Ascot Betting: King George and the Saturday card

Events / Andrew Hughes / 25 July 2008 / Leave a Comment

Don't say we aren't generous here at Betfair. Andrew Hughes' preview of Saturday's Ascot action includes a brief guide to each race, mention of noteworthy contenders and each horse's best speed figure from the last year for good measure.

2:00 Winkfield Stakes (Listed) 7f

A mixed bag of two year olds though there appear to be no outstanding candidates. Prime Delivery won his maiden well enough but had a rough time of it in the July Cup. John Gosden's Doctor Crane is undefeated in two races for the stable that saddled last year's winner.

Prime Delivery 71
Taking Hands 70
Lucky Redback 68
Grand Honour 64
Wildcat Wizard 63
Doctor Crane 62
The Legal Blonde 56

2:35 Princess Margaret Stakes (Group 3) 6f

A strong field of classy two-year-old fillies where speed will be of the essence. Rosabee is a bargain buy from an unfashionable stable and has been running well in nurseries, though is exposed. Danidh Dubai finished ahead of a number of these in the Albany Stakes and Kissing The Camera won on her debut for a stable noted for handling speedy fillies.

Rosabee 73
April Pride 72
Moss Likely 71
Sweet Applause 71
Rose Diamond 70
Excellerator 69
Aunt Nicola 69
Peper Harrow 68
Sea Of Leaves 68
Danidh Dubai 67
Oasis Breeze 67
Royal Raider 67
African Skies 67
Carina Nebula 65
Pyrrha 65
Ares Choix 62
Kissing The Camera 61

3:05 Emirates MDB Cup (Heritage Handicap) 1m

A highly competitive dash up the straight mile for three year olds. Yaddree has been quietly campaigned but ran really well to finish third in the Brittannia Handicap here at the Royal Meeting. Perfect Stride is a nice looking, well-regarded horse stepping back in class here after a tilt at the 2000 Guineas and Always A Rock has been running up a sequence in handicaps.

Yaddree 80
Lazy Days 80
Fathsta 80
Always A Rock 77
Insaaf 77
Al Muheer 75
Strategic Mission 75
Yamal 75
Navajo Joe 75
Transfer 73
Perfect Stride 71
Arctic Cape 70

3:40 International Stakes (Heritage Stakes) 7f

An enormous field of top handicappers closely matched on speed figures. Luck in running will play a part and form from the Victoria Cup, Bunbury Cup or Buckingham Palace Stakes is worth looking at. Lovelace was runner up in the Bunbury Cup and gets into this off a lower mark whilst the appropriately named Giganticus looked to be coming to hand when fifth in that race. Blot on the handicap could be Musaalem, a lightly raced and undefeated four year old with the high cruising speed to cope with the hurly burly here.

Lovelace 86
Excusez Moi 85
Giganticus 84
King's Apostle 84
Mastership 84
Zaahid 83
Hitchens 83
Redford 83
Vainglory 83
Gallantry 83
Musaalem 82
Capricorn Run 82
Plum Pudding 82
Artimino 81
Dhaular Dar 81
Masai Moon 80
Mujood 80
Slugger O' Toole 80
Laa Rayb 80
South Cape 79
Presumptive 78
Russki 78
Dream Theme 77
Jedburgh 77
Burnwynd Boy 76
Thebes 76
Carniolan 76
Underworld 75
Big Noise 75

4:20 King George and Queen Elizabeth Stakes 1m4f

As ever, class is the overriding factor. Youmzain was runner up here last year and is at his peak. Duke Of Marmalade has carried all before him this year but there remain slight stamina doubts. No such doubts for Ask, another of the older middle distance types Sir Michael Stoute does so well with. Lucarno is likely to make the running.

Youmzain 91
Duke Of Marmalade 88
Ask 88
Lucarno 87
Papal Bull 85
Macarthur 85
Red Rock Canyon 84
Petara Bay 80

4:55 Longines Handicap (Ladies Race) 7f

A card full of journeymen handicappers make this a tricky handicap to solve and there have been some big priced winners of this in recent years. Bomber Command was runner up here last year and has a decent course record whilst Carcinetto won nicely last time.

Daaweitza 81
Carcinetto 80
Southandwest 80
Secret Night 80
King's Bastion 79
Bomber Command 78
Compton's Eleven 78
Paveroc 78
Obezyana 78
Salient 77
Jilly Why 77
Tiger Dream 77
Hazzard County 76
Kensington 76
Golden Desert 75
Bold Marc 75
Rambling Light 75
Nice To Know 74
Blue Java 74
Middlemarch 73
Ninefineirishmen 68

5:30 Canisbay Bloodstock Handicap 6f

A modest looking three-year-old handicap to finish. Sudden Impact was once thought to have Oaks potential but has had a poor season thus far. Candela Bay is the least exposed and quickened away nicely at Salisbury last time.

Sudden Impact 76
Honey Monster 75
Rubirosa 73
Silver Wind 73
We Have A Dream 72
I Confess 72
Sam's Cross 71
Farthermost 71
Fly Kiss 71
Autumn Blades 70
Mistress Cooper 70
Candela Bay 69
Emperor Jade 69
Averoo 69