Our Literary correspondent, High Rise, sent me a brusque note today about my curmudgeonly criticism of ITV and specifically Francesca Cumani’s hats. He pointed out that the poor girl needs to keep her face free because she is on TV and thus, the wide-brimmed hat a la Ms Eliza Doolittle would not cut it for TV purposes. Also, I should stop being grumpy because my winners were a bit thin on the ground and I should publically apologise, or make preparations for the same and see what transpired from the Gods.
Catholics can be a bloody moral burden sometimes.
Well stap me vitals and call me Colston, (whose family were also purveyors of washing machines and dishwashers by the by), if I didn’t immediately start the day with a winner, a trifecta and an Exacta. To make the point further and to reaffirm my faith in the Baby Jesus, the same thing happened in the last race of the day, when my old friend Henry Ponsonby and one of his syndicates, took The Duke of Edinburgh with a 33/1 shot, Scarlet Dragon. He did it because he was given a brilliant ride by Hollie Doyle recording her first Ascot victory. My four e/w selections provided the Winner, Exacta and Trifecta, and the Exacta paid £440 and the Trifecta £3703. No, I didn’t do the latter either – but that’s my fault, not yours or Jesus – and certainly not Francesca’s who can wear whatever she likes in future!
Eyes down then for the lucky last day and I know I am going into the last day on SP terms showing a tiny profit. However, the ground is drying and I really don’t know how it will turn out. I am also knackered, so I’m afraid you’re just getting names today unless I really think you’ll panic without.
12:40 pm – Silver Wokingham Handicap (Handicap)
With a decent draw, ground ability, a decent Timeform mark and Oisin in the plate COUNT D’ORSAY e/w will do.
COUNT D’ORSAY e/w
1:15 pm – Queen Mary Stakes (Group 2)
Pelekai looked to have more up her sleeve and her debut has already started producing winners.
PELEKAI e/w MORE BEAUTIFUL win
1:50 pm – Coronation Stakes (Group 1)
ADMIRAL NELSON‘s one length victory on his Curragh debut was a major understatement. He looked very impressive, and once he’d clicked what the game was, he put the race to bed with barely any visible effort. AOB has won this four times in the last nine years and a record nine times in total. His Curragh win is one of the top performances from a juvenile this season. QAADER and LAUDED are next best, but that is for forecast purposes.
ADMIRAL NELSON win
2:25 pm – Coventry Stakes (Group 2)
I don’t believe SHARING will enjoy this experience – if you really fancy him, do wait until you see him go down. ALPINE STAR won the G2 Debutante Stakes in Ireland, with the later 1000 Guineas winner Love well behind her. Jess won this with Alpha Centauri 2018.
ALPINE STAR win
3:00 pm – St James’s Palace Stakes (Group 1)
Last chance saloon for PINATUBO? WICHITA to gain compensation for Guineas defeat? PALACE PIER to win G1 after running in a Handicap LTO? The answer is below.
WICHITA win
3:35 pm – Diamond Jubilee Stakes (Group 1)
HELLO YOUMZAIN win
4:10 pm – Wokingham Stakes (Handicap)
TINTO – DANZENO – SUMMERGHAND – SPANISH CITY all e/w
4:40 pm – Queen Alexandra Stakes (Handicap)
ITS AFREEBEE e/w