DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
THURSDAY JUNE 18
2.30 ROYAL ASCOT
Ballydoyle often run some of their nicer long-term prospects in a race they traditionally have a good record over the years, but Aix La Chapelle didn’t come across as being a superstar when winning on his debut and at the prices, he is worth opposing with SEA VENTURE and NOLA SOUL.
The former represents a team who have produced several nice two-year-old winners so far this season and this daughter of Sea The Stars added her name to the list in taking fashion at Haydock 27 days ago.
Switched off at the back of the field early at the Merseyside track, she was brought with a steady run from two out and despite not getting the clearest runs through the pack, she found a useful change of gear to pick nicely and go clear once seeing daylight.
Posting a smart speed figure into the bargain, George Scott’s filly left the impression she would be even more at home over further in time, which is backed up by her pedigree, and with similar tactics applied, she can come through late again and be a threat to all.
One of the most imposing horses in the field undoubtedly is the latter and Fozzy Stacks’s colt is well worth his place in the line-up representing a team who trained the runner-up in this race last season in the shape of Thesecretadversary.
Like his stable companion, the son of Justify used the seven-furlong maiden at Leopardstown in mid-May to make his debut and despite taking a keen hod early and running green, he managed to go one place better by scoring at the first time of asking with a bit in hand.
Since that encouraging effort, the form has been boosted by the third and given how he strode out in the latter stages at the Dublin track, he has all the attributes to take to the Berkshire venue at the first time of asking.
SEA VENTURE – 1-point win@6-1
NOLA SOUL – ½ point each-way@11-1
3.05 ROYAL ASCOT
Owen Burrows landed this prize with Hukum back in 2020 and lightening could strike twice with his representative this year, HEYZOOM, a strong fancy to follow on from the impression he created at Newbury last time out.
It looked a warm contest on paper beforehand, and it ended being strongly run, which really suited the son of Dubawi given the way he found the line in the latter stages.
With all the data pointing towards it being a quality heat, it is always nice to see those in behind frank the form and that is exactly what has happened subsequently with the likes of Besieged, Echo Of Stars and Electric Dreams all winning next time.
Hailing from a family that impart plenty of stamina into their offspring, this likeable three-year-old has plenty in his favour and he warrants solid each-way support at his current odds.
HEYZOOM – 1point each-way@13-2 (six places)
4.50 ROYAL ASCOT
A race for which is hard not to be seduced into having a bet and it is a case of in for penny, in for a pound with MOONFALL and JAMESTOWN the recommendations at the prices.
The former caught the eye in a big way with his effort on seasonal debut at Chester and he did more than enough to suggest a decent handicap could go his way further down the line.
While his more fancied stable mate on the day, McMurray, organised himself into a challenging position from an early stage, this lad was languishing in the cheap seats but the way he finished off his race was very encouraging to say the least.
Thought good enough to race in Group 2 company as a juvenile, George Boughey’s inmate looks to have benefited from a gelding operation during the winter on the evidence of his effort on The Roodee and a big run looks on the cards from his potentially favoured draw.
The latter takes a bit more explaining, but he comes across as a horse with plenty of untapped potential and he could well be suited by today’s test.
He twice saw the backside of the progressive Bobby McGee earlier in the season and on each occasion, he left the impression he was the one with the most long-term promise.
Backing up that view with a deserved success at Dundalk last time out, he was more impressive the further the race developed and with a stride to suggest the galloping nature of the Berkshire turf will suit him well, David Marnane’s chestnut can follow in the footsteps of Settle For Bay, who landed the Hunt Cup for same connections in 2018.
MOONFALL – ½ point each-way@10-1 (six places)
JAMESTOWN – ½ point each-way@12-1 (six places)
6.10 ROYAL ASCOT
The Victoria Cup is often the key form guide to this contest and GREAT ACLAIM rates a strong choice to turn around tables on The Wizard of Eye and confirm placings with those in behind who reoppose.
As events transpired, the stands side was very much the place to be on the day a month ago and stall 12 didn’t do Eve Johnston Houghton’s gelding any favours.
However, despite that impost, he somehow managed to stay on best of those housed middle to low to finish a never-nearer second and it is easy to draw to the conclusion he was the best horse in the race.
Reacting well to the first-time blinkers, the five-year-old has form figures of 242 over the C&D and that record has every chance of staying intact with conditions to suit.
Of the rest, THE FINGAL RAVEN is too talented to resist at the prices despite seemingly having an unfavourable draw to overcome.
Jamie Osbourne’s gelding has been plying his trade out in the desert in recent times, and he has enjoyed a fair amount of success, winning once and hitting the money on three other occasions.
The son of Mehmas found all the trouble going when fifth behind English Oak two starts ago and he travelled supremely well on his latest outing only for his petrol gauge to run dry over an extra furlong.
Far too keen when seeing no cover from a middle draw in the Hunt Cup last season, he drops back to his optimum distance on his return visit and if switching off and conserving energy, he could easily prove to be a dangerous floater.
GREAT ACLAIM – ½ point each-way@16-1 (six places)
THE FINGAL RAVEN – ½ point each-way@40-1 (six places)