Alan Thomson, the former Racing Editor at the Daily Record, puts up four tips for Ascot’s King George card and one at Newmarket. View selections below.
MELBOURNE Cup winner DUNADEN (4.35) is the value bet to upstage a few of his more fancied rivals in the Betfair-sponsored King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot. He endured a desperate run behind Sea Moon in the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot but fairly flew home when belatedly finding some elbow room. Dunaden is reunited with regular jockey Craig Williams and the combination should go well at an each-way price. Sea Moon is vying for favouritism with class acts Nathaniel and St Nicholas Abbey but is half the price of unlucky Dunaden.
The Ascot card boasts an embarrassment of riches and the Queen’s flag-bearer, CARLTON HOUSE (3.20), can take this drop in trip in his stride in the Summer Mile. The form of his second to So You Think in the Prince of Wales’ Stakes at Royal Ascot is the best on offer and his previous win in the Brigadier Gerard Stakes was another sterling run.
A whole army of seasoned handicappers go to war in the International Stakes and course specialist HAWKEYETHENOO (3.55) can play a prominent role once again in the finish. The Scottish-trained raider, winner of the 2011 Victoria Cup over course and distance, will appreciate the return to handicap company, over an extra furlong, after acquitting himself with credit in the July Cup at Newmarket on unsuitable ground. His third to Dandy Boy and Waffle in the Wokingham here over six furlongs wasn’t too shoddy, either.
SUN CENTRAL (5.10) has been brought along steadily by William Haggas and is launched into a competitive handicap after mopping up a Chester maiden three weeks ago. The extra two furlongs here should suit this son of Galileo and Joseph O’Brien is an interesting booking.
Jessica Harrington is a rare visitor to Newmarket and BIBLE BELT (3.10) can be a revelation at HQ. Her filly chased home Dancing Rain in a Group 2 at Ascot last October and this drop into Listed class can reap its reward.
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Tally Ho
Alan
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