Selections for Saturday 13th of July 2024
1.45 Ascot
1 point each way Get It (9/1 Paddy power, 6 places or else 9/1 Generally, 5 places)
Get It comes into this race in good form having won on his last two starts. Since returning from Bahrain he won at Windsor off a mark of 88 and followed that by winning at Epsom off a mark of 92. The handicapper has bumped him up a further 4 lbs to a mark of 96 but he did finish third in a competitive handicap at Ascot last October off the same mark. That race was won by our second selection Badri. The drying ground will be in his favour and the draw in stall 17 is fine.
1 point each way Badri (12/1 Bet365/ William Hill/ Ladbrokes/ Coral, 5 places)
Badri won over course and distance back in October off a mark 4 lbs higher than he has now. He also finished second in this race last season off a 4 lbs higher mark. He seems to relish a stiff 5 furlongs and a strong pace he gets in these big field handicaps. He is drawn in stall 15 and I would be confident there is plenty of pace in the higher stalls to give them the advantage.
2.20 Ascot
1 point each way Ancient Rome (18/1 William Hill, 3 places or else 16/1 Generally, 3 places)
On official ratings Ancient Rome is the second highest rated in this field behind Sonny Liston. He won his first two starts after joining Charles Hills from France. He won a handicap at Goodwood before going onto win a Group 3 in America. He went off much too hard on his last start at Royal Ascot over 1m 2f, eventually finishing twelfth of fifteen. Now back down to 1 mile he could outrun his odds if bouncing back to his old form.
2.00 York
1 point each way Blue For You (11/2 888 Sports, 5 places or else 5/1 Generally, 5 places)
Blue For You is back down to a mark of 95 and that makes him dangerously well handicapped. He won this race last year off a mark of 99 and finished second in the 2022 renewal. All his best form is here at York and this looks like a plot job by his shrewd trainer David O’ Meara. Danny Tudhope takes the ride and he should hit the frame.
1 point each way Northern Express (9/1 Generally, 5 places)
Northern Express is another course specialist who showed he also retains ability when finishing second in the same race Blue For You was fourth in over course and distance back in May. He is very consistent and is a three times course winner. He might find one too good but he will run his usual solid race and I want him onboard as well, especially with most firms paying 5 places.
3.10 York
1 point each way Take Heart (25/1 Bet365, 6 places or else 25/1 Betvictor/ Ladbrokes/ Boylesports/ Coral, 5 places)
Take Heart is a progressive 4 year old who has run well on his last two runs in Cork. He was second on the first of those runs over 1m2f on soft ground, beaten by Nostringsattached who followed up with a win at Gowran. Take Heart was then stepped up to 1m 4f where he finished a solid fourth of ten. He just didn’t see out that longer distance and he will be more suited back at 1m 2f. The cheek pieces go on which should help this young horse in the finish. It’s interesting Johnny Murtagh has brought him over from Ireland and for that he is worth an each way interest at a price.
4.00 Newmarket
1 point each way Gorak (11/1 Paddy power/ Betfair, 6 places)
Gorak is in better form than results may suggest and is well handicapped on last year’s form. He will handle any conditions and was only a short head behind today’s strong favourite Carrytheone here at Newmarket back in May. He finished mid division in the Buckingham Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot but was on the wrong side and was a close second in his group. He was seventh in this race last season and is now 9 lbs lower so you would expect him to be hitting the frame with a bit of luck.
4.35 Newmarket
1 point each way Khaadem (20/1 Bet365/ Paddy power/ Unibet/ Betfred/ Boylesports, 4 places)
Khadeem did the service a huge favour when winning the Queen Elizabeth ll Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot for the second year in a row. He was 22/1 when tipped on that occasion and he is a similar price for this which is overpriced in my eyes. The drying ground will be very much in his favour and there looks plenty of pace on here as he likes to leave it late. Hopefully with a bit of luck the gaps will arrive for him late on and he will be finishing strongly.
**Date & Time of next Selections Friday 19th of July at 9pm..