NAP OF THE DAY: Migration, (1700 Ascot), 2pts win, 8/1:
Yesterday’s Nap beat 25 rivals but was still only good for third. We risk the same fate by targeting the Britannia and a similarly massive cavalry charge, but David Menuisier’s colt Migration is impossible to overlook. He sneaks in right at the foot of the weights after two recent handicap runs. Ridiculously unlucky not to sluice up at Sandown he made no mistake next time at Newmarket. The feature of his runs has been his fast finishing style and this fast paced straight mile should be ideal. Only up 4lbs for that last win he runs off just 90, and ought to be very dangerous off that mark. Hasn’t run on fully soft ground, but it was heading that way when he was runner up to a Group quality winner in a Newbury maiden.
RACE OF THE DAY: Dee Ex Bee, 1pt win, 7/1:
Of course it will be hard for anything to beat reigning champ Stradivarious, but if there is any vulnerability then soft ground may be it. His lifetime record on other going is 1121111111, whilst on softer ground it is 54331. He is still the most likely winner but this is a tough enough test with the useful Cross Counter a high class opponent. We prefer last year’s Derby second Dee Ex Bee. He has raced a little lazily stepped up in distance this year but has come good by the finish. Ran exclusively on soft as a 2yo (winning 2 from 4), but met with fast ground all last season until third in Munich in November. Looks a typical Mark Johnston slugger and could cause the upset.
REST OF THE CARD:
Sunday Sovereign, (1430 Ascot), 1pt win, 2/1: has looked superb in Ireland with a wide margin win over Tuesday’s Coventry winner Arizona preceeding a 7l soft ground romp at Tipperary. Has everything going for him in a race that often pays the head of the market. Has a useful middle draw and looks a yankee anchor bet.
Cape Of Good Hope, (1505 Ascot), 1pt win. 5/1: has raced exclusively on fast ground but as a son of Gallileo he should be able to handle this surface. Was highly enough considered to represent his powerful yard in the French Derby where he ran on nicely late in the race for a creditable fourth. That’s about the best form on offer here and his stable continue to deliver plenty of Ascot success.
Fleeting, (1540 Ascot), 1pt win, 13/8: another for Aidan O’Brien and another Irish trained favourite with a big chance. She was last in the Guineas but left that miles behind when running on from a mile back to be a string finishing third in the Oaks. There are plenty in here with scope for improvement, but it is debatable if any can reach the level of form Fleeting has already produced
Constantinople, (1730 Ascot), 1pt win, 9/2: on what could be a field day for the Irish and Aidan O’Brien in particular, he can lift the lucky last with top-weight Constantinople. Not many handicappers come fresh from a Group 3 win, but this guy was ready winner at the Curragh last time and a mark of 105 could be workable for a very well bred horse who could be competing in top Group races by the Autumn.
The Daily Yankee:
Sunday Sovereign – Fleeting – Dee Ex Bee – Migration
Please subscribe for latest tips and news, and follow us on Twitter and Facebook
