You know it's been a right wretched Royal Ascot when your first winner of the meeting is in the penultimate race on the penultimate day - my grateful thanks to Johnny Murtagh who got Mikhael Glinka home a nose in front of Jeremy Noseda's Theology.
In tomorrow's Hardwicke Stakes Harbinger is the clear form choice and will be priced accordingly. Those looking for an each-way alternative could do worse than consider the game mare Barshiba. Blind in one eye, she's as tough as old boots and outbattled Duncan over course and distance in May - Duncan didn't appear to go through with his effort that day but I think there were valid excuses afterwards. Since then the mare, who likes to go off in front and undeniably has her own way of doing things, has been well beaten on good to soft ground at Haydock; that probably accounts for Ladbrokes offering 33/1 about her chance this evening while they go 16/1 about John Gosden's charge. Two additional points of potential interest - Petara Bay is registered to Mrs Bernie Ecclestone (but she's now divorced from him if my memory serves me right) and favourites have won just two of the last ten runnings...
The finale is the longest race in the Flat calendar. Jumpers to catch the eye include Sentry Duty (marked up favourite this evening but would probably prefer more cut), Bergo and Ringaroses. The last-named is usually ridden by A P McCoy but he couldn't do the weight here so George Baker (six winners in the last fortnight) takes over. Ladbrokes offer 16/1 about Jonjo O'Neill's charge who won a three-mile graded handicap hurdle at Aintree in April. Ringaroses looks reasonable value at 16s and is worth an each-way interest at that price.
Friday, June 18, 2010
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Those who took the 8/11 about Harbinger never had a moment's worry as the favourite streaked clear at the two furlong pole to win as he liked. The BBC reported one punter having £80,000 on with a bookmaker in the Ascot High St. Duncan (8/1) chased him the winner home with the game Barshiba (18/1) taking third.
The finale summed up my week; I opted for Ringaroses in front of Bergo and the latter took the spoils convincingly at 10/1. This one formerly ran in the colours of Mrs Findlay, Harry's mother, but is now regsitered to Mr S E Sangster (as Harry has been warned off.) I'm sure the great man will have mixed emotions this evening but certainly hope he had a big bet on Bergo. Ryan Moore did the steering and in the process pinched the top jockey award from Johnny Murtagh who had come from nowhere to record four wins in the final two days (Lilly Langtry, Mikhael Glinka, Starspangledbanner and Laddies Poker Two). Selection Ringaroses (10/1) was held up towards the rear - he made headway two out but finished eighth; the formbook comments 'never reached leaders'. Perhaps it's a bit of sour grapes but I can't help wondering whether George Baker overdid the waiting tactics - the gelding was beaten just under ten lengths.
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