Royal Ascot Looming …
June 16th, 2017 | Marten's Current Racing Diary
Hi there!
I was quietly impressed with the way Seaella won the 6f seller at York for John Quinn at York this afternoon.
The daughter of Canford Cliffs won this by a length and a half looking as if she was ready for a step up to seven furlongs. Nurseries beckon for her from now on.
Earlier in the day the progressive Big Country won his third start since joining Mick Appleby from Charles O’Brien’s yard. The son of High Chaparral has won off 75, 84 and now 94 and following today’s albeit narrow success I expect him to be raised to 98 or 99, which will leave him ideally placed for the Ebor Handicap back here in August. Before then he may tackle the John Smith’s Cup here on 15th July.
Royal Ascot’s five-day meeting starts on Tuesday and I am well prepared having just returned from a 10-day stint in the south when I met up with contacts and visited yards.
On Monday I popped in to see a top trainer who told me that he runs the best filly he has had for years in the Queen Mary Stakes on Wednesday.
The bookmakers are already expressing concern about multiple bets on the handful of short-priced favourites – Ribchester in the Queen Anne, Churchill in the St James’s Palace, Order Of St George in the Gold Cup, Caravaggio in the Commonwealth Cup and Winter in the Coronation Stakes.
Experience has taught us over the years that they don’t all win, and personally I believe at least a couple of them face stiffer tasks than the betting suggests.
As usual it’s the handicaps that most excite me, with a couple of notable horses of interest for the King George Vth and Britannia Stakes.
This has proved a profitable meeting for us over the years, with last year’s highlight the 10/1 victory of Dartmouth. Other winners last year were Prince Of Lir 8/1, Jennie’s Jewel 6/1, Even Song 15/8, Quiet Reflection 7/4, Churchill 8/11 and a clear pointer to 16’1 winner My Dream Boat.
The Royal Ascot Online Preview is published in five parts the night before each day, thereby ensuring that you have access to my latest news, running plans and going.
Part One is published on Monday evening 19th June covering Tuesday’s action.
Bye for now
Marten
