Sport of Kings

[Portsmouth]

Looks like rain...so the going for the Derby may be soft.....the fav Delacroix should be ok on that
Have second thoughts on Ruling Court....don't think he will stay....I see him as a 10 furlong horse despite his class
I've read the rain will give an advantage to horses drawn in lower numbers than those with higher numbers. is that true ?
Also horses in stalls 16 & 2 have never won since stalls were introduced in 1967
That means Pride of Arras (16) might have a slight disadvantage if he runs well
If I have a bet it will be on Midas or Damysus each way but don't expect to win.

[Onelife]

The aftermath is that “Lambourn” played to his strengths while “New Ground” ran a brilliant race to finish 4th but did exactly what I thought he would do, blowing his chances on the way to the post and not settling during the race….Very much a case of what could have been.

[oldbluefox]

How do I become OL's bookie?

[Onelife]

How do I become OL's bookie?

You’ve obviously heard of my generosity…will you now stop trying to upset me and nominate me for the award

[oldbluefox]

Having seen how devastated Pompey (one of the nicest chaps on the forum) was it makes it very dificult although if you could see your way to changing your bookie and investing a couple of hundred quid into FoxyBets.com I would happily re-consider and forgive you. Just think of the good it will do

[Onelife]

Having seen how devastated Pompey (one of the nicest chaps on the forum) was it makes it very dificult although if you could see your way to changing your bookie and investing a couple of hundred quid into FoxyBets.com I would happily re-consider and forgive you. Just think of the good it will do

You’re the last person I thought would stoop so low as to try bribery, especially on a friend who is down on his luck… and for what…£200 which is the price of a meal at one of Barney’s favourite restaurants.

Disgraceful!

[Portsmouth]

The aftermath is that “Lambourn” played to his strengths while “New Ground” ran a brilliant race to finish 4th but did exactly what I thought he would do, blowing his chances on the way to the post and not settling during the race….Very much a case of what could have been.

Race data says that he covered the final three furlongs over a second quicker than winner Lambourn

Racing TV says...He did not get the smoothest of starts out in stall 17, was wide for most of the way around and did not settle well - his head carriage looking particularly awkward.
He only had a few behind approaching Tattenham Corner in another race where the first two home were handy throughout, and he ran on well up the straight when plenty of others had cried enough, finishing fourth and looking as if even further would be no problem to him.
If he can relax better, there are plenty of prizes over this trip to be won
So one to keep an eye on for the future

[Onelife]

I wouldn’t be surprised to see him wearing cheekpieces at some point in the future as he has the most awkward way of racing.

Perhaps a head lowering “bit” might be the answer to his high head carriage?

It was a messy race all round with some not handling the surface, some taking too long to settle.

[Portsmouth]

Ruling Court is now entered for Ascot in the St James Palace stakes at just under a mile, once again taking on winner of the Irish Guineas ...Field of Gold who he beat by a 1/2 length in the Newmarket 2000 guineas.

Interestingly Ruling Court is also entered for the Irish Derby at 16/1 taking on Lambourn
Some of the other Derby runners are also entered for the Irish derby including Lazy Griff (but there is a chance he might go instead for a race in France) Aiden O'Brien has also included Delacroix & The Lion in winter again along with Puppet Master & Stay True.....I'm guessing he might well withdraw Delacroix for a shorter distance race.

[Portsmouth]

Several big races take place at Royal Ascot.......these are my thoughts
Queen Anne Stakes 14:30 Notable Speech last years 2000 Guineas winner is running but some might prefer Lead Artist. Also I was looking for an outsider and quite like Quaddwah for a place....seems to do well in early races although he is up in class
Coventry Stakes 15:05 for 2yr olds.....lots of runners in this very hard to choose GStaad ( Aiden O'Brien ) seems to be favourite but I also the look of his second string Warsaw. American Gulf seems speedy but I choose Rock on Thunder an outsider for a place though he is up in class.
King Charles 111 stakes.....Ashfoora won last year ....wonder if that can be repeated ?
St James Palace Stakes...We have the winners of the 2000 guineas, Irish Guineas and French guineas all running in this. It seems alot of the money is on Field of Gold who won the Irish and was just beaten by Ruling Court because his jockey gave him a poor run. I think I might just support Ruling Court because I think maybe depending how W Buick rides him he might still be able to beat Field of Gold although I also have a strong liking for Henry Matisse

[Portsmouth]

Well what an exciting end to the first race.....who would have thought that Docklands at 14/1 would beat Rosallion the fav 5/2 by a nose + if you had put an e/way bet on the third horse home you would have made a few bob.... as he was 100/1.
Good job I'm not having a bet today

[Portsmouth]

So Field of Gold showed his class by winning easily by 3 1/2 lengths.....Ruling Court wasn't up to it and will now go for a slightly longer distance.

[Onelife]

Hi Pompey, I couldn’t get to the bookies today as I was waiting for the mower man who didn’t turn up or bother to let me know he wasn’t coming…not too pleased!

I watched all the races with "Field of Gold" looking outstanding…it’s hard to see anything getting close to him if he remains in this form....one punter had £30k to win 25K.

Take a look at “Reaching High” (5.00 Ascot Stakes) if there was ever an unlucky horse then it was this one...nightmare passage for Ryan Moore.

Well, you mentioned a couple of winners today (unfurtunatly not in the right order) however, things are moving in the right direction.

I will be visiting the bookies tomorrow but not with a great deal of confidence, however, here are my selections.

2.30 Gurnsey Lady…big outsider, so I’ll be going EW...£3 win £2 place

3.5 Further £5 win

5.0 Sean (antipost 33/1 £5 win) it’s now trading 50/1 – I might have a £1 ew bet on Epictetus... Saffie Osbourne has picked this one over Sean.

5.35 Arisaig £5 win

6.10 Dickensian £5 win

[Onelife]

I note “Reaching High” has an entry for the 6.10 Ascot Saturday… currently trading at 3/1…if there are no ill effect from todays race, it's one to keep on the right side of.

[Portsmouth]

I was looking at your choice of Gurnsey Lady, as you say a huge outsider.....I think I understand why you picked her as a good outsider after watching her last run which she won (but this is a step up in class). In her race before, Gurnsey Girl was down the field a bit and the first three home are also in this race .....the winner was Secret Hideaway who is 20/1 ....2nd was Harrys Girl at about 16/1 and Love Olivia was 3rd and she is at about 16/1 as well. However I think if you get lucky you could get a place but I have a feeling you won't beat my choice Society Kiss who I think broke the course record and yet is still a pretty good price at 8/1. I've also heard good things about Spicy Marg who sounds pretty good.
Too many choices

[Portsmouth]

For the 3:05 Queens Vase this was a bit hard for me as my Derby outsider choice Al Wasl Storm is running . Again the tipsters give him no chance but he has a good price at about 50/1. I just don't have enough confidence in him to grab a place so I've decided to look elsewhere
French raider Asmarani appears to be a nice choice but his only races have been on soft and is unproven on fast ground
I'm also looking closely at Calmers & Devils Advocate....who should stay

[Onelife]

Hi Pompey, looking at the bare form in the 2.30… and taking in to consideration how well “Gstaad” won yesterday then the sound money will be on “True love” having only got beaten just under a length by Gstaad reads well.

Like you say “Guernsey lady” might just sneak a place…probably somewhere at the back of the field, but hey I never let the price of a horse stop me backing it.

I’ve decided to change my £5 wins to that of £4 wins and £1 place due to the prices being what they are.

As for the Queens Vase 3.5 it looks a difficult race to fathom out but as stated I am going for “Furthur” who took the long route round Chester last time out…it also used a lot of energy trying to get to the front in the first two furlongs, taking this into consideration it ran an ok race.

Good luck if you have a bet…if not shout mine home

[Portsmouth]

Hi Pompey, I couldn’t get to the bookies today as I was waiting for the mower man who didn’t turn up or bother to let me know he wasn’t coming…not too pleased!

Just on this alone .....I can understand your frustration.....It's just unbelievable in this day & age that tradesmen don't appear to be able to use their smartphones to either tell you or text you that their running late, can't make it etc .
I can understand your annoyance as it's also happened to me.
( Rant over )

[Onelife]

Yes’, it is frustrating, the times I have waited in for “no shows” then for them to make lame excuses for not turning up has become the norm. It wouldn’t be so bad if this was a first call out but I’ve had an on-going problem which he is struggling to rectify. I’m now waiting for him to fit a new carburettor…If it carries on much longer I’m going to have to get my wife out pushing the hand mower.

[Ray B]

. I’m now waiting for him to fit a new carburettor…If it carries on much longer I’m going to have to get my wife out pushing the hand mower.

What wrong with the Estate gardeners doing the organising of the mower repairs and cutting the lawns.

[Portsmouth]

Going back to the 2:30 race I notice Guernsey Lady is in stall 17....historically a high draw is an advantage. Only one winner in the last 10 years has come from a single stalls number. Me and those statistics again My choice Society Kiss has now gone down to 6/1 with Bet Fred.

Calmers in the Queens Vase, as mentioned earlier is my 15:05 choice at low odds of 4/1
For the Duke of Cambridge Stakes at 15:40 I'm going to hope that Running Lion will win for the second year in a row 8/1 although the favourite seems to be Cinderella's Dream which was at first going to be my choice but I changed my mind.
For the Prince of Wales Stakes 16:20 I have made my choice See The Fire 4/1

In the Royal Hunt Cup 17:00.......will I be going for Sean ?...Not for me....but I've been looking at Epictetus with a bit of interest. A former Group 3 winner only 2 years ago. He is down in weight from his last race against My Cloud & is in a new yard with J Osbourne...makes me wonder
But I think maybe I should be looking instead at Arabian Light or Sissyphean but I can't decide which at the moment.

For the Kensington Palace Stakes 17:35 I was looking at Serialise but have decided on Snellen
The last race is wide open & many of these 2 yr olds could easily be the winner....so for the Windsor castle Stakes 18:10 I have gone for the American raider Tough Critic

I don't know yet if I'll get to a bookies in time to make a bet but if I do it will probably be in the form of a Patent or Yankee to get better value.
.

[Onelife]

. I’m now waiting for him to fit a new carburettor…If it carries on much longer I’m going to have to get my wife out pushing the hand mower.

What wrong with the Estate gardeners doing the organising of the mower repairs and cutting the lawns.

I believe you get the best out of your estate workers by showing them that my wife isn’t afraid to get her hands dirty …as for fixing the mowers, I’ve deducted £50 each out of their wages for breaking it.

[Onelife]

With three 2nd placed horses between us (25/1 - 20/1- 20/1) things could have been a lot worse.

[Onelife]

Having hit the post with a couple of yesterdays selections I’m hoping to reach the back of the net with at least one of today’s bets

3.5… Serious Contender £5 win
3.40… Serenity Prayer £5 win
5.0… Shout £4-win £1 place
6.10… Divine Libra £4-win £1 place

I quite like the chances of “Divine Libra” and will be hoping he can lay up with the pace as he does tend to give away ground at the start but at 25/1 hes worth a punt. Whilst finishing down the field at Chester last time out, his wide draw and sluggish start didn’t help his chances, nevertheless he still ran on to finish a creditable 5th of 14… he’ll be finishing better than most so here’s hoping he can spring a surprise.

Another big priced horse “Shout” will need everything to fall right and like Divine Libra is prone to fluffing his starts but should be thereabouts given a clear passage.

The other two are much shorter odds but look to have excellent chances in what are fiercely competitive races.

[Portsmouth]

With three 2nd placed horses between us (25/1 - 20/1- 20/1) things could have been a lot worse.

They were at a good price but one of us did get the ball in the back of the net......Calmers 9/2