Paul Ferguson has othree selections from Royal Ascot for us on Saturday; Mahsoob in the 3.05, Eagle top at 3.40 and Wicklow Brave at 5.35. Compare odds and bet.
Impressive in winning handicaps at Newbury and York this season Mahsoob (3:05) can maintain his unbeaten record in the Wolferton Handicap.
The Dansili colt has gone up a further 9lbs for his most recent success and this is likely to be his final handicap before he heads into Group company (did also hold an entry in the Hardwicke at five-day stage). Engaged in the Eclipse and the King George later in the season, he can outclass his 15 opponents and provide John Gosden with a third win in the race in the past five years.
Gosden could be set for a big day, as Eagle Top (3:40) is taken to improve significantly from his recent return at Sandown and land the aforementioned Hardwicke Stakes.
With conditions ideal, last year’s winner Telescope deserves his place at the head of the market, but he faces a couple of serious opponents in the shape of Eagle Top and Luca Cumani’s Postponed who ought to appreciate the step back up in trip.
Likewise, the selection will also relish returning to 1m4f and was impressive when winning the King Edward VII Stakes over course-and-distance at last year’s meeting. Around 2 lengths behind Telescope in the King George on his final start at three, the Pivotal colt appealed as the type to improve again this year and, with that run under his belt in the Brigadier Gerard (winner ran well in Prince Of Wales’s Stakes earlier in the week), he should be ready to peak.
Gosden’s Marzocco should go well in the concluding Queen Alexandra Stakes, but Willie Mullins and Ryan Moore are fancied to successfully team up once again, with County Hurdle winner Wicklow Brave (5:35).
The six-year-old is two from two under Flat rules and, while he has much more on his plate this afternoon, he ought to appreciate the trip and the ground (despite being successful on bad ground over hurdles and so far on the level).
At a much bigger price, take a second look at Brave Richard who has really impressed in winning three bumpers for John Jenkins and is more than capable of out-running his odds. This looks fairly competitive for a Queen Alexandra, however, and it is quite a stiff ask on his first start on the Flat.
Saturday’s selections:
3:05 Royal Ascot: Mahsoob; 2/1 Coral.co.uk
3:40 Royal Ascot : Eagle Top; 4/1 Stan James
5:35 Royal Ascot: Wicklow Brave; 11/8 Paddy Power
Compare all today’s horse racing odds and bet at the best prices
Paul Ferguson’s Jumpers To Follow 2014-15
Pre order now, published early September in good time for the new season: Just £9:95 inc p&p
* order online www.cc-publishing.co.uk
* or, send a cheque payable to ‘The Racing Insider’ to PO Box 98, Liverpool L9 1WY (with address details)
Fellow Betrescue columnist and Bet Victor’s Charlie McCann says: “It really is a privilege to write the foreword for such an informative and well-researched publication, which continues to go from strength to strength.”
- £359.70 profit to a level stake £10
- Iinc Cheltenham winners Faugheen, Very Wood (33/1) & O’Faolains Boy
