We walked away with one winner from two selections on Friday.
Many Men was tenacious in his victory under Tom Marquand. I didn't think he would have to battle as hard as he did to get the win, but fair play to the horse. He clearly enjoyed the step up in trip, and managed to land us a 2pt win with a small rule 4.
Arantes Nascimento didn't run too well and wasn't good enough to make it two on the day. He was boxed in, but in hindsight, it doesn't matter. He was never winning that race, no matter where he was positioned.
Flowerhead 7/2 (1pt) – Ascot 1.40
Some will argue it was a bit of a fluke that Flowerhead finished as runner-up at Royal Ascot at odds of 100/1, but the form suggests it was a very good effort.
She finished behind True Love from the Aidan O'Brien yard in the Queen Mary Group 2. True Love looks like a fantastic juvenile over the sprint trips, and has since followed up with another Group 2 win against the boys. Flowerhead was only 1.25L behind the winner that day, and was running on at the finish, leaving the impression she could be better over further.
Today, she runs over 6f, so gets the extra furlong. With further improvement likely with the extra 200m, she could be tough to beat if getting a clear run through. We know she likes Ascot, and everything points towards a very big run.
Aalto 5/1 (1pt EW, 6pl)- Ascot 3.00
Going for one of the shorter-priced horses in a heritage handicap is something I do try and avoid. There are plenty of each-way angles you can play in this race at much bigger odds, but I think with a clear run, Aalto is the one to beat.
It was a bit of a surprise to see Aalto finish second in the Bunbury Cup a couple of weeks ago at big odds, but it shouldn't have been a shock. This year, he has only run twice, which was a poor effort on his return, but then bounced back at Newmarket. He won the Bunbury Cup last year and was fancied to win it, so that race was clearly his target for this season. He ran a belter to put More Thunder all the way to the line, and is now 1lb lower in the handicap than he was at Newmarket.
Ian Williams went for this race last year after the Bunbury Cup win, and he didn't get a clear run throughout the entire race. He was blocked on multiple occasions and still managed to finish 2.25L behind the winner. I think it all comes down to William Buick navigating this horse through the correct path. If he manages to do that, we're onto a winner.
It's not a strong bet due to the nature of the race, but he is so well-handicapped that he has to be the play.
Special talkSPORT BET offer for Goodwood festival: Get up to £35 in free bets
Our friends at talkSPORT BET have prepared an exciting offer for new customers for horse racing and Goodwood Festival, which includes up to £35 in free bets for any sport, if your first bet on the site loses.
To qualify for this offer, you need to create a new account using our link and place a bet on horse racing with odds 2/1 or higher. If your first bet losses, you will get your stake back in free bets, up to £35. You have seven days to use the free bets on any sport and market.
18+ New Customers. Opt in and bet up to £35 on Horse Racing (odds 2/1+) within 7 days. If your first bet loses get your initial stake back, up to £35 in Free Bets for any sports. Free Bets expire in 7 days. Scroll down for T&Cs. GambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly
Get the talkSPORT BET offer >>
GambleAware
Calandagan 4-10 ascot 7-4….
Has to overturn a narrow defeat to Jan bruguel at epsom but the way he thrashed the field at last year’s royal ascot meeting over tomorrow’s distance is still fresh in memory.
Of the others one is a pacemaker maker for Jan bruguel in what could have been be a tactical/fiddly sort of race, so it seems they will make it a good lick and try and run the finish out of calandagan which suggests they fear the french horse.
Kalpana isn’t good enough despite getting 3 pounds and rebel romance was well beat in this last year and was behind calandagan in meydan since.
Continuous will need a big bounce back to form to be involved.
Trainer graffard also won this race last year with Goliath at 25-1.
Hoping everyone backs Jan bruguel with the O’Brien/Moore combo on to push calandagans price out more though I’ve had an initial bet at 7-4 as I think it’s a good price
Bang on the bell 3-45 Chester…
21-20 top 3 finish bet365
my mates horse bang on the bell goes at Chester again , pipped on the line last time here, down in class but up in weight and Marco ghiani not on, got someone called rowan Scott on who on his last ride on bang on the bell was out with the washing.
Also against is the fact he was in stall 1 last time which is plum draw on Chester’s tight track but is drawn 5 of 9 tomorrow and as a horse who likes to lead is not ideal.
Be a big crowd there including the owners and I’m sure they will want to see a decent run as it’s the nearest course to us here on Anglesey
Saying all that it’s a shit field and if he can somehow get to the front at the bend he will still take some stopping.
Any place bet EVENS or over will give me a run for my money while I watch some local football.
Hawksbill 3-35 ascot.
7-4 top 9 finish… NAP…bet365…🏇
20-1 ew extra 7 places
un adventure 10.59 France
4-10 Jan Brueghel 9/4
7:00 Salisbury- the bitter moose 4/1
1-40 Flowerhead ew
Zoiros 3.08 continuite 3.25 secret mistral 3.45 pier pressure 3.58 well done all winners yesterday
I’m taking small stakes on these today; I hate Saturday racing.
1:52 Newcastle – Berkshire Phantom
3:45 Chester – Secret Mistral
4:25 York – Cosmos Raj
5:30 Chester – Ey Up It’s The Boss
All won in the last week.
B’ Lucky (“,)