IT’s been an incredible week… so many highlights on the track — and a few lowlights for yours truly with the tips!
Finding winners — the hardest game in the world!
That apart, Royal Ascot has lived up to everything we could have hoped for.
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It seems a long time ago — but for me the standout winners this week were Charyn and Rosallion on the opening day, the powerpacked performance of Auguste Rodin on the Wednesday and, of course, Thursday’s incredible Gold Cup win by miracle-horse Kyprios.
I can’t wait for Saturday, though. It’s the day the horse I’ve been waiting for all week will strut his hooves!
Like me you will have all been there. That feeling inside when you really fancy one. The butterflies are fluttering even while I write this.
So here we go. The horse in question is not yet a household name - but it’s EBEN SHADDAD (4.25).
He runs in a fascinating Group 3 Jersey and should be a nice price.
My hope was in front of Haatem in the Dewhurst and then chased home that rival in the Craven at Newmarket at the start of the season.
That, though, was over a mile and this drop back to seven furlongs will be ideal for a horse who ran well but then weakened close home when seventh in the French 2,000 Guineas.
He will love getting back on fast ground.
Hopefully, he can give Kieran Shoemark a morale-boosting win. Eben Shaddad. Come on, my son.
Well we’ve made it to Day Five.
On the punting front it may have been tricky for some but, as a spectacle, Royal Ascot has been fantastic in the glorious sunshine.
On the interviewing front I’ve tried to grab every moment I could on ITV to bring you some humour and insight to this great game.
We get under way with the Chesham for two-year-olds over seven furlongs.
Godolphin have to start getting jiggy soon so I will side with AGE OF GOLD (2.30) for William Buick and Charlie Appleby.
The Frankel colt who cost 625,000 grand looked good but clearly has big talent.
He was green as grass on debut at Yarmouth but still won well and will have learnt a lot.
The Group 2 Hardwicke is over a mile and a half. St Leger hero CONTINUOUS (3.05) had today’s rivals Desert Hero and Middle Earth well beaten when landing his Classic and a fifth in the Arc suggested he is a fine prospect.
The only negative is this is first time out. But I suspect he will just be too classy for Ryan Moore and Aidan O’Brien.
The feature race of the day is the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes over six furlongs.
It’s very easy to argue that ART POWER (3.45) is better over five furlongs, but this is the first time he’s had fast ground in this contest and he might just bounce off it.
The Tim Easterby runner landed the Palace Of Holyroodhouse Handicap here in 2020, and was then third in this contest in 2023, eighth in 2022 and 12th last year.
He did bang in the Group 1 Champions Sprint here though when scoring at 40-1 at the end of 2023 and he’s the type who can land a shock.
The field is a little smaller than is sometimes the case and he might take a bit of catching today.
If you like a competitive handicap sprint then welcome to the Wokingham over six furlongs.
MUMS TIPPLE (5.05) was fourth in this contest last year off a mark of 100 and can go close off 96 this time for Richard Hannon.
I suspect that means my selection has a cracking each-way chance and, after five runs this term, he can’t get any fitter.
The Golden Gates Handicap for three-year-olds over a mile and a quarter is no easier but the one I like is PORTSMOUTH (5.40) who ran too free when beaten at Epsom last time but from a low draw can get tucked in and has every chance of a place at least.
Royal Ascot 2024 ends with the marathon Queen Alexandra, the longest Flat race in the calendar.
Dawn Rising had RUN FOR OSCAR (6.15) back in third when landing this last year and there is every chance he can go in again.
But the latter was a little unlucky and he might just reverse the form with a clear run from off the pace.
What a week it has been! Good luck and Yeeehaaa!
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