s best bets for ITV Racing’s coverage on Sunday
Ascot
13:55 Aplomb
14:30 Almania
15:05 Billesdon Brook
15:40 Caroline Dale
York
14:10 So Beloved
14:45 Music Society
15:20 Franconia
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