14:30 Ascot 21 Jun 2025
Chesham Stakes
Moments Of Joy 1pt win only 9/4 – It’s impossible to ignore the £2m price tag of the current favourite here in Treanmor 6/4 who won comfortably on debut. Now of course you can only beat what you are up against but on reflection that doesn’t appear to be too much so up against a couple of top class lookers this ones metal will be tested when the yard are struggling. The form of Humidity 5/1 on the other hand has been franked in abundance with 4 winners and 4 placed so far coming out of that race including the Coventry Stakes runner up. Aiden O Brien has won this race no less than 5 times in the last 9 running’s and a couple of those actually followed the same route into this race as the selection. That debut win on paper does not look other worldly but we all know the ammunition and 2 yo’s this yard have so this one has to be taken seriously. A small play on the reverse Tricast would not be discouraged.
15:05 Ascot 21 Jun 2025
Hardwicke Stakes
Space Legend 1pt win only 10/1 – Performed well in and around G2 level last term and has form that would put him bang in the mix here. Can be forgiven his reappearance run over too short a trip and he ticks a lot of boxes for the sort that go well in this race. Four yo’s go well in the race and have taken 14 of the last 20 running’s. Was runner up here 12 months ago behind a very impressive winner of the King Edward VII stakes in Calandagan who now operates at the highest level, a reproduction of that kind of form would leave this field in his wake.
15:40 Ascot 21 Jun 2025
Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes
Storm Boy 1pt win only 10/1 – We were very torn on which one of two to side with here as Flora Of Bermuda 8/1 went into the notebook last time having been denied any sort of run to somehow still manage to only go down by a neck to Inisherin 7/2. That form should certainly be reversed here if a clear passage can be found. Aiden O Brien however has had his horses ready for this festival and in a race where he has only entered 2 runners in the last 6 years this one has to be taken serious. Add into that the last time he won back in 2018 it was with a horse recently brought over from Australia just as this one has been. Add into that again that he has only won the race twice and both times it has been with Australian bred horses then our interest is peaked. He will need to put his yard debut behind him but as we know with this outfit they know how to get them ready for the big occasion. Flora would be the first filly/mare to win this since Black Caviar back in 2012 who coincidentally was also from Australia.
16:20 Ascot 21 Jun 2025
Jersey Stakes
Marvelman 1pt win only 4/1 – Has been steadily progressive and still looks to be on an upward trajectory. His form had looked solid prior to his run in the King Charles II Stakes at Newmarket last month where he finished 2nd to the very exciting prospect Cosmic Year. That form has been boosted on several occasions with Listed and Group form coming from behind the selection that day. Quicker ground should be ok but is the only slight concern today. Noble Champion 33/1 is also noteworthy at a price and should fare better now back up in trip. The form of his Goodwood run would put him in the mix here.
17:00 Ascot 21 Jun 2025
Wokingham Stakes
Zoum Zoum 0.5pt EW 16/1 (6 places B365) – Finished a solid 5th here in the Jersey Stakes last term and went on to win a handicap from a mark of 101 at Doncaster as well as acquitting himself very well in Listed company. Made a very pleasing return to action in the Cathedral Stakes last month finishing 1/2L runner up and ahead of one of his main rivals here today in Jarraaf 5/1. The selection was a bit slow into stride that day and a better start here from a plum draw should see this one going close again. Still looks progressive and this stiff 6f should suit very well for one that can go over further. The Cathedral Stakes can act as a springboard for better things so fingers crossed here for a big run.
17:35 Ascot 21 Jun 2025
Golden Gates Stakes
Roosevelt 0.5pt EW 22/1 (5 Places B365) + Rock Of Cashel 0.5pt EW 80/1 (5 Places Corals) – This one has often had to play the supporting roll and that could well be the case here again today in the form of Pacemaker for the other O’ Brien runner Roosevelt 22/1 who looks tricky and will need everything to go right. Has stamina in abundance and I’ve no doubt that Rock is in here to make sure its a true test today. With 5 places available however we take a play on the big outsider who takes a big drop in grade here from a fair mark despite being at the top of the weights. This trip is within reach and I’m hoping he will have enough class to stay ahead of a few of these.
18:10 Ascot 21 Jun 2025
Queen Alexandra Stakes
Tashkhan 0.5pt EW 22/1 – There is absolutely no reason to believe that the very short priced Willie Mullins favourite will not go on and do the business here but i can’t help thinking that the price is so because of the Mullins factor. This horse is yet to go beyond 2 mile in this sphere and has done most of his work with plenty of give in the ground, so he comes here with questions to answer and will need the race to be set up to suit for a sprint finish I’d imagine. The selection also has doubts over this quicker ground which on breeding would not be an issue but has appeared to be kept away from anything too quick in the past, including in this race last year where he was a NR on forecast G/F going. Has a break of 265 days to overcome too but he is possibly the only one in here that can boast form in this sort of test. His run here back in 2022 when 5th in the Gold Cup behind both Stradivarius and Kyprios as a 4 yo is the one that gives me the confidence to go in here. That run was on G/F and whilst he may not be the force he once was he could still play a hand here. Has gone well fresh in the past too and will be up there making sure the pace is a genuine one.
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