Sunday 23 June 2019

Pinatubo smashes track record (Plus Reviews and Preview)

And breathe, Royal Ascot is over for another year and even though it wasn't the best week for me on the betting front, the racing was top class. Of course, the biggest highlight for me was Frankie Dettori getting a four-timer on day four. What a jockey he is with a great personality who brings so much to the sport. I think even the hardened jump racing fans must have enjoyed these years five-day spectacle. I was looking forward to trying to solve the 2-year-old races this year and even though it's like a lottery at times with so many unexposed types on show I was willing to give it a go. 

 It was all about Arizona on day one for Aidan O’Brien, I guess if you're having a big bet then 15/8 looks a good bet on what looked to be one Aidan's best 2-year-olds so far this season. I opted to look elsewhere and put my bet on Monoski the night before, big mistake as he drifted like a barge before the off and the writing was on the wall a long way from home. Arizona won like a good horse I believed he was and I can't wait to see a lot more from him in the future. 

 It pains me to say I was thinking about betting on Raffle Prize on day two but the more time I looked at a race the more I changed my mind and I thought the form of my eventual selection Ickworth was up with the best on offer. I was feeling confident she could get a place at least, but as the race began to unfold I couldn't spot Ickworths colours and of course as you must know by now she wouldn't come out of the stalls which were to the amusement of my workmates when I told them about it. It was a painful race to watch after that and even more painful when tight ass Betfred wouldn’t refund my stake, I know I shouldn't have got a refund, to be honest, but it would have been nice. I didn't bet on the Windsor Castle but Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore notched up another winner with Southern Hills. 

 Day three and it was time to put Wednesday's nightmare behind me. I backed another Irish horse Sunday Sovereign who disappointed but finished at least, I think I will stick to the English form next year, but saying that I don’t think I would have picked the Norfolk winner in a month of Sundays after coming second in his only ever race. A’Ali held on to beat Ventura Rebel by a neck and after the race, I read he had good time figures last run, so I should have seen that when studying. 

 A 25 runner field to contend with on day four, what could be easier. First thought for my selection was eventual winner Daahyeh after clocking a good time in his first race and in doing so beat the Queen Mary Stakes winner Raffle Prize. I changed my mind and backed Frankie on Last Surprise who weirdly finished last which was a surprise. 

 I have saved the best till last on the final day of Royal Ascot. No changing my mind this time as I had one horse in mind, PINATUBO (pictured) for the Charlie Appleby yard. Not one moment did I think this Shamardal colt would get beat, the way he travelled and quickened up to beat the O’Brien hot pot Lope Y Fernández was immense. Wow!it really was impressive not just because it was my selection but because he also shattered the 2-year old track record putting himself firmly in the picture for the 2,000 Guineas next year and a horse with a big future ahead. 

 Reviews: I had a small each way bet on tracker Arthur's Court at Newmarket who wasn’t fancied at 10/1. He ran a decent race, to be honest, but when you put your hard-earned cash on that doesn't make you feel any better. I will keep him in my tracker list because over a further distance this Derby entry could come into his own, we will see. 

 Timeform Early Declaration Alert and Preview: 

 18:35 Newbury 25 Jun 2019: Willa for the Richard Hannon yard. A 35,000 Gns purchase in October 2018, this Dutch Art Filly took a drift in the betting on debut and her inexperience showed when never involved. Interesting that she had been given a Class 2 entry before that race and didn't run and more interesting is she was given an entry in the Class 2 Byerley Stud Walwyn Memorial Novice Stakes at Salisbury this month but also did not run. One negative was the price she was on her debut. I will be looking for some market support before deciding if I bet. 

 Thanks for reading and good luck.
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