Selections for Thursday 20th of June 2024
2.30 Ascot
1 point each way Milford (18/1 Paddy power/ Betfair, 4 places)
We have picked up some nice money without finding a winner in these 2 year old races. Again we target a big priced horse in the shape of Milford. Trained by Karl Burke, this son of Kodiac was impressive on debut when winning at Hamilton over 5 furlongs on soft ground. He stretched well clear in the final furlong to win easily and like many of these is likely to take a significant step forward. He is drawn in stall 12 close to the favourite so he should be on the right part of the track to get involved if good enough.
3.05 Ascot
1 point each way Gilded Water (9/2 Skybet, 7 places or else 5/1 Paddy power/ Betfair, 6 places)
William Haggas won this race last year for the King and there is every chance he can repeat that success with Gilded Water this year. He improved with every run over a six week period. His latest run at Chepstow was over 1m 2f and he won that maiden by 7 ½ lengths. The handicapper has given him a mark of 92 but this first attempt at 1m 4f could be right up his street and he is bred to stay this trip. He is the horse with more potential improvement and he couldn’t have caught the eye in bigger fashion than on his latest start.
3.45 Ascot
1 point each way Rubies Are Red (16/1 Generally, 4 places)
Rubies Are Red is one of those horses that I find myself backing and although she doesn’t win much she usually runs into at least the places. She was poor in the Oaks at Epsom but she obviously didn’t handle the track and will be better suited by Ascots test. She failed to handle the undulations in the Lingfield Oaks as well but when straightened up she flew home to just fail against the re-opposing You Got To Me. She is a sister to found and this stiff straight at Ascot could suit her perfectly. The harder they go up front the better for her as she is all stamina.
4.25 Ascot
1 point each way Trawlerman (6/1 Bet365/ Ladbrokes/ Betfred/ Coral, 3 places)
Trawlerman has a British record that reads 111311 since being fitted with a hood so must be a solid each way bet around 6/1. The stand out piece of form was the way he out battled the re-opposing Kyprios over 1m 7f on goot to soft ground last October. He made a satisfactory seasonal reappearance at Meydan when third in the Dubai Gold Cup under not the best of rides by his jockey Kieran Shoemark. William Buick is back onboard today and it was between him or Vauban and I went with Trawlerman.
5.05 Ascot
1 point each way Qirat (8/1 Boylesports, 5 places or else 8/1 Generally, 4 places)
Qirat is a half-brother to Blue Stocking and will be suited by this step up in trip. He ran with promise last season and was gelded over the winter. He was a good winner over 7 furlongs at Goodwood off a mark of 88. The handicapper has bumped him up 4 lbs for that run but there is little doubt that there is more to come from him. The step up to 1 mile is a plus and he is drawn high in stall 29 which I also feel will be an advantage.
1 point each way Mickley (12/1 Boylesports, 5 places or else 12/1 Bet365/ Betvictor, 4 places)
Another horse who will be suited by the step up in trip is the Edward Bethell trained Mickley. He won his maiden at Southwell over 7 furlongs and backed that up by winning at Doncaster again over 7 furlongs. He has been raised 7 lbs for that win but deservedly so as he won it easily and was eased down at the line. He wasn’t stopping though and it was a good indication that this step up to a mile will suit. He is drawn in stall 15 which will give his jockey Callum Rodriguez options.
5.40 Ascot
2 points Win King’s Gambit (13/8 Boylesports or 6/4 Generally)
King’s Gambit took a significant step forward from his 2 year old campaign when winning the London Gold Cup on his seasonal reappearance. That handicap is renowned for producing Group horses and the fashion he won it on good ground would suggest King’s Gambit could be another. William Buick rode him for the first time in that handicap demolition and he retains the ride again. The Charlton’s are following the same path as Time Test and the way King’s Gambit won off a mark of 93 would indicate he has loads of ability.
6.15 Ascot
1 point each way Divine Libra (9/1 William Hill/ 888 Sports, 6 places)
The right man is onboard for Divine Libra to produce a career best today and he will need to if he is to win this. He comes here in good form after winning at Chester over 7 furlongs on his penultimate start. He won from stall 12 that day which would upgrade that performance on such a tight track. He backed that up by finishing third in a blanket finish at Newmarket over 7 furlongs off a mark of 94. The handicapper nudged him up a further 1 lb but he is in good form and enjoys this fast surface. I wanted to have a runner on this side of the draw and it was between him and Fresh.
1 point each way Kings Time (12/1 William Hill/ 888 Sports, 6 places)
Kings Time is drawn in stall 5 and if he had a high draw I would be more confident of this selection. However he is still unexposed and the twice he has run over 7 furlongs he has won with great authority. The first of those runs came at Leopardstown over 7 furlongs on good ground where he stayed on powerfully to get up close home. His second run at 7 furlongs was at Cork where he won a valuable Premier handicap by 1 ½ lengths again staying on really strongly through the line. He has gone up 11 lbs in the handicap but there is more to come from him and this stiff 7 furlongs should be perfect.
**Date & Time of next Selections Friday 21st of June at 10am..