Matthew Sutcliffe is the newest recruit to the GG team and he will be looking back on the previous weekend for smart performances, as well as picking the best value plays ahead of Saturday’s action.
Published: 3 pm May 18 (Odds correct at time of publication)
Pointers
Nathanael Greene – Nathaniel x My Special J’s (Harlan’s Holiday) – Trainer: William Haggas.
Nathaniel Greene opened up as the favourite for a competitive handicap in the first at Ascot on Saturday, but having been friendless enough in the market throughout the morning, he failed to reel in the field from the rear after looming down the outside with a strong looking run. I thought he kept on in a manner to suggest he’ll appreciate the run under his belt as well as the return to 1m6f. Interestingly, the cheek-pieces that he wore for the first time when winning a valuable handicap at Haydock (1m6f) last July were left off, and he will be of interest again when retaining that headgear. Regarding that Haydock coup, he pulled clear there with Marco Botti’s Giavelloto who dotted up by five lengths off a 5lbs higher mark at Newmarket next time out, before an excellent 3rd in the St Leger. Nathanael Greene still has plenty of handicapping scope in staying contests off a mark of 90, and there could be a nice pot for him at one of the big meetings this summer. No entries are made for him thus far, but there’s a race over 1m6f at the Goodwood Festival (Summer Stakes) that William Haggas won with Harris Tweed 2013 that I think would suit.
Natural Force – Land Force x Delevigne (Redoute’s Choice) – Trainer: James Tate.
James Tate unleashed a potentially smart son of Land Force on Saturday in the popular red and white silks of Saeed Manana as Natural Force got the better of Karl Burke’s unbeaten Blue Point colt Valour and Swagger. The other Blue Point colt, who cost a whopping £625,000 for Godolphin, was well beaten back in 4th in a race won by the smart Noble Style last year. Natural Force was thoroughly professional for a two-year old, travelling nicely and picking up well before perhaps getting a tad lonely once he hit the front clearly. The race could work out quite nicely in time and Royal Ascot is already on the agenda for connections, with Tate favouring the Windsor Castle for Natural Force who is a general 12/1 shot.
Ferrari Queen – Decorated Knight x Katch Me Katie (Danehill) – Trainer: Charlie Johnston.
The Johnston’s have often had runners go under the radar at a nice price at big festivals, and I think Ferrari Queen has the potential to be another. She ran an absolute blinder in the Oaks Trial at Lingfield behind Eternal Hope and Be Happy for Appleby/O’Brien. She was around eight lengths behind the pair on the turn for home who both had the run of the race up top, but Richard Kingscote gave her a great ride to finish by 2L behind the leader with a late surge up the rail. That was her first attempt at the 1m4f trip having previously ran over 7F/1M, but there is no doubt she got the trip incredibly well, unsurprisingly given she is by Decorated Knight, and a half-sister to three smart horses who all won up to two miles. There may well be other horses with fancier connections and pedigrees at Royal Ascot, but not many come tougher than a Johnston trained one and I will be keen to back her at what will likely be larger odds, in what I hope will be for the Ribblesdale (entered) in June.
Point Lonsdale – Australia x Sweepstake (Acclamation) – Trainer: Aidan O’Brien.
I can’t recall the last time I saw a horse hate Chester that much and still win smartly enough. Point Lonsdale is the colt in question, and Ryan Moore was at his absolute blissful best to lift the son of Australia over the Roodee finishing line in the Group 2 Huxley Stakes on Friday. The full brother to Broome needed every inch of the 1m2f trip and will no doubt appreciate a step up in distance. Point Lonsdale was a smart juvenile, including a win in the Chesham Stakes in 2021, but injury in the 2000 Guineas forced him out of action for over a year. It was pleasing to see him return with a win after 351 off the track in a Group 3 at The Curragh, a race won by Broome in 2021 who landed the Hardwicke stakes at Royal Ascot a year later, after finishing 2nd in it previously to the talented filly Wonderful Tonight. The market isn’t out yet for the Hardwicke, though I’m sure that Point Lonsdale will follow in the footsteps of his older brother in an attempt to land further success in the race for Aidan O’Brien. As he’s matured, he looks as if stamina will be his forte. He’s by no means slow however, and I wouldn’t be entirely shocked if they kept him to 1m2f for the Prince Of Wales’ Stakes, but the way he raced lazily around Chester and still managed to get up for the win on soft ground suggested to me that he’ll excel over further, especially on a more galloping track.
Saturday Punts
BetVictor London Gold Cup Heritage Handicap (Class 2) (3yo)
Royal Rhyme has been slapped with a lofty ten pound rise by the handicapper after his demolition job at Newmarket but he falls into the ‘could be anything category’, as Karl Burke noted when he won on debut at Thirsk last September. The 3rd and 4th placed horses that day are now rated 91/90 respectively, so it wasn’t much of a surprise to see him bolt up off 85. Prior to Newmarket he shaped as if needing further than a mile when a two length 3rd to Charles Hills’ progressive Racingbreaks Ryder, who won well again off a 6lbs higher mark and is now rated 13lbs higher than when ahead of Royal Rhyme, so a mark of 95 looks workable. He’s out of a half-sister to Dubawi so there’s no surprise he’s showing ability on the track, and this race has thrown up some smart sorts in recent years with the likes of Bay Bridge, Defoe and Time Test.
Aspall Suffolk Draught Cyder Handicap (Class 2) (3yo 0-105)
Pinafore 12/1 1pt EW Sky Bet, (8s WH/365) (3 places)
I’m unsure where the handicapper plucked a mark of 82 out of for this one, who’s two-year old form suggested she’s far better. She stepped up on her debut with a 2nd to a promising Frankel filly of John Gosden’s, who was 4th on debut to subsequent Oh So Sharp Stakes head 2nd Lose Yourself. Azure Angel was four lengths behind Pinafore that day who’s won twice since and began life in handicaps with a solid 2L 4th off 87. Pinafore the broke her maiden at Kempton, with the 2nd, 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th all winning since. She then reappeared with a promising 4th in a hot 3yo handicap over course and distance, briefly hitting the front before shaping as if she needed the run. But she was only beaten 2 ¾ L there, 3/4L behind subsequent listed winner Shouldvebeenaring. The 2nd, Yacowlef, has also gone in since off a 2lbs higher mark. Pinafore was 9th on debut but only a nose behind Expert Agent and four lengths behind Revenite, who’ll she meet on 4lbs and 8lbs better terms respectively providing all three take up their entry.
Newmarket 2:05 – Aspall Cyder 1728 Handicap (Class 4) (3yo 0-85)
True Statesman – 0.5pt EW 14/1 (4 places) generally
A tricky handicap to weigh up with a few of these meetings again after recent affairs, last time out winners and seasonal debutants. True Statesman fits the bill of the latter, and horses from the Johnston yard have to be feared first time out, especially down south. True Statesman looked in need of a step up in trip all last season, even when winning over 6F and 7F. He won cosily carrying top weight (gave 8lbs to the field) off a mark of 83 on handicap debut, with all the others winning since. He had possible excuses in three runs afterwards, getting himself too worked up and running keenly when favourite for a strong nursery at Goodwood before softer ground at Doncaster/Catterick in September may have been too much after beginning his season in April. He returns now 2lbs lower than the last run and only 4lbs higher than his 3L win at Chester. He’ll appreciate the quicker ground, and Churchill’s three-year olds have been training on well and I expect this one to improve for a break and a gelding operation, as well as the step up in distance given he’s a half-brother to a C&D winner.
Doncaster 8:20 – Sky Sports Racing Sky 415 Handicap (Class 4) (3yo 0-85)
Secret Guest – 1pt EW 15/2 (3 places) generally.
I’m willing to give Secret Guest another go, who was inconvenienced by the soft-turned ground at Thirsk on season debut last month. Despite not being put into that race at all, he still finished off well under hands and heels (Paul Mulrennan was motionless to put it bluntly), looking as if a return to 6F might suit. He’s been very leniently dropped 2lbs for that, and the forms been somewhat franked as the 3rd JM Jungle was just touched off in a strong 18 runner C3 handicap at York on Friday, with Redemption Time in 3rd who was previously 9L behind Secret Guest that day. Washington Heights was 1 1/4L behind Secret Guest lto, and he was subsequently beaten 2 3/4L by Shaquille who is currently the 2nd favourite in the Carnarvon Stakes. Secret Guest looks incredibly well handicapped off 78r on his two year old form which ties in with the aforementioned 90r Washington Heights. He should be much more at home here on the forecast quicker ground, with Ray Dawson having his first ride for the yard.
Royal Ascot Antepost pointers
Wonder Legend – King George
Royal Scotsman – 4/1 St James Palace
Midnight Affair – 10/1 Queen Mary
Natural Force – 12/1 Windsor Castle
Ferrari Queen – Ribblesdale
Point Lonsdale – Hardwicke