Ascot on Saturday

The distance of tomorrow's John Smith's Cup at York has been shortened to one mile 208 yards on account of waterlogging at the track; Saturday's card at The Curragh has been abandoned to give Sunday's Irish Oaks meeting every chance of going ahead on the soft / heavy ground; and three races at Ascot's two day meeting have been cancelled on account of false patches of ground around the ten furlong start - it's just another typical soggy July Saturday.

I had intended to concentrate on the two mile race at Ascot in which Macorville and Tilt, second and third respectively in The Northumberland Plate two weeks ago, were set to renew rivalry but this is one of the cancelled races. That being the case, I've done some work on a pretty competitive looking Sony Summer Mile Stakes which is due off at 2.50.

First of all let me say I'm not overly confident the selection will deliver the goods. Cesare will be a popular choice, beaten only one and a quarter lengths in a muddling Queen Anne at Royal Ascot, and is entitled to go close. However I'll be supporting Godolphin's Echo Of Light who has had a decent break and, unlike several, comes to this fresh. The balance of his form is, in my opinion, marginally better than Cesare's and his prominent running style means his opponents will have to work hard to pass him. This is no two horse race though with Royal Oath the subject of a good gallops report and Racinger entitled to improve on his Queen Anne sixth.

A couple of the horses named in the 'Summer jumpers' post below have entries at Perth and Stratford this Sunday. I'll try to sum up their chances on Saturday evening.