ROYAL ASCOT Saturday 2013

The final blog of what has been an intense week of quality racing.

Quick review on yesterday's ratings, although the first point I will make, the 4mm of watering, plus the early shower made the times reflect the slowest going of the week!

With that in mind, the 6f 2yo race won by KIYOSHI was the relatively slowest of the day. I have not seen the race yet, but I was expecting a whole lot more from the comments made afterwards? Needless to say, even if it was only a Group 3, her rating was way below the standard.

Best rating , and by a huge margin, goes to HILLSTAR. Clear fastest time, and him coming from a low base, all help. But that was a top performance, and the placed horses did themselves no harm at all.

Beyond those two ratings, the rest were not very inspiring, as the next three races barely improved their mark at all, and the final handicap was below it? That I will put down to the fact they may have gone off too fast in that?

SKY LANTERN could not have been more impressive in the manner of her win, and she had no control over the stop start pace it was run at. They bunched up round the home turn, but they fanned out well enough, so there were no hard luck stories in behind. As I said yesterday, this horse is blessed with tactical speed which gets her into a race, when she can show another gear.

On to today.

Ascot 2.30: 7f Listed Chesham Stakes 2yo.

I will leave this to market movers. It is a waste of time pointing out the highest rated from a lower level grade, only to find even an unraced one can pop up an exceed it. Especially over this 7f, which brings demands on stamina, as yet barely seen.
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Ascot 3.05: 12f Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes

MOUNT ATHOS is clear top rated, but will have to improve upon that to hold off the young improvers.

In fact, the remainder are very closely rated and hard to rule any out.

EKTIHAAM is the one that has attracted the early money though.
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Ascot 3.45: 6f Group 1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes.

SOCIETY ROCK is a quirky horse, but if he gets away on terms, especially here, is the one they have to beat.

GORDON LORD BYRON has yet to hit the high rating he achieved last season, but the 3rd place behind the above last time shows he is getting there.

MINCE is another who has yet to reach the dizzy highs of last season, but even that is probably just a tad below the above pair at their best.

ROSDHU QUEEN is a horse I have to give a mention to, even if she has no chance on ratings, and with all the allowances. However, she is a battler, and if any falter in the final furlong she will be there, digging in. I just feel this is a too big an ask this early in the season, and I would have rather brought her along at a more steady build up before tackling experienced colts and geldings at the very top of their game. That said, her trainer has put her here ....?

The Australian horses usually do well here, but the above on their A-game should see of any sub-Black Caviar class, and that more than doubly applies to the rest of the field.
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Ascot 4.25: 6f Class 2 Wokingham Stakes h'cap.

Too many to discus in detail. The best pace looks on the high side, but their are a couple on the far side to take them along. So I'll take a pair from each side against the field, as I know they have a few lbs in hand.

Low numbers:

POOLE HARBOUR was my early selection, and if he puts it all in he has a good chance of winning a big one. He should get a clear run on that side too.
Current odds 25/1

ANCIENT CROSS also just scrapes in at the bottom of the handicap, and despite being a 9yo, his win at York give him an excellent chance.

High side:

DUKE OF FIRENZE is another early selection. He is not as well in in as some, but is progressing at a rate of knots. He has got the plumb high draw against the stand's side rail, where the winner came from in the last yesterday. The danger today is more may come over this side and their could be some hard luck stories in behind. He is battle hardened now, so hopefully he will be okay?
Current odds 7/1 favourite

REX EMPERATOR has been backed several times and failed to deliver, but his last run over 7f gives him a great chance of making amends.
Current odds around 9/1
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Ascot 5.00: 12f Class 2 Duke Of Edinburgh h'cap

This is yet another race where the lightly raced 4yo improvers face the older, seasoned campaigners, and as I think it will be one of the former group that come out on top, I am not delving into ratings that are meaningless.
No surprise to see it is those who hit the early market movers.
STENCIVE, a 4yo who clearly will have to improve to win this, and was a beaten favourite last time out.

USTURA is also a 4yo, who won his race, but it was a modest affair. Much more to do here?

Both have been backed

CARAVAN ROLL ON is one of the seniors this one, and I have a soft spot for. Difficult to keep fit, and so is lightly race for a 5yo. C&D winner, but will have to be on top form here.
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Ascot 5.35: 21f Class 2 Queen Alexandra Stakes non-h'cap

Lucky for me I can round off early, as these distance races have little speed figure value?

This race has been won by a top staying handicapper, as well as those not making the grade in pattern races.

SHAHWARDI from France represents the higher end, and if going and trip are okay, then probably has an excellent chance.

CHILBERTA KING has also dipped the odd hoof into Class 1 races, without great success recently, and the fast ground will not suit.

They head the market, and with jumps trainer already providing one winner yesterday, COURTESY CALL
will also be popular.

MAD MOOSE will be one to watch out for, at the start at least? He may not get more than a few yards with them starting so near the stables, but, and it is a big but, if he does consent to race the young WTD could be in with a chance of bagging his first Royal ascot winner?
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Well that is me done for. Next blog will be Saturday when I can concentrate on one race.

Have a good day