Saturday 29th July

Ascot 1.50 A very difficult 2 year old opening contest to today’s ITV card. There are plenty in here with scope and open to any amount of improvement. Pretty Crystal & Soprano have the best form & there was a lot to like about Symbology debut win at York. Just a race to watch for me

York 2.05 A novelty race for jump jockeys & not a race I wish to get involved with at all , but the booking of leading Irish Champion rider Paul Townend has to catch the eye somewhat if nothing else

Ascot 2.25 Another difficult graded race to puzzle over , both Random Harvest & Ameynah are dropping back in grade from Group 1 races & that is usually an angle with following. Cadeau Belle comes over the Irish Sea unbeaten in two runs along with Thornbrook who has an interesting jockey booking. Not a race I am tempted to bet in

York 2.40 A wide open race as you would expect for this years renewal of the Dash. I am not sure how Aberama Gold is currently favourite as his form is mainly at a lower level & winning two handicaps at Wolverhampton & Hamilton is a far cry from this type of company. Summerghand is another shorter in the betting than I would have expected given he is rising 9 and has been way below par so far this season. Barefoot Angel is the unexposed angle but the wind op first time out sound a note of caution for me. Magical Spirit & Lethal Levi are closely matched on 2nd & 3rd place finish here back in May . But the one I am going for is Music Society who only just missed out on winning this back in 2021 off a higher mark. He has been is very good form and one close at Ayr last time out & the stable love a winner at their local big track. Advised Bet Music Society 1/2 pt ew @ 14’1 firms offering 4 places

Ascot 3.00 A very tight race with plenty seemingly out of form or just not that well handicapped. We were on Biggles last time out at Newmarket & it would be no surprise should he go in again if things set up nicely. Fresh bids to retain the title from last year and is weighted to go well once again. I can’t see why Baradar is so short in the betting on current form but he does hold a verdict over Biggles from Doncaster last November. Not a race overall I can find that much to get exited about, so no bet

York 3.15 My Prospero is the class dropping angle horse and should take the beating on form too. However Alflaila did nothing but improve last season and could pose a big challenge if he is straight enough on the first run back. Mashhoor is likely to ensure a good pace & Royal Champion is no forlorn hope either

Ascot 3.40 A very high class renewal of the great race & it’s a clash of the generations to enjoy. Auguste Rodin & King Of Steel 1 & 2 in the Derby clash once again & I could not say how that contest will turn out as there are both at the same level for me. Emily Upjohn flopped in this last year & she does seem to have developed the habit of pulling for her head & being slow away which will catch her out at this level. If I were going to guess at a couple that should go close it would be last years winner Pyledriver & Hukum who loves this track. A race to savour and watch for me this year