KEMPTON PARK HORSE RACING 2021 - MEETING #17 WEDNESDAY 30th JUNE

Welcome to Kempton Park racecourse a season of evening meetings following the events on a Wednesday night on the all weather flat track under the lights. We will continue blogging throughout 2021 till the end of the year. Started well this season pleasantly still ahead as we reach the latter part of June. We've been following the delayed 2020 European Championship and England will face Germany on Tuesday (kick off 5pm), hopefully we will have a positive result (Yes we won 2-0 fantastic result). The Wimbledon tennis championships began on Monday, and AFC Wimbledon are preparing their pre season friendlies and recently announced a game with newly promoted Brentford in front of a smallish crowd keeping to current covid guidance rules. 

Returning to the horse racing all results here are reported to 1pt at Starting Prices (SP) we will be keeping a rolling record of profit/loss all the way through from January till the Boxing Day 'King George' fixture in December. A successful opening first half of the year during 2021 means we arrive here with a +2.805 profit and will continue to keep a record to SP throughout the season.

Throughout the year we will keep up with our occasional lay opportunities of anticipated short priced favourites too. Naturally we will keep these results separately from the handicap figures we had been fairly successful with our selections throughout last year managed to get plenty of favourites beat so we finished on 33/49 (67.34%). We reset the counters for 2021 and will be continuing this throughout the year again. Currently standing at 18/24 (75%) after the latest meeting and we shall see how things progress during the year ahead. 

This week will be our seventeenth Wednesday evening meeting of the year. Tonight's meeting we shall now be expecting a seven race card with five handicaps for us to review. Our action will now commence at 17:35 with a seven furlong fillies novice event, then we should end the card around about 20:35 with our final handicap event over six furlongs, the meeting also includes another qualifying round of the London Mile series at 19:35.

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

Going and Weather -- The going on the polytrack surface is described as 'standard to slow' and the current weather forecast for this Wednesday is for a somewhat warmer afternoon and early evening with a serious chance of showers in the forecast and a higher temperature of around 17C tonight.

Here are our handicap selections for tonight;

18:05  Unibet New Instant Roulette Handicap
6f  [Class 5  12 runners]

A big price on offer about OBTUSE [8th 40/1] who had struggled off a higher mark after wins up at Wolverhampton and has now had some respite from the handicapper back to a level that he might be able to exploit with Charles Bishop on board taking over from a 7lb claimer. TOPTIME [6th 11/2] the only course and distance winner in this field and with Oisin Murphy to assist ought to have a big run back on this track, should prefer this trip having been tried over 5f last few races.
Winner - (1) Lockdown @11/1 [Shane Kelly].

19:05  Try Our New Price Boosts At Unibet Handicap
1m 3f 219y  [Class 3  11 runners]

The best race on the card tonight can fall to GREAT ESTEEM [9th 12/1] back to a winning mark and a previous course and distance winner too. Hollie Doyle riding is another plus, and can give the favourite (Rodrigo Diaz) plenty to think about, only failure of note this season was when stepping up to 1m 5f at Hamilton and clearly failed to stay, so coming back to this trip is perfect. The bottom one FAME N FORTUNE [4th 14/1] receives weight all round, has plenty of winning form at Lingfield albeit in a lesser grade but given an opportunity to step forward here, is in good hands and should go at a decent price too.
Winner - (2) Boss Power @9/2 [Oisin Murphy].

19:35  Unibet Casino Deposit 10 Get 40 Bonus (London Mile Series Qual) Handicap

1m  [Class 4  8 runners]

A qualifying round for the London Mile series next where recent Pontefract winner BUCEPHALUS [3rd 3/1] should continue to progress with 5lb claimer Seb Woods going well. Had been runner over further as a 3yo but feel that the mile might be the place to stay for a little while longer and this fairly lightly raced 4yo can look to run well again now that they've found the winning thread. Support for course winner QUICK BREATH [2nd 9/1] should be noted, returning three weeks after than win, although older than most of his rivals has the experience to run well also has the aide of a good 5lb claiming jockey in Tyler Saunders.
Winner - (1) Tahitian Prince @3/1 [Sean Levey].

20:05  Unibet Extra Place Offers Every Day Handicap

1m 7f 218y  [Class 4  8 runners]

Charlie Fellows trains the 4yo SOROS [4th 17/2] who only began their racing career in January and straight into the staying distances, winner at Southwell and not many miles on the clock so far. While MACK THE KNIFE [2nd 5/2] has been scoring consistently this season and now steps up in trip again so there's a question mark around the new trip but was runner up when sent up to contest a 1m 6f event at Southwell so every chance he'll see it out.

Winner - (5) Potenza @5/2jf [Theodore Ladd].

20:35  Bet At racingtv.com Handicap

6f  [Class 5  12 runners]

Our finale tonight is a six furlong dash where AMATHUS [6th @12/1] is taken to transfer wins on the turf at Windsor and Salisbury to the all weather surface, followed up that latest win with a runner up effort at Goodwood, up a few pounds as a result but clearly in good heart and respected. Having won early in their career AL ASEF [Non Runner] has tumbled down from a high of 88 down to today's mark of 68, picked up a Wolves handicap last time out and only 2lb higher today, Andrea Atzeni takes over in the saddle.
Winner - (5) World Of Windhover @4/1 [Thore Hammer Hansen].

Staked -- 10 points.       Returns -- 1 points.
Results will appear here later during Wednesday evening. All results are accurate and recorded to SP returns to a 1pt win stake only and updated each meeting. Our winning start to 2021 has stalled a little of late however the first half of the year has proved to be successful even with the last meeting being a bit of a disaster our overall profit now stands at +2.805 pts after meeting #16 a huge improvement on this time last year though, with all results recorded to SP returns we would have been looking at better figures with the prices taken. Terrible evening no winners, few places and a loss of -9 points tonight means we finally go into the red for the season at the midway point. Sadly on -6.195 points heading into meeting #18. 

Lays -- 18/24 We had a good season last year again with the lays, aiming at favourites and not afraid to take on short odds on shots too. These continue to go quite well given we are half way through the year, and they are generally very short prices, including two beaten favourites last time. The plan will be for at least one or two each meeting and we will keep those results separate from the handicaps. 50/50 tonight with the two lays still good results so far with half the year complete 19/26.

Tonight's Lays;

17:35 - Safra  [7f 2yo Fillies Novice]  Won 5/2.

18:05 - Berrtie  [6f 3yo Handicap]  LOST 15/8F.

The next midweek floodlit meeting here will be held on Wednesday 7th July so keep well and hopefully we can have a successful 2021.

EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP 2020 - ENGLAND vs GERMANY 29th JUNE 2021

England face Germany at Wembley Stadium on Tuesday in their last 16 tie, after winning Group D there can be no mistakes now. England may not have produced a statement performance in the manner of Germany, Italy and Belgium, or hinted at greater menace to come like France, but they are exactly where they want to be and Southgate will be satisfied with that. It has been nowhere near perfect, but it is hardly a cause for doom and gloom either. The defeats for France yesterday, as well as big names such as Portugal and Holland going out early makes this a wide open tournament now. 

Looking at the positives, three clean sheets is impressive in any tournament and regardless of opposition, Gareth Southgate gave a long-awaited start to Jack Grealish against the Czech's and also brought in Arsenal teenager Bukayo Saka both give attacking options and helped to create the winning goal for Raheem Sterling. Still waiting for Harry Kane to score but there are options around the squad but he'll surely come good soon. An exciting 2-2 draw against Hungary secure the runners up spot in Group F for Germany however they have been very hot and cold so far this tournament, concede plenty of goals, so I hope we go at them. Germany look towards a front target man in Timo Werner with both Kai Havertz and Thomas Müller tucked in behind.

The match is Live on BBC One with kick off at 5pm.

England XI  2    [Sterling 75'  Kane 86']
Pickford (Gk),  Walker,  Stones,  🟨Maguire,  Trippier,  Shaw,  🟨Phillips,  🟨Rice,  Saka,  Sterling,  Kane (c).

Germany XI  0
Neuer (Gk) (c),  🟨Ginter,  Hummels,  Rüdiger,  Kimmich,  Goretzka,  Kroos,  🟨Gosens,  Havertz,  Müller,  Werner.

Head to Head
According to the stats we've have played against our friends Germany (including stats as West Germany) 32 times prior to this. Since 1930 (3-3 draw) we were unbeaten in friendlies up to the famous 1966 World Cup final win since then however the record is slightly less impressive. England have been victorious 13 times, Germany have a slight lead with 15 wins and there have been 4 draws. We've not played them since November 2017 which was a dire 0-0 draw, hopefully we can edge towards another win this afternoon.

England Win !! And will now face Ukraine on Saturday night, the Ukraine having beaten Sweden 2-1 after extra time on Tuesday night.

"But I still see that tackle by Moore

And when Linekar scored

Bobby belting the ball

And Nobby Dancing…"

🏇 PONTEFRACT HORSE RACING SYSTEM -- 2021 SEASON -- MEETING #7 28th JUNE

   

PONTEFRACT SEASON 2021.

Welcome to our seventh meeting of the 2021 season taking place on Monday 28th June. 

1st race 2.25pm.
Going: Good to firm
Tickets are now being sold for future events and selling quickly, it will be nice to see a big attendance at courses around the country for the summer. Under the current ‘roadmap’, the racing here will see (limited) numbers of spectators returning to Pontefract for this Monday afternoon meeting on 28th June. For as long as social distancing remains in place, however, the ‘normal’ raceday remains some way in the future. With all ‘essential workers’ (BHA and Racecourse officials, stable staff, trainers, jockeys etc) having to undergo health screening before each raceday, and then having to be kept at least 2m away from Owners and (when admitted) other racegoers, these restrictions effectively rule out any use of the Main Stand, and parts of the Second Stand, by the general public. Indeed two of the Dining Rooms in the Main Stand have been transformed into changing areas for jockeys to ensure that they are able to maintain social distance.

The following is a quote from the official Pontefract Racing site 'As soon as restrictions allow, we will open up bookings for ALL enclosures in their usual format. however, this will not be until AFTER the 21st June at the earliest!'
UPDATE - This has been amended slight after the announcement by HM Government that their ‘roadmap’ has been delayed to the 19th July meaning that this race meeting will be run with a limited number of spectators.  

Today's seven race card takes place on Monday, the feature event is the 2yo conditions race known as the Pontefract Spindrifter Conditions Stakes, over a six furlong trip, scheduled off time of 15:25. It's a chance to see some potentially brilliant youngsters in action. The supporting races include several mid range handicaps.

ALL results for these fixtures are recorded to a level stake at Starting Price (SP), and will also show any forecast results too in the daily results but these do not count for the profit / loss figures. After a good opening we have seen a few winners but despite a small win overall from the latest meeting we still have to carry over a deficit of -17.005 points onto this seventh meeting this afternoon.

Going / Weather: The forecast going is now currently reported as 'Good to firm' while the weather for Monday afternoon is for a generally cloudy day with some chance of showers but hopefully not too many. We are seeing a forecast maximum temperature around the 19C mark.
Here are our selections for the seven races taking place on Monday afternoon, remember it's a very simple selection process using stalls one and two in every race;

14:25  Northern Commercials Iveco S-Way Handicap

6f  (Class 5  13 runners)
(1) -- Aliento  [6th @10/1].
(2) -- Impeller  [2nd @3/1].

14:55  Wayne Conway Memorial Handicap (3yo)

1m 4f 5y  (Class 6  9 runners)

(1) -- The Vegas Raider  [3rd @5/2].

(2) -- Tropical Cyclone  [2nd @8/1].

15:25  British Stallion Studs EBF Spindrifter Conditions Stakes (2yo)
6f  (Class 2  6 runners)

(1) -- Sam Maximus  [3rd @9/4].
(2) -- Gis A Sub  [WON @5/4f].

15:55  Napoleons Casino Bradford Fillies' Handicap
6f  (Class 4  6 runners)

(1) -- The Blue Bower  [5th @9/2].
(2) -- Penny Pot Lane  [3rd @4/1].

16:30  Graham Clough Memorial Handicap

1m 6y  (Class 4  6 runners)

(1) -- Delgrey Boy  [2nd @8/11f].
(2) -- Oslo  [5th @33/1].

17:05  19th Wilfred Underwood Memorial Classified Stakes

6f  (Class 5  7 runners)

(1) -- Verreaux Eagle  [3rd @3/1].
(2) -- Bannow  [5th @33/1].

17:35  Paul & Jan Strong 25th Wedding Anniversary Handicap

1m 2f  (Class 5  7 runners)

(1) -- Thorntoun Care  [2nd @10/3].

(2) -- Dance King  [4th @5/2f].

Staked -- 14 points.

Returns -- 2.25 points.
Having started the 2021 season afresh, we begun reasonably well and with a full season on the track we look forward to a successful year, alas the opening few fixtures will be behind closed doors. After the opening six meetings we are sadly -17.005 points behind coming into this seventh fixture, the results for today will be updated during Monday afternoon. Was a terrible afternoon, only the one short priced fav obliging and we went close with a few but losing -11.75 points this afternoon takes us to -28.755 points behind overall.

The eighth fixture here will be held on Tuesday 6th July so we do hope you will follow the action throughout the season.

KEMPTON PARK HORSE RACING 2021 - MEETING #16 WEDNESDAY 23rd JUNE

Welcome to Kempton Park racecourse a season of evening meetings following the events on a Wednesday night on the all weather flat track under the lights. We will continue blogging throughout 2021 till the end of the year. Started well this season pleasantly still ahead as we reach the latter part of June. We've been following the delayed 2020 European Championship and England had a poor goalless draw against Scotland on Friday night, and will play their final Group D game against Czech Republic on Tuesday night (won 1-0 to top the group). Royal Ascot has passed for another year where we managed some nice winners and where Oisin Murphy was crowned top rider for the meeting last week.

Returning to the horse racing all results here are reported to 1pt at Starting Prices (SP) we will be keeping a rolling record of profit/loss all the way through from January till the Boxing Day 'King George' fixture in December. A successful opening first half of the year during 2021 means we arrive here with a +10.805 profit and will continue to keep a record to SP throughout the season.

Throughout the year we will keep up with our occasional lay opportunities of anticipated short priced favourites too. Naturally we will keep these results separately from the handicap figures we had been fairly successful with our selections throughout last year managed to get plenty of favourites beat so we finished on 33/49 (67.34%). We reset the counters for 2021 and will be continuing this throughout the year again. Currently standing at 16/22 (73%) after the latest meeting and we shall see how things progress during the year ahead. 

This week will be our sixteenth Wednesday evening meeting of the year and gladly this week we have begun to see the return to spectators on the racecourse not just the few owners. Tonight's meeting we shall now be expecting a seven race card with five handicaps for us to review. Our action will now commence at 17:40 with a seven furlong apprentice handicap event, then we should end the card around about 20:40 with our final handicap event over just under two miles. 

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

Going and Weather -- The going on the polytrack surface is described as 'standard to slow' and the current weather forecast for this Wednesday is for a somewhat warmer afternoon and early evening with regular showers in the forecast but a higher temperature of around 20C tonight - hopefully by the time the next meeting arrives it will begin to stay dry for the spectators who will now be in attendance.

Here are our handicap selections for tonight;

17:40  Unibet Casino Deposit 10 Get 40 Bonus Apprentice Handicap (3yo)
7f  [Class 6  14 runners]

Our opening contest is the first handicap event on the card and is a race for 3yo horses all being ridden by apprentice jockeys, so not a race to be too heavily involved with but lets have a look anyway. The field is led by Nibras Silk who came good at Chelmsford last time and has a 5lb claimer on board today, but I will try my luck elsewhere especially with ADAALADY who didn't do a lot in three runs but comes into a handicap on a low mark and has a good apprentice booked this might be a different proposition, also siding with PRISCILLA'S WISH who has Laura Pearson booked who should be on a high having rode a winner at Royal Ascot last week.
Winner - (6) Spirtuoso @11/1 [Callum Hutchinson].

18:10  Unibet Extra Place Offers Every Day Fillies' Handicap
7f  [Class 5  13 runners]

Time for the fillies now, again over seven furlongs, where top weight BROUGHTON SUNPEARL having won here before back in December and was runner up again here more recently when you factor in the jockey's 5lb claim is back on a workable mark and can certainly go close in this company. Port Noir [Non Runner] was a last time out winner at Wolves but is now 8lb higher and even with Oisin Murphy in great form could be vulnerable so we will look at LOWER STREET instead for the pick, ran well off the same mark and Jamie Spencer booked for the ride once more, will need to settle better early on, was doing all their best work at the finish last time at Chelmsford.
Winner - (8) Sayifyouwill @3/1 [Rob Hornby].

19:40  Unibet New Instant Roulette Handicap

1m  [Class 4  12 runners]

Last time here BONNEVAL was just denied on the line and compensation awaits with Oisin Murphy now in the saddle, has not had a lot of racing and wouldn't need to improve too much to take this. I like the form of COLONEL FAULKNER who will have Hollie Doyle in the driving seat today, Hollie was on board when winning over in France and has tried longer trips before, but the mile trip looks ideal. A place bet for us tonight would have to be Dream Chaser, who is a consistent type, the trip no problem, run well here before and only seen once so far this year, might be one for the second half of the season on the all weather but at 16/1 could make the frame here.
Winner - (10) Lankaran @6/1 [Jack Mitchell].

20:10  Unibet 3 Uniboosts A Day Handicap

1m 2f 219y  [Class 4  11 runners]

Good race with eleven declared, few here with winning form but none stand out more than BEAUTY STONE [Non Runner] winning her last four races, twice here, and then continued that improvement back on turf with victories at Windsor and Goodwood. Up in the weights as a result of course but not entirely sure if she's peaked just yet and should be looked at closely with Hollie Doyle riding another plus. VIOLA ran on strongly at Lingfield to win over a slightly longer trip but did so well and could be the danger. One at a bigger price for the place markets could be Oh it's Saucepot a Yarmouth regular and running off same mark as her latest effort when runner up there.

Winner - (9) Noble Masquerade @7/2 [William Buick].

20:40  Bet At racingtv.com Handicap

1m 7f 218y  [Class 6  14 runners]

The stayers take the stage for the finale tonight, and the main one for me is HIGHWAY ONE the 7yo mare a winner of three from her last four races, still seems to have something to give and defeated LIVA by a short margin last time, I think the pair could well battle it out again for the win. Several of these are stepping up in trip from a mile and half, the likes of Devizes and Flying Standard have run well but looked one paced at the finish so will stick with the two original picks to conclude with.
Winner - (5) Anisoptera @6/1 [William Carson].

Staked -- 10 points.       Returns -- 2 points.
Results will appear here later during Wednesday evening. All results are accurate and recorded to SP returns to a 1pt win stake only and updated each meeting. Our winning start to 2021 has stalled a little of late however these first few months have proved to be successful even with the last meeting being a small losing one our overall profit stands at +10.805 pts after meeting #15. No winners, losing 8 points and that's nearly wiping out our early season profits. So we're only at +2.805 pts going onto next week.

Lays -- 16/22 We had a good season last year again with the lays, aiming at favourites and not afraid to take on short odds on shots too. The plan will be for at least one or two each meeting and we will keep those results separate from the handicaps. Both beaten tonight, good, now standing at 18/24.

Tonight's Lays;

18:40 - Madame Ambassador [7f 2yo Fillies Novice]. Lost 3rd @9/4

19:10 - Kings Guard [6f 2yo Novice]. Lost 2nd @6/5f

The next midweek floodlit meeting here will be held on Wednesday 30th June so keep well and hopefully we can have a successful 2021.

EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP 2020 - ENGLAND vs CZECH REPUBLIC 22nd JUNE 2021

England will play their final Group D game against the Czech Republic this afternoon, after a narrow win against Croatia in the opener the 0-0 draw with Scotland was very deflating, need to improve rapidly if there's any chance of going deep in this competition now. Changes must be made, I know Gareth Southgate did alter the defence against Scotland but I don't see that the back line is much of a problem for this team is crying out for some creativity so Jack Grealish MUST start, and I think that Raheem Sterling isn't sure of a starting place either as Jadon Sancho must be wondering if/when he'll get an opportunity here. Harry Kane is woefully out of form but there's no chance he'll be dropped, he looks slow, unfit or just not interested with issues on his mind.

England's Ben Chilwell and Mason Mount have to self-isolate as a precaution after coming into close contact with Scotland's Billy Gilmour and will now miss Tuesday's game with the Czech Republic, plus the last 16 game too. The pair were seen interacting with Chelsea team-mate Gilmour after Friday's draw with Scotland at Wembley. Gilmour has since tested positive for Covid-19 and will miss Scotland's final group game against Croatia on Tuesday. In will come Jack Grealish, Harry Maguire and Bukayo Saka

While England face Czech Republic at Wembley Stadium today for the right to win Group D, elsewhere in the group Scotland will fancy their chances to beat an out of sorts Croatia. Both games will kick off at 8pm tonight.

England XI  1    [Sterling 12']
Pickford (Gk),  Walker,  Stones,  Maguire,  Shaw,  Phillips,  Rice,  Saka,  Grealish,  Sterling,  Kane (c).

Czech Republic XI  0
Vaclik (Gk),  Coufal,  Celustka,  Kalas,  Boril,  Holes,  Soucek,  Masopust,  Darida (c),  Jankto,  Schick.

Head to Head
According to the stats we've only played the Czech Republic four times, two friendlies and two Euro Qualifiers. I suspect this is because they don't include games played against them when the country was Czechoslovakia? Okay so looking at those four previous matches England have won twice, one draw and the latest fixture was a 2-1 defeat two years ago as part of the qualifying group.

We will update later with confirmed starting line ups, and will follow the fortunes of the home nations this summer. 

England win 1-0 and take Group D as a result, as yet we do not know who their opponents will be however their game will take place on Tuesday 29th June.

🏇 PONTEFRACT HORSE RACING SYSTEM -- 2021 SEASON -- MEETING #6 20th JUNE

   

PONTEFRACT SEASON 2021.

Welcome to our sixth meeting of the 2021 season taking place on Sunday 20th June. 

1st race 1.45pm.
Going: Good to firm
Tickets are now being sold for future events and selling quickly, it will be nice to see a big attendance at courses around the country for the summer. Under the current ‘roadmap’, the racing here will see (limited) numbers of spectators returning to Pontefract for this Sunday afternoon meeting on 20th June. For as long as social distancing remains in place, however, the ‘normal’ raceday remains some way in the future. With all ‘essential workers’ (BHA and Racecourse officials, stable staff, trainers, jockeys etc) having to undergo health screening before each raceday, and then having to be kept at least 2m away from Owners and (when admitted) other racegoers, these restrictions effectively rule out any use of the Main Stand, and parts of the Second Stand, by the general public. Indeed two of the Dining Rooms in the Main Stand have been transformed into changing areas for jockeys to ensure that they are able to maintain social distance.

The following is a quote from the official Pontefract Racing site 'As soon as restrictions allow, we will open up bookings for ALL enclosures in their usual format. however, this will not be until AFTER the 21st June at the earliest!' - and now that the Government have announced a further delay till July it's looking less likely that normal service will resume for a while.

Today's eight race card takes place on father's day of course, the feature event is the listed race for fillies known as the Pontefract Castle Stakes, over a mile and half trip, scheduled off time of 14:55. The supporting races include another in the series of the stayers championship here, the Pontefract Cup over 2m 2f will follow at 15:25.

ALL results for these fixtures are recorded to a level stake at Starting Price (SP), and will also show any forecast results too in the daily results but these do not count for the profit / loss figures. After a good opening we have seen a few winners but despite a small win overall from the latest meeting we still have to carry over a deficit of -7.505 points to onto this sixth meeting this afternoon.

Going / Weather: The forecast going is now currently reported as 'Good to firm' while the weather for Sunday afternoon is for a generally cloudy day with showers expecting during the day but hopefully not too many. We are seeing a forecast maximum temperature around the 14C mark.
Here are our selections for the eight races taking place on Sunday afternoon, remember it's a very simple selection process using stalls one and two in every race;

13:45  Northern Commercials Iveco Tipper Ebf Fillies' Restricted Novice Stakes (Div One)

6f  (Class 5  10 runners)
(1) -- May Punch  5th @3/1.
(2) -- Setai Beach  [Non Runner].

14:20  Northern Commercials Iveco Tipper Ebf Fillies' Restricted Novice Stakes (Div Two)

6f  (Class 5  9 runners)
(1) -- Vieux Carre  2nd @10/11f.
(2) -- Queen's Heir  4th @18/1.

14:55  Volkswagen Van Centre (West Yorkshire) Ltd Fillies' Handicap

1m 6y  (Class 3  6 runners)

(1) -- Majestic Tejaan  2nd @9/2.

(2) -- The Flying Ginger  WON @6/4f.

15:25  Sky Bet Pontefract Castle Fillies' Stakes
1m 4f 5y  (Class 1  9 runners)

(1) -- Salsada  [Non Runner].

(2) -- Camphor  4th @9/1.

15:55  Sky Bet Pontefract Cup Handicap
2m 2f 2y  (Class 4  11 runners)

(1) -- Seagulls Nest  7th@10/1.
(2) -- London Eye  3rd @11/1.

16:25  Happy Father's Day Handicap

1m 4f 5y  (Class 3  9 runners)

(1) -- Law of One  4th @6/4.
(2) -- Sociologist  [Non Runner].

16:55  David Wildon Marching On Together Memorial Novice Stakes

1m 4f 5y  (Class 4  6 runners)

(1) -- Yesyes  [Non Runner].

(2) -- Fantasising  2nd @9/2.

17:25  Tribute Bands Family Day 25th July Handicap

6f  (Class 3  12 runners)

(1) -- Lezardrieux  6th @11/1.

(2) -- Ghathanfar  4th @11/2.

Staked -- 16 points.

Returns -- 6.5 points.
Having started the 2021 season afresh, we begun reasonably well and with a full season on the track we look forward to a successful year, alas the opening few fixtures will be behind closed doors. After the opening five meetings we are sadly -7.505 points behind coming into this sixth fixture, the results for today will be updated during Sunday afternoon. Sadly just one small winner and some non runners, so a losing meeting for us -9.5 points to add to the deficit which now sits are -17.005 points. 

The seventh fixture here will be held on Monday 28th June so we do hope you will follow the action throughout the season.

ROYAL ASCOT 2021. DAY FIVE SATURDAY 19th JUNE

DAY FIVE
Welcome to this our final day of this season's Royal Ascot 2021 festival meeting.
SATURDAY WEATHER UPDATE -- Mixed weather throughout this period with a minimal risk of rain but will be very cloudy throughout the day and a high of 21C. Following plenty of rain yesterday the going has changed to soft and we might see a flurry of non runners having been declared on good earlier in the week. 
Official Going Report - Soft (Heavy in places).

The fifth and final day comes around on 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 and features the Group 1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes off at 4:20. Next year we'd expect this to be changed to the Platinum Jubilee but for now let's focus on the fashion, the weather (very British) and all the big races for Saturday;

2:30 Royal Ascot - Chesham Stakes (2yo)
7f  10 runners
A listed race for 2yo and just the ten runners declared to take the stage for Saturdays' opener. Could be a battle between the Godolphin runner New Science (Charlie Appleby) a winner at Yarmouth and Point Lonsdale (Aiden O'Brien) who scored at the Curragh. However with other debut winners on show we will take the pair of GREAT MAX [M Bell] and MASEKELA [A Balding] against the field. Significant support for HM The Queen's Reach for the Moon who was runner up to New Science at Yarmouth on debut would be interesting and hopefully we see a big run in the famous colours to end the week on a high (2nd 11/1).
RESULT
1st - (4) Point Lonsdale @10/11f [Ryan Moore].

3:05 Royal Ascot - Jersey Stakes (3yo) [Group 3]
7f  19 runners
A Group 3 flat race for three-year-old horses run over seven furlongs used to be run on Wednesday now returned to it's regular place on the Saturday. Most of the field here are stepping up from either handicap or listed class to try a group three. The French challenger FAST RAAJ has won a group three at Deauville last time out and should be high on the agenda for this, both MUTASAABEQ and NAVAL CROWN tried their luck in the 2000 Guineas but finished 7th and 4th respectively. CREATIVE FORCE [Won 5/1] runs for Godolphin here and is three from three this season and won't mind any rain looks fairly versatile (also have Naval Crown and Storm Damage). 

There are two runners for HM The Queen in this, TACTICAL looks the preference of the pair rated slightly higher to LIGHT REFRAIN and we can try and back both of these in the place markets.
RESULT
1st - (4) Creative Force @5/1 [James Doyle].

3.40 Royal Ascot - Hardwicke Stakes [Group 2]
1m 4f  10 runners
This is a Group Two contest which used to be farmed by Sir Michael Stoute and he relies on HIGHEST GROUND today, ought to go well but is facing some high class competition. Aiden O'Brien saddles four here, including the highest rated horse in the field with JAPAN, though Ryan Moore has chosen BROOME which is interesting so we'll see who comes out on top in that battle. Winner of his last six races and improving all the time ILARAAB will have to find more to be successful at this level but anything is possible for his yard. At the bottom of the race card we see the filly WONDERFUL TONIGHT [WON @5/1] and I do fancy this one having been successful in France last year in the Group One Qatar Prix de Royallieu at Longchamp and followed that up here with a victory on champions day.

RESULT
1st - (15) Wonderful Tonight @5/1 [W Buick].

4:20 Royal Ascot - DIAMOND JUBILEE STAKES [Group 1]
6f  12 runners
Today's Group 1 and 18 declared for the sprint, the race worth just under £400,000 to the winner fourteen in the line up though although looks a quality field with an international flavour. A field headed by Art Power. The main one in the field would appear to be Ed Walker's STARMAN [N/r], a winner at York where he had the Kings Stand winner Oxted in third, although his only defeat so far came here on soft going so the rain is a worry and his participation must be in question. Dream Of Dreams has run in this before and usually finishes fast and late should be doing so again. NAHAAR is another to place high on the shortlist having finished very close up to Starman at York last time having also won the Ayr Gold Cup too, and this six furlong trip ought to suit. Glen Shiel was progressive last year winning five times, including a win here on Champions Day.
RESULT
1st - (2) Dream Of Dreams @3/1f [Ryan Moore].

5:00 Royal Ascot - Wokingham Stakes Heritage Handicap
6f  21 runners
It's just not Royal Ascot without a massive field handicap and today we've the Wokingham and 28 initially declared (several non runners now) worth over £64,000 to the winner due to the reduced prize funds during the covid period but still a big prize. With the market about 7/1+ the field this will be impossible to predict and the size of the field means plenty of hard luck stories for sure ... good luck if you still in the placepot too. Field is led by Snazzy Jazzy for who Laura Pearson claims a useful 5lb, even so the combination of seasonal reappearance with a big weight and on the forecast soft/heavy ground I fancy others to be more effective. Chil Chil [N/r] is a respected course and distance winner, put up 9lb for convincing win at Newmarket last time, began handicapping off a mark of 63 now has to race off 106. Another who has managed to make a mockery of their opening mark is ROHAAN [WON 8/1] trained by David Evans, Made successful handicap debut off 55 and now finds himself rated a remarkable 57lb higher after wins in a course and distance listed contest and the Sandy Lane (Group 2) at Haydock. Last years winner HEY JONESY is also fancied to go well again, seems to run better in big fields competing in the likes of the Ayr Gold Cup and Stewards Cup at Goodwood today could be his turn again.
Lively Outsider - David O'Meara runs GULLIVER who was successful up at York last autumn on soft. Didn't show much over the winter on the all weather however shaped as if back in better form when returning to York latest. Previously ran fourth in this off 3lb higher last year and soft ground would suit so the current rain speaks in his favour.

RESULT
1st - (4) Rohaan @8/1 [Shane Kelly].

5:35 Royal Ascot - The Golden Gates Stakes (Handicap)
1m 2f  14 runners
The new contest for Saturday but not the finale as we stick with the traditional closing event later, this is a 10f race for 3yo horses, a field of 16 with 3 in reserve, which we might need given the change of going conditions. The handicap is led by Joseph O'Brien's ISLE OF SARK who only raced three times but was thrown into a Group 3 on only the second outing, time will tell if this handicap mark is a fair one or not. Joseph also has VISUALISATION here in the colours of his mother, a winner of three out of his six races and the most recent was a Curragh handicap on heavy ground so won't appear to be too inconvenienced by the recent rain. Mark Johnston had a day to remember on Thursday with the Gold Cup winner and his KING FRANKEL having been runner up twice, could still have a big say if he doesn't meet trouble in running again (met traffic problems at Epsom last time).
Lively Outsider - Brian Meehan's GLENTANEOUS comfortably landed the odds second time up in at Lingfield in February. Went down fighting under a penalty against another good prospect since and further progress not ruled out up in trip available at 33/1.
RESULT
1st - (10) Foxes Tales @13/2 [Oisin Murphy].

6:10 Royal Ascot - Queen Alexandra Stakes
2m 6f  16 runners
We conclude with the longest distance race on the Flat calendar, an event that is often targeted by the National Hunt trainers. This marathon race was won last year by Alan King's WHO DARES WINS, a smart dual-purpose performer who  should be a lot fitter for his return in a Chester handicap. Obviously can't be discounted, although this looks a stronger renewal with work cut out to see off the likes of FALCON EIGHT. Dermot Weld's inmate won the Chester Cup last time and Frankie Dettori takes the ride once more clearly looks the one to beat here. Stratum is the main chance of Willie Mullins here, previous winner of the Cesarewitch on soft ground, usually makes the running and will have Ryan Moore today, rain will not be an issue so huge opportunity. Might be competition for the lead even in a race over this trip with Stag Horn another likely to go on from the front, winner of three races of 2m+ (9L winner at Pontefract) finished fourth behind Stradivarius here in the Sagaro Stakes.
RESULT
1st - (14) Stratum @4/1 [Ryan Moore].

That's all for Royal Ascot this year, been difficult as always, but we found enough winners to say we'll be back next year. For now it's goodbye and a quick return to the normal meetings starting with Pontefract tomorrow and then Kempton Park next Wednesday. Plus plenty of action in the European Football Championships and England facing Czech Republic on Tuesday.