Selections for Saturday 19th of October 2024
1.20 Ascot
1 point each way Trawlerman (11/2 Generally, 3 places)
Kyprios has been the star horse in this division all season and again will be very hard to beat. He is priced accordingly and the only horse to beat him in this field is the Gosden trained Trawlerman. He got the better of Kyprios in last year’s renewal of this race and was the only horse to challenge when finishing second to him in this year’s Gold Cup at Ascot, beaten a length. He has had a short break since and will be fresher than his main rival who had a hard race at Longchamp on Arc day. The ground is the only concern as he is unproven on anything softer than good to soft but I’m sure this has been his target since Ascot and he is worth a punt at 11/2.
1.55 Ascot
1 point each way Kind Of Blue (12/1 Betfred, 5 places or else 12/1 Generally, 4 places)
This is a wide open sprint and conditions will suit the James Franshawe trained Kind Of Blue. He is drawn beside the well fancied Kinross in stall 17 and is related to former winners of this race in the likes of Deacon Blues and The Tin Man. He is unproven on the ground but is the most unexposed horse in the field and he has been progressive throughout the season. His last run at Haydock in the Sprint Cup was impressive when he was just denied by the re-opposing Montassib. He looked like a proper Group 1 winner in waiting and hopefully today he can achieve that title.
3.15 Ascot
1 point each way Facteur Cheval (15/2 Bet365/ Betvictor/ Coral, 3 places)
Charyn has been the star miler of the season and like Kyprios may be hard to beat but he has had a busy season and Facteur Cheval was a good second in this race last year behind the runaway winner Big Rock. He got the better of Tahiyra for second and it was 9 lengths back to Checkandchallenge in fourth. He was a Group 1 winner in Dubai on the turf at Meydan over 1 mile on good ground but he is just if not more effective on soft ground. At the prices he should be hitting the frame and is the angle I prefer for the race.
3.55 Ascot
2 points Win Calandagan (13/8 Generally)
I’d be sweet on the chances of Calandagan getting the better of his main rival in the market Economics. Economics is progressive but I feel Calandagan is the classier animal. He was impressive when winning the King Edward VII Stakes at Ascot by 6 lengths and was the only horse to challenge City Of Troy on his latest start in the Juddmonte Stakes at York. Both of those runs were on good to firm ground but Calandagan has form on soft ground in France and the only possible negative is his draw in stall 1 as he is a hold up horse.
1/2 point each way Royal Rhyme (28/1 Ladbrokes/ Coral, 3 places)
Royal Rhyme is worth a small each way saver at 28/1. He might not have the sexy profile of the two three year olds at the head of the market but of the older horses he has every chance of coming out on top especially if the ground turns heavy. Karl Burke has his string in great form at present and Royal Rhyme has a record of five wins from six runs with soft in the going description. His only defeat on soft ground came in this race last season where he was too free during the early stages of the race and failed to see it out. This year there is no clear pace angle and he may get a soft lead out front. Ascot is a track that favours front runners.
4.35 Ascot
1 point each way Bopedro (10/1 Skybet, 7 places or else 12/1 Generally, 5 places)
Bopedro is starting to become a frustrating horse that I have had in the tracker but haven’t landed on a going day with him yet. I am going to give him one last chance today with conditions in his favour. Trainer David O’ Meara has a good record in this race and Bopedro was an eyecatcher on his latest start when third of eighteen in the Challenge Cup here over 7 furlongs two weeks ago. He stayed on well on that occasion looking like the step back up to a mile was needed. He is 6 lbs lower than when fourth in this race last season and stable jockey Daniel Tudhope takes the ride.
1 point each way Mr Professor (12/1 Bet365/ Ladbrokes, 5 places)
Mr Professor was an impressive winner of the Lincoln at Doncaster for former trainer Dominic Ffrench Davis. That was on soft ground and he won easily from the front off a handicap mark of 92. He has disappointed twice since on good to firm ground and has changed trainers joining Raphael E Freire. He is now on a mark of 97 but will love these softer conditions and has had a good break since his last run back in June. If fully tuned up he could run a big race. He has run well fresh in the past which would give you optimism.
4.45 Catterick
2 points each way Vintage Clarets (4/1 Bet365, 3 places or else 7/2 William Hill, 3 places)
Vintage Clarets aims to win this race for the second year in a row and everything looks in place for that to happen. He is 1 lb lower than last year’s mark and is coming here on the back of a fine second at Ascot two weeks ago. We had him backed in that race too where he couldn’t reel in the front running Alcazan. He did make smooth headway from out the back to pass the rest of the field and from 2 lbs higher today he should go close again. He has won over course and distance and will enjoy the ground.
I didn’t tip him up but Mr Wagyu could be worth an each way bet in the 5.15. This is a drop in class for him after competing in big handicaps all season.
**Date & Time of next Selections Friday 25th of October at 9pm..