KEMPTON PARK RACES 2017 -- WEDNESDAY NIGHTS #16 28th JUNE

Our sixteenth meeting of 2017 here at Kempton Park and with Royal Ascot over for another year we are back to the jeans and polo shirt brigade for the regular Wednesday nights here in Sunbury on Thames. We managed a small profit last time out but alas are still down by -9.25 points now to level stakes at SP. We have time to turn this around though starting tonight.

As always our focus will be on the handicap contests for each meeting but will occasionally include a feature listed or conditions event too.

Keeping records of our endeavours to a 1pt level stake at SP, naturally we will personally be looking to get better odds but for the purpose of these results we record to SP.

We will keep up with our occasional lay opportunities of short priced favourites too, as always we will keep these results separately from the handicap figures. 

This week is our sixteenth meeting for 2017 and we are expecting a seven race card tonight with five handicaps for us to delve into so we will be busy tonight. This evenings action will commence at 17:40 with a Class 6 apprentice handicap event over 7f. 

Here's a link to this Wednesday's race card; EVENING RACECARD

The going on the polytrack surface is described as 'standard to slow' and the current weather forecast is for mixture of sunshine and some showers (so that heatwave didn't last long) with a max temperature of about 20C when the meeting gets underway.

Here are our selections for this evenings 5 handicap races;

17:40 -- 7f Apprentice Handicap (3yo).
A max field of 14 three year olds for the opening race tonight, apprentice riders only and not a lot of positive form on offer. WOTADOLL [5th 7/1] has at least been finding some improvement on her opening outings once stepped into Handicaps. A couple of recent places at Yarmouth it will be interesting to see how she fares on the AW but does have a decent jockey so that will help. 

At bigger odds a chance is taken on CLIP ART [14th 33/1] from the Jamie Osborne yard, trying her luck in a low grade handicap might be able to surprise though this is not a race to go mad about. 

19:10 -- 7f Fillies Handicap.
Another max field of 14 here and though not limited to 3yo's it's almost dominated by them. DUSKY MAID is sure to be popular seeking a hat trick of wins but might be opposed here with ROBBIE ROO ROO [WON 10/1] who was placed here a couple of runs ago and might improve for the return to this track. 

One at a big price worth a look in the place market could be SPARKLE [13th 8/1] with William Buick in the saddle, looks a big price at around 20/1 and hasn't had a lot of racing so still something to offer back on the AW too, only had the one outing this season.

19:40 -- 1m Handicap (London Mile Qualifier Series).

Another round in the mile series and of the ten declared we aim to pair these two against the field. DEVILS BRIDGE [7th 9/1] and ELECTION DAY [3rd 5/1]. Have a bit of AW experience here and both are winners too should be good value against the field. 

20:10 -- 1m 3f Handicap (London Middle Distance Series).

Although they have National Hunt trainers the pair of TOBACCO ROAD [10th 20/1] and SILCA STAR [7th 16/1] both have plenty of flat form and stamina in their pedigrees so the trip is of no concern. Should both be about 10/1 or better, looks an open contest and we will stick with these especially Silca Star who receives all the weight allowances going here. 

20:40 -- 2m Handicap.

Our finale tonight is over two miles, again a max field assembled of 14 for this, GOLLY MISS MOLLY [WON 7/1] is a regular and holds her form well enough, sure to stay well too is a must for the short list.

The other with recent form is INTIMIDATOR [5th 7/2] and it's that pair against the field for us tonight.

Staked -- 10 points.

Returns -- 19 points.

Results will appear later tonight, hopefully we can wipe out the current deficit of -9.25 points that we bring forward to this round of racing here. 2 winners tonight and a 9 point profit so we've almost wiped out the loss just the -0.25 to carry over.

LAYS -- Currently stands as 7 from 10 successful lays.
One for tonight -- FIRST DRIVE (18:10). LOST 7th 4/5F

Back to normal now and we return next week for more of the same at this course on 5th July.

PONTEFRACT HORSE RACING SYSTEM -- 2017 TURF SEASON -- PART SIX

PONTEFRACT SEASON 2017

Sunday 25th June

Welcome to this our sixth meeting as we go racing in Yorkshire. 

With Royal Ascot barely finished we are straight back into our next meeting here in West Yorkshire at Pontefract Racecourse. The sixth meeting for 2017 and although losing a few points from our last meeting but still +12.30 points ahead for the season. Only a third of the season gone and plenty more to come we will look forward to getting underway on Sunday afternoon where the first race will be off about 2:00pm.

As always we count ALL results for this meeting returned to a level stake at SP, and will also show any forecast results too in the daily results but these do not count for the profit / loss figures.

The forecast going is currently reported as 'Good, Good to firm in places' the weather for Sunday afternoon is for a generally dry but cloudy day with a forecast maximum temperature around 25C..

Here are our selections for the 7 races on Sunday afternoon, remember it's a very simple selection process of stalls 1 and 2 in every race;

2:00 6f Novice Stakes (2yo).

(1) -- EXCELLENT TIMES  [7th 8/1].
(2) -- COLLATERAL BEAUTY  [4th 17/2].

2:30 1m 4f 5yds Maiden (3yo).
(1) -- LOVE CANDY  [3rd 25/1].
(2) -- COUNT SIMON  [2nd 5/2].

3:00 1m 2f 5yds Handicap (3yo).
(1) -- KINGTHISTLE  [3rd 10/1].
(2) -- NIBLAWI  [5th 9/2].

3:30 1m 4f 5yds Pontefract Castle Fillies Stakes (Listed).
(1) -- ABINGDON  [WON EVENS].
(2) -- SIGNE  [7th 6/1].

4:00 2m 2f 2yds Pontefract Cup Handicap (Round 4 of the Stayers Championship 2017).
(1) -- SAMTU  [9th 16/1].
(2) -- AURORA GRAY  [3rd 5/1].

4:30 1m 6yds Fillies Handicap.
(1) -- ARISTOCRATIC  [3rd 11/8F].
(2) -- RINARIA  [2nd 7/1].

5:00 6f Handicap (3yo).
(1) -- SUITCASE 'N' TAXI  [8th 9/4].
(2) -- HALAWAIN  [4th 4/1].

Staked -- 14 points.
Returns -- 2 points.

Results for this afternoon's meeting will be updated later. We are currently in the black and showing an overall profit of +12.30 to carry forth to today. A poor afternoon today, only one winner and that was an Evens F so big loss of 12 points means we are on just the plus 0.3 points to go onto the next meeting on Monday week. 

Our next meeting will be an afternoon card held on Monday 3rd July. 

Keep following us throughout the season.

ROYAL ASCOT 2017. DAY FIVE SATURDAY 24th JUNE

SATURDAY WEATHER UPDATE -- Mixed weather throughout this period with the risk of rain or possibly heavy showers for Saturday afternoon. Also some dry weather with some sunshine. 

Temperatures close to average, perhaps locally warm. with a Very High pollen count forecast too. High temp of 22C

GOING -- GOOD TO FIRM

DAY FIVE
Welcome to this our final day of this season's Royal Ascot festival meeting. 

We go once again for Saturday, been a hectic week, I still remember this as the "family day" known as Ascot Heath meeting where everyone could come along and not have to dress up. That's all long gone now and it's just day five for everyone instead. Let's focus on the big races for Saturday;


2:30 -- CHESHAM STAKES (7f)
2yo race and just the sixteen take the stage for Saturdays' opener and it's WESTERLAND that should attract plenty of interest being the son of the mighty Frankel though will have to work hard and improve to take SEPTEMBER on here.

2:30 Royal Ascot -- Chesham Stakes (7f)
RESULT
1st -- SEPTEMBER  11/8F
2nd -- NYALETI  10/1
3rd -- MASAR  3/1


3:05 WOLFERTON HANDICAP 1m 2f -- Sixteen declared for this listed handicap event, we'll start with KHAIRAAT who comes here on back of a run of three wins from four career starts, could still be improving and a big run expected from this Sir Michael Stoute inmate. 

At much bigger odds the connections of TUMBAGA feel their horse back from Dubai is now ready to roll on turf and available about 20/1 .

And then for John Gosden we've MAVERICK WAVE at 33/1 who the trainer has said is best first time up so we'll see how this one fares in the parade and in the race.

3:05 Royal Ascot -- Wolverton Handicap (1m 2f)
RESULT
1st -- SNOANO  25/1
2nd -- MAJEED  25/1
3rd -- KIDMENEVER  6/1
4th -- MAVERICK WAVE  20/1

3.40 HARDWICKE STAKES 1m 4f -- Group 2 with a field of 14 declared, this is a race that Sir Michael Stoute usually wins (7 times in last 11 years). So while his main horse is The Queen's DARTMOUTH don't dismiss the chances of ACROSS THE STARS and they should both prove popular in the betting markets.

Plenty of other big names to look at though, and one to consider as an each way chance is Roger Varian's BARSANTI who has not been out of the first three in the last 11 starts, albeit a few of them have been small fields he is still improving according to his trainer. 

3:40 Royal Ascot -- Hardwicke Stakes (1m 4f)
RESULT
1st -- IDAHO  9/2
2nd -- BARSANTI  20/1
3rd -- CHEMICAL CHARGE  25/1
 

4:20  DIAMOND JUBILEE STAKES 6f -- Today's Group 1 and 19 declared for the sprint, the race worth about £340,000 to the winner. The fav could well be LIMATO who does well over the trip and has a turn of foot.

We aim to go for something with a bit more value in the price and AL JAZI a four year old coming here from France and has top class owners so can't be all that bad is priced at 33/1 though so risks attached. 

DANCING STAR carries the famous silks of Lochsong and others for Andrew Balding and at 20/1 worth a win/place bet.

4:20 Royal Ascot -- Diamond Jubilee Stakes (6f)
RESULT
1st -- THE TIN MAN  9/2
2nd -- TASLEET  7/1
3rd -- LIMATO  2/1F
 

5:00 -- WOKINGHAM STAKES HANDICAP 6f -- It's just not Royal Ascot without a massive field handicap and today we've the Wokingham and 29 runners worth over £100,000 to the winner. 

With the market about 8/1 the field this will be impossible to predict and the size of the field means plenty of hard luck stories for sure. Top weight is CERTIFICATE and if this is able to defy that burden 16/1 is a good price for a potential Listed / Group horse. 

A big price for POYLE VINNIE and I'd suggest taking that one to place as is regularly running in big field handicaps and will pop up in one sooner or later you can get 40/1 that one and similar notes about HARRY HURRICANE too and my intention to back these to place against the field at massive odds. 


5:00 Royal Ascot -- Wokingham Stakes (6f)
RESULT
1st -- OUT DO  25/1
2nd -- STEADY PACE  16/1
3rd -- PROJECTION  15/2
4th -- POLYBIUS  33/1


5:35 -- QUEEN ALEXANDRA STAKES 2m 6f  -- We conclude with the longest distance race on the Flat calendar, an event that is often targeted by the National Hunt trainers and although we are well represented with the likes of Twiston-Davies, Alan King, Willie Mullins it's probably going to go to the flat trainers with one of the pair ORIENTAL FOX and WINNING STORY our pick against the field. 

Willie Mullins usually has a good one for this and he has THOMAS HOBSON who already won here on Tuesday so if he stands his ground might be good enough to score again over this longer trip but the price will reflect that and should be opposable given the lack of recovery time.


5:35 Royal Ascot -- Queen Alexandra Stakes (2m 6f)
RESULT
1st -- ORIENTAL FOX  10/1
2nd -- THOMAS HOBSON  2/1F
3rd -- US ARMY RANGER  7/2

Nice to end on a winning note, and a successful lay of the favourite too. That's all for Royal Ascot this year, been difficult as always, but we'll be back next year. For now it's goodbye and a quick return to the normal meetings starting with Pontefract tomorrow !

BYE BYE FOLKS, SEE YOU ALL NEXT YEAR.
LUV QUEENIE AND PHIL
I'm 91 you know !!

ROYAL ASCOT 2017. DAY FOUR FRIDAY 23rd JUNE

Friday Weather update -- A good deal of cloud on Friday though all places will probably stay dry. With all the cloud temperatures will be down a little compared to earlier in the week but we still expect a forecast High of 24C

Going -- GOOD TO FIRM

DAY FOUR

Well done to all connected with yesterdays Gold Cup winner Big Orange, a gutsy display hitting the front in the hope straight and fending off the attack by the favourite to win. Hope you finding a few more winners this week, the weather making the selections more difficult to find than it is to get served at the bars ! 

The opening race is at 2:30 it's the ALBANY STAKES a race for 2yo fillies and has a field of 21 runners declared for a 6f dash.

The Irish challenge is always strong and they have plenty here again where CLEMMIE could their best hope with Ryan Moore seeking another win. Richard Hannon's yard always have some strong 2yo inmates so you would want to have a good hard look at NATURAL here and I'd take that one with the American PRINCESS PEGGY against the field. 

2:30 Royal Ascot -- Albany Stakes (6f)
RESULT
1st -- DIFFERENT LEAGUE  20/1
2nd -- ALPHA CENTAURI  2/1F
3rd -- TAKE ME WITH YOU  20/1


The KING EDWARD VII STAKES is next off at 3:05 just the 13 declared 3yos' here. 

Time for the Queen to have a winner, and her colours are carried by CALL TO MIND here a 20/1 shot so possible EW chance. The Godolphin teams have three but the pair I'd side with are BEST OF DAYS and BEST SOLUTION. 

FRANKUUS was one of the first Frankel sons to see a racecourse, while not quite his fathers level has run well in defeat here before, a couple of wins at Haydock Park and 25/1 seems very big to me.  



3:05 Royal Ascot -- King Edward VII Stakes (1m 4f)
RESULT
1st -- PERMIAN  6/1
2nd -- KHALIDI  10/1
3rd -- CRYSTAL OCEAN  9/4F


A relatively new race at 3:40 is the COMMONWEALTH CUP a GROUP 1 race run over 6f for 3yo's. 

A field of 12 declared and it's clear that the unbeaten CARAVAGGIO is the one to beat today, will sure be a short price too so we need to look for a decent each way alternative or at least put this one in some doubles / trebles.

There have been some huge price places this week and at 66/1 VICTORY ANGEL can be another one for us.


3:40 Royal Ascot -- Commonwealth Cup (6f)
RESULT
1st -- CARAVAGGIO  5/6F
2nd -- HARRY ANGEL  11/4
3rd -- BLUE POINT  9/2


At 4:20 it's another fillies event and this time it's around the mile track for 3yo's,THE CORONATION STAKES.

Just the 7 declared for this event, maybe its the threat of WINTER that has scared off most of the opposition. Suppose the alternative win selection is John Gosden's DABYAH who won a Group race at Newbury and also TOMYRIS who steps up in grade but could still run on to place.

. 

4:20 Royal Ascot -- Coronation Stakes (1m)
RESULT
1st -- WINTER  4/9F
2nd -- ROLY POLY  12/1
3rd -- HYDRANGEA  16/1

Usually the finale on Friday they have moved the timing of this contest back a little and I think that the QUEENS VASE has also had a little taken off the trip as it's 2f short now, the race is due off at 5:00. 

13 runners declared for this test of stamina and the Irish contenders tend to fare well here, so not a shock to see both HARIPOUR and WISCONSIN supported against the field, both should stay the trip and a win/place bet the call. 

5.00 Royal Ascot -- Queens Vase (1m 6f)
RESULT
1st -- STRADIVARIUS  11/2
2nd -- COUNT OCTAVE  8/1
3rd -- SECRET ADVISOR  10/1



Our finale for Friday off at 5:35 is the DUKE OF EDINBURGH stakes over 1m 4f a race that has attracted 20 runners, once we eliminate the reserves.

We of course first of all hope that his Highness recovers from his recent illness that forced him to miss the Queens Speech in the House of Lords earlier this week, though he might have just preferred a lay in and I can't say I blame him.

Onto the race then, worth nearly 50k to the winner, nothing comes here in better form than the three time winner WADIGOR who continues to improve and will be hard to beat. The Queen's MAINSTREAM is very consistent but struggles to win, should go well for a place bet though and the other one to consider is PETITE JACK priced up at 33/1 looks too big to me.  

5.35 Royal Ascot -- Duke of Edinburgh Stakes (1m 4f)
RESULT
1st -- RARE RHYTHM  20/1
2nd -- APPEARED  13/2
3rd -- STAR STORM  14/1
4th -- TOP TUG  8/1


And that's all for Friday, last day tomorrow, hopefully you are doing as well as we are this week despite the heat and headaches. 

ROYAL ASCOT 2017. DAY THREE THURSDAY 22nd JUNE

Thursday Weather update -- There was a slim chance of showers today and any early rain in the south should soon clear on Thursday then along with Friday, dry with sunny spells. High of 25C. 

Going -- GOOD TO FIRM

DAY THREE

Gold Cup day, also known as LADIES DAY -- 'but hang on' I hear you shout -- every day is Ladies Day here are Royal Ascot, you just can't move for the amount of dresses and hats on show, even the Essex Girls have made an effort and the fake tan is giving off a nice orange glow in the silver ring. 

Before we reach the big one we've a few other decent events to take in, which will start at 2:30 with the NORFOLK STAKES over 5f for 2yos.

18 runners declared, this won't be easy to determine, so we side with a pair against the field are reasonable odds of reward. First up is IT DONT COME EASY and we pair with Irish raider TRUE BLUE MOON. 

The American challenge has had a mixed start on day one so MCERIN from Wesley Ward shouldn't be discounted but might be an uneasy favourite so is opposed in this large field of 2yo. 


2:30 Royal Ascot -- Norfolk Stakes (5f)
RESULT
1st -- SIOUX NATION  14/1
2nd -- SANTRY  13/2
3rd -- CARDSHARP  8/1

At 3:05 we have the HAMPTON COURT STAKES and it's a Group 3 for 3yos over 1m 2f. Nice of them to return to the original name this season.
16 runners line up for this renewal, a trio of which are Godolphin inmates of which BENBATL looks the pick on his credible 5th in the Derby and previous good runs in The Dante and Craven Stakes. 

Aidan O'Brien runs two and I'd side with TAJ MAHAL despite Ryan Moore riding Orderofthegarter. 

3:05 Royal Ascot -- Hampton Court Stakes (1m 2f)
RESULT
1st -- BENBATL  9/2
2nd -- ORDEROFTHEGARTER  100/30F
3rd -- MIRAGE DANCER  7/1


3:40 is the RIBBLESDALE STAKES a Group 2 event for 3yo Fillies (well it IS ladies day). 

Of the dozen declared there are a few that come into this with just maiden form to speak of but must be doing something at home to warrant an entry into a decent Group 2. 

However at least there's some listed form for both NAUGHTY OR NICE and ASTRONOMY'S CHOICE and with them both being forecast about 12/1 it would be interesting to try and back them both in the win/place markets against the field. It however a really hard race to call on the form available.

3:40 Royal Ascot -- Ribblesdale Stakes (1m 4f)
RESULT
1st -- CORONET  9/1
2nd -- MORE  2/1F
3rd -- HERTFORD DANCER  16/1

4:20 Ascot -- THE ASCOT GOLD CUP 2m 4f

The Gold Cup is the feature race of the whole week as far as I am concerned, despite all the other Group 1 races I think the mix of Ladies Day and the stayers makes this the day to attend and this year ought to be another cracker. 

A field of 14 declared with a warm order favourite in ORDER OF ST GEORGE won this well last year and is going to be difficult to beat once more though the short odds temper his appeal for a betting perspective. 

Two against the favourite and indeed the field that I've seen in action this season are SWEET SELECTION who really showed his staying prowess winning here in the Sagaro Stakes over 2m I believe he'll stay this extra trip no problem and is still progressive. 

Another one at a massive price is TRIP TO PARIS, the winner of this two years ago and 4th in the Melbourne Cup too and although getting on a bit could well be thereabouts again and make the frame (forecast 33/1). 

4:20 Royal Ascot -- THE ASCOT GOLD CUP (2m 4f)
RESULT
1st -- BIG ORANGE  5/1
2nd -- ORDER OF ST GEORGE  5/6F
3rd -- HARBOUR LAW  33/1

5:00 is the BRITANNIA STAKES over the straight mile. Only 30 runners (3 reserves declared) so nice and easy as you can tell. 

Top weights seem to go well in these big handicaps here so worth a good look at RUSUMAAT who's forecast 25/1 and drawn 25 too. 

In the middle (drawn 17) we've Ryan Moore on board CITY OF JOY and that one is seeking a hat-trick and has winning form on Good to firm going so 10/1 probably won't last too long.


5.00 Royal Ascot -- Britannia Stakes (1m)
RESULT
1st -- 
2nd -- 
3rd -- 


5:35 -- KING GEORGE V STAKES over 1m 4f for 3yos and only the 22 runners for this one.

Top weight is Aidan O'Brien HOMESMAN and a winner twice this season gives him an excellent chance despite the burden of 9st 7lb. Might do well to give the weight to the likes of DROCHAID / MISTER MANDURO and the finale for day three couldn't be more competitive.

5.35 Royal Ascot -- King George V Stakes (1m 4f)
RESULT
1st --
2nd --
3rd --



Should be able to update results from today during the early evening, and we've still got Friday and Saturday to enjoy.

Oh and if this wasn't enough there's another meeting from Pontefract to savour on Sunday afternoon.