It is a rarity these days when all selections on the day turn out to be winners, but Thursday was one of those days.
Both of the selections were short-priced horses, so it's nothing to get excited about, but it's definitely better than a kick in the nuts.
Aperoll got a nice front-running ride, and the horse had enough in the tank to fend off the fast-finishing Oisin Murphy horse.
Tawajjah won quite cosily in the end. He stayed on nicely on the outside, and when the others tried to catch him, he pulled away inside the final fifty yards.
Al Azd 11/10 (2pt) – Ascot 4.05
I actually feel quite ill putting a horse of this price up in a Class 2 Ascot handicap with nine runners, but I think he is the most likely winner.
When you look through the horses that Al Azd is running against, their credentials aren't exactly outstanding. I thought Theory Of Tides could have been a play at an each-way price, but when you watch him, he looks very slow. This longer trip will likely suit, but he doesn't look pretty on the eye, and he is also giving weight away to my selection.
I can understand why Al Azd is the favourite, but 11/10 is getting a little skinny. If I were to advise on backing him, I'd say he has to drift out a little bit, so it might be worth waiting. Every time I've said that, they've shortened up…
Al Azd was sixth in the London Gold Cup. That race is a consistent printer for producing winning horses, and horses who are well-handicapped at the time they contested the race. This year is no different. The winner won at Royal Ascot, and others behind ran well at that meeting. Al Azd was second in the King George V Stakes, and has since been hiked up in the weights by 8lbs, up to a rating of 100.
I think the handicapper assessment is a little harsh, but I don't think it'll stop him from winning this race. He came from a relatively poor position in that race and had to wait to get room, so his run needed to be marked up.
There is a lot of racing tomorrow, but it doesn't mean you have to have more bets. Apart from Al Azd, who I think is a little too short, nothing else really stood out as a solid bet.
GambleAware