*Saturday’s meeting at Ascot was abandoned this morning due to waterlogging.
1.55pm Ascot – Dakota Gold
We kick off with the Listed race over five furlongs at Ascot. There are some familiar names in here, and a few repeat offenders too.
Dakota Gold won this race last year and had Tis Marvellous behind. On the same terms it’s hard to look past DAKOTA GOLD as so many things are in his favour. The ground will be the key as the heavens are opening in Berkshire and we are expecting an inch of rain (that’s 25mm in new money).
Maid in India has Ascot straight course specialist Jamie Spencer on board and ran a blinder last time in Ireland. Moss Gill is another for the shortlist but I feel this is all about Dakota Gold.
2.30pm Ascot – Logician
This Cumberland Lodge stakes sees the winner of last year’s St Leger LOGICIAN stepping back into Graded company again. This horse is a monster, he’s huge. He won the Leger in record time on quick ground, but the concern is how he will cope with soft or even heavy going. He has only run once on slow ground at Newmarket and managed it there, but he is a lot shorter now.
Highland Chief will handle the ground and comes back to the scene of his greatest triumph. He certainly looks capable at this trip in receipt of age allowance from the older horses. Morando is the obvious alternative having won this last year. He will love conditions and if the favourite falters in the conditions he could be the one to take advantage.
2.45pm Newmarket – Billesdon Brook E/W
Champer Elysees won at Leopardstown in a Group One on Champions Weekend for Johnny Murtagh, and this daughter of Elzaam is proven on the soft and comes to this Sun Chariot Stakes in great form with Colin Keane again on board.
She beat Peaceful in that race and Peaceful reopposes again at Newmarket. She’ll handle the conditions as she showed when finishing second in the Montrose at the track last November.
Terebellum, Nazeef and Billesdon Brook have met each other several times as has Veracious. BILLESDON BROOK won this last year and I am surprised she is such a big price as I think she is a cracking each/way bet at a track where she had her finest hour.
3.05pm Ascot – Ropey Guest E/W
This is your typical seven-furlong handicap on the straight track and Blue Mist, Kynren and Raising Sand are all back for more. Kynren won this last year and is following the same route after his Ayr Gold Cup run . He is 4lbs higher but has to be respected with a good claimer booked.
Raising Sand struggled in this last year so there will be hope he can bounce back to form, Greenside was 2nd last year but is higher now too. Orbaan is of interest with Jamie Spencer on board again having ridden him last time. This seven-furlong on slow ground certainly fits his bill.
ROPEY GUEST is only a three-year-old but has contested some of the top races including when 4th to Molatham in the Jersey Stakes at the Royal Ascot meeting. He looks a shrewd each/way shout, with a record of good form on heavy ground as a two-year-old.
3.25pm Redcar – Uncle Jumbo
There’s lots of promising two-year-olds in here, but I was searching for Kevin Stott as he normally rides Hey Jonesey who runs at Ascot and he’s chosen to come to Redcar and give up the ride on a Royal Ascot winner. That shows a lot of faith in UNCLE JUMBO and he gets the nod from me.
Good luck!
Mick Fitz’s Saturday tips
1.55pm Ascot – Dakota Gold
2.30pm Ascot – Logician
2.45pm Newmarket – Billesdon Brook E/W
3.05pm Ascot – Ropey Guest E/W
3.25pm Redcar – Uncle Jumbo
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