All eyes are on Royal Ascot which kicks-off Tuesday, of which more later, but for a change the Sunday meetings here are of a reasonable standard and there should be a few eye-catchers emerge from racing at Salisbury and Doncaster.
Colleague Ron Cox has had a look at today's races and has napped Musaalem 2.35pm at Doncaster. I had a look at this runner when he was due out last week and would concur with the selection. Musaalem was pulled out when the rain turned the ground testing but it will suitably fast today and the drop in trip will also be in his favour. He has always worked like a good horse at home.
2.30pm Look Here and Zarkava tasty ante-post wagers
Fillies come into their own in the autumn is a wise old racing adage and I'm counting on both Look Here (10-1) and Zarkava (7-1) doing just that in the St Leger and Arc de Triomphe. Both are available at Ladbrokes at those odds.
The pair are being targeted at the respective events and are going to be fresh as connections are planning to give them a light summer campaign ahead of their major autumn targets.
I was at Longchamp on Arc day last year when Zarkava was so impressive in victory. She has subsequently won all her three races, seemingly with plenty in hand, and they include the French 1,000 Guineas and Oaks. She won't mind if the going is softish, as it traditionally is on Arc day, and looks set to improve for the longer trip. While her rivals in the ante-post betting are slugging it out in the big races in midsummer she will be at home with her hooves up preparing for her Arc trial in September.
Look Here won the Epsom Oaks with authority and is a guaranteed stayer where the Leger is concerned. The Doncaster Classic is her stated target and her underrated trainer, Ralph Beckett, plans to give her just one more race in the meantime as she is a filly who goes well fresh. I was taken by her attitude in defeat at Lingfield and in victory at Epsom and the 10-1 looks a very fair price at present.
2.45pm Ascot wait on the weather
Ascot clerk of the course Chris Stickels is planning to water the straight course tonight if the forecast rain does not fall. The going at the track is currently good, with some good to firm patches, but Stickels is anticipating showers this afternoon. Stickels said: "At present the course is good, with some good to firm in places. We are forecast to get some showers today but if they don't materialise we will water the straight course tonight."
The weather forecast strongly suggests there will be no major changes in the ground this week with no significant rain forecast to fall in the Ascot area which means punters can start studying this week's superb meeting with that in the back of their mind.
I have had Milne Graden in mind for next Saturday's Duke Of Edinburgh Handicap (5.00pm) since he won at Goodwood in May. Apparently the yard have had the race in mind for 18 months! The icing on the cake will be a high draw. Paddock expert Ken Pitterson has mentioned on Racing UK just now that the Michael Stoute-trained Dr Faustus (3.05pm Friday) won at Newmarket on 2,000 Guineas day despite looking seriously in need of the race -- he will merit a very close look in the King Edward VII Stakes. Heaven Sent (3.05pm Wednesday) is another Stoute runner to catch the eye.
One horse who is very unlikely to be running at Royal Ascot is Zero Tolerance but he is definitely one to bear in mind when there is cut in the ground. This one is thrown in off his current mark on his best form and is well clear on Racing Post Topspeed ratings for the competitive Hunt Cup at the Royal meeting.
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