1.45 Ascot – Dream Composer EW
This is a very open race, but I’m just going to side with Dream Composer. He ran an odd race at Sandown last time out, where he was outpaced early on, but he then made up late ground in the final furlong, and he wasn’t beaten very far. The time before that, he won the Epsom Dash, so he’s a very capable horse on his day. He’s won at Ascot before, and he should get a strong pace to aim at. I think he has a good chance of making the frame.
2.00 York – Brunch EW
I think Brunch might be worth a small each-way play here. He’s got plenty of course form at York and often saves his best for there. It’s been a while since he’s run in a handicap there, but he’s now on a very workable mark of 92. There is some rain around at York on Saturday, and he won’t mind the ground. I can see him being competitive, and it wouldn’t surprise me if he were here to win.
2.12 Newmarket – Lou Lou’s Gift (Win)
I was very taken with the victory of Lou’s Lou’s Gift last time out when she won over this course and distance. The handicapper didn’t miss her, and he raised her 7lb for that success. This is a warmer race, but I do think she’s a filly who might be able to develop and get black type later this season. I’m expecting her to take the beating here.
2.20 Ascot – Quddwah (Win)
His win at Ascot back on Royal Ascot Trials Day in May is probably the best form in the race. He beat Docklands and Maljoom that day, who went on to fill the frame in the Queen Anne Stakes, so he’s a horse who could have Group 1 potential. The son of Kingman has yet to taste defeat in his three career starts to date, and I can see him extending his winning sequence here.
2.35 York – Korker EW
Korker has a tendency to sometimes be slow from the gates, but when he breaks well, he can be a real menace. Last year, he came in third in this race, and he also won over this course and distance before. I didn’t think this was a strong race, and I thought those at the top of the market had plenty to prove. The five-year-old gelding doesn’t mind a bit of cut in the ground, and I think he’s a good each-way play..
2.50 Newmarket – Watcha Matey EW
I’m going to side with Watcha Matey here. He was not disgraced when he finished eighth in the Britannia Stakes at Royal Ascot last month, which is a race that has worked out well. Prior to that, he had won his previous two starts and looked very progressive. Coming to Newmarket shouldn’t be an issue for him, as he won on the July course as a juvenile. He’s got a fair draw in Stall 10, and I think he can be in the mix at a big price.
3.10 York – Botanical EW
I thought Botanical had a very good chance in this race. He won at York earlier in the season, where he bolted up, and it looks like this has been his target ever since. I think you can forgive his recent effort at Royal Ascot, where he failed to beat a rival in the Wolferton Stakes. The ground just looked a bit too quick for him, and I think he would prefer a little bit of ease, which he should get here. He’s also got a low draw in Stall 6, which has been the place to be in recent years. I think he’ll go very close.
3.25 Newmarket – Seagulls Eleven EW
I was keen to take on the favourite Ancient Truth as I’m not sure how good his form is. Therefore, I thought Seagulls Eleven could be the answer. He was very impressive when scoring at Haydock last time out, and he wasn’t stopping at the line. His trainer, Hugo Palmer, has been doing quite well with his two-year-olds this season, and he has been quite bullish in the racing media about whether, as said, he could be the pick of his stable. This would require a big step up, but I think he’s a horse we’ve not gotten to the bottom of yet.
3.45 York – Tashkan EW
Tashkan is a horse who rarely gets his ground, so it’s not often that all the stars align for him. He finished a close third in this race last year behind Hamish, and he’s run well here in the past at big prices. The key to him is soft ground, and he is sure to get his conditions. He’s had a recent spin on the all-weather in the Northumberland Plate, and I think he’ll be fitter for it. Maybe this could be his day to get his head in front in group company.
4.00 Newmarket – Summerghand EW
I thought this was the trickiest race of the day, but maybe Summerghand can outrun his odds by going back down to 7f. There isn’t too much we don’t know about him, and he’s been a great horse for David O’Meara, winning all kinds of big handicaps. The last time we saw him, he caught the eye over 6f, finishing strongly to finish third at Thirsk. Even on his form from last season, he’s very well handicapped, and I think he could spring a surprise here.
4.35 Newmarket – Inisherin (Win)
I was a follower of this project before he ran at Haydock, and Kevin Ryan seems to have found the key to his sprinting. The last time we saw him, he was a good winner of the Commonwealth Cup, and connections have said that this has been the plan for him all along. He’s a horse who has a lot of natural pace, and he ran a cracker in the 2,000 Guineas before fading late on. I think he’ll be ridden prominently here, and he’ll have too much pace for all of them.