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Preview
17 June 2008
2:30 Ascot QUEEN ANNE STAKES
(GROUP 1) (CLASS 1) (4yo+) Winner £154,698.25 1m GD-FM
Horses to consider
Cesare - Finished close to the very
capable Ramonti twice here last season a horse that I feel is very
underrated but many and didn't get the accolade he deserved having
won several group 1's from the front. Cesare who finished not far
behind in a race that worked out well has a live chance today
despite being a horse who has failed to get in the frame at this
level in the past and the run in the Lockinge this season rates as
him having improved again at a late time of his career and this is
his year I feel to win a group 1 as he wont be remembered unless
finally landing one of these races and despite the classy look of
this race, I feel last years race was better as I feel all fall
short of true group 1 class. Cesare despite having less on the book
then many of his rivals is one horse that currently could turn out
to be true group 1 class with the ground on the quick side and
should be involved in the finish with this track on quick ground his
true optimum conditions.
Sageburg - Has made a name for him
and is the best chance I feel the French have of landing this race
as I cant side with the talented filly in this race today and should
confirm form with Darjina after a blistering change of foot and with
the ground on the quick side I feel the son of Johannesburg can run
down his rivals over this shorter trip then he is use too. The pace
in the race is all important and the Ballydoyle tactics could play a
major part with a pace setter employed in this race and likely to go
hard in front to set it up for the stamina strong Hardashan and that
will play into the hands of this classy colt who should run his race
on the quick ground.
Tariq - Another from the Lockinge
and given how he was stopped briefly in his run and the turn of foot
he showed to get through the gap to press the useful winner on
ground that may have not been as quick as his ideal was very eye
catching and the home team have a strong hand of retaining this
prize despite the rivals from Ireland and France and Peter Chapel
Hym yard are in much better form this season and this horse in the
colours of the Derby winner last year has a blistering turn of foot
on good to firm ground and with the humid weather and drying
conditions everything has fallen right for this horse and with two
good runs at this track already he has a solid chance with his hold
up tactics proving that he stays this trip well to have a say.
Verdict – A
classy looking renewal of this group 1 and even though it most
probably wont be as good as last seasons race there is every chance
that most of these will land a group 2 through out the course of the
season and Tariq looks a typical improving type to land a group 1
before he goes backwards and this may well be the race. Sageburg has
a solid chance on the book with a strong pace being ideal and
providing he gets that he must have a strong chance in this race and
heads the French trio in my view. Cesare is a course specialist and
that stands for something having improved since running a cracker in
this race last term and 7/1 looks good value in this race.
Selection –
3 pts win Cesare
@ 7/1 (9.2 BF)
4:55 ASCOT STAKES (HANDICAP)
(CLASS 2) (4yo+,0-95) Winner £37,386.00 2m4f GD-FM
Horses to consider
Tears Of A Clown - Has caught the
eye this season and just like Enjoy The Moment last season looks a
horse that has added class and can progress this season to try
better staying races then the handicaps he has been contesting over
middle distances and this looks very much the most ideal trip to run
a big race and with the ground on the quick side his action should
be at its best and this track is ideal for him with his come from
behind style. Last time at Goodwood he was caught for pace as they
kicked and battled on well to show that a step up in trip will suit.
Basalt - Was unlucky to lose last
time after meeting some hassle in running and nearly made Philip
Robinson ay the price for easing up as he finished with a flourish
and this further trip on quick ground should help him more the that
rival who he meets on better terms in this handicap. The track with
a stiffer finish should also help him grind down his rivals as he
battles on and Kerrin Mcevoy Is a interesting booking for the horse
today.
Legend Erry - catches the eye for
the winning Ebor team of 2006 who landed a 100-1 shock that day and
John Egan gets on well with this horse who has avoided turf with
majority of his runs on the all weather and fits the same profile as
that horse and could well spring another surprise from the foot of
the weights in this staying race. The low weight hasn't been used to
good effect in recent years and that is because the race usually
lacks progressive class low down in the weights and the classier
horses seem to come out on top in this race that is just a normal
class 2 handicap and potential one of the poorest races at the flat
festival. Improvement to come from this horse he is a eye catcher at
a big price having ran so well on the all weather prior to this
race.
Hawridge Prince - Can be discounted
if you take the Salisbury run as too bad to be true but this horse
is bred to stay and that is all he does and the high weight
shouldn't be a problem as he just stays on all the time and has a
solid chance to stay on and land a place with massive improvement
expected from that run last time out and the 8yo could well prove
the classiest of these high in the weights.
Baddam - Now with Ian Williams who
won the Chester cup with new recruit Bulwark and would be no
surprise if he pulled of another master stroke with this former
winner of this race who stayed on after finding the pinch last time
at Haydock and the further he goes the stronger he gets and
providing this is a end to end gallop he can stay on to take a place
in the finish with the eye catching booking of Johnny Murtagh a big
race jockey for handicaps around here.
Verdict – Not
the classiest of races on the card and there is a lot of in and out
customers in this handicap and there would be no surprise if a big
price was to go in a race that throws them up with regular
occurrence. Tears of Clown catches the eye and looks to have a
strong chance in this handicap today and 25/1 looks a fair price to
try on him staying this extra mile well to land the race, of the
horses proven with stamina Hawridge prince catches the eye in this
race and is the other selection.
Selection –
2 pts Tears of a Clown
@ 25/1 (BF30's) + 1 pt Hawridge Prince
@ 33/1 (50'sBF)
Well Chief
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