LOOKING out of the window, it is hard to believe we are fast approaching the middle of June and Royal Ascot is just days away. The rain continues to beat down and even though it is set to be replaced by sunshine this time next week, the forecast for the next few days remains very unsettled. Conditions wont be a problem for the Sir Michael Stoute-trained MEKONG, though, who looks the one to beat in tomorrows Sky Bet Race To The Ebor Grand Cup Stakes (3.00pm). The four-year-old caught the eye with a really nice reappearance, finishing second behind Ascot Gold Cup-bound Dee Ex Bee at Sandown last month on ground that was definitely too fast for him. He looked really good on the two occasions he encountered heavy ground last season and with plenty of rain about he looks set to get his ideal conditions. With Ryan Moore booked to ride, he looks banker material and the 11/8 available looks the bet of the day. Connections could have easily waited for next weeks Royal Ascot meeting with a few options open to him but have instead opted to run here on soft ground. Weekender looks his biggest threat on paper, although Im not sure he would want the ground to get really bad. Austrian School only finished a head behind my selection at Sandown last time but will find it hard to turn that form around, particularly if conditions worsen. Plenty of familiar faces line up for the JCB Handicap (2.25pm) earlier on the card with GET KNOTTED grabbing my attention now the rain has come. Michael Dods seven-year-old has won at York three time in his career and has a host of decent placed efforts at the track too, including in this very race 12 months ago. A couple of those course victories have come with the word soft featuring in the going description and he has bits and pieces of form on heavy ground should things get really bad like last weekend. He has slipped down to a mark of just 92 which is 3lbs lower than when he won at the track last July. Admittedly he was a bit disappointing at Thirsk when last seen in action the best part of a month ago, but he had previously shaped well enough on his reappearance at Doncaster. At 9/1 with Coral, he looks worth an each-way punt in a trappy looking handicap with plenty in his favour. Favourite Aljady rates an obvious danger and could still be ahead of the handicapper. One that could go well at a massive price is GOLDEN APOLLO for the in-form Tim Easterby. He was fifth in this race 12 months ago off a 4lbs higher mark and has some decent form on soft ground. The only negative would be the seven furlong trip as that stretches him a little, but at 20/1 Im prepared to give him an each-way chance. Finally, the most valuable race on the card is the Pavers Foundation CatRead More – Source
LOOKING out of the window, it is hard to believe we are fast approaching the middle of June and Royal Ascot is just days away. The rain continues to beat down and even though it is set to be replaced by sunshine this time next week, the forecast for the next few days remains very unsettled. Conditions wont be a problem for the Sir Michael Stoute-trained MEKONG, though, who looks the one to beat in tomorrows Sky Bet Race To The Ebor Grand Cup Stakes (3.00pm). The four-year-old caught the eye with a really nice reappearance, finishing second behind Ascot Gold Cup-bound Dee Ex Bee at Sandown last month on ground that was definitely too fast for him. He looked really good on the two occasions he encountered heavy ground last season and with plenty of rain about he looks set to get his ideal conditions. With Ryan Moore booked to ride, he looks banker material and the 11/8 available looks the bet of the day. Connections could have easily waited for next weeks Royal Ascot meeting with a few options open to him but have instead opted to run here on soft ground. Weekender looks his biggest threat on paper, although Im not sure he would want the ground to get really bad. Austrian School only finished a head behind my selection at Sandown last time but will find it hard to turn that form around, particularly if conditions worsen. Plenty of familiar faces line up for the JCB Handicap (2.25pm) earlier on the card with GET KNOTTED grabbing my attention now the rain has come. Michael Dods seven-year-old has won at York three time in his career and has a host of decent placed efforts at the track too, including in this very race 12 months ago. A couple of those course victories have come with the word soft featuring in the going description and he has bits and pieces of form on heavy ground should things get really bad like last weekend. He has slipped down to a mark of just 92 which is 3lbs lower than when he won at the track last July. Admittedly he was a bit disappointing at Thirsk when last seen in action the best part of a month ago, but he had previously shaped well enough on his reappearance at Doncaster. At 9/1 with Coral, he looks worth an each-way punt in a trappy looking handicap with plenty in his favour. Favourite Aljady rates an obvious danger and could still be ahead of the handicapper. One that could go well at a massive price is GOLDEN APOLLO for the in-form Tim Easterby. He was fifth in this race 12 months ago off a 4lbs higher mark and has some decent form on soft ground. The only negative would be the seven furlong trip as that stretches him a little, but at 20/1 Im prepared to give him an each-way chance. Finally, the most valuable race on the card is the Pavers Foundation CatRead More – Source
