Wednesday's best bets, by Tony Paley
The vagaries of the British weather has resulted in the forecasters finding their jobs more difficult than predicting winners in this slot and last week was very tricky indeed for Carol Kirkwood and co. What that did mean was that Chris Stickels was sparing in his use of the watering can and Royal Ascot was run on fast ground.
It might not have suited all the runners and one of my bets, Sandive, looked pretty uncomfortable on the going as did others, but in general the form at last week's Flat highlight should work out well.
There were some obvious eyecatchers and the one that stood out to me was Stencive, who ran in the penultimate race on the final day. He finished second under Frankie Dettori from a very poor wide draw and looks just the type for the Ebor, a race his trainer is very keen to win.
The other one I want to particualrly follow from Ascot was Somewhat, who ran fourth in the opener on Saturday. Strictly on his previous runaway win he looked to have excellent prospects but was caught out for pace. He is bred to come into his own over longer trips and is definitely one to note in the late-season races for two-year-olds.
Donald McCain was successful at Carlisle in the Northumberland Plate 12 months ago with a progressive jumper in Lexi's Boy and has another who fits that bill today in the shape of Aazif (4.35).
At one time a progressive handicapper for John Dunlop, the four-year-old reverts to the level having finally got the hang of the jumping game, and his latest Aintree second took his figure in that sphere to 129. Off 84 today, he must surely take some beating this afternoon and looks a decent bet at the 11-2 available.
Tipping competition, day three
Our winners so far this week:
Monday
Jack My Boy 7-1
Ogbourne Downs 20-1
Green Park 25-1
Tuesday
Hamis Al Bin 12-1
Wadacre Sarko 4-1
Crimson Queen 14-1
And our leader is:
paragoncup +35
. . . who had Green Park on Monday and Crimson Queen yesterday. That, folks, is top tipping.
Today, we'd like your tips, please, for these races: 3.50 Salisbury, 4.05 Carlisle, 4.55 Salisbury.
This week, we're offering you a second chance to win a copy of Her Majesty's Pleasure, Julian Muscat's book about the Queen's involvement in horse racing which was named Racing Book of the Year at the recent Sports Book Awards. It seems a timely prize, with Royal Ascot having been last week. If you don't win, you can buy a copy here.
As ever, our champion will be the tipster who returns the best profit to notional level stakes of £1 at starting price on our nominated races, of which there will be three each day up until Friday. Non-runners count as losers.
If you have not already joined in this week, you can do so today, but you will start on -6.
In the event of a tie at the end of the week, the winner will be the tipster who, from among those tied on the highest score, posted their tips earliest on the final day.
For terms and conditions click here.
Good luck!
Click here for all the day's racecards, form, stats and results.
And post your tips or racing-related comments below.
