Well this is a lesson in patience and or masochism for us this week, with three more seconds to add to the collection yesterday. Friday will hopefully be kinder…
NAP OF THE DAY: Fujaira Prince, (1735 Ascot), 2pts win, 7/1:
Hoping for a sweet finish courtesy of the lightly raced Fujaira Prince. Roger Varian’s 5yo has only seen the track five times. He is bred to enjoy the bit of cut here even though he has only seen a fast surface in recent runs. Returned with a smooth Donny win before running a lifetime best in a strong York handicap to be edged out by the mercurial and sometimes brilliant First Eleven. Has to confirm form with the third and fourth on 3lb worse terms, but he was the better of those that day by a margin, and is entitled to get better for experience and for the ground. If it dried right up then old bog warrior Spark Plug would be of each way interest, but it’s likely to be too soft for his very best.
RACE OF THE DAY: Hermosa, (1620 Ascot), 1pt win, Evens:
Not a race to spend too long on. The leading fillies mile race featuring the leading fillies miler, with English and Irish Guineas heroine Hermosa a warm favourite to reaffirm her superiority. Likely to race on or near the pace, she pretty much eliminates luck in running variables and seems to be getting better. Not a price that over-excites, but that’s because she is unlikely to get beaten.
REST OF THE CARD:
Daahyeh, (1430 Ascot), 1pt win, 9/2: tempting as it is to looks at a few bigger priced outsiders, with Irish trio So Wonderful, Celtic Beauty and Back To Brussels all offering some each way appeal, it’s hard to look past Roger Varian’s favourite Daahyeh. Just the one debut run in the book, but that Newmarket win came at the expense of Wednesday’s big winner Raffle Prize. That is compelling form, and Daahyeh was a comfortable victor. The stable is in good form, and this filly is bred to be at her best at around this trip as opposed to a few in here who are more future middle distance types.
Private Secretary, (1505 Ascot), 1pt win, 4/1: Derby third Japan is the overwhelming choice on form, but Derby runners often flop here. We were taken by Humanitarian’s effort in the Derby on a course he evidently hated, but whilst he could run better, the vibes from the powerful Gosden yard has long been that Private Secretary is the better horse. He wisely missed Epsom which enhances his appeal here and neither stable nor jockey can be doubted after yesterday’s red letter day for both.
Ten Sovereigns, (1540 Ascot), 1pt win, 11/8: tempting to go with potential improvers like Jash and Hello Youmzain, but Aidan O’Brien’s Ten Sovereigns is a short priced favourite for a reason. He was a speedy 2yo and was amazingly sent off favourite for the 2000G in his only run this season. He actually ran remarkably well there given his natural speed, looking a force until well inside the last quarter mile. The step back looks sure to suit and if there is a champion sprinter contender in this field then it is surely this fella.
Hotsy Totsy, (1700 Ascot), 1pt win, 8/1: we love this straight mile race and the more highly drawn pair of Desirous and Hotsy Totsy look primed to continue a good run of market leaders in this event. Desirous looks a lot like the profile of yesterday’s Britannia winner, but we can never resist Spencer on a straight mile filly. In Hotsy Totsy he has a horse on a roll, who is arguably unexposed, can thrive under a classic Spencer ride, and looks well worth backing with confidence.
The Daily Yankee:
Daahyeh – Hermosa – Hotsy Totsy – Fujaira Prince
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