I love Ascot again, it's great
2.30
BIKINI BABE (12.0) looks worth a bet here, had no chance on the slow strip at Newcastle on debut (also lost front shoe) but was impressive at Sandown over this trip last time and should go well here.
PARTY DOCTOR (18.0) and
BIG AUDIO (21.0) are 2 others I like at decent odds so smaller bets on those.
IZAAJ looks a solid place lay, he's a small sort who will struggle in this class - he won a poor race last time where the 2nd has been beaten in a class 6 race and the 3rd beaten in a class 5. I place-layed him early at 5.0 thinking that was short enough but he's now 4.2
I've layed him again at those odds as I'm sure he'll drift out once they see him in the paddock / on TV.
3.05
DOCTOR FREMANTLE looks way too short at 2.78 for this Gp2 - his biggest wins have been in Gp3 company, and at Chester to boot. He's often keen in his races which is probably why the sharp turns of Chester suit him, drawn on the outside on this galloping track will be dead against him. Lack of quality opposition prevents me from place-laying him so just a win lay.
As long as Dettori doesn't fuck up,
CAMPANOLOGIST (3.4) has a great chance to make all. Drawn on the rail with mostly hold-ups in opposition, if Frankie can get the fractions right I can't see anything getting past him. Won in this class over CD last year from the front, beating the subsequent St Leger winner - this is his first run back over 10f. A rock-solid back-to-lay as I'm sure he'll either make all or trade very short in defeat.
4.25
Fuck knows how the track bias will ride today after watering
and rainfall. Still favour the stands side although wouldn't bank on it. This is very much a younger horses race...
age - wins..places..unplaced...win %
4yo - 3......8......63......4.1%
5yo - 5......7......49......8.2%
6yo+ - 1......7......78......1.2%
My shortlist is...
JIMMY STYLES (6.4)
GENKI (12.0)
PROHIBIT (42.0)
VAN BOSSED (55.0)
PROHIBIT is especially interesting at a price - best form when fresh (2116) where the 2nd was his racecourse debut and the 6th was a good effort in Listed class.