ROYAL ASCOT 2019. DAY TWO WEDNESDAY 19th JUNE

Wednesday Weather update -- It's going to be another cloudy, wet and breezy day on Wednesday. Likely maximum temperature of 19C.

Going -- Good to Soft

DAY TWO

Hope you enjoyed yourselves with day one, am still expecting some good weather again today and we will have more Group 1 action with the feature contest Prince of Wales Stakes off at 3:40 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 with the QUEEN MARY STAKES off at 2:30. This Group 2 for 2yo Fillies usually throws up a good one to follow for the rest of the season and a big field of 28 are declared to do battle today. Plenty in with chance of course, but would want to take a good look in the parade ring as 2yo's can be bit anxious especially with big crowd and company. 

The American challenge is regularly worth following and Wesley Ward brings good quality here so ANNA'S FAST and KIMARI should be interesting along with the likes of Sandown winner FLIPPA THE STRIPPA though disappointed that DeSousa doesn't ride that one having taken National Stakes. 

Aiden O'Brien only has two in this which does surprise me from his strong yard represented by LOVE BRACELET and TANGO who are not particularly strong in the betting market. 

2:30 Royal Ascot -- Queen Mary Stakes (5f)
RESULT
1st.    Raffle Prize 18/1    (L Dettori)
2nd    Kimari 13/2
3rd     Final Song 6/1 Fav

The QUEENS VASE next up at 3:05 and a field of 13 line up. A race won by last years St Leger winner Kew Gardens, and Aiden O'Brien has the market leader here again with WESTERN AUSTRALIA who improved for the step up in trip last time and surely comes here with a favourites chance, however it's interesting that Ryan Moore has opted for NORWAY who was 8th in this years Derby at Epsom and sired by Galileo. 

Godolphin run two and both ran in France last time where JALMOUD won his event while MOONLIGHT SPIRIT was in a group three last time.

3:05 Royal Ascot - Queen's Vase Stakes (1m 6f 34y)
RESULT
1st.   Dashing Willoughby   6/1  (O Murphy)
2nd.  Barbados   20/1
3rd.   Nayef Road   16/1

Today's Group 1 race THE PRINCE OF WALES STAKES goes off at 3:40. Just the 8 declared but it's a small and select field. The likes of MAGICAL will be a hard act to crack but in the field we have SEA OF CLASS and CRYSTAL OCEAN so this is no gimmie. 

CRYSTAL OCEAN won the Hardwicke Stakes here last year and is rated slightly higher than his opponents, so with Frankie on board at his favourite track it's he we side with.

3:40 Royal Ascot -- Prince of Wales's Stakes (1m 2f)
RESULT
1st --  Crystal Ocean 3/1. (L Dettori)
2nd --  Magical   13/8f
3rd --   Waldgeist   4/1

The DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE STAKES is off at 4:20 and this Group 2 for fillies and mares has attracted 17 runners, Frankie and Stoute can have another win here with RAWDAA but I'm not going to side with the likely favourite here I fancy a couple of big price outsiders beginning with SHENANIGANS and this 5yo mare has plenty of place form and wouldn't be such a surprise to run a big race here for trainer Roger Varian. While it's good to see Kerrin McEvoy back on these shores and his ride PREENING is a 25/1 shot lightly raced and stepping up in class but worth an interest in a fairly open event. 

4:20 Royal Ascot -- Duke of Cambridge Stakes (1m) 
RESULT
1st.   Move Swiftly   9/1  (D Tudhope)
2nd.  Rawdaa   4/1
3rd.   I Can Fly  7/2

The big handicap of the day is the ROYAL HUNT CUP at 5pm with only the 30 declared (excluding the three reserves) it's clearly fairly simple to pick and if you still in the placepot today, best of luck! 

it's 10/1 the field as I write this, STYLEHUNTER has crept in at the bottom of the handicap here and is one to consider drawn 25 while I also like to have one either side of the draw so on the low side it's MITCHUM SWAGGER (drawn 8) who found our lucky pin falling on him. Good luck whatever you select personally there are easier races to pick.

5:00 Royal Ascot -- Royal Hunt Cup (1m)
RESULT
1st  --   Afaak  20/1   (Jim Crowley)
2nd  --  Clon Coulis  16/1
3rd  --   Raising Sand  8/1
4th  --   Stylehunter   22/1

The finale on Day Two [5:35] is the WINDSOR CASTLE STAKES a listed contest over 5f, a race for 2yo only and there's just the 24 in the line up. Wesley Ward again has a couple here and hard to split the pair of FOOLISH HUMOR and KARAK so might try and dutch these against the field. Frankie gets booked for Mark Johnston on IFFRAAZ and where most of the field have little form to compare this is a well bred colt with plenty of improvement expected.  

5:35 Royal Ascot -- Windsor Castle Stakes (5f)
RESULT

1st  --   Southern Hills  7/1  (R L Moore)

2nd  --   Platinum Star  8/1

3rd  --   Glasvegas   25/1

4th  --   Symbolize  6/1

Results will be updated in the evening and we will have details for tomorrow's Gold Cup card posted up as early as possible. Hope you enjoying the week thus far. 

ROYAL ASCOT 2019. DAY ONE TUESDAY 18th JUNE

Tuesday Weather update -- High Temp of 20C Starting dry. Plenty of cloud around too, especially during the morning, and a chance of some wind and showers later.

Going -- Good to soft (soft in places)

DAY ONE
This years Royal Ascot meeting will be the usual fashion stakes and social event, and Her Majesty The Queen still gets out and about not bad given she's 93 you know, not sure if she'll be accompanied by Prince Phillip but has William, Catherine, Meghan and Harry on standby if she needs more support. 

Six races to enjoy starting at 2.30 with our first Group 1 of the meeting which is the QUEEN ANNE STAKES over the straight mile course, and a field of 16 will line up for our opener this year. They include last years 33/1 winner ACCIDENTAL AGENT and a repeat of that feat is not out of the question. Godolphin run there here Barney Roy, Dream Castle, Mythical Magic but while they will no doubt be ready the one I would love to see win is LAURENS. For a relatively small yard and owner this 4yo filly has been campaigned at group 1 level and deserves a win at the Royal meeting.

2:30 Royal Ascot - Queen Anne Stakes (1m)
RESULT
1st. Lord Glitters 14/1
2nd. Beat The Bank 20/1
3rd. One Master 20/1

The COVENTRY STAKES is our second race and takes place at 3.05 over the straight 6f track. This Group 2 race for 2yo's has attracted a field of 17 and it's a minefield with only three of them having no winning form to boast about but all could run well so finding the winner here will be tricky. 

Naturally the first port of call is to see what Aiden O'Brien sends over from Ballydoyle and he has four runners headed by ARIZONA who was impressive in a Curragh maiden winning by 8L and could be one to follow. Richard Hannon knows his way around 2yo horses so THREAT will probably be up there having seen off a Godolphin odds on fav in his only start and represents Cheveley Park Stud. For an interesting big price each way option maybe MAKYON from Mark Johnston's yard who doesn't send horses here without a big chance.

3:05 Royal Ascot -- Coventry Stakes (6f)
RESULT
1st.   Arizona  15/8f
2nd.   Threat   4/1
3rd.   Guildsman  6/1

BLUE POINT WINNING THE KING STAND LAST YEAR

At 3.40 our second Group 1 race of the week is the KINGS STAND sprint over 5f, where 12 will line up to charge down the course and the draw will be as vital as the splits for some. BLUE POINT won this last year and having been in Dubai winning at the World Cup meeting and will be hard to catch here if coping with the change in climate. BATTASH was runner up in this last year and the Temple Stakes winner will be seeking some revenge, but might play second fiddle again with the likes of MABS CROSS and SERGEI PROKOFIEV in a strong line up today.

American trainers are coming over more often and Joseph Orseno sends IMPRIMIS who has Frankie Dettori booked to ride and is a multiple winner stateside, is an unknown outside of those conditions but wouldn't be a big shock if running a strong race here and worth a look at in the paddock and betting ring. 

3:40 Royal Ascot -- Kings Stand Stakes (5f)
RESULT
1st.   Blue Point 5/2
2nd.  Battash. 2/1f
3rd.   Soldiers Call 16/1

The feature event is at 4.20 the Group 1 ST JAMES'S PALACE STAKES over a mile for 3yo colts and they race on the round course. With over £300k to the winner its a strong field of 11, featuring TOO DARN HOT who was the outstanding 2yo but has had injuries and struggled this term, could still win this but am going to oppose in favour of stablemate KING OF COMEDY who won at Sandown when I was there and even though Frankie has swapped is still the one who appears to have improvement there. 

Aiden O'Brien is always feared though two of his three are about 100/1 so must rely on CIRCUS MAXIMUS. 

WITHOUT PAROLE WINNING ST JAMES PALACE 2018

4:20 Royal Ascot -- St James's Palace Stakes (1m)
RESULT
1st  --   Circus Maximus  10/1
2nd  --  King of Comedy  4/1
3rd  --   Too Darn Hot  2/1f

At 5.00 it's the ASCOT STAKES over the Gold Cup distance of 2m 4f for 4yo's+. Only the 20 runners here but unlike the sprint events I think they should be fairly strung out come the end and we'll focus on two against the field that should find the trip to their liking. 

Jamie Osborne has been in good form lately and despite the fire at his stables runs JUKEBOX JIVE here who was out in Dubai earlier in the season and at 33/1 a nice each way selection for us. While ARCTIC FIRE is a 10yo and better known as a hurdler does have winning form on the flat and should be there at the finish too.

Willie Mullins and Ryan Moore team up with BUILDMEUPBUTTERCUP and will be a short price to succeed here today while his Irish NH nemesis Gordon Elliott runs MENGLI KHAN and will be interesting to see what the market moves are for these. 

5:00 Royal Ascot -- Ascot Stakes (2m 4f)
RESULT
1st  --  The Grand Visir   12/1
2nd  --  Buildmeupbuttercup  7/1
3rd  --  Time to Study   16/1
4th  --  Fun Mac   11/1

And at 5.35 we finish off Day One with the WOLVERTON STAKES over just under 1m 2f and is a change from recent years where the Windsor Castle stakes used to be run at the end of day one, this will now be run tomorrow. A field of 16 runners here and it's 6/1+ the lot so finding the winner is not that straightforward. 

Only MAGIC WAND gets any sort of weight allowance here for Aiden O'Brien but it's his son JP that we like here with LATROBE who was last years Irish Derby winner and any sort of form would surely be hard to beat here even over the slightly shorter trip. Be careful with your bets as both MOUNTAIN ANGEL and MOUNTAIN HUNTER are close in the race card and could well be close at the finish too at decent prices. Good luck

5:35 Royal Ascot -- Wolverton Stakes (1m 1f 212y)
RESULT
1st --  Addeybb  5/1
2nd --  Magic Wand   9/2
3rd -- Elarqam   5/1 

Result will be updated in the evening and we will have details for each of the five days of Royal Ascot posted up as early as possible.   Hope you enjoy the week.

AFC WIMBLEDON PRE SEASON FRIENDLIES 2019

The hard work by the staff in the club offices within Kingsmeadow continues throughout the pre-season and while many fans are away on their holidays the club have been busy arranging our summer tour and pre-season 'friendly' games. In fact the 2019-20 season fixtures will also be out in a matter of weeks too, yet it only feels like a moment away we were celebrating staying up. 

We've some quality home ties with Brentford and Bristol City coming to Kingsmeadow and will also tour Germany playing former German Title winners FC Kaiserslautern in July.

AFC Wimbledon will also prepare for the 2019/20 League One campaign by taking on Premier League side Crystal Palace in their final pre-season friendly, Wally Downes side will face Roy Hodgson’s men on Tuesday 30 July at Kingsmeadow. As the EFL League One season is scheduled to begin on Saturday 3rd August there is little room for another warm up game but if we squeeze something else in I'll wager it's against someone like Sutton United or Woking.

AFC Wimbledon's confirmed pre-season schedule:

All 7.45 pm kick-offs unless stated

5th July vs Brentford  [home]  Lost 0 - 3

9th July vs Bristol City  [home]  Lost 2 - 3

12th July (7.00 pm German time) - Kaiserslautern  [away] Lost 1-0

13th July (3.00 pm German time) – Kickers Offenbach  [away] Lost 3-2

16th July vs Bournemouth [La Manga] Lost 3-2
20th July vs Plymouth [La Manga] Lost 2-0
23rd July vs Met Police  [away]

27th July vs Hampton and Richmond (3pm) [away]

30th July vs Crystal Palace  [home]

If there are more games arranged they will be updated here, surprised we only have the two games now against non league opposition and that's as a result of signing Nesta Guinness-Walker from the Met Police and the latest fixture against Hampton and Richmond. Also as away fixtures go neither Imber Court nor the Beveree are all that far away to travel either.