Ascot 2:30
1 point win Modern Games 9/4 Paddy Power, Betfair SB, William Hill & Unibet.
Modern Games is the one they all have to beat following his excellent win in the Lockinge stakes at Newbury. I loved the way this horse quickened to pick up leader Chindit and win readily. Modern Games has improved from three to four and is a multiple Group 1 winner. He won a Breeders cup Juvenile turf at two. As a 3yo he started off by winning the french guineas and finished second to the mighty Baaeed in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood. At the backed of his 3yo season he won twice on his travels to the US as well as finishing second to Bayside Boy over course and distance on Champions Day. That was a superb effort on champions day considering he loves fast ground. The ground is good to firm on the straight course tomorrow. Modern Games is well drawn in stall 8 beside the pace horses Pogo & Mutasaabeq.
Ascot 3:40
1 point each way Manaccan 5/1 bet365 else 9/2 Betway, both paying 5 places.
Frankie Dettori rides Manaccan who won over course and distance last October. That was a listed race and he travelled over to Ireland to win a Group 3 at Dundalk two weeks later. Those were cracking wins for a 3yo sprinter taking on his elders. He ran a lovely race on his first start this season when third at Newmarket in the Palace House Stakes. The ground was plenty soft that day and he will love the summer ground on the straight course tomorrow. A very good each way bet and is drawn nicely in stall 9 beside the favourite Highfield Princess. Mooneista was tempting at a bigger price following her fourth last year. However, it is hard to see her winning the race and a place is probably the best she could achieve.
Ascot 5:00
0.5 point each way Calling The Wind 12/1 Bet365 6 places else 12/1 Boylesports, Ladbrokes & Coral, all 5 places.
Calling The Wind is nicely treated following his unlucky run in the Chester Cup. Jamie Spencer and his mount were stuck in a pocket on the rail and couldn’t get a clean run over the final furlong. The horse had more to give which is positive as is the fact the handicapper has dropped him a pound following that run. Trainer Richard Hughes has booked ace 3lb claimer Billy Loughnane to less the burden on his back further. Calling The Wind goes well at Ascot and has finished third placed in the Queen Alexandra Stakes over 1.5 furlongs further the past two years. He was rated as high as 105 last season so his affective mark of 96 looks attractive tomorrow for this proven stayer.
Ascot 5:35
0.5 point each way Cadillac 10/1 William Hill, Betvictor & Bet365, all 4 places.
A competitive race for sure with a max field of 16 runners. We backed Cadillac in this race last year when second and I think he can go one better tomorrow. He was purchased out of the Jessie Harrington yard and new trainer George Boughey has done well with him. I thought he won a shade cosily at Epsom when showing a good turn of foot to pick up the leaders and win with his ears pricked. This year he doesn’t carry any 3lb penalty and will love the good going in the main on the round course. Cadillac is well drawn in stall 4 with the excellent Kiwi jockey James McDonald booked to ride.
Ascot 6:10
0.5 point each way Get Shirty 28/1 William Hill & Betvictor else 25/1 generally, 5 places.
Last years winner Get Shirty is available at a massive price and cannot be allowed go unbacked. He beat Cleveland last year despite meeting trouble on the inner up the home straight. That win was off a handicap mark of 99 and he proved it no fluke winning the Old Newton Cup at Haydock from a mark of 105. Last summer he ran fifth in the Ebor handicap when rated 110 so I am not concerned about his 105 mark tomorrow at all in a compact handicap. He did well on his winter travels finishing second to First Ruler at Meydan and then third in a valuable Group 3 handicap in Riyadh. I though he ran a nice race giving lumps of weight away at Haydock ten days ago when not knocked about. That run over 1m4f should set him right for another bold run in this class 2 handicap.
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**Next Selections due Date & Time
Tuesday Night 20th June ~20:00
