Selections for Saturday 22nd of June 2024
2.30 Ascot
1 point each way Pentle Bay (8/1 Bet365/ William Hill/ Ladbrokes, 4 places)
Pentle Bay was bought for 400000 at the Goffs London sale last Monday and can repay his new owners by running a big race here. He got up late on to win at Leicester earlier this month over 6 furlongs. The extra furlong here looks sure to suit as he had to come from near last to first to win that race off a strong pace. He is drawn next to the impressive Godolphin horse in stall 11 and I am hoping the two of those can challenge late on with the Coolmore horse drawn away in stall 3.
3.05 Ascot
2 points Win Middle Earth (2/1 Generally)
The key to Middle Earth seems to be the ground and this faster surface could give him the edge in a competitive race. Continuous was impressive when winning last year’s St Leger on soft ground but it’s his first run of the season and he is bound to come on for it. Middle Earth was impressive on his seasonal debut last month at Newbury when staying on really powerfully to get the better of the Godolphin trained King Of Conquest. Middle Earth’s only defeat in his last five runs was that St Leger run on soft ground so back on his favoured fast ground 2/1 looks fair.
3.45 Ascot
1 point each way Khaadem (22/1 Coral, 4 places or else 20/1 Ladbrokes, 4 places)
Khadeem sprung a shock in this race last year when winning at odds of 80/1. He is ¼ of those odds this year but at 20/1 he is still value getting suitable conditions for the first time since that race. He loves rattling fast ground and that seasonal debut at York was nothing more than a pipe opener for today. Jamie Spencer has jumped ship onto Mitbaahy which could be a tip in itself but Oisin Murphy steps in and he is hardly a bad substitute. In what looks a wide open Queen Elizabeth Khaadem looks a bit overpriced and is worth a small each way bet. Washington Heights is drawn in stall 10 and he likes to go forward so stall 12 is fine and he will give him a target to aim at.
5.05 Ascot
1 point each way Albasheer (15/2 Skybet, 8 places or else 17/2 William Hill, 6 places)
Holly Doyle and Archie Watson won this race last year with the re-opposing Saint Lawrence and I am hoping she has picked the right horse this year after picking Albasheer instead. Albasheer had a productive winter on the all weather winning twice at Newcastle off handicap marks of 99 and 105. Now back on turf he has a rating of 98 so looks to be 8 lbs well in. I also like Newcastle form as it is a stiff track similar to Ascot. We also know he handles the turf having dead heated with Summerghand at the York Ebor festival and then finishing fourth in the Ayr Gold Cup.
1 point each way Mums Tipple (16/1 Skybet, 8 places or else 16/1 Generally, 6 places)
The Richard Hannon trained Mums Tipple is another who will handle this quicker surface having finished fourth in this race last year on similar ground. He is now 4 lbs lower than last year and looks dangerously handicapped on last year’s evidence. There is likely to be a couple better handicapped but still he has a great chance of hitting the frame. I don’t know if stall 11 is in his favour as I am favouring those drawn high but hopefully he can run a big race. A strong pace on fast ground over 6 furlongs are his ideal conditions and that’s what he’ll get..
5.40 Ascot
1 point each way Arabic Legend (25/1 Paddy power/ Betfair/ Boylesports/ Coral, 5 places)
Non Runner
**Date & Time of next Selections Friday 28th of June at 9pm..