Royal Ascot - Final Day
Saturday, June 18, 2005
Royal Ascot At York Final Day Racing Review From Ladbrokes >>
Royal Ascot at York goes into the final day with some decent enough racing to be had still. Balmont is tipped up to land the 6 furlong Golden Jubilee Stakes, but has some strong opposition in Var, The Tatling, Byron, Somnus, Etlaala and Patavellian so it will be a strong betting heat.
If I could pick the winner I would be a happy bunny, but no selections from me today for the final day of Royal Ascot. I am happy with catching Westerner at 7/4 and will bow out gracefully from the procedings.
However, here is the rundown of todays final day racing at the Royal Ascot meeting from York..
14:30 Royal Ascot at York Windsor Castle Stakes (Listed)
Distance: 5f
WINDSOR CASTLE STAKES RACE OVERVIEW >>
The vote here goes to Titus Alone ahead of Strike Up The Band and King Orchisios.
Titus Alone has won both of his starts to date, and he looked smart when beating some previous winners at Redcar last time.
Take out Strike Up The Band, and that rates as about the best form on offer and he gets our vote. Of course, Strike Up The Band is feared and he was third in Thursday's Norfolk Stakes, but it will be a good effort to score just two days after that run, although he is a very smart juvenile. He also has to give the selection six pounds.
King Orchisios looks promising based on his debut win, while Scooby Dude has shown a fair level of form and will not lack for experience.
Great Chieftain's Carlisle fourth has been franked by the winner's Queen Mary fourth on Thursday, while Ker Lani is an interesting raider from France. However, Titus Alone gets our vote today.
Distance: 5f
WINDSOR CASTLE STAKES RACE OVERVIEW >>
The vote here goes to Titus Alone ahead of Strike Up The Band and King Orchisios.
Titus Alone has won both of his starts to date, and he looked smart when beating some previous winners at Redcar last time.
Take out Strike Up The Band, and that rates as about the best form on offer and he gets our vote. Of course, Strike Up The Band is feared and he was third in Thursday's Norfolk Stakes, but it will be a good effort to score just two days after that run, although he is a very smart juvenile. He also has to give the selection six pounds.
King Orchisios looks promising based on his debut win, while Scooby Dude has shown a fair level of form and will not lack for experience.
Great Chieftain's Carlisle fourth has been franked by the winner's Queen Mary fourth on Thursday, while Ker Lani is an interesting raider from France. However, Titus Alone gets our vote today.
15:05 Royal Ascot at York Hardwicke Stakes (Group 2)
Distance: 1m 4f
HARDWICKE STAKES RACE OVERVIEW >>
Wind things back 12 months and Doyen would be rated close to a certainty today, his imperious win in last season's 'King George' living on in the mind.
However, two disappointing efforts since mean that the jury is out on him, although the time to catch him could be first time up this time around. Also, on official ratings he is still nine pounds clear of Gamut, the next highest rated, so he still has some performance leeway.
The fact that Kieren Fallon is riding Gamut instead of Powerscourt makes us favour the latter as the selection's biggest danger, although Powerscourt is a big talent that could improve again this season. He is also the only course and distance winner in the line-up.
The presence of Maraahel and Bandari add further some intrigue to this contest, but the vote stays with Doyen.
Distance: 1m 4f
HARDWICKE STAKES RACE OVERVIEW >>
Wind things back 12 months and Doyen would be rated close to a certainty today, his imperious win in last season's 'King George' living on in the mind.
However, two disappointing efforts since mean that the jury is out on him, although the time to catch him could be first time up this time around. Also, on official ratings he is still nine pounds clear of Gamut, the next highest rated, so he still has some performance leeway.
The fact that Kieren Fallon is riding Gamut instead of Powerscourt makes us favour the latter as the selection's biggest danger, although Powerscourt is a big talent that could improve again this season. He is also the only course and distance winner in the line-up.
The presence of Maraahel and Bandari add further some intrigue to this contest, but the vote stays with Doyen.
15:45 Royal Ascot at York Golden Jubilee Stakes (Group 1)
Distance: 6f
GOLDEN JUBILEE STAKES RACE OVERVIEW >>
The Tatling was disappointing in the King's Stand Stakes along with Var, but they have to be shortlist material again for the feature race of the day with Byron, Somnus, Etlaala and Patavellian among the other dangers, but we will give the vote to Balmont.
The selection had several of today's rivals behind him when a good third behind Celtic Mill in the Temple Stakes at Sandown last time. That was over 5f and all this colt's wins have come over this slightly longer trip so today's 6f should bring out the best in him. He is a Group 1 winner, his stable are in good form and with conditions to suit he should take plenty of beating.
Byron is respected but he may be slightly better over further and he has yet to prove that he has the class to get his head in front in Group 1 company.
Etlaala didn't get any luck in the Temple Stakes last time so he is another to consider, although he is tackling 6f for the first time today.
Somnus needed the run over this course and distance last time and he had a great season last year, but he wouldn't want the ground too firm and unless the heavens open then we are prepared to take him on.
The Tatling was hampered from the stalls in the King's Stand Stakes on Tuesday and was never able to get in a blow from off-the-pace. He is not quite as effective over today's trip but according to his trainer Milton Bradley he is as good as ever this year so he is not one to dismiss lightly.
Cape of Good Hope is a high class sprinter who is equally at home over the minimum trip or 6f.
Var finished in front of The Tatling on Tuesday and there was little between them when they met at Longchamp and Newbury last year. However, like The Tatling he is not quite as good over this trip and he has yet to hit top form so far this season.
Patavellian has not won for a while but he does have the class to make him a lively outsider here. This is a very competitive renewal of the Golden Jubilee Stakes and we will put forward Balmont as our idea of the winner.
Distance: 6f
GOLDEN JUBILEE STAKES RACE OVERVIEW >>
The Tatling was disappointing in the King's Stand Stakes along with Var, but they have to be shortlist material again for the feature race of the day with Byron, Somnus, Etlaala and Patavellian among the other dangers, but we will give the vote to Balmont.
The selection had several of today's rivals behind him when a good third behind Celtic Mill in the Temple Stakes at Sandown last time. That was over 5f and all this colt's wins have come over this slightly longer trip so today's 6f should bring out the best in him. He is a Group 1 winner, his stable are in good form and with conditions to suit he should take plenty of beating.
Byron is respected but he may be slightly better over further and he has yet to prove that he has the class to get his head in front in Group 1 company.
Etlaala didn't get any luck in the Temple Stakes last time so he is another to consider, although he is tackling 6f for the first time today.
Somnus needed the run over this course and distance last time and he had a great season last year, but he wouldn't want the ground too firm and unless the heavens open then we are prepared to take him on.
The Tatling was hampered from the stalls in the King's Stand Stakes on Tuesday and was never able to get in a blow from off-the-pace. He is not quite as effective over today's trip but according to his trainer Milton Bradley he is as good as ever this year so he is not one to dismiss lightly.
Cape of Good Hope is a high class sprinter who is equally at home over the minimum trip or 6f.
Var finished in front of The Tatling on Tuesday and there was little between them when they met at Longchamp and Newbury last year. However, like The Tatling he is not quite as good over this trip and he has yet to hit top form so far this season.
Patavellian has not won for a while but he does have the class to make him a lively outsider here. This is a very competitive renewal of the Golden Jubilee Stakes and we will put forward Balmont as our idea of the winner.
16:20 Royal Ascot at York Wokingham Stakes (Handicap)
Distance: 6f
WOKINGHAM STAKES RACE OVERVIEW >>
Ifraaj, Soldier's Tale and Eisteddfod form our three against the field in the Wokingham, with the vote going to Ifraaj.
A lightly-raced, well-bred, progressive colt in the hands of a leading trainer, well, Ifraaj has all the right credentials to make use of a handicap mark that probably understates his talents. As such he gets the call.
Of course, Soldier's Tale has a similar profile and is a horse that we like a lot so this course and distance winner is very much respected.
Eisteddfod came good in pretty good style at Goodwood last time, and even though he carries an eight-pound penalty for that win, he can still go well.
Moayed is now six pounds better off with the selection for the two lengths that he was beaten by him at Lingfield and he can go well, but we'll stick with the selection.
Of the others, Caribbean Coral is now back to a fair mark and it would be no surprise to see him go well at a big price.
Smokin Beau is well-handicapped based on his very good form of last summer.
Peter Paul Rubens is another high-class performer in the making, although maybe he'll prove better at seven furlongs. Overall, though, we will side with Ifraaj.
Distance: 6f
WOKINGHAM STAKES RACE OVERVIEW >>
Ifraaj, Soldier's Tale and Eisteddfod form our three against the field in the Wokingham, with the vote going to Ifraaj.
A lightly-raced, well-bred, progressive colt in the hands of a leading trainer, well, Ifraaj has all the right credentials to make use of a handicap mark that probably understates his talents. As such he gets the call.
Of course, Soldier's Tale has a similar profile and is a horse that we like a lot so this course and distance winner is very much respected.
Eisteddfod came good in pretty good style at Goodwood last time, and even though he carries an eight-pound penalty for that win, he can still go well.
Moayed is now six pounds better off with the selection for the two lengths that he was beaten by him at Lingfield and he can go well, but we'll stick with the selection.
Of the others, Caribbean Coral is now back to a fair mark and it would be no surprise to see him go well at a big price.
Smokin Beau is well-handicapped based on his very good form of last summer.
Peter Paul Rubens is another high-class performer in the making, although maybe he'll prove better at seven furlongs. Overall, though, we will side with Ifraaj.
16:55 Royal Ascot at York Duke of Edinburgh Stakes (Handicap)
Distance: 1m 4f
DUKE OF EDINBURGH STAKES RACE OVERVIEW >>
From a shortlist of Coat Of Honour, Blue Monday, Notable Guest, Flamboyant Lad and Strong Hand, we will side with Flamboyant Lad.
Flamboyant Lad has a good profile for this race being the type that Barry Hills, who is in form, does well with. Judged on the way he won at Newbury last time, he looks set to continue progressing and can run big race today.
Blue Monday has a fairly similar profile and proved his wellbeing by landing the Zetland Gold Cup last time, so he comes into the reckonin.
the nicely bred Notable Guest has had the softly-softly approach applied by Sir Michael Stoute and, with his stable in good form, grant him all due respect.
The former Sir Mark Prescott-trained Coat Of Honour will have been aimed at this race, we feel, and the Swinton Hurdle winner is respected.
From the Mick Easterby stable, Strong Hand comes into this race in very good heart and a win for her is no forlorn hope, while Vaughan, who showed very much improved form last time, and Ireland's Saintly Rachel, are others that could go well.
Overall, though, we like the profile of Flamboyant Lad, who can land the Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes.
Distance: 1m 4f
DUKE OF EDINBURGH STAKES RACE OVERVIEW >>
From a shortlist of Coat Of Honour, Blue Monday, Notable Guest, Flamboyant Lad and Strong Hand, we will side with Flamboyant Lad.
Flamboyant Lad has a good profile for this race being the type that Barry Hills, who is in form, does well with. Judged on the way he won at Newbury last time, he looks set to continue progressing and can run big race today.
Blue Monday has a fairly similar profile and proved his wellbeing by landing the Zetland Gold Cup last time, so he comes into the reckonin.
the nicely bred Notable Guest has had the softly-softly approach applied by Sir Michael Stoute and, with his stable in good form, grant him all due respect.
The former Sir Mark Prescott-trained Coat Of Honour will have been aimed at this race, we feel, and the Swinton Hurdle winner is respected.
From the Mick Easterby stable, Strong Hand comes into this race in very good heart and a win for her is no forlorn hope, while Vaughan, who showed very much improved form last time, and Ireland's Saintly Rachel, are others that could go well.
Overall, though, we like the profile of Flamboyant Lad, who can land the Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes.
17:30 Royal Ascot at York Queen Alexandra Stakes
Distance: 2m 6f
QUEEN ALEXANDRA STAKES RACE OVERVIEW >>
An usually small field for the Queen Alexandra Stakes and it can go to Al Eile, who gets the vote ahead of Royal Rebel, Dancing Bay and Cover Up.
The Irish raider Al Eile has proven himself useful on the Flat and over hurdles, having won at Graded level twice at the Aintree Grand National meeting. He warmed up for this with a fourth to Vinnie Roe in a Listed event at Leopardstown and, with connections having aimed him at this, he will run a big race today.
He was absent last year but Cover Up won at Royal Ascot in 2001, 2002 and 2003, the last two wins coming in this race. Much as he has raced only once since August 2003, it is not beyond the realms of possibility that his trainer could have got him right to win today.
Being possibly the stronger of the Nicky Henderson pair, Dancing Bay gets a mention, and, much as he is not the force of old.
the dual Ascot Gold Cup winner, Royal Rebel, has to be on the list of possibles for this contest.
Overall, though, we are happy to side with Al Eile.
Distance: 2m 6f
QUEEN ALEXANDRA STAKES RACE OVERVIEW >>
An usually small field for the Queen Alexandra Stakes and it can go to Al Eile, who gets the vote ahead of Royal Rebel, Dancing Bay and Cover Up.
The Irish raider Al Eile has proven himself useful on the Flat and over hurdles, having won at Graded level twice at the Aintree Grand National meeting. He warmed up for this with a fourth to Vinnie Roe in a Listed event at Leopardstown and, with connections having aimed him at this, he will run a big race today.
He was absent last year but Cover Up won at Royal Ascot in 2001, 2002 and 2003, the last two wins coming in this race. Much as he has raced only once since August 2003, it is not beyond the realms of possibility that his trainer could have got him right to win today.
Being possibly the stronger of the Nicky Henderson pair, Dancing Bay gets a mention, and, much as he is not the force of old.
the dual Ascot Gold Cup winner, Royal Rebel, has to be on the list of possibles for this contest.
Overall, though, we are happy to side with Al Eile.
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