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13:50 Ascot
The opener on a fantastic Saturday card at Ascot is the Princess Margaret Keeneland Stakes Group 3 for 2yo fillies. Lezoo will be the short-priced favourite after her second in the Duke Of Cambridge Stakes at Newmarket behind the impressive Mawj. She could return to winning ways today if she shows the same level of form but is rather short in the market for a race of this nature against some other highly talented fillies. Glenlaurel was impressive on her debut but now steps up sharply in class and while she may be up to this level in time, she is maybe lacking the experience to trouble a few of these.
I will give another chance to Minnetonka who I feel was let down from the saddle when finishing fifth behind the short-priced favourite for today’s race when they ran at Newmarket. She has 4 1/2L to find with Lezoo but she has been given a four week break since that run so perhaps a small issue came to light. That and hopefully a return to front-running tactics that worked so well on her impressive debut and the upgrade of Ryan Moore in the plate could see her get close or even turn the tables with Lezoo.
MINNETONKA (E/W) written by Michael Taylor 14:05 York
Despite being something of a novelty affair, this "Nunthorpe" for Jump Jockeys is usually fiercely competitive and a frenetic pace appears likely.
Nibras Again has only ever raced here twice and both of them visits were for this race. Disappointing when only tenth last term, he has seemingly lost the plot form-wise although he did win this in 2019 and his slump in form is reflected by his falling mark.
Soul Seeker won last seasons renewal and has chances on that alone. Winless since, there is a fair chance he has been aimed at this and he took a step back in the right direction when seventh last time.
Stone Circle has won his last two and has the assistance of Harry Cobden in the saddle. Fairly consistent overall and likely to he well suited by today's set up, he looks a worthy favourite although the ground is something of a concern.
Eeh Bah Gum never quite lived up to the early promise he showed though he has done well since joining Kevin Ryan. Proven over the course and distance, this quirky seven year old could go well and Brian Hughes is an excellent booking.
Son And Sannie, Primo's Comet, Val De Travers and Indian Sounds are selected others with fair claims although the vote shall be split between the well handicapped Nibras Again and the safer looking Ginger Jam.
GINGER JAM (E/W)
NIBRAS AGAIN (E/W) written by Chris Connolly 14:25 Ascot
Nine fillies and mares head to post for this Group 3 event over a mile in the round course.
Zanbaq is an improving three year old filly who ran really well at Royal Ascot when finishing second in the competitive Sandringham handicap. She came from an uncompromising position that day and did well in the circumstances to finish so close. This is obviously a step in grade, however her profile is progressive.
Jumbly also come into the improving three year old category. She ran well in the French guineas finishing eighth, but not beaten far, and the again not beaten far in a Group 2 in Germany. However there is a case that her optimum trip maybe seven furlongs.
Those three year old fillies are going to be taken on with a year older rival. Four year old Novemba looks solid value to take this. The look of some of her form, particularly as a three year old looks best on offer in this race. In particular a fourth in last season’s Coronation stakes behind Alcohol Free, and just over a length defeat by Real World looks huge in the context of this race. This filly likes to race prominently, and hopefully over this round course her jockey can get a breather into her negotiating the bend and make the best of his way home.
NOVEMBA (WIN)
written by Matt Polley 14:40 York
Fifteen runners will line up for this very competitive sprint handicap where many of the runners hold very good course and distance form.
One such contender is Aberama Gold, and though he hasn’t won since 2020, he has been running very consistently now he is down to a competitive mark. There’s every chance in a race such as this, that he is likely to find at least one too good again and he is passed over for win purposes, he should run his race however.
Tim Easterby saddles four of the runners and Atomic Lady appears his best chance of a good result as last time out winner, Hyperfocus, has a poor record here at York. The former has run three very solid races here in her lightly raced career, she does look to have it all to do off this mark and in this company and has enough to prove to warrant consideration here.
My selection for this race will be Gale Force Maya. She looks very competitively handicapped on her recent third in a group race here over course and distance. She can prove herself a class above these rivals today with conditions ideal for her in this contest.
GALE FORCE MAYA (WIN) written by Tom Bates
15:00 Ascot
A good old-fashioned twenty-plus runner handicap and although the last two winners went off as favourite eight of the last fifteen winners did so at odds of between 16/1 and 50/1 so it can pay to look a little further afield than the market principles.
Bless Him won the Bunbury Cup at odds of 25/1 last time out, is proven over the trip and is a prior winner at the course. He also has an excellent record when ridden by Jamie Spencer and is due to go up 3lbs more in future races so will likely have plenty of supporters and rates a solid each way option.
Jumby is a prior course and distance winner who finished just over a length behind Bless Him in the Bunbury Cup last time out and connections will hope that first time cheekpieces will help reverse that form. A similar run will likely see him in the mix however the fact that he is around half the early price of Bless Him there doesn’t seem to be much value to be had.
Dark Shift has won four from six here at Ascot and arrives looking to gain a hat-trick of victories. He’s gone up a further 6lbs and also drops back down in trip for today’s race – a combination that doesn’t fill me with confidence.
Lion Tower was a shade disappointing over a mile at Sandown last time out but won well at York prior to that, making it three wins from his last four over a seven-furlong trip. He’s drawn in stall eighteen which is seen as a positive and has a solid record for both trainer and jockey so he’s worth a small each way play at the early prices.
Northern Express has been in excellent form this season, racing five times and although only winning one he has finishing second in a further three, including when missing out by just a neck last time out. That was a promising run and the fourth that day has won since so the form is working out well, plus he’s due to go up a further 3lbs in the future so looks well-treated and as a result I am expecting another big run.
NORTHERN EXPRESS (E/W) written by Dean Kilbryde 15:15 York
5 go to post in the Group 2 York Stakes.
Sir Busker has been running in very competitive races last couple of seasons. which is why his form looks patchy (Facing Baaeed twice) this is a slight drop-in class to what he has been against. However, Sir Busker does seem to have his own ideas in racing and seems difficult to win with.
Dark Moon Rising is the outsider of the race and probably won't be involved here judging by his turf form. Has raced at York a few times already in his career but has not been near contention.
Claymore hasn't done much wrong this season though his race at Longchamp where something must have been a miss finishing well behind in the field. He did bounce back at Ascot last time out. Does get an age allowance here weight wise which does help. Can see why he is favourite.
Dubai Honour hasn't been seen for over 3 months so may need the run for this as he hasn't won from long breaks before. Was last seen in Meydan where he finished behind in the field in a group 1 out there.
The other Dubai named runner in the race is the one I fancy Dubai Future. Dubai Future was last seen winning at Royal Asoct in the Wolferton stakes race. Dubai Future is quite versatile trip wise winning at several distances. But he gets the same trip and conditions (Good To Firm currently) as last time out. Although Dubai Future has spent most his career in Meydan the change of scenery may have done him some good and at around the 9/2 mark I believe he is good value for this race.
DUBAI FUTURE (WIN) written by Luke Tucker 15:35 Ascot
A small field of six for Ascot’s summer showpiece but nevertheless a classy sextet. Broome and Pyledriver are both Group One victors but both would need a decisive return to form to win today. However they do add an extra layer of depth to an already fascinating contest.
Mishriff has a new partner in James Doyle and enjoyed a welcome return to form when being desperately unlucky not to win the Eclipse Stakes, last time out. He was second to Adayar in this race last year and he’s evidently still had the class, despite his poor performance in Riyadh. His weight conceding performance in the Eclipse is top class and he’s definitely in with a shout today.
Torquator Tasso was last year’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner, which has to be the best form that’s on offer today. Granted he wasn’t at his best on his return but he never is. He obliged last time out and is looking to follow Danedream in winning the Arc and the King George. I’d love to see him run well and credit to connections for coming over. He does need to prove himself on the firmer ground though.
Emily Upjohn stamped her claim as a top class filly when storming home in the Musidora stakes at York. She was desperately unlucky in the Oaks when losing ground at the start and coming widest of all and only finishing a short head down on Tuesday. She’s a classy filly who gains weight off her rivals today but this wasn’t her intended target and she will have to answer questions about her form against the colts today. If she can, then she’ll earn her deserved comparisons and plaudits.
Westover was unlucky when flying home in the Derby. The question will be whether he would have caught, notable absentee, Desert Crown but he was impressive. He followed that up by absolutely powering clear to land the Irish Derby. He looks to be improving all the time and has the three year-old form to boot, defeating Tuesday in the aforementioned Derby. He could well add to Juddmonte’s impressive record in this race.
WESTOVER (WIN) written by Kieran McHugh