ROYAL ASCOT 2014. DAY TWO WEDNESDAY 18th JUNE

DAY TWO

Well the sun shone and the champagne flowed, oh and there was a bit of racing on ... Gok Wan was there to tell us what not to wear but sadly he didn't get anyone naked so that was a bit of a shame. 

Expecting good weather again today where we have more Group 1 action with the Prince of Wales Stakes at 3.45 and the big handicap of the day is the Royal Hunt Cup off at 5pm. 

Once Her Majesty has arrived and settled down we will start today off with the Jersey Stakes at 2.30. This Group 3 for 3yo's usually throws up a good one to follow for the rest of the season and the French trained REDBROOK with Frankie on board for his retained owner (winner on day 1) looks an interested bet at 12/1 as does MUSICAL COMEDY for Her Majesty The Queen also at 12/1 so we'll take the pair against the field of 23. 

The 2yo Fillies race Queen Mary Stakes next up at 3.05 and a field of 22 line up. There's a challenge from the USA as well as Ireland this year, SPAINISH PIPEDREAM is the American prospect, successful at Keeneland and not over here for a summer holiday. 

Today's Group 1 race The Prince of Wales Stakes goes off at 3.45 and it's going to be all about the well-being of last seasons' ARC winner TREVE. Another great ride of Dettori he'll be expected to lands this one with the odds on fav. 

MAGICIAN should be the one to give her most to think about but I think she'll be too good and 2l+ clear at the post. 

The Duke of Cambridge Stakes is off at 4.25 but makes little appeal to me. SKY LANTERN should win if tuned up for Richard Hannon's team and maybe Andre Fabre's recent Newmarket winner ESOTERIQUE can give her most to do. 

The big handicap of the day is the Royal Hunt Cup at 5pm with only the 31 declared it's fairly simple. Will probably split into two groups which may give us some clues for the finale over the same trip. 

ABSEIL [drawn 22] is one I wanted to be on this season and having picked up a good race on Oaks day at Epsom should be up there for this one despite the size of the field. 

Whether you want to be on a 4/1  shot in such a competitive race is one thing so perhaps an ew shot with the likes of 25/1 shot GABRIAL'S KAKA [drawn 4] will give us one either side and Jamie Spencer is a man to trust in big handicaps coming fast and late. 

We sign off on Wednesday with the Sandringham Handicap [5.35] over the straight mile for the fillies. 25 declared over the same trip as the Hunt Cup so the ground could be well and truly torn up by now. 

I think we will once again pick a selection from either side of the draw and at decent prices for a big win. Frankie on CORAL MIST [drawn 25] could be having a big day and rides well here it will be a shock if he doesn't pick up a few winners this year. 

ADHWAA [drawn 5] from the Barry Hills yard (he's come out of retirement to look after the yard of his late son John) so it would be especially heartwarming for this 3yo to give him another Royal Ascot winner. 

ROYAL ASCOT 2014. DAY ONE TUESDAY 17th JUNE

DAY ONE
This years Royal meeting at Ascot will be the usual fashion stakes and social event, hey even the Queen will be there ... but is it a meeting for real racegoers or just a fashion parade? 

Well if you can get in and fight through the crowds (or better still grab yourself a bit of hospitality ahem thanks Betfair) then at least you can say you are seeing some of the best racing of the season with Group races each day, top class sprints and big field competitive handicaps. 

Six races to enjoy starting at 2.30 with the Queen Anne stakes over the straight mile course. Richard Hannon saddles the fav here with TORONADO winner of last years Sussex Stakes and likely to be short price to land this event. If you want something at more attractive odds you would want to have a look at the French raider ANODIN they don't send many over the channel without having a big chance and 12/1 looks worth a few bob ew. [Winner and 3rd. Good start to the afternoon.]

The Coventry stakes is our second race and takes place at 3.05 over the straight 6f track.   The 2yo race has attracted a field of 16 and it's a minefield with all bar one having winning form. JUSTICE GOOD looks progressive and with Ryan Moore booked for the ride and odds of 16/1 I think we'll side with that one and hope the low draw is not adverse. [Just run out of it at the line, finished a close 4th]

At 3.45 our first Group 1 race of the week is the Kings Stand sprint over 5f, the first 4 home from last year all take their place again and last years winner SOLE POWER will be strongly fancied to follow up again. Of the rest the 3yo GUERRE from Aiden O'Brien appeals having only run 3 times and the master of Ballydoyle wouldn't drop him in at the deep end without a chance. [WINNER 5/1]

The feature event is at 4.25 the Group 1 St James's Palace stakes over a mile on the round course. Looks a rematch between KINGMAN and KNIGHT OF THUNDER and while it might seem foolish to write off the others, a repeat of their 2000 Guiness effort should see them pull clear. I think KNIGHT OF THUNDER can go in again, he veered across the course at HQ that day and if he can keep a straight line then he's a few lengths to the good on that run. [Kingman won well fair play at odds on]

At 5.00 it's the Ascot Stakes over the Gold Cup distance of 2m 4f for 4yo's+. 20 Runners they could be well strung out by the end of this, and we fancy BALLINDERRY BOY from Andrew Balding to confirm last years good form over 2m with the step up to 2m 4f sure to suit on breeding. 

And we finish on Tuesday with the Windsor Castle stakes over 5f and 25 are declared for that event so good luck there especially if you still in the Jackpot / Placepot (no doubt I won't be after leg 1 as usual). 

PONTEFRACT HORSE RACING SYSTEM -- 2014 TURF SEASON -- PART FIVE

PONTEFRACT SEASON 2014

[MONDAY 9th JUNE]

The fifth meeting of the season from Pontefract, and we are doing really well so far with a healthy profit of +19 points for the season based on a level stake at SP. 

Here are our selections for this meeting and I'll be looking closely at Cape Tribulation who runs in the 2nd race over 2 miles. 

Racing should have started at 6.40pm Monday but sadly the meeting was called off earlier today. 

6.40 -- MISS VAN GOGH [ ], HOWLIN' FOR YOU [ ]

7.10 -- JOYFUL MOTIVE [ ], CAPE TRIBULATION [ ]

7.40 -- AUGUSTA ADA [ ], THE HOODED CLAW [ ]

8.10 -- SHIROCCO PASSION [ ], SHANKLY [ ]

8.40 -- WOTALAD [ ], DISCLOSURE [ ]

9.10 -- THE STRIG [ ], BORIS GRIGORIEV [ ]

RESULTS - Have only just got home to find that tonights meeting was called off earlier today due to a waterlogged track. This should have been their first West Yorkshire Festival night but sadly that will have to happen another day. 

The next scheduled meeting here will be held on Sunday 22nd June. Weather Permitting naturally...