Simon Holt previews the final day @ Royal Ascot
DiscreetCat
Moderator
from Sporting Life:
Once again the Golden Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot on Saturday is a real international heat although it's a shame Takeover Target is a late defection.
Still we have runners from Hong Kong, South Africa and America plus a former Greek horse in Ialysos. He made a successful British debut for Luca Cumani when beating Angelzarke at Haydock and that rival boosted the form when finish second in the King's Stand on Tuesday. Cannonball, who runs here, was fifth.
There is a lot of talk about J J The Jet Plane who has won his last two starts, including when slamming Intrepid Jack by four lengths at Windsor. He was giving him weight too so the South African raider is obviously a leading player.
The one they all have to beat is Hong Kong challenger Sacred Kingdom who at his very best is one of the top horses in the world. He has won 12 of his 18 starts and has been right back to form in his two outings. He beat a very smart sprinter called Rocket Man in Singapore last time with Diabolical well beaten in third.
That looks very good form and I understand Sacred Kingdom has been training very well at his British base in Manton. He can really stamp his class on the race.
The big betting race of the day is the Wokingham.
This is very open - as ever. Genki has a very good record at the track but hasn't had a lot of racing in the last year or so.
High Standing looks very progressive and was an impressive winner at Goodwood last time. He picks up a five pounds penalty for that effort but is still two pounds well in on his revised mark.
He is sure to run well and while he is out in stall 28, the draw bias seemed to be levelling out as the week went on.
Jimmy Styles races from stall one and comes into the race off a recent victory at Newmarket. He hails from the in-form Clive Cox team.
One that has often run well in this type of race in the past is Knot In Wood who is trained by Richard Fahey. His horses are absolutely flying at the moment and Frederic Tylicki takes off a valuable five pounds.
His mount disappointed at the Curragh last time but it was on very heavy ground and he had earlier run much better in the Duke Of York Stakes on a quicker surface.
His previous third behind Tax Free and Equiano at Newmarket suggests he has a very good chance here. He has gone close in this type of race before and is worth an each-way interest while High Standing is the best of the market leaders.
Elsewhere I like Campanologist in the Hardwicke Stakes. Godolphin struck with Flying Cloud in the Ribblesdale on Thursday and their runner here shaped well on his reappearance.
He had some very good form last season, including a win at this meeting in the King Edward VII Stakes where he beat Conduit.
He could be the one to beat on Saturday.
Once again the Golden Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot on Saturday is a real international heat although it's a shame Takeover Target is a late defection.
Still we have runners from Hong Kong, South Africa and America plus a former Greek horse in Ialysos. He made a successful British debut for Luca Cumani when beating Angelzarke at Haydock and that rival boosted the form when finish second in the King's Stand on Tuesday. Cannonball, who runs here, was fifth.
There is a lot of talk about J J The Jet Plane who has won his last two starts, including when slamming Intrepid Jack by four lengths at Windsor. He was giving him weight too so the South African raider is obviously a leading player.
The one they all have to beat is Hong Kong challenger Sacred Kingdom who at his very best is one of the top horses in the world. He has won 12 of his 18 starts and has been right back to form in his two outings. He beat a very smart sprinter called Rocket Man in Singapore last time with Diabolical well beaten in third.
That looks very good form and I understand Sacred Kingdom has been training very well at his British base in Manton. He can really stamp his class on the race.
The big betting race of the day is the Wokingham.
This is very open - as ever. Genki has a very good record at the track but hasn't had a lot of racing in the last year or so.
High Standing looks very progressive and was an impressive winner at Goodwood last time. He picks up a five pounds penalty for that effort but is still two pounds well in on his revised mark.
He is sure to run well and while he is out in stall 28, the draw bias seemed to be levelling out as the week went on.
Jimmy Styles races from stall one and comes into the race off a recent victory at Newmarket. He hails from the in-form Clive Cox team.
One that has often run well in this type of race in the past is Knot In Wood who is trained by Richard Fahey. His horses are absolutely flying at the moment and Frederic Tylicki takes off a valuable five pounds.
His mount disappointed at the Curragh last time but it was on very heavy ground and he had earlier run much better in the Duke Of York Stakes on a quicker surface.
His previous third behind Tax Free and Equiano at Newmarket suggests he has a very good chance here. He has gone close in this type of race before and is worth an each-way interest while High Standing is the best of the market leaders.
Elsewhere I like Campanologist in the Hardwicke Stakes. Godolphin struck with Flying Cloud in the Ribblesdale on Thursday and their runner here shaped well on his reappearance.
He had some very good form last season, including a win at this meeting in the King Edward VII Stakes where he beat Conduit.
He could be the one to beat on Saturday.