Andy Holding has five horse racing tips for Thursday at Royal Ascot.
14:30 Thursday
Whitslejacket looked all speed when making a successful transition to the minimum trip at The Curragh last time out and he might turn out to be a cut above this field, but LOOM (best price 16-1) created quite a favourable impression of his own at Ripon on his second start and at the prices, he makes far more appeal.
Disappointing on his debut at York when far too exuberant early to see out the six furlongs, the decision to drop back a furlong looked a straightforward one based on that evidence and true to form, he turned out to be a totally different kettle of fish second time.
Still a bit keen through the first furlong at the Yorkshire venue, he did drop his head nicely enough by halfway and that conservation of energy resulted in him finding loads off the bridle at the business end.
Posting a smart speed figure for a race of its kind 15 days ago, the race got a timely boost with the fourth horse winning at Hamilton today and with loads of pace on either side of him, he should get the perfect tow down the centre of the course.
LOOM – 1-point each-way @ 16-1
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15:05 Thursday
The London Gold Cup was arguably the best race of its kind run so far this season and although PONIROS (best price 7-1) proved no match for King’s gambit that day, he did more than enough to suggest his turn will come soon in one of these big handicaps.
Held up towards the rear at the Berkshire venue, Ralph Beckett’s inmate made smooth headway to join the leaders two out but despite keeping on well late on, he couldn’t quite match the turn of foot of the winner, who looked the proverbial group horse in a handicap.
Since that day, the form/time figure has been boosted since and providing he receives a reasonable amount of luck from his outside draw (stall 14) – which is largely perceived as being favourable – the son of Golden Horn can follow in the footsteps of Surefire from the same stable three years ago.
17:05 Thursday
A typically wide-open renewal of one of the toughest handicaps of the entire season but both SKUKUZA (best price 14-1) and DASHING DARCEY (best price 14-1) have the profiles to suggest they should play significant roles and they are taken against the field.
The former warmed up nicely for this event with a convincing performance at Newmarket last time out and given the manner of his victory, he still has the look of a well-treated horse.
Visually strong in the backend of that well run affair a month ago, the concluding sectionals backed up that view, and providing Wiliam Buick tracks the right horses from the start, this improving sort can be delivered to similar effect over a track that should suit.
The latter arrives here following a career high effort at Haydock and it was a victory that was by no means out of turn. Unlucky in several of his previous starts, a patient approach seemed to work the oracle with Roger Varian’s gelding at the Merseyside venue and the time figure he posted that day suggest he will be equipped to cope with a well-run mile more than most.
Of the rest, Mickley is another to consider for those looking to perm a few together in the exotic markets. He is also another nice type going places fast.
17:40 Thursday
JAYAREBE (best price 9-1) must put behind him a slightly below-par display at Chester last time out, but he hopefully hasn’t become a bad horse overnight and the form of his previous victory at Newmarket gives him a better chance of regaining the winning thread than his odds imply.
The way he destroyed his field at HQ back in April marked him down as a top-class prospect in the making and it was easy to see why he was a warm order to back up the big speed figure he posted on the Roodee next time out.
Not able to dominate as he did a month earlier, Brian Meehan’s inmate was keen in behind the pace set by eventual winner Capulet and, as a result, his finishing effort wasn’t as strong as it was previously.
Drawn out on the wing here, Sean Levey will have little option but to go forward and try and assume command in the early stages and as we’ve witnessed over the first two days, being in front or up with the speed isn’t a bad thing under the prevailing conditions.
