I had a good day out yesterday and there was a lot to talk about.
The controversy started early with Olivier Peslier putting up 2lb overweight in the Queen Anne. It’s slightly surprising as he carried 8-11 four times and 8-10 once on Sunday and Monday – either he was at the pies in a big way on Monday night or (more likely I guess) he missed his date in the sauna.
Whatever the case it might have made a difference as he wasn’t beaten far. I suspect Canford would have won regardless, and it got my week off to a good start as I had a decent bet on him. If I’d have been the owner of Goldikova I wouldn’t have been happy though.
I didn’t have an opinion in the King’s Stand – it isn’t easy with so much foreign form to wade through. Prohibit is owned by a group that includes a Betfair employee from the very early days – he was on my list when he went through the Horse in training sale but we bought Blue Jack instead. I didn’t want to feel any regret if he won so I backed him – I took 15.5 and was amazed to see his price collapse to an SP of 7-1 (and a lower Betfair SP). Happy days – he won well.
I backed Dream Ahead in the St James’s Palace – a poor bet in retrospect but I wanted to oppose Frankel. There is no doubt in my mind that his stride was shortening in the Guineas and his style of racing makes me nervous. I’m pleased for him that he won though. Gabrial was a poor bet in the Coventry but I had a saver on Power and did well in the race. The first three came from stalls 19, 22 and 23 which tells a story. It’s worth rewatching the race to see the run Jamie Spencer gave Gatepost, who was drawn 4 and went around the back to finish fifth coming up the inside. He’s the one to take from the race I think.
In the Ascot stakes Kieren Fallon was mysteriously replaced on the eventual winner Veiled – there may be more to come on that story. It’s a race I can never work out and I didn’t have a bet.
Finally the Windsor Castle, and Bear Behind had a low draw. Again the winners came from the high spots, and finishing in fifth was a very decent performance. He’ll take his chances in the Norfolk now, but again he has a poor draw – maybe the ground will have changed by then.
I’m going again today. Early thoughts; Western Aristocrat beat Rhythm of Light last time and he may improve for that run – I’ll take him in the Jersey. I’ve always thought a lot of Seta and she has been brought on slowly and carefully by her thoughtful handler – she’ll do for me. So You Think probably wins the Prince of Wales but at the price I’ll just be watching. In the Hunt Cup I’ll go with a few high drawn outsiders – Proponent, Capital Attraction and Kay Be Gee. Shumoos will be hard to beat in the Queen Mary and I won’t try and oppose her. In the last Manor House run Rhythm of Light and she will have a great chance.