17:00 Royal Ascot

I love the way BLACKROD (best price 9/1) is progressing for Michael Dods and at 9/1 as competitive as this looks he could be the best value play in the race. He has won 3 of his last 4 now and had no problem taking a fiercely competitive handicap on return at Newmarket in April marking him down in my opinion as potentially Group-class. He ran on well and to me was a very convincing winner of that race. He is up 5lb to a mark of 100 now but I still think that underestimates him and as long as the draw doesn’t hinder him too much (high is usually good in this) then I think he’ll go very close. I’ve also played Rohaan and Popmaster in the race so they are dangers to the selection. Of the rest Fresh is feared but he is drawn low and will surely need the rain to arrive? Silver Samurai is also improving but this is definitely tougher than what he has been facing and he carries a 5lb penalty too.