I was also highly annoyed that SIS reported him as a non runner. To be honest, I did fancy Justineo in the race but thought Sovereign Debt had a smashing chance, and it was only upon hearing Sovereign Debt was a non runner that I posted a small bet on Justineo. In the event, everyone's bets were on, and we lost three more points than we should have.
The quite sad news today is that I have decided we won't be betting at Royal Ascot this afternoon. I have held off as long as possible, and there is more rain coming in from the south, we have been given no clear definition of what the ground is like, and having hauled back over 100pts in the last few weeks, I am completely against the idea of losing anything more to a silly pace or track bias which is unreadable before the race, or to ground which is a little better or worse than we had expected. Picking winners gets easier the more scientifically you treat it, and given that we're unable to draw definite conclusions today, we're sitting Ascot out. As it happens, I think Fame And Glory should win the Gold Cup and I was happy to be against The Fugue, but I won't make solid recommendations with the conditions in mind.
We have two bets at Ripon, however, which looks altogether more predictable.
5.10 Ripon Ever Roses 2pts each-way AND 2pts win @ 9/1 (Generally, get guaranteed)
Down to the bare eight here and with the rain at Ripon having changed the going, Ever Roses becomes a confident choice. She is a filly in against the boys, but there are three fillies, a mare, and four geldings in here so it doesn't make much difference to me. The selection received a very conspicuous ride last time out at Newcastle, a bit of a Midgeley/Fenton special, and she was never really asked to win (strange arm movements, never pulled out and asked for an effort). She has dropped a pound in the handicap for that, and having posted RPR's of 59 and 60 already this season, she looks capable of defying OR58 in this poor contest. The favourite looks solid enough form wise, but he is not to be trusted in a finish and must be taken on as a result. I don't think Captain Scooby is quite ready to win looking at Sandown evidence, many of the others are out of form but Ever Roses stuck out for me. She improved in her three year old season for the fitting of a visor, winning on heavy at Newcastle, and tends to run her best after a few weeks break (as she is today). There is pace on the rail here and I think she will get a tow into the race and the booking of P.J. McDonald is the icing on the cake.
5.40 Ripon Eastward Ho 4pts win @ 9/4 (Generally, get guaranteed) - WON
His profile has a progressive look to it and Eastward Ho should be more like 7/4fav here in my view. He confirmed he is as good on turf last time when battling on into second at Beverley having set a strong pace. His form looks more solid than Ela Gonda Mou's, and Tony Hamilton rides this track really well (fine judge of pace around here). The price is short enough but everything stacks up on the formbook and there is a case to be made that he should be shorter in this company, 4pts to win.
Profit & loss: day: +3.00 / month: +52.81 / year: -238.26
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