2.30 We are left with the same question marks over the Irish 2 year olds and the Godolphin ones , both have been put into the front of the market and while the Irish struck yesterday with a juvenile I am still far from convinced. That said I think Pentle Bay looks the one to be with the new owners went to £400,000 at the Goffs London Sale on Monday, having scored at Leicester in the interim; should relish this extra furlong; stable is operating at an excellent strike-rate this month. A newcomer that catches my eye is Duke Of Monroth, his price increased plenty at the Breeze Up sales and the owners are no strangers to debutant winners in 2 year old races. Advised Bets Pentle Bay 1/2 pt ew @ 8’1 firms offering 4 places & Duke Of Monroth 1/2 pt ew @ 20’1 firms offering 4 places
3.05 Continuous stands out on ratings and although he lacks a recent run but he’s the one to beat if at the top of his game on this reappearance. Advised Bet Continuous 2pt win @ 15’8
3.45 A wide open race for a Group 1 contest , the 2 against the field for me are last years winner Khaadem who came from the back of the centre group to win this at 80-1 last year ; unable to reproduce that form at different courses on his four starts since but a strongly run race on fast ground over this C&D clearly brings out the best in him, and it will be no surprise if he’s in the mix. The other selection is The Wizard Of Eye who drops back in trip after stable debut in last month’s Victoria Cup handicap here; he won that after travelling well and making up plenty of ground in the final furlong, and he’s unexposed as a gelding and for this yard; interesting under Ryan Moore. Advised Bets Wizard Of Eye 1/2 pt ew @ 11’1 firms offering 4 places & Khaadem 1/2 pt ew @ 20’1 firms offering 4 places
4.25 River Tiber won the 6f Group 2 Coventry Stakes at this meeting in 2023, with Haatem back in fifth; has finished third in Group 1 events since, most recently behind Rosallion and Haatem in the Irish 2,000 Guineas on reappearance; no extra late on that day, and likely be at least as effective over today’s distance; handles any ground; should be at concert pitch now and looks the one to beat in receipt of 3lb from Haatem. Advised Bet 2pt win River Tiber @ 13’8
5.05 A massive field go to post for the Wokingham Stakes and I do think a high draw may be essential. With that in mind one horse stands out and that is Albasheer who is very good on the all weather but was highly competent on turf in 2023, finishing better than anything from a hopeless position in this race (third run back after missing 2022), dead-heating for a top York sprint and close up in the Ayr Gold Cup; had little going for him on heavy ground in France this month and if none the worse he’s poised to go well under favourable conditions, with Hollie Doyle switching from last year’s winner Saint Lawrence. Advised Bet 3/4 pt ew Albasheer @ 17’2 / 8’1 firms offering 6 places
5.40 Despite a big field Hand Of God looks the one to go with. Impressive in a Newmarket maiden last October; was made to work much harder to follow up from the front in a tight three-way finish to five-runner handicap at Sandown in April on reappearance but he seemed to be crying out for 1m2f, which he gets today, and has been raised just 3lb; very much a possible big improver to me. Advised Bet Hand Of God 1pt win @ 11’4
6.15 A trappy looking closing Queen Alexandra Stakes , but one at a decent enough price is Postileo who comes from the ultra shrewd Irish yard of Emmet Mullins . He ran well in Cumberland Lodge Stakes here last October when close up behind Tuesday’s Wolferton winner Israr; never took to hurdling for new connections but a fourth behind Kyprios over 1m6f at Navan last time was encouraging; didn’t quite see out the 2m4f of the Ascot Stakes here three years ago but he’s perhaps a stronger horse now; has posted his two best form in cheekpieces and they return today. Advised Bet Postileo 1/2 pt ew @ 12’1