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16:45 Hamilton
Highwayman wouldn’t be one for the faint hearted although he won this contest off a seven pounds higher mark last term and served notice of a return to form when second last time, behind a highly progressive type. Three Castles has a tendency to miss the break and did just that when winning at Carlisle last week, eventually that rather off-putting habit will cost him though his penalty for that victory looks fair and his yard are absolutely flying at the minute. Hector’s Here has attracted strong market support the last twice to no avail, he still has time to recoup those losses though his finishing effort when fourth last time was slightly disappointing. Allux Boy is another to consider in an open heat although the vote is handed to Highwayman, in the hope he can finally take advantage of his lowly mark.
HIGHWAYMAN (WIN)
16:20 Ascot The ladies take centre stage in the fourth race on the card in the Group 2 Duke Of Cambridge Stakes. With 16 set to go to post it looks a wide open one mile contest where the Sir Michael Stoute trained Rawdaa is the likely favourite. An eye-catching second placed effort behind Lah Ti Dar looks some of the best form on offer and she is sure to go close however with so many runners it’s worth taking the likely favourite on here. Any Ballydoyle runner deserves the upmost respect this week, especially after bagging a few winners on day one yesterday. Unlike other races he only has one entered in the form of I Can Fly. The addition of blinkers may well aid her chances but her inconsistency is a big worry. The horse that gets our vote hails from a yard who are in red-hot form. William Haggas has his horse’s firing on all cylinders and enters the James Doyle ridden Pretty Baby. She’s won 5 of her 7 career starts to date and seems to have improved with each run. She seems to be the kind of horse who only just does enough but the step up to a mile seems to be a positive move. The expected good ground should also play into her hands and although there’s plenty of opposition if the race turns into a battle she has the grit and determination to get her head in front. PRETTY BABY (WIN)
The Cambridge News – PicksfromthePaddock.co.uk:
16:45 Hamilton – HIGHWAYMAN (WIN)
The Jersey Evening Post – Rory Paddock:
16:20 Ascot – PRETTY BABY (WIN)
East Anglian Daily Times – Dean Kilbryde:
14:30 Ascot – FINAL SONG (WIN)
Norwich Evening News – Chris Connolly:
17:00 Ascot – ZHUI FENG (WIN)
Ipswich Star – Matt Polley:
17:00 Ascot – AFAAK (WIN)