Selections for Friday 21st of June 2024
2.30 Ascot
1 point each way Twafeeg (15/2 William Hill, 4 places or else 15/2 Ladbrokes, 3 places)
We stick with the usual opening race combination of Hollie Doyle and Archi Watson and hopefully this one can get her head in front. She is a fine big imposing filly who was better than the finishing distance when winning on debut at Doncaster. She was awkward out of the stalls that day and was as green as could be in the final furlong, almost pulling herself up and changing legs. She should improve plenty for that effort and is exciting.
1 point each way California Dreamer (25/1 William Hill, 4 places or else 25/1 Ladbrokes, 3 places)
California Dreamer is another I want to keep onside coming from stall 3. She was only 1 length behind today’s favourite Fairy Godmother on her last run when finishing third at the Curragh over 6 furlongs. She led to the last 100 yards that day and just got gunned down by Fairy Godmother and the Dermot Weld trained Sparkling Sea. David Egan might ride her with a bit more restraint today and it wouldn’t surprise me if she came forward again for that run. At 18/1 she is a nice each way price.
3.45 Ascot
1 point each way Porta Fortuna (11/2 Bet365, 3 places or else 5/1 Generally, 3 places)
This is a hot race but the one I like at the odds is the Donncha O’ Brien trained Porta Fortuna. She will handle this quick surface fine and has course form after winning the Albany on this card 12 months ago. She followed that with a win at Newmarket when winning the Group 1 Juddmonte Cheveley Park Stakes over 6 furlongs. She was second at Santa Anita in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf. She reappeared this season in the 1000 Guineas when just denied by the re-opposing Elmalka. Porta Fortuna is a rock of consistency and is the most likely to run up to form again.
4.25 Ascot
1 point each way Shadow Dance (13/2 Generally, 5 places)
Shadow Dance hasn’t run since last October and has been gelded in the meantime. He took a significant step forward on his handicap debut at Haydock last September when stepped up to 1m 3f. He followed that with a second at Newmarket on soft ground over 1m 4f. He travelled the strongest that day and just failed in the final strides. That was off a handicap mark of 88 and he has been raised to a new mark of 94. Roger Varian has kept him fresh for this meeting and he has run well off a break before. Stall 19 is fine.
1 point each way Deakin (15/2 Generally, 5 places)
Joseph O’ Brien won this race last year with Okita Soushi and he could have a lively contender this year in the shape of Deakin. He won a maiden last September at Roscommon over 1m 3f and followed that by winning a handicap over 1m 4f on soft ground at Thurles. On his seasonal reappearance he was collared by the re-opposing Crystal Black, that was over 1m 2f on good ground at the Curragh.He has been raised a further 3 lbs to a mark of 97 but he is still unexposed.
5.05 Ascot
1 point each way Nocturnal (25/1 Paddy power, 7 places or else 22/1 Skybet, 8 places)
Nocturnal looks overpriced here for trainer James Ferguson. She won at Lingfield over 7 furlongs on her second start last August. That was on good to firm ground so she should handle conditions today. She won on her seasonal reappearance at Wolverhampton again over 7 furlongs at Wolverhampton. She has been given a handicap mark of 89 and is sure to stay this mile.
5.40 Ascot
1 point each way Space Legend (4/1 William Hill/ Bet365/ Betfred/ Betway, 4 places)
Aidan O’ Brien has a strong hand in this and it may be unwise trying to take him on but I do like the look of Space Legend for trainer William Haggas. He won on his seasonal debut at Leicester over 1m 2f and followed that with an unlucky second over 1m 3f at Goodwood. He was on the inside and couldn’t find daylight until the furlong pole. He then rattled home just denied by the winner Meydaan. The step up to 1m 4f should suit and he is still very unexposed.
6.15 Ascot
1 point each way Vantheman (8/1 Generally, 6 places or else 15/2 Skybet, 7 places)
A tricky handicap to end the day but I do feel Vantheman is worth an each way bet at around 8/1. His form has improved since a gelding operation over the winter and he won on his seasonal debut at Newcastle over 5 furlongs. He stayed on strongly through the line there and there is a stiff finish at Newcastle similar to Ascot. He was second on his last run at York behind the re-opposing favourite Jubilee Walk. The big disadvantage Vantheman had that day was the draw as the first three home were drawn in low stalls while he was in stall 13.
**Date & Time of next Selections Friday 21st of June at 9pm..