Saturday 11th May 2013

We were a little unlucky last night with George Cinq only being beaten by a canny ride from Franny Norton.

Evening selections may follow, details before 5.00pm.

2.05 Ascot Noble Alan 1pt each-way @ 20/1 (Generally, guaranteed) AND 1pt win @ Betfair SP - E/W 2nd

Not as good a race as it first looks on paper. Water has been applied to Swinley Bottom and looking at yesterday's evidence, it pays to race handy and you don't want to be held up right in rear. I find it interesting Nicky Richards sends Noble Alan down this far, and books Paul Hanagan to ride. The selection has a very good record fresh and has found his stride as a flat performer, with his win at Thirsk on his last start looking particularly strong. The second has gone on to post an RPR of 100 on his most recent start having won on his next run after Noble Alan beat him. It looks the best form on offer here and If the selection is ready to go, then his price is far too big.

3.50 Ascot Mabait 1pt each-way @ 40/1 (Generally, get 5 places guaranteed) AND 1pt win @ Betfair SP

I'm hoping the showers don't get into the ground for this one, at the moment satellite pictures suggest not. Mabait gets professional handling for the first time in a while today, ridden by a jockey who has given us a couple of great days here on Society Rock, Pat Cosgrave. I have an inkling he is drawn in the right place in stall 11, and his Ascot speed figures are above and beyond anything else in here. He has had a couple of prep runs, and I find it interesting connections did not send him to Dubai this year. The stable are in decent nick and if you can get 5 places each-way, then 40/1 looks huge.

4.25 Ascot The Tichborne 1pt each-way @ 12/1 (Generally, get guaranteed) AND 1pt win @ Betfair SP

Has a couple of seriously good pieces of Ascot form to his name. The draw is a question mark here but the selection seems to have been successfully reinvented as a sprinter and hold up tactics over six furlongs now seem to suit him ideally. I think he can improve again at his favourite track and 12/1 is too big. The stable have been in good form just lately and I don't see much in here to be scared of, for a horse who came third in the Britannia Stakes not so long ago.

Profit & loss: day: -2.00 / month: -49.50 / year: -42.34