Paul Ferguson has two selections for us on Saturday; Fastnet Tempest in the 3:00 at Ascot and Victory Bond in the 3:15 at York.
It’s King George day at Ascot, in which dual Oaks heroine Enable heads the market, for John Gosden and Frankie Dettori.
There is no doubting how dominant she has been against the three-year-old fillies and she might go and confirm that promise this afternoon, but she faces tougher opposition and appears tight enough around the 11-8 mark.
Earlier on the card Fastnet Tempest (3:00) looks worth another chance, having shaped better than the bare result in the Royal Hunt Cup.
The shorter trip shouldn’t be a problem – won the Victoria Cup over course-and-distance in May – especially if he is lit up in the first time blinkers and on much slower ground. He had the Royal Hunt Cup winner back in third that day and went on to score, despite things not going to plan, at Chester next time.
The ground is a slight concern, but he did win his maiden at Haydock on soft ground just over a year ago. Currently trading at 7-1, he looks worthy of each-way support for the in-form William Haggas yard.
Haggas saddles a couple in the Sky Bet York Stakes, with Hathal the pick of his runners, according to both official ratings and the market.
However, should all eight runners go to post, I would be slightly interested in his supposed second string Victory Bond (3:15) who, again, would be worth a small each-way investment (best price 11-1 at the time of writing) despite having plenty to find on these terms.
The lightly raced four-year-old shaped really well in a handicap here at the Dante meeting, before finishing seventh from an uncompromising position in the John Smith’s Cup a fortnight ago. The Medicean gelding relishes a bit of juice in the ground and it seems significant that his shrewd trainer is willing to run here rather than wait for a handicap at Goodwood next week. Drawn badly and forced wide throughout, he struggled to get involved last time and there was more promise in the run than the official result would lead you to believe.
I was looking forward to backing Victory Bond at Goodwood, so can’t resist a small bet this afternoon, with conditions looking favourable. He could easily run well and finish fourth in this company, but he remains held in high regard and it should be remembered that he took his chance in the Dante itself just 14 months ago. Those at the top of the market don’t look unbeatable, either.
Saturday’s selections:
3:00 Ascot: Fastnet Tempest; 7/1 William Hill
3:15 York: Victory Bond; 4/1 William Hill
Compare all today’s horse racing odds and bet at the best prices
