Events / Geoffrey Riddle / 26 September 2009 / 1

It's QEII Stakes Day at Ascot and the Riddler is blogging live from the course with all the latest market movers, talk around the track and post-race reaction. Email him with your views at theriddleratbetfair@gmail.com.

5.45pm
Well team. I've guzzled a few real ales since RVW's victory in the QEII and I think it is about time to disperse into the Ascot twilight. The 'Hop Monster' is my personal favourite, a citrusy blast that really tastes of something, rather than just a warm pint of amber slop. The next best was 'Posh Pooch'. They were quite beautiful. Look 'em up.

I'll let you know the rest tomorrow when I'll be back here for Ascot's six race card, and a few pony races for good measure. And I do mean ponies, not what some of you might have felt I meant. Good night.

5.25pm result:
1: Kimberly Downs
2: Woolfall Treasure
3: Mith Hill
Despite never having raced over 2m, or even won on turf, the Mark Johnston runner galloped them into the ground there. It was a facile victory for Kimberly Downs and Louis-Philippe Beuzelin kept him going all the way to the line.

Kimberley Downs didn't look like stopping, either, and the grey cantered right the way around the Ascot bend, about two furlongs beyond the finishing line. Where's Tommo when you need him to ask: "Oh, Oh, hey big fella, you look like you could go round again!"

As for the other grey, Woolfall Treasure, the market spoke correctly, and punters backed him to beat Sweetheart, despite the sweating up. Sweetheart could only manage fourth or fifth. Either way, not good enough.

5.15pm
Woolfall Treasure is absolutely dripping sweat. It's not even hot here anymore, either. Although it is easy to simply write off his chances due to this fact, I'm not sure his form is good enough anyway. You can lay Gary Moore's charge in a matchbet with Sweetheart at [2.02], which is a bargain.

There's are two front-runners in this, so they could go a pace. Penang Princess and Mith Hill both like to run in that fashion, so a cheeky back-to-lay might work.

Sweetheart is my idea of the winner, though. She's got the word 'sweet' and a heart etched into her coat. Awww...

4.50pm result:
1: Golden Stream
2: Red Dune
3: Greenisland
A royal winner no less! Jockey Golden Stream wandered a bit under pressure but Ryan Moore shacked her up against the rail and she stayed on, much to the pleasure, no doubt, of Her Majesty, who is here today.

Now antepost punters need to make a decision. Both Woolfall Treasure and Sweetheart are entered in the Cesarewitch, so if you fancy either of them for the lucky last, it would be best to get on them now for the second leg of the autumn double. Woolfall Treasure can be backed at [25.0] for the 2m2f marathon on Betfair, while Sweetheart is trading at [17.0].

4.15pm result - Queen Elizabeth Stakes
1: Rip Van Winkle
2: Zacinto
Don't worry. I'm still here. It's not as if I've won the Euro Millions or anything. When the gates opened and Aqlaam leapt out and contested the lead, I was slightly worried. There was also a pang of doubt inside the final two furlongs were it looked like the Delegator, and then Zacinto, would overhaul the champ. But the power and stamina was there for all to see and RVW was just too good.

William Hill had the temerity to go 4-6 in the ring about five minutes before, which was simply impossible to resist. I trousered a princely sum, and although I missed the betting details on Betfair, RVW must have traded at better than [1.66] at some point during the race?

RVW has been cut by most high street layers from 4-1 to around 11-4 for the Breeders Cup at Santa Anita in November, although Hills have once again gone to get him, and have chalked up 7-2. On Betfair you can get [4.3].

Value seekers though, should consider steaming into Goldikova for the Breeders Cup Mile, because without RVW in the line up, she'll be a hell of a lot shorter than the [1.88] she currently trades on the exchange. If you want to wait, she runs in the Prix de la Foret at Longchamp on Saturday.

As for Zacinto, it was a thoroughly impressive run. I don't know what the sectionals were, but considering how tamely Aqlaam fell away, it must have been a searing pace.

Teddy Grimthorpe, Khalid Abdullah's racing manager, suggested that the Champion Stakes at Newmarket might be an option for the Sir Michael Stoute-trained runner. None of the high street bookies have got a price about the son of Dansili for the Champion on October 17th, but on Betfair you can basically ask for what you want because at the time of writing he's [3.7] to back and [7.0] to lay.

Grimthorpe, by the way, had a shocking shoe-sock combination. The trilby-wearing manager was sporting the Henry Cecil look, you know, the loafer with buckle and short trousers. But unlike Cecil, who probably is the chicest man in racing, Grimthorpe thought it a good idea to pair black shoes with white socks. Is he a Michael Jackson fan?

4pm
Right no more dilly-dallying around. This is where the money will be made. I've steamed into RVW. I'm taking no prisoners, and this game will take no prisoners with me if he loses.

My only fear now is the ground. The tannoy has just announced that the going has changed to good to firm. Given the ease with which Advanced and Proclaim stayed on, it leads me to think that Delegator has a better chance than he had this morning.

Johnny Murtagh clearly hopes to run the sting out of the finishes of his rivals. He will leap out of his stall and eat up the ground to post monstrously quick sectionals. But on this lightening ground, Delegator's speed, and don't forget Aqlaam's acceleration, will be a more potent weapon. I'm in to the hilt though, so unless I can do better on course than Betfair's [1.64], I'm helpless until 4.16pm....

3.40pm result - The Challenge Cup
1: Advanced
2: Axiom
3: Something
3: Proclaim
4: Giganticus
5: Mister Hardy
Amy Ryan used her 5lbs allowance to drive Advanced over the line. It was the first time in nine attempts that the Kevin Ryan-trained horse had won over seven furlongs, a stunning training achievement.

The proximity of Proclaim, who is also a sprinter, must throw up questions about why it is so easy to get the trip on this lightening quick ground. It's no surprise that they all tracked over to the far side, either, as highlighted earlier, and if you look at where all the horses were berthed, all were drawn in the 20s, apart from Axiom, who was in 19.

The exacta, by the way, paid out in the region of a monstrous £600 for those lucky enough to nail the forecast. Thanks for alerting me to that Simon from Barnstaple. Veuve Clicquot or Bollinger will that be sir? I threw three arrows at this race and didn't make a bean. Grrr.

3.25pm
Ok. Just to remind you all that in yesterday's big sales race, nine of the first ten home raced on the far side. That's those drawn in the high-numbered stalls. The reason for this might possibly be that the ground is actually faster on that side, as proven by the GoingStick readings taken across the track.

If you still haven't got a copy of the Racing Post, the great Seagull has gone for Castles In The Air and Seek N' Destroy in his Pricewise column. He is a genius, but if I had to choose one of them, which I have, I've backed Castles In The Air.

The jockey, Barry McHugh won the Bronze and Silver Cups at Ayr last week, so should have the sort of big-race temperament necessary for these handicaps. His 5lbs claim will be useful in off-setting the 4lbs hike for finishing second to Brave Prospector at the St Leger meeting.

He finished ahead of Jimmy Styles that day as well, and if anyone saw the Morning Line today, handicapper Phil Smith was quick to highlight that horses which finish second, and are raised in weight for doing so, outperform the stats for average wins.

I've also backed Swift Gift from stall 26. Brian Meehan's charge loves the trip, going and, Ascot. What's there not to like about him?

Bill Esdaile, the PR man from Square in the Air, which covers Boylesports , is sweet on Dhaular Dhar. The seven-year-old finished fourth in this race last year, and is better off in the weights with most of the rivals that he has encountered this season. He's a massive price, too at [26.0].

Finally, Frankie Dettori has replaced Keiren Fallon on Axiom. Blimey. I wouldn't want to have been the guy who told Fallon that?

3.05pm result - Fillies' Mile
1: Hibaayeb
2: Lady Darshaan
3: You'll Be Mine
If there was anyone wondering about whether it pays to supplement after Godolphin blew most of the £20,000 on entering Vale of York and Frozen Power in the Royal Lodge, stop now.

Owner Mohammed Al Nabouda stumped up the necessary £20,000 to supplement Hibaayeb into the Fillies' Mile, and got back £123,758.60 for his efforts. I bet he needs that 60p, too.

Hibaayeb was the first maiden to win this Group 1 for 37 years, which is a staggering achievement for the wonderful winning trainer, Clive Brittain. And yet Brittain, who is a master at nicking place money, hasn't got a horse for the four-runner Queen Elizabeth II Stakes. Why not?

Prize-money is £13,425 for fourth in the big race. Surely someone could have entered something that might beat Zacinto?

3.04pm
"Do you think that Ballydoyle still haven't found what they are looking for with regards to the next year's Derby number 1, because Joshua Tree isn't it," writes William.

A nice try at a bit of cryptic there William. The old U2 link, eh? Joshua Tree is of course the fifth studio album of the Irish Band, and "I still haven't found what I am looking for" is a song from that album.

I was trying to be smart and link that to You'll Be Mine, which I thought was a song by Guns N' Roses, but in fact it is actually You Could Be Mine. So I didn't.

3.00pm
In perhaps a tilt to the future, Long Lashes picks up the prize for the best turned out. The Godolphin runner is now favourite at [4.1], and shortening every minute. You'll Be Mine trades at 10-3 joint favourite on course.

2.30pm result: The Royal Lodge Stakes
1: Joshua Tree
2: Waseet
3: Vale of York
The 'ding-dong' sounds and the finishing positions remain unaltered. Owner of Joshua Tree, Derrick Smith, expressed surprise at his colt's success, especially 'on this ground'. It's fair to say he is proven on it now, Mr Smith.

Ahmed Ajtebi certainly finished in front of Frankie Dettori, but he had to barge his way through on Vale of York in the process. He had his whip in the wrong hand, and his actions forced the Stewards to deliberate.

Dom from Windsor feels vindicated. He wrote before the Royal Lodge: "Good old Ahmed Ajtebi. Rides a blinder from the front in the first did he? He wasn't that good when making all to about halfway on Gladiatorus though was he?"

Dom was referring to Ajtebi's ride on Gladiatorus in the Queen Anne Stakes at the Royal Meeting here. I thought that was pretty harsh, especially considering that race was back in June, and I'm pretty sure Dom was talking from his pocket. We all back losers Dom. He then fired in another e-mail after the Royal Lodge, "You see what I mean?"

Ajtebi returned with a cut knee. He's bled for the Godolphin cause Ed. Surely you can't ask for more than that?

Forget High Twelve's performance in the Royal Lodge. John Gosden, the master trainer, has got a fearsome record in the Fillies' Mile, next up, having saddled four winners from just five runners in the last ten years. But let's face it, Dyna Waltz is no Rainbow View. Or a Nannina, Playful Act, or even Crystal Music, all who turned up here with more than one victory to their names and won for Gosden.

Let's set up a price watch for Rip Van Winkle. The Ballydoyle wonder is [1.64] right now. Tony Coleman of Paddy Power reckons that price will collapse if the Aidan O'Brien wins the Fillies' Mile as well with You'll Be Mine, which vies for favouritism with Long Lashes.

"You'll Be Mine wins, and Rip's odds tumble, it will be as easy as that. All those accumulators, too. You've got to take those into account."

I reckoned that RVW should be around a 1-2 shot anyway. Coleman added: "If You'll Be Mine wins, he'll be about that price at the off."

2.15pm
Ahmed Ajtebi, jockey of the Ahla Wasahl and on Vale of York in the next, is adamant that his mount will have no problems on this going, despite the colt's action at Goodwood. "We went to Goodwood to try him on that going and there were no problems," said a jubilant Ajtebi, clearly chuffed to have won at Ascot again. "He's been training very well, and I'm confident we can do it today." I looked at him, and mindful that Godolphin had got it wrong recently with Mastery and Kite Wood in the St Leger, I asked him if he would finish ahead of Frankie Dettori on Frozen Power. "We'll see about that, but I'm sure we'll put in a good run."

1.55pm result
1: Ahla Wasahl
2: Alsace Lorraine
3: Headford View
"What on earth happened to Balaagha," writes George. I have no idea. I'll try and find out. I don't think she even left the stalls. Ahmed Ajtebi rode an excellent tactical race, and despite her antics in the pre-parade ring, Alsace Lorraine put in a solid performance. Pays to be fully wound up then, doesn't ?

Why is Godolphin's Frozen Power the only colt in the Royal Lodge Stakes without a Group 1 entry? It's an interesting question, something I need to get to the bottom of before the off. Godolphin paid £10,000 to get both Frozen Power and Vale Of York supplemented for this. I liked the look of Vale Of York, but his knee action last time out when winning at Goodwood made it look like the son of Invincible Sprit wanted softer conditions.

Vale of York is the youngest juvenile in the race, being born two days after Black Spirit. There must be more improvement to come, and for those of you who are interested, Dubai Miracle is the oldest.

1.45pm
Alsace Lorraine, fourth in the betting for the 1.55pm, was absolutely crazy in the pre-parade ring. She sweated up dreadfully, and was fooling around, at one point giving the full double kick with her hind legs. I wouldn't back her with anyone's money, particularly when you look at her form. How unlucky can a horse be? She was hit over the head and badly hampered last time out at Goodwood, and was also bumped when entering the final furlong here in July.

Another prone to some tomfoolery in the pre-parade ring was the grey, Silver Games. She was also sweating up, giving a few rear one-legged kicks, and her stable lass was constantly tugging on her reins and shouting at her as they battled around the parade ring.

One who did look a mighty specimen, however, was Cosmopolitan. John Gosden's filly looked on the upgrade when winning at Newmarket in June but her she was outclassed by Goldikova and company in the Falmouth, and suffered interference at Goodwood last time out. She was a massive, well-built filly, and looks a huge price at [40.0] given her well-being and form.

John from Doncaster has e-mailed in. "I see that the reverend John Oxx has sent one over from Ireland today at Ascot. It's his only horse running there today. She must have a hell of a chance?"

Aspect Of Love is the filly in question, and her win at Leopardstown was impressive and has worked out well. That said, Oxx has sent over five horses to Ascot since 2005, and all have been beaten.

1.15pm
I have been looking at the first, the 1.55pm, over lunch. I won't tell you what I ate, simply because it is not interesting, and wasn't worth reporting anyway.

Applause looks the most likely winner because she is an improving, lightly-raced filly who has won both of her prep races easily. But there are several in the race who command respect, and I'm not sure it's going to be as clean cut as the betting suggests.

There's going to be a lot of pace in this, too. Ada River, Resort, and Ahla Wasahl have all set the pace in the past, and Appaluse, Cosmopolitain, Ermine And Velvet, Lady Francesca and Sarah Park, are all pressers, who have led races a fair way out. It's going to be pretty furious out there, which might set it all up for Shamwari Lodge.

Richard Hannon's gutsy Hawk Wing filly has raced just eight times, winning three and finishing in the frame three times. The only time she bombed was over six furlongs at the July meeting, and on her debut, when she finished seventh. She's likely to be held up on the far side, and if she is, she looks a worthy in-running wager, or at least a place bet.

She's been well-backed, too. Paddy Power are 11-2 from 6-1, Skybet 6-1 from 13-2 and Hills report the most dramatic move of all - 6-1 from 8-1.

On Betfair, she was matched for £10 at [10.0], and now trades at [7.0] with around a third of the liquidity on the exchange focusing on her.

12.45pm
Angus 'Statto' Loughran is nothing if not hard working. He's here today to watch the big race. Then he's off on the rattler to see Fulham v Arsenal at Craven Cottage. After that, he going to commentate on Ghana's Under-20 World Cup clash with Uzbekistan in Isleworth. Jeez Louise. Anyway, he's come up with a novel approach for attacking today's Challenge Cup.

"I've backed Big Noise at a monstrous 40-1," said the bespectacled betting boffin. "I've done it with the Tote, which offers five places. I'll lay it for a place for a little bit on Betfair though, which only pays four places. It's a smart way to punt."

There you go then...

12.35pm
Ok. We can firmly put to bed all talk of Frankie's Magnificent Seven, purely because he's got a non-runner. Shallal in the Challenge Cup at 3.40pm is out.

Talking of that race, Tom has e-mailed in with an interesting point about that fiendishly difficult race. He says: "I'm backing the far side to win the 3.40pm. If you look at yesterday's Watership Down Sales race, the first four home were on the far side." A good observation Tom. If you look closer, you'll see that nine of the first ten to cross the line were drawn on the far side. Is that why hot favourite Marching Time has been a big drifter this morning? Having been traded at a low of [6.8], the Sir Michael Stoute runner is out to [8.8].

12.25pm
I am going to try to not mention the unmentionable today. No I'm not talking about Strictly Come Dancing. I'm talking about what happened here 13 years ago. The most magnificent achievement by a jockey in the modern era. You know, Frankie Dettori. It's just that everyone is talking about it. The Racing Post has gone to town over it. It's on all the televisions here. It's EVERYWHERE.

I'll also stop talking about Strictly in a minute. Don't worry Jim from Macclesfield. And Simon from Bridgend, It'll all be over with at the end of this paragraph. Kate Miller from William Hill reckons that her firm have seen significant support for that blond girl form Hollyoaks. She's called Ali Bastian, apparently. Anyway, she's the one who has been backed, and surprisingly, Joe Calzaghe is a 'big loser' for the firm. I'd like to see Kate Miller call the burly Welshman that to his face.

Midday
I know, I know, I know. I'm sad. I can't quite fathom why, but last night I stayed in and watched Strictly Come Dancing. I have no idea, either. I have never watched it. Really. But I found it strangely beguiling. There was the leaden-footed performance of that Rolling Stone wife. Quite what exactly is she an entrepreneur in, and if she's good at it, there is surely hope for us all?

The most appealing thing about it, for me, was the fact that Richard Dunwoody, who has tackled and beaten the mighty Grand National fences not one, but twice, looked absolutely petrified at going out there and performing a waltz. But wasn't he graceful, eh? Good old 'Woody. Anyway, the talk of the press room is that blonde girl from Hollyoaks is going to win.

On to racing matters. Big Audio is a non-runner in this afternoon's Royal Lodge. It means that the top two, High Twelve and Frozen Power have been shaved further by the layers

11.45am
Good morning ladies and gentlemen and welcome to day two of Ascot's September festival. The CAMRA guys are back in force today - aiming to ply everyone with some obscure real ale - and the ratio between men and women amongst the early racegoers here is about 147-1.

I have to confess, I haven't got around to trying any of them yet, but if Rip Van Winkle scoots home this afternoon, I'll buy the lot, all 180 of them. That's bullish talk you might say, but racing is nothing without strong opinions, and I've backed the Ballydoyle challenger to win this afternoon's Queen Elizabeth II Stakes right up to the hilt. Quite simply, if he races, he's bombproof in my opinion. He stays further than the mile, he has a change of gears, and when the gates open, he won't see another horse until way after the finish line.

Nothing like setting your stall out early then...

'.$sign_up['title'].'

'; } } ?>

(1)

1. Microwave ManualmeleFrelm | 20 February 2010

   Aloha thanks for your post.I really enjoy your web site.Its incredibly informative.However I actually want you to post how you put social bookmarking below your post.We like it since it's a really thoroughly clean great blogger mod.
   thank you quite much

:

:

:

?

: