Royal Ascot 2013 - Day 5

A winner yesterday kept us ahead for the meeting but a big handicap winner has eluded us thus far and it would be nice to get one on board before the week's end to put us further into profit.

2:30 Chesham Stakes (Listed Race) Cl1 7f

Master Carpenter 1pt each-way AND 1pt win @ 10/1 (Generally, get guaranteed)

Tinga 1pt each-way AND 1pt win @ 16/1 (Generally, get guaranteed)

I'm not too keen on Somewhat here, he looks a smashing horse but he has a really high knee action and will be best in the mud in my view. He looked classy on debut, but may struggle to organise himself on this ground. Bunker also looks worth taking on, he won well on debut but it is hard to know how strong that form is and you have to question if he really merits his price?

Master Carpenter has always been highly thought of by the Millman stable, and his runs over six furlongs suggest seven furlongs plus will see him come into his own. His victory at Pontefract last time out typifies him, there's no frills, he's just a strong, mature, galloping two year old who gets the job done. At a double figure price I think he is well worth backing each-way and win.

Tinga represents a stable with a fine record in the race. Mick Channon's stable have come right into form this week and with stable jockey Martin Harley having already ridden a winner for him this week, she is taken to cause a minor upset at 16/1. She was very green on debut at Haydock, and it took a couple of smacks of the whip to get her focused and realising what was required of her. She picked up in taking fashion once she realised what it was all about, and there should be more to come over this trip. Her trainer has a knack of knowing which two year olds belong in this race and I think Tinga is overpriced at the current odds.

3:05 Hardwicke Stakes (Group 2) Cl1 1m4f

Ektihaam 4pts win @ 3/1 (Bet 365, Paddy Power, guaranteed, 11/4 generally guaranteed)

Entries in the King George VI and Irish Champion Stakes suggest Ektihaam is finally bound for the big leagues, after a career which looked at one point as if it would not take off. However, connections have been very patient with the four year old and front running tactics and the assistance of Paul Hanagan saw him break through the RPR 120+ level required to get competitive in Group 1 races. He set good fractions and good or good to firm ground at this trip should see him able to burn off most Group 2 rivals by getting them out of their comfort zone. Look out for a late challenge from Mount Athos and probably Sir John Hawkwood, but Hanagan has gone from the front and nearly tasted success already this week, he has a horse capable of landing the spoils under such tactics this afternoon.

3:45 Diamond Jubilee Stakes (British Champions Series & Global Sprint Challenge) (Group 1) Cl1 6f

Advised Ante Post 20/06/13: Mince 1pt each-way AND 2pts win @ 16/1 (Totesport, Betfred, guaranteed, 14/1 generally guaranteed)

Bombed out in her prep race but that was three weeks ago and that can be a long time with fillies. Royal Ascot was always her number one target, and with Roger Charlton in Group 1 winning form and James Doyle having his week of weeks, I think there is every chance of Mince taking her Ascot record to 3/3 and winning a first Group 1. She strikes me as the type who only does enough, two head victories, a head defeat and a short head defeat in a 14 race career attest to that. She therefore seems to me like the type who might well show up for the big day, and put her best foot forward only when she is 100% fit. Doyle will need to be really canny on her, she likes to race prominently but with the likes of Society Rock and Dandy Boy in the line up, something is always likely to pounce. At the prices, she looks a good bet to me, and if Society Rock doesn't win it again, I think Mince has the most scope for progression to take Black Caviar's crown.

4:25 Wokingham Stakes (Heritage Handicap) Cl2 6f

Prodigality 1pt each-way AND 1pt win @ 33/1 (Generally, get 5 places guaranteed)

York Glory 1pt each-way AND 1pt win @ 16/1 (Generally, get 5 places guaranteed) - WON

I'm basically looking for progressive handicappers who can handle the hustle and bustle of a big field for this race, but it does appear to me Prodigality and York Glory have remained somewhat overpriced, possibly because of the fact that neither has raced at Ascot. that is no reason to oppose them in my view, and with both horses having posted personal best Racing Post Ratings last time out and both looking well handicapped off OR101 and OR100 respectively, I think there is a strong case to be made for supporting both. It is impossible to know what the draw will do, both of these are drawn high so we can only hope for an even pace amongst the high drawn horses and even then you have to pray for gaps. Luke Morris and Jamie Spencer ride; two of my favourite pilots, and I'd be hopeful of picking up a place at least to cover the stake.

5:00 Duke of Edinburgh Handicap Cl2 1m4f

Non account Bet: Highland Castle each-way @ 14/1 (Generally)

Not a betting race for us, but take a look at Highland Castle's back class and you'll see he is very well handicapped - on a quieter day this would be a bet and he is worth backing at 12/1+.

5:35 Queen Alexandra Stakes (Conditions Race) Cl2 2m5f159y

Non Account Bet: Courtesy Call each-way @ 8/1 (Generally)

No real betting interest here, but for those of you still at the track and in the money, Nicky Henderson's Courtesy Call appears to have been laid out for this and should run a good race for each-way backers.

Profit & loss: day: +19.00 / month: +65.90 / year: +75.56