Royal Ascot 2013 - Day 3

Rizeena landed our most confident bet of the day yesterday in some style. It put us nicely ahead for day two, and if we can collect on something again today we'll be in very good shape heading towards the latter half of the week.

Really good action again this afternoon, account bets in three of the six races.

2:30 Norfolk Stakes (Group 2) Cl1 5f CH4

Selections:

Coulsty 3pts win @ 7/1 (Generally, guaranteed)
Wind Fire 2pts win @ 16/1 (Bet 365, Stan James, Betpack.com, Ladbrokes, guaranteed)
Eccleston 2pts win @ 10/1 (Bet 365, Boylesports, Paddy Power, BruceBetting.com, guaranteed)

I feel I've a really good handle on the two year olds, and although we didn't bag a winner in the Windsor Castle my third and fourth choices finished first and second, somewhat frustratingly. Hence I'm keen to support all three of my fancies here. Coulsty made a hell of a debut for Richard Hannon and is underestimated at 7/1. He apparently wasn't wound up but beat his field senseless and quickened and lengthened in a manner similar to that which Rizeena did at Sandown. I have to admit having a few quid on at 33/1 for the Coventry before he was declared for this, such was the impression he created.

Wind Fire is Qatar Racing's second string. Their first string Green Door was came out fourth best for me here, suffice to say I hope it doesn't win! The selection was very green on both starts, but she has a terrific cruising speed and I think that's what you want for this race, as opposed to something that's going to stay six or seven furlongs. They will not hang about with No Nay Never in the line up and lightning quick ground; you want a horse who can travel comfortably. Interesting Jamie Spencer retains the ride, also interesting connections opted for this instead of the Queen Mary (maybe they'd seen Rizeena winning at Sandown!).

Eccleston is another who looks to have loads of speed. Sent off 5/4fav on debut, he made a good impression, in front travelling well around a furlong from home and doing everything asked of him quite easily. He looks very speedy and classy too, overpriced at 10/1. I went against Coach House because I think he'll stay further, and I feel you want an out and out speedball for this.

3:05 Ribblesdale Stakes (Group 2) (Fillies) Cl1 1m4f

Non Account Bet: Alive Alive Oh to win @ 9/4 (Generally) - N/R

No betting interest for us here, but Alive Alive Oh has ticks in all the right boxes for me and I think she should go close to winning. The price is a little skinny but she is clearly well fancied and I don't think the opposition are that good. Look out for Hollowina outrunning her 66/1 morning odds.

3:45 Gold Cup (British Champions Series) (Group 1) Cl1 2m4f

Selection:

Saddler's Rock 1pt each-way AND 2pts win @ 9/1 (William Hill, guaranteed, 8/1 generally guaranteed)

John Oxx's prayers seem to have been answered and the chance we took based on my extremely moderate weather forecasting abilities seems to have paid off. Ascot has avoided most of the rain and drizzly showers are the most I'd expect before 3.45pm. Saddler's Rock wants it like a road and the big field here should ensure a decent gallop which will suit. Last year's renewal was an absolutely brutal test, with a lack of pace leading to a sprint finish with some really hard rides and perhaps some horses not recovering. The fact that the selection was only a four year old and came out and won next time out speaks volumes for his constitution in my view. John Oxx seems confident he has him in better shape this year and although the formbook doesn't back that up, he has had excuses for most of his poor runs (saddle slipped last time) and I'm prepared to fully write off the latter half of last season. I think it is a wise move to send him here fresh, and I think he'll go close to winning. I'm surprised by his price, I make him something like an 11/2 shot and 8/1+ is too big.

4:25 Britannia Stakes (Heritage Handicap) Cl2 1m

Selections:

Newstead Abbey 1pt each-way AND 1pt win @ 20/1 (Ladbrokes, guaranteed, 20/1 generally guaranteed)
Secret Talent 1pt each-way AND 1pt win @ 20/1 (Stan James, Betpack.com, guaranteed, 18/1 Bet 365, Totesport, Betfred, guaranteed)

A minefield, and I'm taking a chance firstly that a low draw will be an advantage based on the evidence of yesterday and the lack of rain in between (also based partly on evidence from previous years). Newstead Abbey has greatly impressed me this year and looks very progressive. He has a nice draw in stall 7, and I feel he was unlucky not to win at Haydock last time, having been held up off a slow pace. His trainer knows what it takes to ready a handicapper for Ascot, and his strong travelling style should be well suited to this course. 25/1 is too big.

Secret Talent has course form behind Professor, in a race where it became clear the selection probably wants a mile to be seen at his best. Hughie Morrison often lays one out for this race, and his Sagramor landed this in 2011. It is interesting the selection has been left off since that Ascot race in May, and from stall 2 I quite fancy his chances. 18/1+ was too big and the booking of Jim Crowley is an excellent one in my view.

5:00 Tercentenary Stakes (formerly The Hampton Court Stakes) (Group 3) Cl1 1m2f

Non Account Bet: Remote to win @ 11/4 (Generally) - WON

No betting interest for us, but Remote has been visually very impressive on his last couple of runs and is in good hands with John Gosden and William Buick riding. He might even be overpriced based on the fact that Gosden hasn't been firing them in, but I think he could be better than these.

5:35 King George V Stakes (Handicap) Cl2 1m4f

Non Account Bet: Pether's Moon each-way @ 11/1 (Generally)

Again not a race I like to bet in. I think Pether's Moon was probably better than the bare result last time out, and he is taken to improve again for top connections.

Profit & loss: day: -17.00 / month: +33.90 / year: +43.56