Dalmally was punted off the boards in the penultimate race at Epsom, but couldn't get the job done.
David Probert couldn't calm the horse, and the horse just wanted to go faster. That is the reason why he went for home as early as he did. In hindsight, not going from the front and getting cover might be the way to ride him. The horse shot a few lengths clear, but couldn't keep up the gallop. The horse that I said was the main threat did go on to win at 11/1, which is always a pain.
Marlay Park couldn't go the gallop which was set, and the race was set up perfectly for the winner, who was well supported in the market.
Classic 10/3 (1pt) – Newbury 3.00
Classic has been put up on this thread twice this year, returning a win on one occasion and an unlucky runner-up finish the time before. I think at the age of five years old, Sean Levey and Richard Hannon now understand the best way to ride this horse. On that basis, I think he can take another step forward and land this race.
Winning this race won't be a walk in the park by any means. There are some solid horses in this, Jumby being one of the main dangers, but I think Classic has the form in the book to win this. He has been running in competitive races all season and acquitting himself nicely.
The manner of his victory at Sandown and the form of his recent runner-up finish give him the right to be at the top of the market. Two Tribes has since won the Stewards' Cup at Glorious Goodwood in easy fashion, yet Classic made him work every sinew for the win at Ascot. Classic has been campaigning over a mile for the majority of his career, but he showed he is just as effective over 7f last time out.
Al Wasl Storm 4/1 (1pt) – Newbury 4.45
I think if it were down to Owen Burrows, Al Wasl Storm would not have run in the last two races. After winning at Chester, it was quite evident that there was a lot of pressure applied by the owner on Owen to run him in the Derby. He was outclassed, and I think the owner wanted a runner at Royal Ascot, once again being heavily beaten. I think back in calmer waters, he can showcase what he's really about.
He won nicely at Chester, and at the time, I didn't think too much about the performance or the form, but it turns out the form is actually very solid. All but one horse from the Chester race has won at least one race, and many of them are now rated in the 80s or 90s, including The Pouncing Lion, who beat Renato when carrying a penalty. Obviously, horse math is never 100% accurate, but it bodes well.
Billy Loughnane won his first Group 1 last Sunday, so he is full of confidence. I think he is a great jockey, so having him on board this horse is always a positive.
Binhareer 9/4 (1.5pt) – Newmarket 2.05
Normally, market drifts do mean you're in for a rough race, but that wasn't the case when I tipped up Binhareer when they took him to Scotland. He was a big drifter, but won with plenty to spare.
This race is always a good spectacle as it's full of grey horses. On form and potential, I think Binhareer is the one to beat. The only problem is that he has to prove he handles a much quicker surface. I'm not an expert of horse movement, but he looks a quick ground mover based on how his knees move. Not only that, but he is related to Trefor, who is a very useful sprinter, rated in the 90s, who also handles quick ground.
I think he is close to where he should be in the market, but at the time of writing, he is slightly bigger than I thought he should be, so he still gets my vote.
GambleAware