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Preview
20 June 2008
4.20 Ascot Wolferton Listed
Handicap Good to firm 10F
Horses to consider
Monte Alto (9/2) - Ran well on
seasonal return when a close up 3rd to Capable guest in the Redcar
seasonal feature handicap the Zetland Gold Cup, that performance was
among the best efforts of today's runners if you take the weight he
has to carry today and should be a good prep to go well in this
handicap. Ran an ok race last season in the Newmarket Cambridgeshire
and could well progress to be a group 3 performer before the season
is out. Looked to be travelling strongly at Redcar before staying on
a little one paced and that run will no doubt have brought him on
further for this handicap today. The ground was on the quick side of
good which it should be today on the round course at a track that
the going can vary from one extreme to the other. This looks a
perfect chance for him to continue his claim as a top handicapper
and his performances on this type of surface suggest he should be
involved in the finish with the stiffer finish being more then ideal
for the build and size of this horse.
Supaseus (14/1) - Ran well at York
in the handicap won by Emirates Skyline last season and even though
it wasn't ran at a strong pace he still managed to see out the trip
on his first start over 10 Furlongs. Has form on this track over
shorter he has performed with much credit in all his runs here and
went well at this meeting last term over possibly a trip short of
his best. Could find improvement for this stiffer test but the pace
of the race at York maybe helped him to see out the trip well and
today's runners could well make it more of a test over this trip to
see if he is a genuine contender over these trips for class 2
heritage handicaps through out the remainder of the season. Paired
with a jockey who has a royal ascot winner to his name so far this
season and Hugh Morrison is a trainer on the upgrade as well as his
yard continues to turn out high-class horses.
Pinpoint (40/1) - As the outsider of
the field Walter Swimburn horse shows the strength and depth in this
handicap with his inclusion in this race and the revised weights has
him as potentially ready to run a big race again. Has progressed to
need this trip after showing that he was a high class miler and his
run last term against Supaseus suggests that he could well be in at
the weights here to land a touch for the yard. The quick ground
shouldn't be a problem and any rain making the ground more good then
fast will not hinder his chances either. Has a better strike rate
over a mile but to be fair most of his ten furlong efforts have been
in tough races of a high mark and with the handicapper giving him
some respite in this race it would be no surprise to see him turn
around the recent form with those who beat him on the all weather
today.
Many Volumes (20/1) - Tipped this
horse in the Newmarket handicap on 1000 guineas day and he trailed
in last leaving the impression that he isn't a well handicapped
horse as I first thought, however since that run the yard have
picked up in their form and he has ran two very eye catching races
at Great Leighs and Lingfield to Red Rocks which points to the fact
he does have the class to win a handicap at this level. Better is
expected today on ground that has quickened and Henry Cecil is due a
Royal Ascot winner. Ted Durcan hasn't the best record on the horse
but rode him well enough last time and 10 furlongs does look his
trip with the added bonus of it being on a stiff track. Wouldn't
surprise me if he stamped his class on this field and went on to run
in group races but the Newmarket run just keeps going through the
back on my mind and maybe dirt is the way forward for this son of
Chester house.
Bushman (4/1) - Ryan Moore has
finally landed a Royal Ascot race and will be looking to add to his
tally today with the ride on the likely favourite for this race. A
easy as you like winner at Sandown in the mud has him hiked up a
unlucky 13lbs for that win, which has put him over the 9 stone mark
and while he is quite unexposed, that hike from a class 3 handicap
in which he ran away with of a slow race may have him being found
out at this level against much more proven handicappers. The change
in surface wont be no problem as his maiden form proves that quick
ground shouldn't be a problem for this horse as many may think. His
improvement may have come on soft ground but given the time he put
up when breaking his maiden tag suggest he is more then capable of
living up to it at this level. The 10 furlongs should be as far as
he wants and the stiffer track may be a problem over this far, but
he finished with his head in his chest at Sandown and even though it
was a weak race in comparison to this race, he was impressive enough
to take his chance in this race, even though favourites chance he
may not have.
Watamu (20/1) - Wouldn't even think
of suggesting this horse if it wasn't for the run at York over 12F
last time as he shaped with much promise that suggested quick ground
is just as ideal as his beloved Polly track surface. The drop back
in trip shouldn't be a problem as he has shown plenty of pace over
10 Furlongs on the quick surface at Lingfield, and with this being a
stiffer test of stamina he may come on again on turf over this ideal
trip with the track. The race at York time wasn't impressive for the
class of race as the winner stacked them up before kicking on, but
Pevensey who finished in front of Watamu has ran well in this race
of similar marks and with the drop back in a stronger run race
Watamu could well run a very big race in this handicap despite being
against better class of handicappers. Deserves respect from this
mark given the ability he has shown on the Polly Track and his
apparent liking under today's turf conditions.
Ratings - Monte Alto 121, Supaseus 120, Pinpoint, Watamu,
Many Volumes, Pinpoint 119, Emirates Skyline, Soapy Danger,
Championship Point 118, Under the rainbow 117, Charlie Farnsbarnes
116, illustrious Blue 115, Halicarnassus 112, Buccelletti 111.
Verdict – I
would imagine that the draw can't effect this result today on the
round course and would expect the winner to come from the above six
in this handicap, After a more in depth look, the continued
progression on Monte Alto, who was fancied just as much as
Pipedreamer in last years Cambridgeshire, can continue today with
Johnny Murtagh in the saddle. Bushman & Many Volumes are feared
most of the rest.
Selection –
3 pts Monte Alto
@ 9/2 (5'sBF)
Well Chief
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